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The Editors
Updated on December 13, 2021
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Messy bob hairstyles are super chic, convenient, trendy and easy to style. All you need is to get a flattering bob haircut and select the right hair product for your hair type. Naturally wavy hair is the direct indication for a messy bob. But even if your locks are straight, there are ways to achieve the popular messy texture. Here are 60 cool ideas for messy bob enthusiasts!

Messy Bob Haircuts and Hairstyles

The following examples will give you all the clues on messy bobs and lobs for different hair types and textures as well as some styling tips. Get inspired and plan your next chic bob cut or a cute messy bob hairstyle!

1. Shaggy Medium Length Bob

This shaggy medium length bob with disconnected ends is amazing in its carefree vibe. It looks like the hair you woke up with! Think of an interesting hair color to move your style to the next level. Subtle ombre highlights are a great solution.

2. Choppy Balayage Bob with Bangs

The choppy layers of this medium-length bob seamlessly blend with the long side bangs, and the metallic copper balayage highlights placed randomly throughout the style assemble the shattered strands into one harmonious whole.

3. Peachy Hair with Side Bangs

Your trendy bedhead hairstyle can be not so messy, just slightly imperfect but still maintaining its rounded bob shape. A bit of extra backcombing will help to boost the volume and achieve that special effortless feel. Go for a sophisticated hair hue to raise your style score even more.

4. Sliced Caramel Bob with Blonde Babylights

In the world of blondes and brunettes, a caramel cut is unique, and the shade lends itself well to the overall trendy vibe of the bob cut. Placing strategic subtle highlights, or babylights, throughout the hair helps create the look of texture without having to style for everyday wear.

Angled Choppy Bob Cut

Instagram / @johnnyramirez

5. Flipped and Shaggy Cut

This sassy layered bob features both volume and movement. The bottom layers are carved out with a razor to keep the ends wispy, and a round brush is used to achieve those adorable light flips at the ends. Those with thick hair, who struggle to maintain their tresses, should embrace this cut, as it takes the bulk off at the expense of expertly done layers.

6. Disheveled Sliced Blonde Lob

The sun-bleached waves of the messy long bob look sporty and natural. At this comfortable medium length, they barely graze the shoulders, and the wispy layers add to the texture of the hairstyle. The sliced ends keep the cut looking healthy and carefree.

Messy Long Blonde Bob With Sliced Ends

Instagram / @habitsalon

7. Messy Bob with Textured Waves and Babylights

Having a messy bob with a fringe doesn’t mean you look like a little girl. Jaw-length combover bangs and a deep side part gently frame the face and lend an air of romance to the messy bob cut. The blonde babylights let each twisty curl shimmer and shine.

Messy Bob Cut With A Jaw-Length Fringe

Instagram / @karahurston

8. Sliced Bob With Textured Ends

The straggly waves with disconnected ends of the choppy bob are playful and effortless. Tousle the top and finger comb the curly tresses to restore volume and movement in your hair. The bright blonde balayage looks healthy and shiny.

9. Brunette Bob with Feathered Layers

The feathered layers of the longer bob keep the hairstyle looking natural and casual. It’s a great way for busy moms to wear their hair because it’s not as precise and demanding in styling as a blunt bob can be. A cut with a lot of wispy ends also works well for women with fine or thinning hair, and the wavy texture adds to the overall sense of volume.

Casual Feathered Brunette Bob

Instagram / @anhcotran

10. Razored Brunette Balayage Bob

When the ends of your bob are maximally thinned out with a razor, you get a super sharp cut that will look awesome in messy hairstyles. Add some delicate balayage for a color variety and interest points. Dark brown and chocolate is always a winning color combo.

11. Chocolate Brown Razored Shag

Your curly, shaggy locks feel even better when you arrange them into a messy bob haircut with bangs. The uneven face-framing waves ooze a tomboyish vibe and make you look more down-to-earth. The messy bob haircut is super-easy to style, and the neutral brown color looks great on most women.

