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Home · News

Hot Hair: Pretty Mess

We don't know about you, but we hardly have time to throw on mascara and gloss in the morning, let alone construct an elaborately perfect hairdo. But we have good news, on-the-go girls. One of this season's hottest trends is messy chic hair! We're not talking grungy-messy (dirty, unkempt hair is obviously gross) -- its more about a tousled, delicately mussed, bedhead imperfection. If you're rocking an updo, let a few face-framing tendrils escape. If you're sporting long waves, run a styling wax between your fingers and rough it up a bit. The goal is to look like you just had a brilliant, um, tumble in the hay! From Thandie Newton's wind-whipped waves to Selita Ebanks teased upsweep, here are the hottest messy chic styls.
By · November 7, 2011October 28, 2020
01
Tough Texture

Kerry Washington gives her blowout some edge by roughing it up with her fingers. Try Redken Water Wax Shine Defining Pomade ($18, drugstore.com) for added texture.

02
Ride the Wave

Tia Mowry rocks long, loose waves, but keeps them a bit undefined for a wilder look.

03
Spiral Star

Tracee Ellis Ross piles her spirals ontop of her head, letting a few escape. So pretty!

04
Fierce Frizz

Rihanna’s long, loose waves aren’t at all pristine — in fact, they’re a little frizzy! And it makes her ’do look that much cooler. How liberating.

05
Gone With the Wind

Thandie Newton’s wind-whipped ’do is seriously sexy.

06
Long Story

Katerina Graham’s long, wavy layers are a bit undefined — and it gives her look an easy-breezy sexiness.

07
Great Scott

Jill Scott went for all-out Chaka Khan fabulosity with her imperfect ringlets. Love!

08
Pretty Mess

Beyonce’s the queen of over-the-top glam, so we love when she steps out in minimal makeup and a messy chic mane!

09
Sixties Siren

Keke Palmer went for a casually sexy moment with this 60-style bouffant updo. We love the delicate tendrils framing her face.

10
Mussed Have

The beauty entrepreneur (and Forest’s wife!) has slightly feathered, grown-out bangs that give her ’do a natural, touchably chic look.

11
Easy Does It

Garcelle Beauvais swept her curls into an unstructured bun, letting a few waves escape in the front. So sexy, without trying too hard!

12
New Wave

Melanie Fiona sports full, scrunched and teased, 80s-style waves.

13
Bedhead Hair

Selita Ebanks piled her deliberately mussed man on top of her head for a sexy bedhead vibe.

14
Madonna Mane

Keri Hilson’s dark roots and bleached blonde haircolor gives her messy waves a “Like a Virgin”-esque coolness.

15
Fall’s Finest

This wavy, messy upsweep is the quintessential easy-yet-gorgeous fall ’do.

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