16 Easy Greasy Hair Hairstyles That Are Not Slick Back

Greasy hair days happen to all of us, and they always seem to show up when you’re already short on time. The tricky part is finding a hairstyle that hides oily roots without making it worse, and without going for the full slick-back look. I’ve been there, trying to “fix it” and somehow making it look even flatter.

This list is all about easy styles that disguise grease, add shape, and help you get through the day looking put-together. Most of these work best when you add a little texture first, so your roots don’t look shiny.

1. Loose Low Bun With Face-Framing Pieces

This bun looks soft and casual while keeping oily roots out of focus. It’s great when you want a quick style that still looks nice for school, errands, or work.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (cuts shine and adds lift at the roots)
2. Hair elastic (secures the bun fast)
3. Bobby pins (holds loose pieces in place)
4. Soft bristle brush (smooths lightly without flattening)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Spray dry shampoo at the roots and rub it in with your fingertips.
2. Step 2: Gather hair into a low ponytail and twist into a loose bun.
3. Step 3: Secure with an elastic and add pins where it feels loose.
4. Step 4: Pull out a couple face-framing pieces and lightly mist hairspray.

Quick tip
Keep the bun a little messy so the roots don’t look like the “main event.”

2. High Messy Top Knot With Loose Pieces

A top knot lifts hair away from oily roots and makes the whole look feel more intentional. It’s perfect when your hair is too greasy to wear down.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (adds grip so the knot holds)
2. Hair elastic (forms the knot quickly)
3. Bobby pins (secures the bun shape)
4. Scrunchie (optional, makes it look fuller)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Spray dry shampoo at the crown and along your part.
2. Step 2: Flip hair up into a high ponytail and twist into a bun.
3. Step 3: Secure with an elastic and pin any loose ends.
4. Step 4: Tug the bun slightly wider and pull out a few soft pieces.

Quick tip
Use a scrunchie under the bun to make it look thicker and less flat.

3. Claw Clip French Twist

This style hides oily roots and looks put-together in under a minute. It’s a lifesaver for medium to long hair, especially on day three hair.

What you need

1. Texturizing spray (adds grip so the twist doesn’t slide)
2. Medium claw clip (holds the twist securely)
3. Dry shampoo (reduces shine at the roots)
4. Bobby pins (optional, for short layers)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Add dry shampoo at the roots and a little texture spray through lengths.
2. Step 2: Gather hair low and twist upward into a French twist shape.
3. Step 3: Clip the twist in place, tucking ends inside.
4. Step 4: Pin any short layers and loosen the top slightly.

Quick tip
Leave the twist a bit relaxed so it doesn’t highlight greasy roots.

4. Side Part With Two Flat Twists

Flat twists hide oily roots right where they show most: along your part and hairline. It looks cute and neat, and it works for short, medium, or long hair.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (takes down shine along the part)
2. Small elastics (secures twist ends)
3. Bobby pins (holds twists close to the head)
4. Texture powder (optional, adds lift at the crown)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Create a deep side part and apply dry shampoo along the part line.
2. Step 2: Twist a small front section back on each side, staying close to the scalp.
3. Step 3: Secure each twist with pins or small elastics.
4. Step 4: Loosen the crown slightly and finish with light hairspray.

Quick tip
A deeper side part helps hide grease better than a center part.

5. Low Ponytail With Wrapped Base

A low ponytail keeps things simple, and wrapping the base makes it look more styled. It’s great when your roots are oily but your lengths still look okay.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (adds lift so the ponytail isn’t flat)
2. Hair elastic (secures the ponytail)
3. Bobby pin (holds the wrapped piece)
4. Light hair oil (optional, smooths dry ends only)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply dry shampoo at the roots and brush lightly.
2. Step 2: Pull hair into a low ponytail and secure with an elastic.
3. Step 3: Wrap a small piece of hair around the elastic and pin underneath.
4. Step 4: Smooth the ponytail and add a tiny bit of oil to the ends if needed.

Quick tip
Don’t brush too much at the roots or you’ll spread oil and make it shinier.

6. Messy Low Braided Ponytail

A braid breaks up the look of greasy roots and makes your hair feel styled fast. It’s a great choice for long days when you need hair out of your face.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (reduces shine at the crown)
2. Hair elastic (secures the braid)
3. Texturizing spray (adds grip so the braid looks fuller)
4. Ribbon (optional, makes it look cute)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Spray dry shampoo at the roots and texture spray through the ponytail area.
2. Step 2: Pull hair into a low ponytail and secure.
3. Step 3: Braid the ponytail loosely and tie the end.
4. Step 4: Tug the braid slightly wider and finish with light hairspray.

Quick tip
Looser braids hide “grease flatness” better than tight braids.

7. Half-Up Mini Bun

This style lifts the top section (where grease shows most) while leaving the rest down. It’s quick, cute, and works even when your hair isn’t cooperating.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (adds volume to the top section)
2. Small hair elastic (secures the mini bun)
3. Bobby pins (holds short layers)
4. Wave spray (optional, refreshes the ends)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply dry shampoo to the crown and massage it in.
2. Step 2: Gather the top half and secure into a small ponytail.
3. Step 3: Twist into a mini bun and pin the ends.
4. Step 4: Loosen the bun slightly and refresh ends with wave spray.

Quick tip
A slightly messy mini bun looks intentional and hides oily roots better.

