Dealing with greasy hair doesn’t mean sacrificing style. On days when your roots look oily, the right hairstyle can transform your look from drab to fab in minutes. These easy hairstyles for greasy hair are designed to conceal oil, add volume, and keep you looking polished whether you’re heading to work, school, or a casual outing. From sleek updos to clever braids, these options work with your hair’s natural texture to hide any signs of a missed wash day.
1. Messy Top Knot
The messy top knot is a classic greasy hair savior for a reason. It sweeps all your hair up and away from your face and neck, completely hiding oily roots at the crown. The “messy” texture is key—it camouflages any lack of volume or slipperiness that comes with greasy hair, making the style look intentional rather than desperate. Simply gather your hair into a high ponytail, twist it around the base, and secure it with an elastic, pulling out a few face-framing pieces for a relaxed vibe. This style is perfect for second or third-day hair and works on most lengths 【turn0search1】【turn0search2】.
2. Sleek Low Bun
For a more polished or professional look, the sleek low bun is your go-to. This style actively uses your hair’s natural oils to your advantage; the slickness helps create a smooth, sophisticated finish that’s hard to achieve with freshly washed hair. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck, twist it into a coil, and secure it with bobby pins or a hair tie. Use a light-hold gel or pomade to tame flyaways and enhance the sleek effect. It’s an elegant choice for the office or a formal event, effortlessly hiding any greasiness along your part and hairline 【turn0search2】【turn0search15】.
3. Braided Crown
A braided crown is a beautiful and effective way to hide greasy roots, especially around your face and ears. By braiding sections of hair and pinning them across the top of your head, you create a textured, romantic look that draws the eye away from the scalp. This style works wonderfully on medium to long hair. Start with a deep side part, then take a section of hair from the front and French or Dutch braid it back, securing it at the nape. Repeat on the other side and cross the braids over the top of your head, pinning them in place. The intricate detail camouflages oil and adds instant elegance 【turn0search11】【turn0search23】.
4. High Ponytail
The high ponytail is a quick, energetic style that gets all your hair off your neck and face, instantly concealing a greasy crown. The height adds a lift that can counteract the flat look oily hair often has. For a sleeker finish, brush your hair smooth before securing it with a tie at the very top of your head. For a more casual vibe, pull out a few strands around your face. To hide the elastic and add a touch of sophistication, take a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the base, securing it with a bobby pin. It’s a sporty, chic option that works anywhere 【turn0search2】【turn0search16】.
5. French Braid
A French braid is a fantastic style for greasy hair because it incorporates the hair close to your scalp into the braid, tucking away oily roots and creating a structured, clean look. The braid itself adds texture and volume, making hair appear fuller. Start at the hairline and gradually add hair from the sides as you braid down the back of your head. This style keeps every strand in place, which is perfect for active days or when you need your hair to stay out of your way. It’s a timeless choice that looks intricate but is surprisingly simple to master with practice 【turn0search11】【turn0search19】.
6. Dutch Braid
Similar to the French braid but with the braid sitting on top of the hair rather than underneath, the Dutch braid (or reverse French braid) is a standout style for greasy hair. The raised braid creates a bold, textured look that is very forgiving on hair that isn’t freshly washed. It’s particularly good at hiding oil because the braid’s thickness covers the scalp area. This style adds fun and visual interest, making it great for casual days or even festivals. The technique involves crossing the sections under each other instead of over, which makes the braid pop 【turn0search11】【turn0search22】.
7. Half-Up Twist
The half-up twist is a simple yet effective style for greasy hair, particularly if your oil is concentrated at the roots and crown. By taking the top section of your hair, twisting it, and securing it at the back of your head, you lift the hair away from your face and hide the most visible oily areas. This leaves the rest of your hair down, which can be styled in waves or curls to add texture and volume. It’s a quick, pretty look that’s less severe than a full updo and perfect for when you want to keep some length showing 【turn0search1】.
8. Claw Clip Updo
When you’re short on time, a claw clip is your best friend for greasy hair. This style is incredibly fast and requires no elastics or bobby pins. Simply gather your hair into a low twist or roll at the nape of your neck, then fold the hair up and secure it with a large claw clip. The clip holds the hair in place while the loose ends and texture hide any lack of volume or oiliness at the roots. It’s a relaxed, effortless style that’s perfect for running errands or lounging at home, and it works on most hair lengths 【turn0search11】.
