19 Clever Hairstyles For Greasy Hair: Quick Fixes That Still Look Fresh
We’ve all been there—your hair’s looking shiny for all the wrong reasons, and there’s no time to wash. Don’t stress. Greasy hair days don’t mean hiding under a hat or skipping plans.
Screenshot? Nah. Pin it like a pro 📌
With the right style, you can turn oily roots into a fresh look that works in your favor. Whether you’re rushing out the door or simply stretching wash day, these clever hairstyles will help you feel confident and pulled together.
From messy buns to sleek braids, each look is smart, stylish, and easy to pull off—no shampoo required. Let’s make greasy hair your styling superpower.
#1. The Textured Ponytail Lift
Greasy hair lacks volume, but this ponytail trick changes the game. Start by teasing the crown lightly with a comb. Gather your hair into a mid-height ponytail, leaving a few face-framing strands loose. Secure it with a matte-finish hair tie—glossy ones highlight oil.
Twist a small section of the ponytail around the base to hide the tie. Spritz dry shampoo at the roots for extra grip and texture. This style lifts your hair away from the scalp, keeping oiliness hidden while looking effortlessly chic. It works for workdays or last-minute outings.
#2. Braided Headband Elegance
Turn greasy roots into a stylish asset with a braided headband. Part your hair deeply to one side. Take a section from the heavier side and French braid it across your forehead, securing it behind the opposite ear. Leave the rest down or in a loose bun.
The braid distracts from oily roots while adding boho charm. Use a light-hold texturizing spray to keep flyaways in check. This look is perfect for brunches or casual Fridays when you need a quick fix.
Short layers are great at adding volume and shape, especially when your roots are a little slick. Try pairing your style with these short layered hairstyles for more movement and bounce.
#3. Sleek Low Bun with Scarf Accent
Embrace the slickness with a polished low bun. Apply a small amount of lightweight gel to tame frizz, then gather hair at the nape. Twist into a neat bun and pin it in place.
Wrap a silk scarf around the base for a pop of color and to hide any uneven texture. The scarf also absorbs excess oil at the crown. This hairstyle takes five minutes and transitions seamlessly from office hours to evening events.
#4. Half-Up Top Knot with Face-Framing Layers
A half-up top knot keeps greasy roots off your face while looking playful. Pull the top section of your hair into a small, loose knot. Let the remaining hair flow naturally or in soft waves.
Pull out a few wispy pieces near your temples to soften the look. Dry shampoo on the crown adds volume and soaks up oil. This style is great for second-day hair when you want to look put-together without a full wash.
#5. Side-Swept Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid keeps hair contained and stylish, even when oily. Sweep all your hair to one side and divide it into two sections. Cross small pieces from the outer edges into the opposite side, creating a textured braid.
Secure the end with a clear elastic. Tug gently on the braid to loosen it for a lived-in vibe. The side part minimizes visible grease at the roots. Wear this for weekend errands or a relaxed date night.
#6. Loose Waves with a Soft Side Sweep
This hairstyle embraces the natural texture of second-day strands, making it a clever fix for greasy hair. Gentle, loose waves breathe movement into the look while camouflaging any oily roots with volume and flow.
A subtle side sweep adds shape around the face without needing much effort. Instead of a full updo or tight style, the relaxed texture balances casual ease with soft charm.
By letting the lengths do the talking, this hairstyle keeps things low-maintenance yet visually fresh—ideal for those in-between wash days when time is tight and texture is your best friend.
If you have bangs, you know they’re the first to get greasy. These bangs hairstyles show you how to style or pin them back without a fuss.
#7. Voluminous Teased Crown with Low Waves
Greasy hair lies flat, but a teased crown adds instant lift. Section off the top layer of your hair and gently backcomb at the roots for volume. Smooth the top layer over the teased section to hide any messiness.
Curl the rest of your hair into loose waves using a wide-barrel iron—the texture distracts from oiliness. Finish with a light mist of dry shampoo for extra hold. This style gives the illusion of freshly washed hair and works for both professional settings and nights out.
#8. Messy Space Buns for Playful Edge
Double buns aren’t just for festivals—they’re a greasy hair savior. Split your hair into two high ponytails and twist each into a loose, slightly uneven bun. Secure with bobby pins, letting a few pieces escape for a carefree vibe.
The higher placement keeps hair away from oily roots. Rub a tiny amount of matte pomade between your fingers to tame frizz without adding shine. This look is perfect for casual hangouts or adding fun to a lazy day.
#9. Slicked-Back Wet Look with Minimal Effort
If your hair is greasy, lean into it with a sleek, wet-look style. Apply a dime-sized amount of styling gel mixed with water, then comb hair straight back. Use a toothbrush to smooth baby hairs for a polished finish.
The shine looks intentional, not oily. Pair it with bold earrings or a red lip for a high-fashion touch. This works best for fine hair that gets weighed down easily—it’s a 2-minute fix with major impact.
#10. Twisted Rope Updo for Effortless Polish
A twisted updo keeps hair off your neck and hides grease beautifully. Split your hair into two sections and twist them away from your face, wrapping them into a low bun at the nape.
Secure with pins, leaving a few tendrils loose around your face. The twists add texture, making oil less noticeable. Spritz sea salt spray for extra grip and piecey definition. Ideal for humid days or when you need a no-fuss, elegant look.
