You’ve seen it on every red carpet for the last three years. It’s that effortless, "I just woke up like this" vibe that actually took twenty minutes in front of a bathroom mirror to perfect. The messy side part men are wearing right now isn’t just a haircut; it’s a strategic rebellion against the slicked-back, grease-heavy pompadours of the 2010s. It’s relaxed. It’s textured. But honestly? It’s also incredibly easy to mess up if you don’t know what you’re doing with a blow dryer.
Traditional side parts are stiff. They scream "corporate insurance salesman." But the modern messy version uses the same basic geometry—the parting of the hair along the natural growth line—and adds a chaotic, matte finish that works just as well in a board room as it does at a dive bar.
What People Get Wrong About the Messy Side Part
Most guys think "messy" means "unwashed." That’s a mistake. If your hair is oily, a messy side part just looks like a collapsed soufflé. You need grit, not grease. Top-tier barbers like Matty Conrad often talk about the importance of "foundation products." You aren't just slapping some gel in and hoping for the best. You're building a structure that allows the hair to move without falling flat.
The secret is volume. Without height at the fringe, you just have a flat combover. That is the danger zone. Avoid the flat combover at all costs. To get that messy side part men actually want, you have to embrace the blow dryer. I know, some guys are allergic to tools that plug into a wall. Get over it. A three-minute blast of heat while pushing your hair up and over does 90% of the work.
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The Anatomy of the Cut
You can't get this look with a standard "number two on the sides" buzz cut. You need length. Specifically, you need at least three to five inches on top. The sides should be tapered, sure, but if you go too high with a skin fade, you lose the "classic" feel and move into "peak Peaky Blinders" territory. There's a difference.
- The Part: Don’t let your barber shave a "hard part" into your scalp. That’s a one-way ticket to a high-maintenance nightmare once the stubble grows back in three days. A natural part is found by combing your hair back and seeing where it naturally wants to split. Follow the grain.
- The Texture: Ask for "point cutting." This is where the stylist snips into the ends of the hair vertically rather than cutting straight across. It creates those uneven, jagged ends that make the hair look "lived-in."
- The Weight: If your hair is thick, ask them to take some weight out of the middle. If it’s too heavy, gravity wins every time. No amount of clay will save you from a mid-day collapse.
Why Face Shape Actually Matters (A Bit)
Let's be real. Not every head is built for a side part. If you have a very long, narrow face, adding a ton of height on top can make you look like a human exclamation point. You want to keep the sides a bit fuller to balance things out. On the flip side, if you have a round face, that height is your best friend. It elongates the silhouette. Square faces? You guys won the genetic lottery for this one. You can basically do whatever you want.
The Product Minefield
Stop using drugstore gel. Seriously. Gel dries hard and shiny. The messy side part men are aiming for requires a matte finish. Look for "Sea Salt Spray" for when the hair is damp. This mimics the effect of ocean water, adding a slight crunch and massive texture.
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Then, once it's dry, use a matte clay or a fiber. Brands like Hanz de Fuko or Baxter of California are popular for a reason—they offer "high hold, low shine." Take a pea-sized amount. Rub it between your palms until it disappears. If you can see the product on your hands, you haven't rubbed it in enough. Work it from the back of the head forward. This prevents the "clump of product on the forehead" look that ruins your morning.
Variations on the Theme
Not all messy parts are created equal. You've got the "Quiff-Hybrid," which focuses all the volume at the very front. Then there's the "Low-Fade Messy Part," which feels more athletic and modern. Some guys with curly hair think they can't pull this off. They're wrong. Curly messy parts are arguably the best version of this style because the natural texture does all the heavy lifting for you. You just need a curl cream instead of a heavy wax to keep the frizz down.
- The Professional Mess: Keep the sides slightly longer (scissor cut) and the part more defined. Use a paste with a tiny bit of sheen.
- The Weekend Warrior: High texture, zero shine, and hair falling slightly over the eye. It looks like you haven't looked in a mirror all day, even though you spent five minutes dialing in that one specific strand of hair.
- The Rugged Part: Works best with a beard. The juxtaposition of a groomed side part and a rugged beard is a classic "lumbersexual" aesthetic that hasn't really gone out of style since 2015.
Common Pitfalls and How to Fix Them
If your hair feels "crunchy," you used too much product. If it falls flat by noon, you didn't use a pre-styler. If you look like you have a bald spot because of the part, you've parted it too low on the side of your head. The part should generally align with the outer corner of your eye or the peak of your eyebrow arch. Go any lower and you’re venturing into "theoretically balding" territory.
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It's also worth noting that hair density plays a role. If your hair is thinning, a messy side part can actually be a great camouflage tool. The "mess" adds perceived volume. Just don't go too heavy on the wax, which can clump hairs together and expose more scalp. Use a thickening mousse instead.
The Maintenance Reality
This isn't a low-maintenance cut. You'll need a trim every 3 to 4 weeks to keep the sides from looking "poofy." Once the hair over the ears starts to flare out, the "messy" look turns into a "shaggy" look, and those are two very different things.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Barber Visit
Stop just saying "short on the sides, long on top." That is how you get a generic haircut you hate.
- Show a photo. Barbers are visual people. Find a photo of the messy side part men you actually admire—think Austin Butler or a younger Brad Pitt—and show it to them.
- Specifically ask for "texture on top" and "no hard part."
- Ask them to show you how they use the blow dryer. Watch the direction they move the brush.
- Purchase one high-quality matte clay. It will last you six months. It’s worth the $20 investment.
Start your styling routine with damp hair, apply a sea salt spray, blow dry upward and to the side, and finish with a tiny amount of clay to "piece out" the ends. Don't overthink it. The more you touch it, the worse it looks. Set it and forget it.