8. Claw Clip Half-Up Twist

A half-up clip hides greasy roots while keeping the look soft. It’s a great everyday hairstyle that takes less than a minute.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (takes down shine at the top)
2. Medium claw clip (holds the twist)
3. Texturizing spray (adds grip so it won’t slide)
4. Mini bobby pins (optional, for short layers)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Add dry shampoo at the crown and along your part.
2. Step 2: Twist the top half of your hair back.
3. Step 3: Clip it in place and tuck loose ends into the clip.
4. Step 4: Pull the crown slightly for volume and smooth flyaways.

Quick tip
Choose a tortoiseshell or neutral clip so it looks more put-together.

9. Low Space Buns

Space buns are fun, and they hide greasy roots really well because the style is meant to be a bit messy. Great for casual days, travel, or when you want something different.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (adds grip and reduces shine)
2. Two hair elastics (one for each bun)
3. Bobby pins (secures loose ends)
4. Texture powder (optional, adds lift at the crown)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply dry shampoo and make a center part.
2. Step 2: Split hair into two low pigtails and secure each one.
3. Step 3: Twist each ponytail into a bun and pin the ends.
4. Step 4: Tug buns slightly wider and finish with hairspray.

Quick tip
Keep them lower and looser if you want the look to feel more grown-up.

10. Side Braid With Volume Crown

A side braid distracts from oily roots, and the added crown volume makes it look fresh. It’s great for medium to long hair, especially if your top feels flat.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (adds lift at the crown)
2. Teasing comb (creates light volume)
3. Hair elastic (secures the braid)
4. Light hairspray (sets the volume)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Add dry shampoo at the crown and tease lightly near the roots.
2. Step 2: Sweep hair to one side and start a loose braid.
3. Step 3: Secure the end with an elastic.
4. Step 4: Pull the crown slightly for height and mist with hairspray.

Quick tip
Tease under the top layer only so it stays soft and not messy.

11. Hat-Friendly Low Bun

This is a simple bun meant to sit comfortably under a baseball cap or bucket hat. It’s perfect for quick errands or school drop-offs on greasy hair days.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (helps reduce shine under the hat)
2. Hair elastic (secures the bun)
3. Bobby pins (optional, keeps sides neat)
4. Soft brush (smooths lightly)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Spray dry shampoo along your part and hairline.
2. Step 2: Gather hair low and twist into a bun.
3. Step 3: Secure with an elastic and pin any loose sections.
4. Step 4: Pop on your hat and adjust the bun placement.

Quick tip
Put dry shampoo on before the hat so your roots don’t look extra shiny.

12. Zigzag Part With Loose Low Pony

A zigzag part breaks up the oily look along your scalp and makes the style feel more playful. It’s a great trick when your roots look shiny in a straight part.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (cuts shine along the part)
2. Rat-tail comb (creates a zigzag part easily)
3. Hair elastic (secures the ponytail)
4. Texturizing spray (adds grip)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Use the comb to create a zigzag part and spray dry shampoo along it.
2. Step 2: Lightly massage roots to blend.
3. Step 3: Pull hair into a low ponytail and secure.
4. Step 4: Tug crown slightly and finish with texture spray.

Quick tip
A zigzag part looks best when it’s subtle, not too sharp.

13. Two Front Braids Into Ponytail

Two small front braids help hide oily roots near the hairline and make the whole look feel styled. It’s cute, fast, and works for most hair lengths.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (freshens the front and crown)
2. Two mini elastics (ties off the braids)
3. Hair elastic (secures the ponytail)
4. Bobby pins (optional, hides elastics)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply dry shampoo around the hairline and crown.
2. Step 2: Braid two small front sections and secure with mini elastics.
3. Step 3: Gather the rest into a ponytail and secure.
4. Step 4: Pin the braid ends neatly and mist with hairspray.

Quick tip
Make the braids a little loose so they look fuller and distract from roots.

14. Low Bubble Ponytail

Bubble ponytails look intentional and hide greasy roots because the focus moves down the hair. It’s an easy style for medium to long hair.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (adds volume at the crown)
2. Mini elastics (creates the bubble sections)
3. Texturizing spray (adds grip and fullness)
4. Hairspray (sets bubbles lightly)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Spray dry shampoo at the crown and brush lightly.
2. Step 2: Secure a low ponytail with an elastic.
3. Step 3: Add elastics down the ponytail every few inches.
4. Step 4: Gently tug each section to form bubbles and mist hairspray.

Quick tip
Bubbles look best when you tug them evenly on both sides.

15. Loose Half-Up Ponytail With Lifted Crown

This style keeps it easy while lifting the top section so roots don’t look flat. It’s a good pick when you want to wear your hair down but your scalp looks oily.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (adds lift and reduces shine)
2. Teasing comb (creates quick crown volume)
3. Hair elastic (secures the half-up section)
4. Light hairspray (holds volume)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply dry shampoo at the crown and tease lightly underneath.
2. Step 2: Gather the top half and secure it with an elastic.
3. Step 3: Tug the crown gently for lift and shape.
4. Step 4: Smooth the top lightly and set with hairspray.

Quick tip
Keep the top section a bit higher than you think, so it doesn’t droop during the day.

16. Braided Headband With Hair Down

A braided headband hides oily roots at the front and looks cute without needing a full style. It’s great when your lengths still look okay but your hairline looks shiny.

What you need

1. Dry shampoo (freshens the front)
2. Small elastic (secures the braid end)
3. Bobby pins (pins the braid across the head)
4. Texture spray (optional, adds grip)

How to style it

1. Step 1: Apply dry shampoo along the hairline and part.
2. Step 2: Braid a small section from one side near the front.
3. Step 3: Pull the braid across like a headband and pin it behind the opposite ear.
4. Step 4: Loosen the braid slightly and finish with light hairspray.

Quick tip
Hide pins under your hair so the braid looks like it’s “floating” across your head.