15 Messy Looks to Inspire Your Next Blowout

Jasmin Perez
Aug 24, 2014

Who doesn’t love a good blowout? While we’re fans of the sleek, full-bodied classic, this season we’re opting for the edgier, choppier and sexier take seen on the runways and on our favorite celebs. If you’re like us, you want to appear effortless in an “I just rolled out of bed” kind of way, and the last thing you want for that is an overly perfect ‘do. Enter the messy blowout, a slightly teased version that packs just the right amount of punch to jazz up any look. Whatever your style, we found 15 of our favorite teased, tousled and curled blowouts that will be the envy of every girl in town.

1. Old Hollywood Oomph: Mastering this sultry blowout is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply apply heat styling spray to your strands, work the heat, repeat and ta-da! And we dare you to try this sleek deep side part. (via Lipstick)

2. Size Does Matter: Turn up the volume with this glam full-bodied side sweep. Pick up this secret weapon, Hershesons Ceramic Iron Brush ($50) and get ready for a high voltage blowout. (via Hershesons)

3. The Sex Symbol: It’s safe to say Eva Mendes is at the very center of our hair (and boyfriend) envy. We can’t help but want to copy the voluptuous Latina’s perfectly textured curls, and lucky for us it’s as easy as spritzing Shu Uemura’s Art of of Hair Liquid Fabric ($38) on our locks. (via Sorta Like a Dream)

4 . Bohemian Daze: If you’re going for a low-key beach babe blowout look, the key is running a straightening iron over your bedhead blowout for a tamed finished. (via Bella’s Secret)

5. Waves in Motion: Rebecca Minkoff’s ’80s inspired spring 2013 preview called for a relaxed, yet glamorous style. Stylists created undone waves by adding a teased touch with TRESemme’s volumizing spray ($6) and finished it off with Living Proof’s No Frizz Nourishing Cream ($15) for a dose of softness. (via Style Bistro)

6. Curl Power: Ethiopian beauty and model, Liya Kebede is proof that short haired ladies can too rock a powerhouse blowout. Liya kept her blowout simple with bouncy mussed up curls by using an old-school beauty trick — mousse! (via Hair Style)

7. The Bardot: Channel your inner bombshell and go for the ultimate blowout, a Brigitte Bardot-inspired ‘do. Be sure to tease your crown with a rattail comb ($4) for the classic bouffant. Oh, and get ready to turn some major heads! (via Glo)

8. Laid-Back Beauty: Model, designer, and all-around cool girl Erin Wasson is best known for her surfer girl beach waves. To achieve her effortless look, ditch your counter full of products and reach for Davine’s Sea Salt Spray ($27). We promise, with a little tousling, you’ll have the the sexiest #IWokeUpLikeThis waves ever. (via BellaSugar)

9. Big and Bouncy: Go big or go home à la the models at DVF fall 2013 with this chic blowout. Not only can you go from the office to drinks without a touch up, but getting the look is très easy. Start by blow-drying your locks with Brush Lab’s Ceramic Curl Brush ($16) and setting in loose pin curls for a few minutes. The result? Polished, yet sexy waves. (via Lifestyle Mirror)

10. Messy Hair, Don’t Care: Get this windblown ‘do by curling with a wide barreled iron after blow drying and then lightly spraying with Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray ($15) or a mousse and creating piece-y curls with your fingers. (via Leblanc Salon)

11. In a New York Minute: Who doesn’t want to be Olivia Palermo? The New York socialite and designer not only has us drooling over her latest fashion choices but also her perfect, shiny locks. Want her secret for a flawless wispy blowout that takes no time at all? Attach Miss Jessie’s Blow Dry Diffuser ($12) to your blow dryer to beat the frizz. (via InStyle)

12. What a Tease: The ’70s are back with a vengeance, and our locks couldn’t be more excited. Tame this static-tastic blowout with a light anti-frizz serum like Josie Maran’s Argan Oil Hair Serum ($30) which won’t weigh down your tresses. Add a smokey eye and you’re ready to hit up Studio 54. (via The Fashion Spot)

13. Piece-y Does It: When we think of the ultimate wavy blowout, one girl comes to mind: Blake Lively. We fell in love with Blake’s golden mane on Gossip Girl and seven years later she’s the poster girl for L’Oréal Paris. To get her surprisingly low-maintenance locks, mist your hair with Oribe’s Thick Finishing Spray ($37) and haphazardly twist with your fingers from roots to tips. You’re left with perfect lazy day waves that might even help you snag your version of Ryan Reynolds. (via Handbag)