Messy Brown Bob Haircut With Bangs

Instagram / @jessisemcken

12. Medium Hairstyle with Loose Waves

This brown blonde bob is ultra modern and super chic thanks to its texture and color. A medium shaggy cut is the base to start with. And then you just choose a hair color you love and style some loose random waves. Blending ombre and balayage in one style is often a very good idea.

13. Platinum Blonde Frizzy Bob

A lot of bobs are styled with messy waves or beachy curls, but that isn’t the only way to wear them. The best part of a bob is its effortlessness thanks to the shorter length, so don’t be afraid to let it air dry, and embrace a little frizz as part of the overall messy-sexy vibe.

Chin-Length Messy Blonde Bob

Instagram / @chrisjones_hair

14. Chopped Tousled Honey Blonde Lob

To style a messy bob in a way that feels fun and not too prim and proper, go for a slightly disheveled, carefree texture. To master the tousled bob, keep the ends straight and use a 1 1/2 inch curling iron to create a few loose curls. Then run fingers through the hair to separate the curls and create effortless waves.

Choppy Bronde Lob

Instagram / @kearybladel

15. Brunette Bob with Face-Framing Balayage

A long bob with choppy ends is a worthy medium-length haircut option for thick hair. How to style such a cut? Messy, barely-there waves done with a straightener are a wonderful styling solution that flatters the silhouette of the cut and natural texture of thick hair.

16. Modern Teased Hairstyle

Unlike the flawless teased bobs of the past which were heavily backcombed and then covered with a smoothed out top layer, the modern teased bob has no secrets hidden beneath. It’s pointedly messy and imperfect. Such a texture looks best when you have a shaped haircut, like this cute rounded bob, for instance.

17. Short Shaggy White Blonde Bob

The layered bright blonde waves are reminiscent of Christina Aguilera’s bob. The face-framing waves aren’t too curly but have just enough texture and body to create a thick and voluminous bob that seems to be healthy and vibrant.

Shaggy Layered Bright Blonde Bob

Instagram / @lorietherrien

18. Choppy Angled Dark Brown Bob

A razored bob is an edgier take on the classic cut. Ask your stylist to do choppy layers—they can either use a real razor or shears to mimic the slicing style. Keep this look shorter in the back, and don’t be afraid to go all the way up to the nape of the neck, gradually lengthening layers towards the front.

Inverted Chopped Brunette Bob

Instagram / @hairbyteya

19. Chocolate Brown Messy Wavy Lob

If it’s your first time with short hair, a long bob, or lob, is the safest option to try. When hair is about shoulder length, it can be styled as easily as longer hair, so keep it sweet and simple with waves or opt for braids, buns, ponytails and more to change it up.

Long Wavy Textured Bob

Instagram / @salon.nine

20. Short Side-Parted Blonde Shag

A side part can amp up a messy bob haircut and give it a little something extra. Work a texturizing pomade through the hair to mould piecey, shattered waves, and embrace the side part to create a faux side bang.

Asymmetrical Wavy Messy Bob

Instagram / @domdomhair

21. Shaggy Messy Lob with Razored Layers

A shaggy lob with a middle part is a great idea of a low-maintenance hairstyle for literally any face shape. It’s going to slim and elongate a full face, soften jaw angles of a square face, and add volume on the sides to balance out a long face. The light blonde front pieces illuminate facial features and flatter your complexion. Don’t miss it! Consider and customize the cut if you like it.

Razored Shaggy Lob With A Middle Part

Instagram / @hairbymacey

22. Cute Chopped Caramel Blonde Bob

The so-called traditional messy bob is anything but boring: a straight cut at the front and shorter angled layers in the back, it’s totally wearable and works for all hair types. This is the ultimate wake-up-and-go hairstyle for women on the move.

Blonde Choppy Bob

Instagram / @anhcotran

23. Bronde Balayage Bob with Shaggy Waves

Thick hair looks amazing with some balayage highlights to brighten it up. If you’ve got dark brunette locks, adding in a warmer touch can transform hair instantly. Pair a highlighted style with beachy waves done with a 1 inch curling iron, and shake it out for a tousled finish.

