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Davines model with platinum blonde hair in a french bob haircut

Hairstyles for Greasy Hair

Discover easy hairstyles for greasy hair and learn simple ways to make oily roots look clean with styling tips and lightweight products that refresh and add texture.

Updated on January 7, 2026 | 3 min read

Jaclyn LaBadia, Davines Writer

In a perfect world, you'd wake up every morning with perfectly styled hair. But in this one, daily shampoos and blow-outs can wreck havoc on your strands—and greasiness is an unfortunate, but common side effect. And while styling greasy hair can be a challenge, it’s also the ideal canvas to work on. From sleek ponytails and model buns to Y2K braids, and twisted updos, we’re sharing easy hairstyles for greasy hair. Plus the products and tips you need to manage grease, ahead now.

Key Takeaways

Winter Hairstyles for Curly Hair

Greasy hair comes from natural oils, hair type, and lifestyle factors.
Manage it with the right washing routine and lightweight products.
Use quick fixes like dry shampoo when you can’t wash.
Choose styles that work with texture—buns, ponytails, braids, and scarf looks all shine on greasy hair.
Davines products help control oil and improve styling.
With smart techniques, greasy-hair days can still look polished.

Why Does Hair Get Greasy?

Greasy hair is caused by a buildup of sebum on the scalp, produced through the oil glands. Sebum improves the barrier of the scalp, protecting it and the hair from damage and dryness. But too much of it can make your hair greasy, especially if you have fine or thinning hair that doesn’t require as much moisture as curly and thick hair. Greasiness can also happen as a result of over-shampooing or using the wrong product formulas, (both of which can kick your oil glands into overdrive), as well as genetics and skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis. Keep reading for more on managing grease and how to style dirty hair.

Greasy Hair Management

From tweaking your wash routine to using strategic products and scalp-friendly habits, these tips will help you manage greasy hair.

Use the right shampoo and styling products for your hair type.
Don’t shampoo every day, unless you absolutely have to.
On wash days, shampoo twice with lukewarm water to thoroughly eliminate grease.
Use a clarifying shampoo weekly to rid the scalp and hair of build-up.
Use a scalp scrub to remove excess oil, product build-up and clogged hair follicles.
Avoid your roots when conditioning, applying only to the mid-end lengths of your hair.

The same goes for styling products, unless they are specifically designed to be used on the root.
Stay away from products containing sulfates that strip the moisture from your strands and cause your scalp to overproduce oil in an attempt to maintain balance.
Ditto for silicones, which clog pores.
Clean your tools and anything that touches your hair regularly. This includes hairbrushes, pillowcases and hot tools.
Adjust your diet to include more whole foods, essential minerals, fatty acids and vitamins, and minimize processed foods high in saturated fat and sugar.

Quick Fixes for Greasy Hair

Wondering how to make dirty hair look clean in a pinch? Try a dry shampoo or micellar water. Both are great for getting rid of greasy hair quickly. Shake your can of dry shampoo well, then spray it at your scalp and roots in sections and brush through to thoroughly distribute it through your hair. Or dab an oil-free micellar water onto your roots, gently patting, and follow with a blow-dry to refresh.

Top Easy Hairstyles for Greasy Hair

Greasy hair is the ideal canvas for styling, with your natural hair oils providing hold, sans extra product (which can build up and make your hair even greasier). Wondering how to style greasy hair without washing? These are the best hairstyles for greasy hair.

Sleek Ponytail

A sleek pony is the ultimate style for embracing days-old texture. Pull your hair into a low ponytail, keeping it sleek and tight around the crown. Use a hair paste to smooth flyaways and keep strands polished. Leave the tail loose or braid it, securing it with an elastic.

Half-Up Top Knot

If you’ve got shorter strands, a half up top knot is a great way to disguise greasy hair. Start by spritzing your hair with a dry texture spray for definition and body. Then pull the top half of your hair into a small bun, and let the back fall naturally.

Y2K Braids

If nostalgia is your vibe, use your oily roots to create this iconic Y2K look. These classic braided pigtails look way more intimidating to create than they actually are. Spray your roots with a dry shampoo and create a center part. Then separate each side into 2 equal parts, for a total of 4 sections and braid each for a quadruple braided hairstyle.

Davines model with blonde short curly hair with bangs

Twisted Updo

Another must for hiding grease on short hair is a twisted updo. Spray your roots with dry shampoo and massage it into your scalp well. Then take small sections of hair on either side of your head, twist them back and pinning them in place. Let a few wispy pieces fall loosely at the front and finish with hairspray.

Slicked-Back Bun

One of the easiest hairstyles for greasy hair is the supermodel favorite—a slicked-back bun. It's the perfect style for third, fourth, even fifth day hair, meaning the greasier your hair is, the easier it is to pull this one off. Just brush your hair tightly into a high ponytail, twist it into a bun and pin it securely.

Choosing the Right Davines Products for Greasy Hair

These greasy hair styling products are a game-changer when it comes to disguising oily roots.

This Is A Dry Texturizer

A dry texturizer for adding piecey, definition and hold to second and third day hair. This Is A Dry Texturizer gives greasy hair an instant full-bodied and tousled look without weighing it down.

This is an Invisible Dry Shampoo

An invisible dry shampoo that absorbs oil and impurities leaving behind a soft and natural finish. This is an Invisible Dry Shampoo refreshes the hair, adding volume without any residue.

This is a Medium Hold Pliable Paste

A medium hold paste for controlled styling, giving a natural finish to greasy hair. This Is A Medium Hold Pliable Paste maintains the natural movement of hair, never leaving it stiff or sticky.

SOLU Shampoo

A clarifying shampoo formulated to remove buildup from sebum and styling products. SOLU Shampoo’s rich and airy foam formula thoroughly rids the scalp of greasiness, leaving strands extremely clean.

NOUNOU Conditioner

Clarifying shampoo can be incredibly drying so you'll need this extra nourishing conditioner for dry, brittle or highly processed hair. NOUNOU Conditioner smooths, softens, and hydrates, leaving hair full-bodied, silky and easy to manage.

FAQs

What is the best hairstyle for greasy hair?

The best styles for greasy hair are a sleek ponytail, half-up top-knot, Y2K braids, a twisted updo and a slicked-back bun. These hairstyles use your hair’s natural oils to provide hold, while disguising greasy strands.

What hairstyle is best for oily hair?

Any hairstyle that both disguises greasiness and uses your natural hair oils to provide hold is best for oily strands. We love a sleek ponytail, half-up top-knot, Y2K braids, twisted updos and slicked-back buns.

Do hairdressers care if you show up with greasy hair?

In general, it's best not to show up for your hair appointment with excessively greasy hair, as it can make it difficult for the stylist to assess your hair. Hair that's a day or two old is fine, but we recommend asking your stylist beforehand.

How do I style my hair when it's greasy?

Style greasy hair using the Davines favorites like This Is A Dry Texturizer, This is an Invisible Dry Shampoo, This is a Medium Hold Pliable Paste and This Is A Medium Hairspray to create a sleek ponytail, half-up top-knot, Y2K braids, a twisted updo or a slicked-back bun.

How can I hide my greasy hair without washing it?

Disguise your greasy hair without washing it by spraying a dry shampoo into your roots in sections and brushing through to distribute it through your hair, or dabbing an oil-free micellar water onto your roots, gently patting, and follow with a blow-dry to refresh.

Why is my hair greasy after 1 day?

If your hair is greasy after 1 day, it can be caused by a buildup of sebum on your scalp, especially if you have fine or thinning hair. It can also be the result of over-shampooing, using the wrong product formulas and skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.

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