If you're on the hunt for a hairstyle that strikes the perfect balance between low-maintenance and high style, look no further than the messy bob. This effortlessly tousled, undone look exudes chic, offering a refreshing departure from the overly structured bob. Seen on A-list Hollywood stars and fashionable influencers alike, the messy bob haircut has been embraced by stars far and wide.
Curious about what sets a messy bob apart from the rest? It's the simplicity. “A messy bob is essentially a classic bob that isn’t blown out or straightened," says celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. "Anyone can rock this style, no matter what hair texture you have.” The texture is ultimately what makes a messy bob messy, adds celebrity hairstylist Anthony Hernandez. “A sleek classic bob contains little to no texture in comparison to a messy bob,” Hernandez explains.
Both stylists agree that there are a number of ways you can add texture to a bob, including a tailored cut and using hot tools like a curling iron or a diffuser. "From a cutting perspective, you’ll need to ask your stylist to texturize or remove weight from your hair — this will give it a messy or airy effect,” says Hernandez. The styling products you use can also help enhance the texture of a bob. “If you have naturally straight hair, you can achieve a messy bob by diffusing your hair and applying a product," says Hawkins, who loves SexyHair’s Foam Party Texturizing Foam.
The Low-maintenance messy bob hairstyles Ideas
Whether you have fine, straight hair or thick, wavy locks, there’s a messy bob style for you. Let these ideas inspire your next bold hair move!
For messy bob haircut inspiration, look no further than the array of interpretations below.
#1: Chic Textured And Messy Short Bob With Center Part
For a hairstyle that combines low-maintenance ease with high-fashion appeal, consider a textured and messy short bob featuring a center part.
This ruffled bob is versatile and works beautifully on various hair textures, from straight to wavy, and flatters most face shapes.
The strategic placement of layers in the cut adds volume while creating a tousled appearance that looks effortlessly stylish rather than unkempt.
To style this bob, use a texturizing spray or sea salt spray from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair. This will enhance the texture and maintain the perfect balance of messiness and elegance.
#2: Fluffy Tousled And Voluminous Bob
For a universally flattering style, try the tousled and voluminous bob. This attractive cut suits nearly everyone, making it a go-to choice for those who adore volume.
The short to medium layers in this bob are expertly crafted to enhance fullness, while a deep side part adds an extra lift at the top, elevating the overall shape.
For the best results, scrunch-dry your hair to maintain the natural texture and avoid blow-drying it too straight. This approach keeps the bob fluffy and full.
For the finishing touch, lightly use a curling iron to add definition where needed.
#3: Edgy Platinum Messy Side-Parted Bob
If you’re drawn to short hair but still want the option of pulling it back into a ponytail, consider the platinum messy bob with a side part.
This hairstyle is edgy, effortless, and perfect for those who prefer a low-maintenance approach to their hair. To achieve this look, request an A-line bob with layers from your stylist.
The layers should be cut slightly shorter at the back and gradually become longer towards the front, creating a dynamic and modern silhouette.
For added texture and to reduce bulk, ask your stylist to use a razor on the ends for a tapered and lightweight finish.
#4: Boho Side-Parted Messy A-Line Bob
For a contemporary boho vibe, try a side-parted messy A-line bob, beginning with a triangular cut at the nape of the neck and over-directing the hair towards the back.
This styling approach gives the bob a distinctive shape and flow. To enhance the volume at the crown and add body through the mid-lengths, use a high-quality hairspray such as Oribe Volumista Mist or Life Hair Spray.
These products are key to achieving the desired fullness and texture, making your A-line bob look effortlessly stylish and voluminous.
#5: Playful Unruly Bob With Tousled Waves
Embrace a bold new look with a cute bob characterized by unruly, tousled waves. Perfect for those ready for a significant change, this hairstyle capitalizes on your natural texture for an effortlessly chic appearance.
The key is to select a cut that complements your hair’s inherent qualities, minimizing the need for extensive styling or round brushing.
This bob is ideal for those seeking a hairstyle that aligns with their lifestyle, offering a blend of ease and style.
#6: Voluminous Dark Messy Bixie Cut
Transform your look with a dark, messy bixie cut, a creative blend of a bob and pixie. This style is ideal for creating the illusion of thicker, more voluminous hair.
The messy, tousled layers add body and fullness to your hair, while the face-framing layers lend a soft, feminine touch to the overall look.
This bixie cut is versatile and adaptable, ensuring you look effortlessly stylish regardless of how you choose to style it.
#7: Contemporary Messy Blunt Bob
Revamp the timeless bob with a modern, messy twist. This contemporary blunt bob features hair cut in a uniform length with a straight, untextured finish at the ends.