Disconnected Wavy Bob

Instagram / @aalbinhair

24. Messy Bob with Elongated Front Pieces

Play with lengths, colors, and finishes to get the bob of your dream. There are no two bobs alike. The smooth, baby-soft locks of this bronde cutie beg to be touched. The messy bob is so alluring and feminine!

Cute Messy Bronde Bob

Instagram / @headrushdesigns

25. High Contrast Textured Messy Bob

The combination of black roots and blonde textured lengths adds a unique grunge touch to this short messy bob. The graduated colors and choppy ends give the hairstyle an urban edge that lets you express your individuality. It’s a hairstyle that looks great with a side part, and by tucking some strands behind one ear, you can soften the sharpness of the cut.

Short Messy Bronde Bob With Black Roots

Instagram / @anhcotran

26. Medium Disheveled Hairstyle for Wavy Hair

Messy bob hairstyles are incredible for hair with a naturally wavy texture, as the styling is practically built in. Have your hairdresser assess your natural wave or curl pattern and cut layers in accordingly. Short layers coupled with side-swept bangs can provide some extra bounce with ease.

Curly Brown Lob

Instagram / @lucadrellis

27. Dimensional Wavy Textured Bob

And if you are not a fan of grunge, don’t worry – messy bob hairstyles don’t have to look sloppy. Create a gentle flared silhouette with chin-length layers and style some loose feminine waves. The youthful hairstyle is easy to manage and long enough to complete with some decorative barrettes or bobby pins.

Messy Wavy Bob Hairstyle With Chin-Length Layers

Instagram / @kellymassiashair

28. Choppy Slanted Blonde Bob Hairstyle

A messy bob can have a fun, slanted shape when it is shorter at the nape of the neck and longer where it frames the face, and the style paired with choppy layers is the ultimate rocker-chic look. Platinum blonde color with dark roots adds yet another layer of cool — think Christina Aguilera’s Dirrty era, chopped short.

Blonde Shaggy Bob With Root Shadow

Instagram / @giadoeshair

29. Inverted Bob with Long Wispy Layers

When it comes to nailing edgy bob haircuts, an uneven layered cut is best. Super-short layers in the back give some volume to the crown, while the length towards the front tends to be universally flattering. Keep the very front pieces a tiny bit shorter for a cute face-framing finish.

30. Thick Choppy Brunette Bob with Bangs

Bangs and bobs are a can’t-miss combination, especially when you add thick straight-across bangs to a layered messy bob. Style hair with a curl paste for movable, matte waves, and introduce a touch of warm highlight to a brunette base to amp things up.

31. Brunette Bob with V-cut Layers and Babylights

V-cut layers separate a disconnected bob from other traditional shapes. Keep the face-framing pieces as well as those at the back equally short, and have the longest length in the middle, mimicking a V shape. Emphasize babylights with waves, but leave the ends straight to preserve the cut’s shape intact.

Disconnected Inverted Bob

Instagram / @erinchatshair

32. Choppy Wavy Bob for Thick Hair

A straight-across super short messy bob is a carefree cut that suits thick hair in particular, as it can hold the shape without looking too flat or fine. A dirty blonde shade with dark roots and platinum tips lends itself to the style’s shaggy-chic vibes.

33. Shoulder Length Waves

A long messy bob is charming when worn as a free-flowing hairstyle, but with this length you can also pull your locks up and enjoy a variety of creative updos. Balayage is used almost in every modern look, because it really adds a lot to any basic style.

34. Sun-Kissed Wavy Lob

A messy texture always pairs well with light waves. In this case your messy hairstyle looks maximally natural and effortless. Sun-kissed balayage is an optimal hair color for such a texture. And, of course, it’s beautiful when your tousled waves stop right above the shoulders, grazing your collarbone and softly framing your face.