Heading to an outdoor event? Don’t let oily strands ruin your vibe. These concert outfits pair well with high ponytails and textured styles that hide second-day shine.
#11. Side-Part Pixie Pin-Up
Short hair shows grease faster, but strategic pinning helps. Create a deep side part and use bobby pins to lift sections away from your scalp. Twist small pieces back and secure them flat against your head for a faux-undercut effect.
A dab of clay pomade adds separation without shine. This edgy style takes under five minutes and tricks the eye into thinking you’ve just styled freshly washed hair.
#12. The Boho Fringe Twist
When your bangs get greasy first, this style saves the day. Gather just your front sections – about two inches back from your hairline – and twist them away from your face. Secure each twist with a tiny clear elastic at the back of your head, then tuck the ends under.
The pulled-back effect keeps oily strands off your forehead while creating a romantic frame for your face. Leave the rest of your hair down in loose waves. A dusting of translucent powder at the roots blends any visible grease. Perfect for when you’re running late but want to look thoughtfully styled.
#13. The Double Dutch Braid Shield
Two protective braids create structure while hiding oil. Start with a center part and Dutch braid each side (braiding under instead of over for dimension). Keep the tension medium – not too tight to show scalp, not too loose to look messy.
When you reach the nape, continue into regular braids or buns. The raised braiding hides flat roots beautifully. This style lasts 2-3 days, making it ideal for camping trips or busy work weeks. Pro tip: Rub a dryer sheet along the braids to reduce static.
#14. The Tousled Lob Roll-Under
For shoulder-length hair, a rolled-under blowout masks grease remarkably well. Spritz dry shampoo at your roots, then use a round brush to blowdry sections under at the ends. The slight flip creates body that draws attention away from oily roots.
Run a flat iron over the top layer only to smooth without stripping texture. The result looks like you spent time styling, when really you’re working with day-three hair. Works especially well for Zoom calls where you need to look polished from the shoulders up.
For days when you’re headed outdoors or on the trail, these comfy summer hiking outfit ideas go hand-in-hand with sporty updos that control both sweat and grease.
#15. The Crown Rope Braid Halo
This ethereal style makes grease look intentional. Create a center part, then make two rope braids (twisting two sections together) along your hairline, securing them at the nape with bobby pins. Leave the rest of your hair down or in a low ponytail.
The braids absorb oil at the crown while giving a medieval maiden vibe. Mist with flexible hold hairspray to keep wisps in place. Surprisingly easy to do once you master the rope braid technique – takes about 7 minutes once you’re practiced.
#16. The Sock Bun Volume Trick
That old dorm room trick gets an upgrade. Instead of a full bun, use a sock donut just on your top half. Tease the crown lightly, then gather only the top section into a half-up bun positioned at the back of your crown.
The height creates optical illusion of clean hair while the bun hides oil in the wrapped strands. Leave the bottom half down in soft curls or straight. The contrast between polished top and loose bottom looks intentional, not lazy. Bonus: Remove the bun at night and you’ve got instant waves.
#17. Textured Top Knot with Polka Dot Bow
This top knot delivers a quick refresh for greasy hair without the need for washing or heat styling. The hair is gathered high and twisted into a loose bun, which naturally lifts at the crown—pulling attention away from oily roots.
A playful polka dot bow tucked at the base gives the look charm and polish. Loose strands near the nape soften the overall silhouette and keep the bun from feeling too stiff. This easy updo works especially well on day-three hair, offering both function and flair with a few simple accessories and a confident tuck.
#18. Double Dutch Crown with Pearl-Wrapped Fishtail
This romantic braided style transforms greasy strands into a polished crown-worthy look. Twin Dutch braids sweep from each temple and merge into a low fishtail braid, camouflaging flat roots while adding intricate texture.
A few loose tendrils near the face soften the frame and draw attention to the cheekbones. Pearl pins nestled along the braid bring quiet elegance and balance the natural sheen of unwashed hair.
The detailed structure holds well throughout the day and keeps everything secure without appearing stiff. This design proves that even on low-wash days, style doesn’t have to take a backseat.
A fun day on the green calls for a hairdo that holds up. These golf hairstyles include slick-back ponytails and braided looks that double as grease-proof styles.
#19. The “Undone” French Twist with Textured Escape
Greasy hair gets a vintage-meets-modern upgrade with this effortless French twist. Gather your hair at the nape as if creating a low ponytail, then twist upward while loosely tucking in sections—don’t aim for perfection.
Leave face-framing pieces and a few wispy ends free to soften the look. Secure with crisscrossed bobby pins, then gently tug at the twist to create volume. The slightly messy finish disguises oil while looking intentionally undone.
A spritz of texturizing spray adds grit and holds the style in place. This works wonders for dinner dates or office days when you want to look polished without the fuss. Plus, the updo keeps hair off your neck on humid days.
Aria Winslow
Zara Montoya, a trailblazing hairstylist and innovative beauty expert, is the dynamic Editor-in-Chief of StyleStrands Magazine.
Drawing from her two decades of transformative experience in high-end salons and fashion runways, Zara curates cutting-edge hair trends and timeless techniques.
Her groundbreaking approach to hairstyling has inspired countless individuals to reimagine their personal aesthetic and embrace bold self-expression.
Zara’s guiding principle: Every strand tells a story, and your hair is the most personal canvas of creativity.