9. Low Chignon
A low chignon is a sophisticated, timeless updo that excels at hiding greasy roots. Worn at the nape of the neck, it keeps all the hair contained and presents a smooth, polished surface. The style is inherently elegant and can be dressed up or down. To create a simple chignon, make a low ponytail, then twist the tail and wrap it around the base, forming a coil, and tuck the ends under, securing with pins. The twist and coil create a beautiful texture that masks any oil. It’s a perfect choice for work, meetings, or evening events 【turn0search15】【turn0search16】.
10. Side Braid
A side braid is a charming and practical way to manage greasy hair. By sweeping all your hair to one side and braiding it, you create a focal point that distracts from oily roots at the crown and back. The braid itself adds lovely texture and can be styled as a simple three-strand braid, a fishtail, or a more intricate woven design. This style is especially flattering and keeps hair neatly contained. It’s a great option for a casual day out or even a more dressed-up occasion, depending on how you finish the look 【turn0search11】【turn0search19】.
11. Space Buns
Space buns are a fun, playful style that completely covers the top of your head, making them excellent for hiding greasy roots all over. By parting your hair down the middle and creating two high buns, you create a look that is whimsical and youthful. The buns can be sleek or messy, depending on your preference. This style is perfect for concerts, parties, or anytime you want to add a bit of personality to your look. The division of hair also helps manage thickness and keeps the style secure 【turn0search4】.
12. Braided Ponytail
Elevate a standard ponytail by adding a braid for a stylish look that conceals greasy hair. You can create a small braid from a section of hair near your face and incorporate it into a higher or mid-level ponytail, or you can braid the entire ponytail itself. The braid introduces texture and visual interest, which takes attention away from any oil at the roots. This style combines the practicality of a ponytail with the detail of a braid, making it versatile for both casual and more put-together settings 【turn0search20】.
13. Messy Bun With Headband
A messy bun is a staple for dirty hair, and adding a headband takes it to the next level by strategically covering the hairline, which can get particularly oily. Place a stylish headband over your hairline, then gather the rest of your hair into a loose, high bun. The headband serves as a barrier, hiding any greasiness at the roots, while the bun’s texture camouflages lack of volume. This look is effortless and chic, perfect for a busy morning or a weekend brunch 【turn0search1】【turn0search4】.
14. Sleek High Bun
The sleek high bun is a more polished version of the top knot, offering a sophisticated look that’s excellent for hiding greasy hair. Pulled tight and smooth, it gives a clean, intentional appearance that works well in professional or formal settings. The slickness required for this style is actually easier to achieve with hair that has some natural oil, as it helps tame flyaways. Use a brush and some gel or styling cream to achieve a smooth finish as you gather your hair high on your head and twist it into a firm bun, securing it tightly 【turn0search2】【turn0search15】.
15. Twisted Low Bun
Add a twist to your low bun for a more textured and forgiving style on greasy hair days. Instead of a simple coil, divide your low ponytail into two sections, twist them together loosely, and then wrap the twist into a bun at the nape of your neck. The twisted texture adds dimension and helps hide any unevenness or oiliness at the roots. This style is elegant yet relaxed, suitable for the office or a dinner date. It’s a small variation that makes a big difference in the overall look 【turn0search16】.
16. Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid is a stunning, detailed style that is very forgiving on greasy hair. The intricate, woven look of the braid draws the eye, distracting from any oil at the scalp. While it appears complex, it’s essentially created by taking small pieces from the outside of two sections and crossing them over. The resulting braid is beautiful and works well on medium to long hair. It’s a fantastic option for when you want your hair to look styled and intentional without spending a lot of time 【turn0search11】【turn0search19】.
17. Double Buns
Double buns, or pigtail buns, are a cute and practical style that distributes hair away from the center of your head, which can help hide a greasy part. By parting your hair down the middle and creating two buns low on the sides or high on the head, you create a balanced, playful look. This style is especially good for thicker hair, as it manages volume well. It’s also very secure and keeps hair out of your face, making it ideal for physical activity or busy days 【turn0search4】.