35. Disconnected Blonde Bob with Platinum Highlights

If Marilyn Monroe needed her hair styled in the present, we can almost guarantee she’d rock this haircut. A wavy texture and buttery blonde color with bright highlights are refreshing in their clean simplicity, and the bob cut keeps it modern and stylish.

Honey Blonde Choppy Bob

Instagram / @kearybladel

36. Cropped Layered Cut

Not all shorter hairstyles have to fall into the category of super-short or super-long, blunt cut or layered. Pair a straight across cut with bangs and wispy V-layers, add a platinum blonde hue and darker roots to achieve a unique, customized look.

Short Blonde Bob With Layers

Instagram / @buddywporter

37. Edgy Hairstyle with Purple and Grey

Metallic makeup and clothing often flash on runways and red carpets. So, why shouldn’t the trend be applied to short messy haircuts, too? We recommend weaving shades of dark brown, purple and grey throughout.

Gray Bob With Purple Highlights

Instagram / @rebeccataylorhair

38. Messy Casual Bob

Short messy hairstyles, like this one, work great for those who like a little chaos in their style. The cut gives volume to fine hair thanks to light layering at the bottom. Use a bit of volumizing mousse and scrunch your hair while blow drying, creating the major portion of volume towards the ends of the hair.

39. Textured Bob with Bangs

Layers and the right length of your bob haircut are the factors that guarantee beautiful texture, even if you do not spent time on styling on a daily basis. This haircut works equally great for fine and thick hair. Bangs are a harmonious compliment to the cut.

40. Short Cut with Two-Tier Layers

This short messy hair is all about layers and color nuances. Try gentle, sweeping highlights across your crown and through the tips, in addition to wispy layers for extra volume. After drying, finish with a texturizing mist and light hold hair spray to achieve an unkempt (but still sexy) appearance.

Choppy Layered Brown Blonde Bob

Instagram / @kccarhart

41. Messy Layered Bob

Thinking of a quality messy bob haircut, keep in mind choppy layers that can be either rough and chunky or delicate and finely chopped. Make your choice depending on your facial features and, certainly, you can’t neglect your hair type.

Messy Layered Bob

Instagram/ @singi.vo

42. Blunt Chin Length Cut

This trendy bob is perfect for those who don’t mind making a bold statement. The style works best on fine to medium-textured hair, and will make fine hair look thicker than it actually is thanks to its one-length cut. Use a styling putty or hair wax to create the dishevelled, messy texture.

43. Messy Lob with Lightened Ends

A long messy bob is sometimes better than its shorter counterpart, because you get more freedom to sport different hairstyles, including updos, while a free-flowing hairdo like in the photo is still a very pretty option you’ll enjoy when being short on time or styling inspiration.

44. Dark Chocolate Waves

A blunt bob doesn’t have to be so prim and proper. Barely-there waves, like the ones in this messy bob, give off a relaxed and casual vibe. Using a flat iron to give your strands a bit of a bend makes it easy to re-create this look.

45. Shag with Highlighted Layers

A messy bob with layers is initially easy to style, since the ends of the layers give you some cute natural flicks. If you want to enhance them and create more depth within your locks, consider caramel, dark blonde or light brown balayage for dark brown hair.

46. Ash Brown Wispy Bob

Messy waves sometimes look rather rough, but a wispy bob with tousled waves is traditionally feminine and tender. An excellent way to upgrade a traditional style is to pick a trendy hair color, like silver blonde or light ash brown.

47. Multi-Tonal Wavy Hair

Every girl who hasn’t got long locks or extra short hair, wants a gorgeous wavy brown blonde bob like this. It’s a truly harmonious style with bouncy waves and lovely, smooth transitions of hair hues, close to natural ones and appealing to the eye.

48. Highlighted Lob for Thin Hair

This long shag will work for fine and medium textured hair. Style with a texturizer and no previous combing to preserve the natural pattern of every lock. The messy has never been so pretty! Want more visual volume? Subtle balayage is the key thing.