14. Bombshell Bedhead: Stylists opted for a voluminous rocker-inspired blowout at Thakoon’s fall preview creating a lightweight bounce with major doses of Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Powder ($17). Make sure to use your layers to your advantage and frame your face for a full, bodacious look. (via Elle)

15. Barely There Curls: As if a successful acting career and snagging Justin Timberlake wasn’t enough, Jessica Biel has also managed to master the sexy undone blowout. Her golden highlights and long layers make for a good base, but anyone with a clip-free curling iron ($25) and a texturizing creme like DryBar’s Shine Pomeade ($28) can copy her look. (via PopSugar)

Are you a fan of the messy blowout? Or do you prefer a sleek, classic look? Tell us in the comments below!

Hailey Bieber's New "Chocolate Syrup" Hair Is All The Internet Can Talk About RN

Say goodbye to the iconic bob, because Hailey Bieber just flaunted a new hairdo. Of course, the internet just had to equate her returning brunette locks to a type of food — because apparently that’s a thing that needs to happen for every hair and beauty trend now. Bieber debuted “chocolate syrup hair” after posting a mirror selfie on her Instagram story and a video to TikTok. The model opted for a classic blowout, darker brown hue, and mid-length extensions for a fuller and fresher look.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Fans were ecstatic about the switch, with one commenting that this is the “best hair [Hailey’s] had” and another chiming in that “the iconic long hair is finally coming back.” It’s giving us flashbacks to Bieber’s 2022 era, when her deep brown long hair was all over red carpets.

Fans who missed the social media posts took notice of her hair change at yesterday’s Super Bowl, when the Biebers were pictured getting cozy in their VIP Box. Hailey matched the new color shade with a fluffy cheetah print jacket, white top, and mid-wash jeans. Her superstar hubby, Justin Bieber, followed the brown aesthetic with a loose caramel long sleeve adorned with crescent-moons, dark pants, and a black backwards cap.

This is the first time Hailey's sported long hair since she chopped it off back in 2023, making it at least a year since she displayed the chin-length bob heard around the world (we all thought about copying this hairstyle a time or two, let’s be real). The shoulder-grazing cut was actually nicknamed after food too — cinnamon cookie butter hair — due to the range of golden brown and copper undertones.

And now, chocolate syrup hair is just the latest in a slew of beauty trends that the Rhode skincare founder has started. Remember glazed doughnut skin? Strawberry girl and latte make-up? Blueberry milk nails? Okay, so that last one was inspired by Sofia Richie, but it still fits into the ongoing theme here…

Peep Some Hailey Bieber's Best Hair Moments Over The Years

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

The 2018 Met Gala

Hailey was pretty in pink with this 2018 hairdo at the "Heavenly Bodies" Met Gala. The pastel color is really hair to pull off, but leave it to Mrs. Bieber to absolutely slay. While I love her brunette do right now, definitely would love to see her try something more playful like this again!

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

The 2019 Met Gala

Clearly, Hailey does NOT disappoint when she shows up on the First Monday in May. This super blonde high ponytail is giving Bond girl in all the best ways! Plus, can we talk about the slicked-back hair and bow combo?! 2024 would eat this look up if she wanted to try it again!

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

We know miss thing rocks a shorter cut, and this blunt bob is no exception. The slick side part pairs so well with her naturally high cheekbones, and her earrings really compliment the length of the cut. 10s across the board!

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

The 2021 Met Gala

A soft, beachy wave is honestly everything. I love how she pairs this more lax hairstyle with a luxe event like the Met Gala, giving her overall look so much texture and intrigue. Plus, that honey-colored hair was made for an effortless look like this.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Mirroring her 2021 Met Gala look, Hailey rocked tousled waves again, but with a deeper honey color. The overall styling looks chic, but attainable, subtly inviting everyone to request "The Hailey" at their next appointment.

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards

WSJ. Magazine 2022 Innovator Awards

Hailey took beachy to new heights with this long hairdo. Her waves are slightly more subdued, giving that "I just woke up like this" look we're all still trying to get. I'm so excited to see her back to a darker brown now because this color is absolutely serving!

Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

The bob is bobbing — no, but really this iconic bob is next level. It takes her iconic waves and makes them elevated, elegant, and everything I've ever needed. While I'm more than here for her longer hair right now, I hope we get a brunette bob moment again.

For more hair inspo and celeb news, be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter, so you don't miss a thing!