To infuse this classic style with more dynamism and flair, consider adding texture to the top sections of your hair. This approach enhances movement and gives the bob a livelier swing.
An effortless way to transform the look of a blunt-cut bob is by introducing a gentle bend in the mid-sections of your hair, easily achievable with a curling or flat iron.
#8: Textured Side-Parted Messy Bob For Wavy Hair
For those with wavy hair, a side-parted messy bob is an excellent choice to enhance your natural wave pattern while adding volume.
This textured style is ideally suited for diffusing, which can bring out the best in your waves. To further define and accentuate your curls, consider using a defining paste.
This product will add more depth and definition to your waves, making them stand out beautifully.
#9: Effortlessly Chic Short Brown Bob With Blonde Balayage
Embrace the trendy bedhead look with a short brown bob enhanced by a blonde balayage. This style is perfect for those with naturally brown hair, as the balayage technique allows for a seamless grow-out, reducing the frequency of salon visits.
Balayage involves a soft, freehand coloring technique, often using foils, which ensures a graceful and natural transition as your hair grows.
While this method may be a bit of an investment, it’s well worth it for the stunning, low-maintenance results.
To prolong the life of your balayage, consider keeping the layers of your bob longer, allowing the beautiful blend of colors to remain vibrant and eye-catching for longer.
#10: Lively Voluminous Side-Parted Wild Bob
For those with medium-length thick hair, a voluminous side-parted wild bob is an excellent choice. This style brings out the full potential of a messy bob, creating a look brimming with life and movement.
To achieve this voluminous effect, use a large barrel curling iron, ensuring to curl the hair away from your face. This technique enhances the wild and free nature of the bob.
To maximize volume from the roots, apply a volume mousse at the base of your hair and blow-dry before you begin curling. For the finishing touch, use a texture spray or sea salt spray to add definition and hold.
#11: Playful Tousled Blonde Messy Bob
Revitalize the traditional bob with a tousled blonde messy bob hairstyle, a trend that’s gaining popularity for its effortlessly chic appeal.
Embracing messy textures and a lived-in look, this style stands out as a modern twist on the classic bob.
To maintain an all-day messy texture coupled with lasting volume, start by applying volume powder at the roots.
This will give your hair an instant lift. Follow up with a dry texture spray through the midshaft and ends to add body and hold, ensuring your bob stays lively and doesn’t go limp.
#12: Bold Messy Red Chin-Length Bob
Make a statement with a messy red chin-length bob, a striking combination of color and style sure to attract attention.
This vibrant haircut is ideal for those seeking to add a bold flair to their look. To achieve maximum volume, incorporate a deep side part paired with loose beach waves, adding texture and movement.
The choice of copper shades can be tailored to complement your skin tone, resulting in a personalized color melt that enhances the overall impact of the style.
#13: Flattering Medium-Length Messy Bob
Opt for a medium-length bob cut to master the effortlessly chic messy bob style. This length is particularly effective at framing and softening facial features, making it a versatile choice for various face shapes.
The messy nature of this bob lends itself to easy styling, whether using a curling wand or a flat iron to create that perfectly undone look.
For women with fine hair, a side part in this bob can provide an added boost of volume, enhancing the overall appearance of fullness and body.
#14: Chic Neck-Length Messy A-Line Bob In Rich Brown
Experience the sophistication of a neck-length messy A-line bob, a hairstyle that exudes chicness in every aspect.
The combination of gentle waves and rich texture perfectly complements the vibrant brown color, lending a dimensional and lively look to the hair.
This style’s movement and depth make it visually appealing and stylish. Its easy-to-style nature makes it ideal for daily wear, especially for those with a busy lifestyle.
#15: Elegant Messy Bob For Grey-Haired Women
For grey-haired women seeking a blend of elegance and natural charm, a messy bob is an ideal choice. This hairstyle embraces the beauty of grey hair while adding a touch of sophistication.
To maintain the luster and vibrancy of grey hair, incorporating violet shampoo into your hair care routine is recommended.
This helps neutralize any yellow tones, keeping your grey hair looking shiny and healthy.
#16: Flattering Messy Long Bob For Older Women With Round Faces
Older women with round faces will find the messy long bob an exceptionally flattering choice.
This hairstyle features multiple layers that provide shape and texture, making it versatile and adaptable to various styling preferences.
Whether you opt for a curly or straight finish, the long bob’s layers enhance its beauty and dimension.
#17: Youthful Short Wavy Bob For Women Over 50
Women over 50 looking to add texture and volume to fine hair should consider a short unkempt bob.
Known for its ability to instantly create the illusion of thicker hair, this style becomes even more flattering with the addition of loose waves. These waves help to widen and lift the hair, resulting in a fuller and more youthful appearance.