49. Precision Bob with Weightless Waves

A messy bob haircut is not only incredibly cute, it’s also a low-maintenance and practical cut you’ll want to stick to for a while. It can be either angled to the front or straight cut like in the photo. Both have their special charm and can be worn either straight or wavy.

50. Shaggy Bob with Razored Layers

To make sure a medium length bob doesn’t appear too mom-like, make it shaggy and effortless when styling. Apply a salt spray to those piece-y layers to rough up the look without styling curls, and consider classic straight-across bangs to contrast the rest of the texture.

51. Disheveled Angled Blonde Bob

Bobs are often classified as carefree and messy, but elegant curls can offer a more polished approach, while a slightly disheveled finish keeps things from looking too “done”. The angled cut paired with a traditional wave is a fun look for a big event or day at work.

Tousled Inverted Blonde Bob

Instagram / @lobaocontrasthair

52. Choppy Chin-Length Bob

A short messy bob is easy to style and maintain with hair care and styling products suitable for your hair type. And although it looks rather destructed in texture with disconnected, uneven ends sticking out in different directions, its silhouette is readable and highly appealing.

53. Shaggy Mid-Length Cut

Shaggy ends and soft flowing waves are a winning combo, as this hairstyle demonstrates. Style some random loose waves with a curling iron or a straightener, leaving the ends straight for the cute fringy lower edge. A bit of honey-colored balayage highlights will only bring in more charm into your final look.

54. Rocker Chic Dark Brown Bob

Something about a sharp middle part paired with the contrast of unkempt waves is too chic to bear. Boosting dimension with different tones is great, but not every cut needs highlights to define it. The raven-toned shoulder length hair chopped short at the nape of the neck is unmistakably cool.

Side-Parted Chopped Brunette Bob

Instagram / @hairbyedwin

55. A-Line with Highlights

Universally flattering for nearly all face shapes and hair textures, angled bob haircuts present the perfect mixture of polished and edgy. To create this style, opt for a volumizing mousse before drying. Next, move piece-by-piece to style 1” sections of hair with a straightening iron, finishing with a light hold hairspray.

Bronde Wavy Bob

Instagram / @hairbynoora

56. Purple Bob for Brunettes

If an idea of rocking bright, pastel wavy bob hairstyles makes you slightly nervous, but you still want to try something fresh color-wise, dark violet tresses are your best bet. Gentler under natural daytime lighting than lavender hues, this bold color will undoubtedly help you stand out in a slightly understated way.

Brunette Bob With Purple Balayage

Instagram / @nikki_makes_hair

57. Beachy Grey Medium Cut

When choosing a color for messy bob hairstyles, grey might seem like a stretch — after all, the most typical protocol for grey hair is to cover it. But thanks to countless beauty bloggers and fashion-forward celebs, the color is making a serious entrance. Try mixing blonde and brown shades for a more natural appearance.

Ash Blonde Wavy Bob

Instagram / @kuthaus_claremont

58. Tousled Bob with Platinum Highlights

This cut and color are giving us serious #beachhairgoals. To achieve the sexy beach girl appearance, insert gentle highlights throughout, with a lighter concentration in the front. We suggest alternating larger and smaller waves for a natural, slightly undone finish.

Choppy Wavy Blonde Balayage Lob

Instagram / @romeufelipe

59. Classic Bob with Gentle Waves

Not all short hair comes paired with wild hues and textures. Casual short haircuts, including the one pictured here, provide an effortless, classically understated look that is surprisingly low maintenance. Straighten small sections of your hair piece-by-piece to add gentle waves, and finish with a setting spray.

60. Angled Violet Bob

As fun as it is sassy and sexy, this a-line lavender hairstyle is surprisingly easy to pull off in any setting. To achieve that just-got-out-of-bed appearance, run a texturizing pomade evenly throughout your strands.

Purple Angled Bob

Instagram / @jamiekeikohair

Messy bob is a true hairstyle gift of our time. Quick effortless styling and charming natural looks are something contemporary girls on the go heartily welcome and enjoy. So, let’s take advantage and make the best out of the current hair trend!

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