Header image by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

celebrityhairhair trendsbeauty trendshailey biebercelebrity hair

Upgrade Your Thanksgiving With A Crescent-Roll Cornucopia

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

holidaysthanksgivingthanksgiving dessertsthanksgiving recipesfood

How To Master The Perfect Messy Braid Like Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson has become the queen of rocking backless gowns, and there's one accessory that helps her dresses stand out: her hair! We're pretty sure this lazy girl hair hack will never go out of style (thank goodness), which is why we caught up with Dakota's stylist on how to achieve an epically beautiful messy braid.

“We really wanted the focus to be on Dakota’s gorgeous dress,” Dove celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend tells Brit + Co. “We decided to keep her hair out of her face by doing a long, textured braid in the back.”

He started with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Root Boosting Spray on her damp roots (alternative option: Matrix Total Results High Amplify Wonder Boost Root Lifter) and then blew her hair out with a mixed bristle round brush. He set the top mohawk section with duck bill clips to create volume and sprayed a paddle brush with Dove Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo before running it through the rest of her strands.

To create the plait, he twisted uneven sections of her locks into braids and twists, using dark bobby pins along the way to keep the loose bits secured. With the pony in place, he took out the duck bills and applied a bit of Dove Absolute Curls Crème Serum (alternative option: Dove Hair Therapy Breakage Remedy Leave-On Treatment) on the front pieces before pinning them back.

And voilà! A messy, put-together look that’s perfect for a red carpet, dinner, or a night in.

Tag us in your Dakota Johnson-approved braids on Instagram and subscribe to our email newsletter for more beauty ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

celebrity hairbraids

Your Ultimate Guide To Holiday Shopping In 2024

Though Black Friday is traditionally the official start of the holiday shopping season, we argue that it’s been kicking since mid-October. We know, we know: it still feels extremely early to start thinking about the holidays, but they’ll be here before you know it! Plus, many brands and retailers are already promoting their holiday goodies with plenty of sales and discounts available right now.

If you’re ready to embark on your holiday shopping journey, but still need answers to questions like ‘when’s the best time to shop?’ and ‘where should I shop for gifts?’ and even ‘how the heck do I save money this season?’, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your go-to guide for holiday shopping in 2024.

Scroll on for our best guidance on navigating this busy time of year and finding the best gifts possible!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

Ron Lach / PEXELS

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Andrea Piacquadio / PEXELS

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Sora Shimazaki / PEXELS

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Kindel Media / PEXELS

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our best 2024 gift guides, shopping advice, and all things holiday!

giftsholidayschristmasblack fridayshopping

When Is Starbucks' Red Cup Day?

The holidays at Starbucks are creeping up on us, people! Peppermint Mocha season will return on November 7. If you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan, you know Red Cup Day is a whole holiday in itself – the frenzy for a free reusable cup is truly no joke. There’s even an entire website dedicated to counting down the madness! Even though there’s no official word on when Red Cup Day 2024 will be, there are several clues that cue us into the annual event. Scroll on for details!

What is Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ highly-awaited annual event that marks the start of holiday beverage season at the coffee chain. For one day only (and while supplies last), customers who order any of Starbucks’ holiday drinks will receive a reusable red cup that features a bespoke design for the respective year.

Starbucks

Here’s a list of all the drinks rumored to be available on the Starbucks holiday menu starting November 7:

  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
  • Caramel Brûlée Latte
  • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
  • Chestnut Praline Latte
  • Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
  • Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

What do the red cups look like for 2024?

Starbucks

Starbucks hasn’t officially announced when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, let alone what the famed red cups will look like this go-around. The one obvious point is that the cups will be red! They’ll also likely feature some festive motifs that echo the holiday season. Last year’s red cups boasted playful white and green stars and ornament-like shapes.

Why should I participate in Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day = freebies, which can feel really rewarding if you’re really into receiving free goodies. Plus, it’s just a fun way to lean into the holiday spirit. The red reusable cup keeps giving beyond Red Cup Day, though! Every time you use the reusable cup for future Starbucks orders, you get a 10-cent discount as well as 25 bonus stars toward your Starbucks Rewards account to save up for more discounts on drinks, food, and merchandise.

When is Starbucks' Red Cup Day 2024?

Starbucks

Again, Starbucks hasn’t alerted us on when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, but based on previous Red Cup Days, we can infer it’ll land on the third Thursday of November. In 2022, Red Cup Day happened on November 17, and for 2023, it was November 16. The third Thursday of November in 2024 hits on November 21, so mark your calendars, everyone!

Additionally, check back here for official info as Red Cup Day approaches.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more food news!

This post has been updated.

food newsstarbuckspeppermint mochaholiday drinkscoffeefood