Photo via @sukiwaterhouse
Picture this: You sleep through your alarm, and suddenly, the one hour you gave yourself to get ready has been cut in half. You speed through your skincare and makeup routine, only to be left with slightly messy, slept-in hair. But lucky for you, that’s exactly the look everyone wants right now. In 2026, bedhead hair is entering its mainstream era. On the runway, models sported slightly frizzy, undone strands with sophisticated dresses and sharp tailoring, creating that perfect balance between polished and imperfect. The key is to bedhead hair is to make it look intentional – not dirty. And fortunately, there are a few easy ways to fine-tune the texture to get the rockstar-chic finish.
Air-Dry It
Bedhead hair starts in the shower, despite its day-old aesthetic. Use your go-to shampoo and conditioner duo to cleanse your roots and hydrate your ends. Once you’re out, skip the brush and reach for a comb to gently detangle wet strands, which can help minimize unnecessary breakage. If your ends are feeling particularly thirsty, work a little leave-in conditioner through them. Then, let your hair air-dry. Resist the urge to overbrush as it dries, leaving a few pieces slightly separated, fluffy, or frizzy is part of the point. The goal is to let your natural texture do some of the work.
Style Your Bedhead Hair
Once your hair is completely dry, it’s time for some refinement. Finger styling is your best friend here. Work with small sections, twisting and bending pieces with your fingers before using a straightener on a lower heat setting to create subtle bends and movement throughout your hair. There’s no need to make everything uniform. Choose random sections around your head and add a few bends here and there. The irregularity is what makes bedhead look authentic and keeps it from veering into overly styled territory. Once you’re happy with the shape, give your hair one more tousle with your fingers and finish with a texturizing spray to lock in the lived-in texture.
Bedhead hair is basically the exact opposite of the slicked-back bun, and, honestly, we’re very into it.
