Wondering how to get a chic grunge hair style that suits you best? Just read on…
By Chere Di Boscio
As everyone knows, fashion goes in cycles. What was glorious thirty years ago now seems new again. With hair it’s no different – it can also go in and out of fashion. Decades-old hairstyles make a comeback every now and then. And a current hot hair trend is a classic from the 90s: grunge hair.
This can be defined as a messy, untamed (and possibly unwashed) mane with lots of volume and a rebellious personality. This straight-out-of-bed hair look is a favourite amongst urbanites and fashionistas both – and it works beautifully to form sloppy ponytails and messy updo hairstyles.
Embrace the undefined waves, split ends and the not-so-fresh look, and say goodbye to bad hair days – messy chic is trending now!
If you love the unkempt 90’s grunge hairstyle, read on to see how to get it for yourself.
How To Do The Grunge Hairstyle Revival – Naturally
Inspiration
The grunge look emerged in the mid-80s in Seattle, Washington via grunge bands – a post-punk subgenre of alternative rock. Anti-capitalist musicians wore thrift store clothing, took loads of drugs and ignored mainstream culture, thus inadvertently creating a whole new look which went against the mainstream image of the time.
Grunge style worked as an anti-consumerist movement. The less groomed you looked, the cooler you were. By not polishing their look, grungsters were rebelling against the flashy, bling style of the ‘greed is good’ decade, the 80s. And they were also rejecting the over-the-top flash of glam rock bands like Poison and Motley Crue.
Image: Courtney Love on Wikicommons
The Basics
You might think not shampooing or leaving your hair all greasy are the essentials for a grunge hair style. Well, yes, to an extent. But you can also try using thickness and volume enhancement formulas now to give a bit more texture.
You can also use a blow-dryer diffuser on your hair, while upside down, when it’s 90% dry, after applying a good heat protector spray. Plus, you can always try the good old trick of teasing your hair at the root for extra volume. Just gather a few strands at the crown of your head and backcomb the hair down the roots.
And last but not least, if your hair is giving a good fight over volume, just cut it into layers and dye a few strands for a texturised effect.
Try using: Yarok Feed Your Roots Mousse. This is all natural, cruelty and scent-free, and gives amazing volume!
1. Soaked In Bleach
Kurt did it. Courtney did it. And super bleached hair is still a key grunge hair look!
Yep, it’s gonna kill your hair. But if you’re into grunge in a big way, you probably don’t care all that much. Oh, and btw, when your roots start growing in? Good! Keep it that way!
Try using: Mayraki hair conditioners. They make loads of conditioners, like their Silky Smooth Hair Repairing Treatment. All contain essential nutrients and herbs that can transform and heal your hair. After just the first use you’ll visibly notice the improvement in appearance and feel physical a change in the condition in your hair. No matter how much bleach you’ve used!
Who should try this grunge hair style: Obviously, it works best on shorter hair. Because over time, it’s gonna be like straw!
2. Crazy Colours
Forget chestnuts and subtle auburn highlights! Totally ‘unnatural’ and pastel shades define grunge hair. If you’re fair haired, go for an overall look; otherwise, a few streaky highlights will do the trick.
Whilst most of these are highly chemical and horrendous on the environment (see why here), there are a few products you can use to achieve the look that won’t kill your hair, your health, and marine life.
Try using: Rootflage gives blondes some temporary highlights so you can check out whether you like that look or not.
If you do and want to go permanent, try NATULIQUE Douce Hair Colours. They’ve got a wide range of shades, from lavender to lemon, and unlike most other hair dyes, NATULIQUE contains very low levels of PPDs. In fact, it’s the lowest amount on the market, with an average 0.005%.
Who should try this grunge hair style: Anyone who’s bored with natural hair colours.
3. Super Messy Half Buns
Forget about those tight, ballet style buns. To get a grunge look, the messier, the better!
Here’s how to do it.
Use a wide barrel curling tong to softly curl a few sections of your hair, to give it a bit of texture, then apply dry shampoo or sea salt spray to your hair to get more fullness. Afterwards, take the top half of your hair and tie it all pulled back in a ponytail. Then wrap the ponytail around in a bun and secure it with bobby pins.
Remember that this shouldn’t look too tight nor structured, but more loose and messy.
Try using: Acure dry shampoo is pretty much a staple for any grunge hairstyle. What I love about Acure is that it’s vegan friendly, and free sulfates, parabens, phthalates, petroleum products and other nasties, and is 100% biodegradable and easy to use, too.
Who should try this grunge hair style: Well, it’s ideal when you haven’t been able to shower for awhile and are on the dry shampoo!
4. Unbrushed Pigtails
The idea of these pigtails isn’t to look like a kid. Yuk! Or worse, some form of anime. What you’re going for here is: I just woke up, Can’t find my brush, and so grabbed these elastics and ‘did’ my hair into pigtails. Easy!
You can also leave one strand of hair loose on each side for extra grunginess.
Who should try this grunge hair style: Anyone who’s usually in a rush.
Image: styleyourbeauty.com
5. Messy Waves
Grunge hairstyles are all about messy waves. In order to give the perfect grungy texture to your hair, apply sea salt spray to your hair right after you wash it and let it air dry. Then, apply a heat protector spray and get your flat iron ready. Section by section, bend the hair all the way around in one loop, pull the hair down and before you get to the end let it go. Afterwards, just curl the hair strand with your fingers to give it a bit more movement.
Follow these steps throughout your whole head of hair. Don’t worry about getting a structured look, just work differently on each section so the overall effect is a bit tousled.
Finish by spraying a bit more sea salt all over and giving your hair a good scrunch.
Try using: Octavio La Playa Sea Salt Spray with Algae. Not only gives the perfect messy waves, but is good for your hair, and the environment.
Who should try this grunge hair style: Women who love a ‘rock chick’ look!
Image: @anja_rubik
6. Short, Choppy Layers
Back in the day, Winona Ryder was one of the ‘it’ girls of grunge. And her defining hairstyle? Choppy black layers!
Harken back to those ‘Winona Forever’ days by getting a pixie cut with short, choppy layers. It’s the perfect ‘wash and wear’ look for those who aren’t too keen on fussing with their ‘dos.
Who should try this grunge hair style: This looks especially chic on those with thinner hair.
7. Vintage Headgear
If you really want to see how this is done, just Google the queens of vintage headgear: Courtney Love + Amanda DeCadenet. Back in the 90s, these two rocked tiaras like no others. Sure, you can try doing the same on a night out, but a more viable everyday option is sporting a vintage turban or wide headband. A great way to end a bad hair day – in fact, the messier your hair is under these, the better!
Try using: Nasty Gal has a whole 90s inspired tiara range. One of which you can see below.
Who should try this grunge hair style: It’s an especially cool look when you’re going out.
The bottom line: when it comes to getting a grunge hair style, go from effortless, choppy layers with faded dyed strands or messy curls or even unkempt pigtails.
Just remember, it’s all about that untamed, uncombed hair look. Let your hair riot for a season, get rebellious!
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