How to Get Tousled, Sexy Bed Hair

Co-authored by Marius Morf

Last Updated: September 30, 2022

You don't need a curling iron to get sexy, tousled bed hair! You can prepare your hair to tousle overnight, or you can use sprays to muss it up for a quick fix. Some of these methods might be difficult for thick, curly hair. However, most hair types can achieve a tousled look within a matter of minutes!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Quick Tousle Tricks

1
Use a saltwater spray. If you want a more tousled style but have silky, flat hair: saltwater spray is great for adding more texture to the hair. It will make the hair a bit more coarse so that it's easier to ruffle it up. This should give your hair more "hold."
- Saltwater spray doesn't impart the same firm grip as hair spray. In general, this makes it look more natural, and makes it easier to brush out.^{[1]
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2
Tease your hair with a brush. If you tease your hair (i.e. brush "upwards" against the strands with a brush, comb or your fingers) you can gain more volume. This can be helpful if you want to, say, add a bit more volume in the base of your hair. Make sure that you are gentle with your hair if you want to tease it. Don't tangle it up too much. Otherwise, you might fray the hair strands.^{[2]
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3
For a curvy look, sleep with braids in your hair overnight. The tighter the braid, the sharper the edges of the locks will be when you take it out. When you wake up, simply take out the braid(s), then separate the locks. Spray in some salt water spray and take the hair in your hand, "crunching" it upwards to create some texture and curves. Tease it a bit more if you want to add more volume or create a messier look.^{[3]
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- One bigger braid will make larger locks, whereas two or more braids create smaller ones.
- Separate the locks with a brush for a neater look. Use your hands to keep it looking extra tousled.
- Spray with some hair spray if you want the style to stay in place for a long time.
4
Maintain your look. A tousled look is easy to do touch-ups on during the day. If it ends up looking too neat, simply tease it gently. Then, ruffle and crunch it a bit with your hands. With the texture that's already in your hair, it should be easy to ruffle up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Tousled Bed-to-Beach Hair

Prepare your hair to look tousled and mussed. This method works best for mid-length to long hair, with or without layers.

1
Wash and condition your hair the night before. Wash your hair in warm water. Apply shampoo to the roots, but try to keep the product away from the tips. Rinse.
- Condition the lengths. If you're trying a new hairstyle, it's important to keep your hair healthy.
2
Do not brush or comb your hair. Even a wide-tooth comb will break down the tousled appearance. If you have a shortish fringe/bangs that you'd prefer to stay straight, comb and blow dry them etc. But leave the rest of the hair unbrushed.[[[Image:Get Tousled, Sexy Bed Hair Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]
3
Dry your hair. Towel dry your hair a little. Spray heat protection in, but don't brush or comb it in. Then, put your hair up in a "towel turban." Use a clean towel or a specialized turban cloth made for hair. If you combed out your fringe/bangs, leave those parts of your hair out of the towel wrap.
4
Sleep with your hair in the towel turban. In the morning, undo your hair from the wrap. Your hair should be dry, unless you have very thick hair or a particularly nonabsorbent towel. If your hair isn't dry in the morning, blow dry it at the roots or wherever the dampness is located.
5
Add more waves, if needed. If your hair isn't as wavy as you want it, set your curling irons to a low heat, and wind a few random chunks around. However, only hold it for a few seconds.
- Do not brush. Back-brush any bits that look too flat. Consider straightening bits of your fringe/bangs if they need it.
6
Don't wash your hair the night after this. You can just sleep on it. It isn't good to wash hair every day! Just sort your fringe/bangs out in the morning, and this tousled style will usually hold for a few days.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Tousling Volumized Hair

1
Prepare your hair. First, use a volumizing shampoo to add body. Try to avoid conditioner: it weighs the hair down, and can impact your hair's ability to retain a certain shape. If you really want to use a conditioner, use a light one. Towel dry slightly so that it is not soaking but still wet.
2
Add mousse. Apply a volumizing hair mousse throughout all of your hair. Focus on the roots. Then, twist your fingers and scrunch your hair with the rest. Towel dry the hair to proceed.
3
Curl your hair. Split your hair into two sections, dividing them down the middle. Spray a heat protection spray all over your hair. Heat up the curling iron and curl your hair.
- If you want a looser wave curl, curl larger sections at once.
- If you want a tightly tousled look, curl with smaller pieces of hair.
4
Consider using mousse. If you don't want to use heat, use mousse instead of curling your hair. Flip and scrunch your hair. Then, apply a bit of mousse or hair paste to help hold the tousled hair in place.
- Be careful: scrunching can cause frizz! Use an anti-frizz spray if you find it helps.
5
Finish. Apply a shine serum, if you want. Apply a small amount onto your hands and work it through your hair. If you need a stronger hold—say, for a dinner or party—don't be afraid to finish off with some hairspray.

Community Q&A

Question

My hair is curly, so if l try and dry it straight, what product can l use to make it look tousled? The sea spray l have doesn't stop it form going bushy, and the other sprays set like concrete.

Community Answer

Try putting some mousse in it. Hairspray can make your hair look frozen in place, but mousse can help it still actually move.

Warnings

Not everyone likes damp hair in the towel and sleeping on it overnight. If so, use the second method to avoid sleeping on damp hair.

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This style doesn't hold up well with curly hair.

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Conditioner may weigh down hair and prevent curls or waves.

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Use care when handling heated tools.

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Do not brush or comb your hair. You'll mess up the look!

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