#18: Versatile Blunt Bob For Dark-Haired Women
Dark-haired women seeking a versatile and stylish haircut should consider the blunt bob. This chic cut is equally stunning on both straight and wavy hair, offering flexibility in styling.
For added volume and a dynamic look, opt for a deep side part. This style particularly accentuates the features of those with a diamond face shape, highlighting their unique angles and contours.
#19: Chic Texturized Bob With Bangs For Fine Hair
Embrace a stylish and tousled look with a texturized bob complemented by bangs, an ideal choice for women with fine hair.
This haircut offers a chic and messy finish, enhanced by feathered ends that add movement and depth.
The texturized style is perfect for adding the much-needed body and dimension to thin, fine hair, creating an appearance of fuller, more voluminous locks.
#20: Sophisticated Jaw-Length Messy Bob With Micro Bangs
For a blend of sophistication and edge, consider a jaw-length messy bob paired with micro bangs. This versatile style exudes elegance when styled straight and sleek, but adding texture can elevate it even further.
The messy approach lends a natural finish while infusing the classic bob with a more contemporary, edgy feel.
This haircut is perfect for women who enjoy experimenting with traditional styles, giving them a fresh and modern twist.
#21: Effortlessly Fabulous Messy Short Bob With Wispy Ends
Embrace the effortless charm of a messy short bob with wispy ends, a style that radiates a fabulously undone look.
This haircut is particularly effective for women seeking to enhance the appearance of short, thin hair, as it creates an illusion of greater density and volume.
To accentuate the cut’s shorter, wispy layers, consider adding soft brown highlights. These subtle color variations add depth and dimension, making the hair appear fuller and more vibrant.
#22: Trendy Blonde Angled Choppy Bob With Waves
The blonde angled choppy bob, especially when styled wavy, is a masterpiece of texture and movement. This tousled hairstyle is a perfect match for dark-rooted blonde hair, creating a trendy and dynamic look.
The angled cut adds a modern edge, while the choppy layers bring out the waves’ natural bounce and vitality.
This style is particularly well-suited for women with medium to thicker hair, offering a fashionable and voluminous appearance.
#23: Voluminous Wavy Stacked Bob With Blonde Highlights
Embrace the slightly messy yet incredibly stylish wavy stacked bob, a haircut that perfectly captures the essence of the messy bob trend.
Opt for a neck-length chop to achieve this look, and enhance it with waves for added movement and texture.
This style is particularly effective in amplifying volume, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a more dynamic appearance.
For hair that tends to look flat or is on the thinner side, incorporating blonde highlights can work wonders. These subtle blonde streaks not only add dimension and depth but also impart a radiant shine to your tresses.
#24: Effortless Messy Chin-Length Bob For Straight To Wavy Hair
The messy chin-length bob is a versatile and stylish choice for women with straight to wavy hair textures. This haircut is wonderfully easy to style and manage, providing a fuss-free experience as it grows out.
Its length is perfect for achieving a chic, undone look without the need for constant upkeep. To accentuate the bob’s natural, tousled style, apply a textured mousse to damp hair.
This will enhance the texture and volume, giving you an effortlessly stylish look that’s perfect for any occasion.
#25: Chic Graduated Bob For Fine Hair
Achieve a sophisticated look with the graduated bob, a style where the back is cut shorter while the front strands are left longer.
This cut creates a round, voluminous shape, making it particularly suitable for fine hair. The chin-length strands beautifully frame the face, which is especially flattering for women with round face shapes.
For an added touch of boldness, consider opting for a striking red hair color. This choice not only enhances the edgy appeal of the graduated bob but also adds a vibrant dimension to the overall look, perfect for those seeking to make a statement with their hairstyle.
#26: Natural-Looking Messy Inverted Bob With Blonde Balayage
For a modern and dimensional hairstyle, consider a messy inverted bob enhanced with a blonde balayage. This style is particularly flattering for ladies with fair or pale skin, as the balayage tones add warmth and depth.
The inverted cut provides a trendy, edgy look, while the blonde highlights bring a fresh and vibrant feel. When styling this cut, aim to use minimal product to maintain a natural, effortless appearance.
#27: Elegant Textured Bob With Loose Waves For Fine Hair
Enhance fine hair with a textured bob styled in tousled, loose waves. This look strikes the perfect balance between messy and elegant, with beach waves adding a graceful touch.
The texture provided by the waves is subtle, yet enough to create a noticeable impact on fine hair. For an added boost of volume, try parting your hair to one side.
This simple adjustment can make a significant difference, giving the hair a fuller, more voluminous appearance.
