How to Wear Dirty Hair

Whether you don't have the time to wash your hair, or simply can't for whatever reason, at some point in your life, you will have to deal with dirty hair. There is nothing wrong with having dirty hair, except that it might make you feel self-conscious about yourself. Luckily, there are lots of hairstyles that are better suited to dirty hair than to freshly-washed hair. Not only does dirty hair hold these styles better, but the styles themselves help conceal it. If you are in a hurry, however, you can always wear a chic scarf around your hair like a headband—it will conceal the grease and look fashionable!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Trying Different Buns

Pull your hair up into a high ponytail on the top of your head, and secure it with an elastic. Twist your ponytail into a rope, then wrap it around the base. Secure it with another hair tie. You do not need to use bobby pins for this messy look. In fact, you can pull out a few strands to make it look even messier!^{[1]XResearch source}
Pull your hair into a mid-high ponytail at the back of your head, and secure it with an elastic. Twist the ponytail into a rope, then wrap it around the base of the ponytail. Secure the bun with another hair tie. Use bobby pins to secure it against the back of your head.^{[2]XResearch source}
3
Do a fishtail bun if you want something unique. Start by pulling your hair into a high ponytail on the top of your hair, and tying it off with an elastic. Next, do a fishtail braid using the hair in your ponytail, and tie it off with another elastic. Wrap the braid around the base to form a bun, then tuck the end inside the bun. Use bobby pins to secure it.
- Loosen the braid using your fingers to make it look fuller.
4
Try a braided bun using two low ponytails if you want something fancier. Pull your hair into two low ponytails at the nape of your neck, and secure them with hair ties. Braid each ponytail, then tie each end off with another elastic. Weave the braids together at the nape of your neck to form a bun, then secure them with bobby pins.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Try to use clear hair ties, or thin hair ties that match your hair color.
- Use your fingers to muse up the braids before weaving them into a bun. This will give you a fuller look.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing Braids and Ponytails

1
Gather your hair up into two milkmaid braids. Your hair needs to be past shoulder-length for this to work. Start by parting your hair down the center, then making two braids, just behind your ears, and tying them off with elastics. Pull one braid up to the top of your head, pin it in place. Repeat on the other side with the other braid. You should end up with something that looks like a head band.
- Be sure to tuck the ends of your braids under your braided "headband."
- If you have very long hair, you may have to wrap the braid around to the side or back of your head.
2
Dress up a plain ponytail with a small braid. Pull your hair into a mid-high ponytail on the back of your head, and secure it with a hair tie. Gather a small section of hair from the ponytail, and braid it. Wrap the braid around the base of the ponytail to conceal the hair tie. Secure it with a bobby pin.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Give your ponytail more body by spraying it with a texture spray.
Part your hair down the center. Starting near your left temple and finishing at the nape of your neck, Dutch braid the left side of your hair. Repeat the process for the right. Pull the rest of your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, then twist it into a bun. Secure the bun with a hair tie and some bobby pins.^{[5]XResearch source}
4
Mix things up with a side braid. Start by creating a side part above your left or right eyebrow. Pull your hair towards the opposite shoulder, and start making a loose braid. You can do a standard braid or a French braid. Tie the braid off with a hair tie.^{[6]XResearch source} Here are some ideas on how you can style your braid further:
- For a messy look, pull out a few strands around your temples, and gently loosen the braid with your fingers.
- For a sleeker look, use bobby pins and/or hairspray to secure any loose strands.
- For a boho look, try on a delicate flower crown—nothing too full or fancy.
- For something more elegant, add a fancy hair clip to the bottom of your braid to hide the hair tie.
Go simple with plain braids, French braids, or ponytails. All of these styles are quick and easy to do, and will go a great job of hiding your dirty, greasy hair. You may want to dust some dry shampoo onto your roots to further conceal any grease, however.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Other Styles

1
Try some beach waves. Dirty hair is the best for creating beach waves because it holds the style so well. Start by dividing your hair into three sections: left side, right side, and back. Take a clump of hair from the left section, and wrap it around a curling iron. Hold it for a few seconds, then left go and move on to the next clump of hair. When you are done with the left section, move on to the right, and then finally to the back. Finish off with some sea salt spray, if desired.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Set your curling iron to medium heat to prevent any damage.
- Use a heat protectant spray to prevent heat damage.
- Don't use the clamp on your curing iron. This will help create that wavy look.
2
Keep your hair back with some boho braids. Take a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) wide section of hair from your left temple, and plait it into a loose braid. Repeat the process with the hair on your right temple. Pull both braids towards the back of your hair, smoothing down the rest of your hair as you do so. Pin them in place at the nape of your neck with some bobby pins or a hair clip.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If your hair is too short, you can pin the braids at the back of your head instead.
3
Try a faux-hawk for a trendy, chick look. This style is perfect for those with very curly or African-American textured hair; your hair should be long enough to pull back into a ponytail. Start by creating a side part above your left eyebrow, then section it off with a long hair clip. Repeat on the right side, just above your right eyebrow. Next, comb the rest of your hair back and up using a boar bristle brush. Pull the hair back using a banana clip that matches your hair color; position the clip at the nape of your neck. Finally, use your fingers and bobby pins to shape and secure your faux-hawk.^{[9]XResearch source}
- The two hair clips at the top of your head should be touching in the center.
- The longer hair clip you use, the better. It should at least reach to the top-middle of your head.
- Set your look with hairspray.
- If your hair is too sleek, try a texturizing spray or mousse on it first.
4
Hide greasy tresses with a scarf. This style works for just about any length of hair. Get a long, skinny, fabric scarf and wrap it around your head; make sure that the scarf goes under your hair. Tie the ends of the scarf into a tight, double-knot, then move the knot towards the nape of your neck.
- For a trendy look, drape the ends of the scarf over your shoulder.
- Can't find a long, skinny, fabric scarf? Get a square one instead, and fold it diagonally until it is the right thickness.
- You can scrunch the scarf up so that it is more like a headband, or you can left it drape over the back of your head.
- Match the color and pattern of the scarf to your outfit.
A hat works for just about any length of hair. It works especially well for hair that is too short to pull back into fancy braids or ponytails. Simply pick out a hat that matches your outfit, and pop it on. You can also wear a hat with other hair styles as well, such as low ponytails or braids.
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Expert Q&A

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How do you make unwashed hair look good?
Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Michael Van den Abbeel is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar in Orlando, Florida. He has been cutting, styling, and coloring hair for over 17 years. Michael loves showing his clients how to wash and wear their hair easily and effortlessly. Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar is recognized as a Diamond Top Tier level Wella salon.
Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Answer
Try using dry shampoo to absorb oil and give your hair volume. Dry shampoo is great if you're trying to shampoo less. It adds a little grittiness in second- or third-day hair, which adds volume, especially if you have fine hair.
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Tips

If your hair is very greasy, use some dry shampoo on your roots. It will help soak up any excess oil and make your hair look fresher.^{[10]XResearch source} For best results, let the dry shampoo sit in your hair for 30 seconds before working it in.^{[11]XResearch source}
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If your hair needs more body, apply a volumizing mousse to your roots. You can also use a texturizing spray on the rest of your hair.
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Match the color or shade of hair tie to your hair color. For example, if you have light red hair, you could use a light brown hair tie. If you have dark red hair, you could use a brown hair tie.
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Warnings

Not all of these hair styles may work for you. It depends on how long your hair is, and your hair texture (to a certain extent).
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