To help you create a messy ‘do that’s all your own, we are sharing two ways to rock the messy look, including mussed-up hairstyles that were inspired by the Rag & Bone and Jonathan Simkhai shows in NYC. Read on to learn more about how to master this classic hairstyle for this ultimate effortless beauty!
How to Create a Messy Ponytail
How to Create A NYFW-Inspired Messy Ponytail
Step 1: Start clean or refresh with dry shampoo.
To begin your look, refresh your hair with Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Dry Shampoo to soak up any excess oil. While this particular style is best on second-day or lived-in hair, you can absolutely create a messy ponytail on freshly washed hair.
Step 2: Rough-dry with a blow-dryer.
The rough-dry technique helps build texture in your hair while you blow-dry. To do this step, simply prep hair with TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray, then use your hands to roughly comb through your hair as you dry. Pro tip: Use a medium to low-temperature setting to avoid burning your hands.
Step 3: Create a ponytail.
Gather hair into a messy ponytail as you think of it as an undone look. Secure with a hair tie.
Step 4: Enhance hair texture by backcombing.
Using a fine-tooth comb, backcomb the ends of your hair to enhance texture and create the body. Finish your look with hairspray that gives your messy ponytail hold and lots of movement. We love Dove Style + Care Compressed Flexible Hold Hairspray for the job.
5 Messy Ponytail to Try
1. Tousled
The mid-to-high level messy ponytail is all about the volume and tousled factor. Use a 1-inch curling iron to add loose curls to your hair before finger-combing through them and gathering your strands up into a ponytail. Pull a few pieces out around your face to recreate this look.
2. Textured
Add even more texture to your messy ponytail by misting your strands with Suave Dry Texture Finishing Spray. This texture spray will give your hair added body instantly.
3. Combed Back
Ditch your hairbrush and use your fingers to comb your hair back into a messy ponytail. Use a hair tie that’s the same color as your hair to streamline the look a bit and balance out the messiness.
4. Sleek to Messy
Balance out your messy look by working a smooth base into your ponytail style. Use a comb to brush the top of your strands down flat against your head and secure your hair into a low ponytail.
5. Crimped
Crimped hairstyles are all the rage these days. If you’re looking for an easy way to get in on this style, simply sleep with your hair in a braid and swap the braid for a ponytail in the morning! Are you thinking about trying out this messy ponytail style? Be sure to grab a picture and tag us over @AllThingsHairUS!