18. Braided Headband
A braided headband is a clever and stylish way to hide greasy roots around your face and ears. Take a section of hair from near your ear, braid it, and then pin it across the top of your head like a headband. This creates a beautiful, textured frame that covers the hairline and distracts from any oil. The rest of your hair can be left down, styled in waves, or pulled into a low updo. It’s a romantic and feminine look that’s perfect for special occasions or just adding a touch of elegance to your day 【turn0search4】【turn0search11】.
19. Low Ponytail With Twist
A low ponytail is a simple, quick fix, but adding a twist makes it more stylish and effective for greasy hair. Before securing the ponytail at the nape of your neck, twist the entire section of hair. This adds texture and volume to the ponytail itself, making hair look fuller, and the twist helps conceal any oiliness at the roots by keeping the hair smooth and contained. It’s a minimal-effort style that looks polished and is appropriate for nearly any setting 【turn0search16】.
20. Top Knot With Scarf
Incorporate a scarf into your top knot to both hide greasy roots and add a pop of color or pattern to your look. Tie a scarf around your head like a headband, then gather all your hair into a high bun, incorporating the ends of the scarf into the bun or letting them hang loose. The scarf covers the hairline and part, masking any oil, while the bun keeps the rest of your hair up and styled. This is a fun, fashionable way to deal with a bad hair day 【turn0search4】.
21. Milkmaid Braids
Milkmaid braids are a charming, rustic style that involves creating two braids and pinning them up across the top of your head. This look is excellent for hiding greasy roots because the braids cover the scalp entirely. It’s a style that looks intricate and put-together but is actually quite simple to create. Start with two pigtails, braid them, and then cross and pin them over the top of your head. This is a lovely, romantic option for summer or any time you want a bohemian vibe 【turn0search11】.
22. Messy Bun With Face-Framing Pieces
A messy bun is a reliable choice, and intentionally pulling out a few face-framing pieces can make it look more deliberate and stylish on greasy hair. The loose pieces soften the look and draw attention to your face rather than your roots. This style is very forgiving and works well when your hair isn’t perfectly clean. Gather your hair into a loose, high bun, and gently pull out a few strands around your face and neck. It’s an effortless look that’s perfect for casual days 【turn0search1】【turn0search4】.
23. Sleek Bun With Middle Part
A sleek bun with a defined middle part is a modern, chic style that uses your hair’s natural oils to create a smooth, glass-like finish. The middle part gives a symmetrical, clean look, and the sleekness of the bun hides any texture or oil issues. This style works best on hair that is relatively straight. Use a brush and some styling product to get a perfectly smooth surface as you gather your hair into a low or mid-level bun. It’s a powerful, sophisticated look for professional or formal environments 【turn0search2】【turn0search15】.
24. Braided Updo
A braided updo combines the elegance of an updo with the texture and detail of braids, making it a superb choice for concealing greasy hair. You can create a bun or chignon and incorporate one or more braids into it, or you can braid sections of hair and pin them up into a decorative style. The braids add visual interest and thickness, covering the scalp and making the style look full and intentional. This is a beautiful option for events like weddings or parties where you want to look your best 【turn0search16】【turn0search23】.
25. Easy Updo With Clips
Using decorative clips or bobby pins is an easy and creative way to style greasy hair. Simply twist or roll sections of your hair and pin them up in a crisscross pattern, creating a quick updo. The clips not only hold the hair in place but also add a stylish element that distracts from any oil at the roots. You can use plain bobby pins for a subtle look or decorative clips for more flair. This method is highly customizable and works on almost any hair length and type, making it a versatile last-minute solution 【turn0search11】【turn0search15】.
Conclusion:
Having greasy hair is a common issue, but it doesn’t have to limit your style. As this list shows, there are numerous easy hairstyles for greasy hair that are both practical and fashionable, ranging from sleek and polished to messy and playful. The key is to choose styles that lift hair away from the face and scalp, incorporate texture through braids or twists, or use accessories to cover oily roots. With these options, you can confidently step out on any day between washes, knowing your hair looks great and your oily roots are well hidden.
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