Long, wavy and slightly messy. A hair style some know well, though in a more chaotic version, the kind that sums up days spent on the beach swimming and rolling in the sand. The big difference is that on those women, it looks good… Yes, it’s the big trend of the moment. Out with sleek, glossy hair: we’re now wearing messy hair (but still with a bit of order to the mess).

The big hair trend is boho style. At first glance, boho hair can feel a bit like hair in rebellion, as if you’ve just got out of bed, but look a little closer and you realise that messy style is an art form. Yes, really: to wear that clever just-messy, slightly wavy but not too wavy look, you need to get up early and know how to handle a brush. So, fancy a beautifully (un)tamed boho hairstyle, a slightly messy braid, a mane that looks wild but is meticulously calculated? Today we’re looking at the prettiest boho hairstyles picked from the looks doing the rounds.

Young woman with fair skin wearing a loose boho braid on wavy hair

In the same spirit, note the pretty hairstyle with a softly uncertain parting, volume and messy curls. Not so simple, boho hair. Add balayage that lightens towards the ends, and you have THE trending hairstyle of the moment.

Young woman with voluminous boho curls sitting near a window, soft light
Generous curls, only just tamed, for a deliberately undone finish
Young North African or Middle Eastern woman texturising her wet wavy hair by hand

The fringe question

It’s funny how a fringe alone can give you that boho look when it falls over the eyes, is thick enough and is teamed with curly lengths.

Profile of a young woman with a thick fringe covering one eye, curly lengths
In profile, the fringe shows its full thickness and drape

The braid question

Braids have been causing a stir lately and are still very much in. Intrinsic to boho hair, they can be worn as a small touch, a fine braid here and there; in the simplest possible way, as a long side braid; as a headband over messy lengths; in a chic way, sleek against the head and to one side; or in a romantic bun. Yes, with braids, there’s plenty to play with!

Braid worn as a headband over long messy hair, three-quarter back view
A fine headband braid, laid over an intentionally undone look

The sleek, braided long bob

Difficulty level zero for this very simple boho hairstyle. A sleek long bob and two small braids secured with fine hair grips at the nape: easy and lovely.

Detail of the nape of a sleek bob, two fine braids held by hair grips
Two braids and a few grips are all it takes to lift a sleek bob

The side braid, messy to the end

For some, sleek hair is extremely rare, simple as that. We love the side braid that’s completely messy, with wavy strands escaping everywhere. Also lovely: the long mane that’s neither sleek nor wavy, with balayage through the lengths.

Young woman with a deliberately messy side braid, escaped wavy strands
A side braid, messy to the end, as if it were the obvious choice

The headband is pretty much THE trick that whips up a boho hairstyle in no time. Nothing else needed: smooth the fringe a little if you have one, apply a small amount of mousse to the lengths and scrunch with your hand, and job done!

The boho bob

Even with a bob, you can still wear that little boho touch: centre parting, sleek roots and wavy lengths, very simple. We love its messy lengths, neither straight nor curly, and the fringe split in two that frames the face.

The step that changes everything: on towel-dried hair, apply a small dollop of mousse to the lengths, then scrunch with your hands rather than brushing. Hands create softness where a brush smooths too much, and too much product weighs down the wave: a light texture is better than a rich treatment.

Young woman with a long bob, sleek roots and wavy lengths with a centre parting

Budget

Budget-wise, nothing is out of reach: a texturising spray or sea salt spray usually costs between £7 and £22 depending on the brand and size, a styling mousse between £5 and £13, a flexible hairspray between £7 and £17. For accessories, allow £4 to £26 for a headband or hair band depending on the material, and a few pounds for a pack of fine hair grips. Prices climb quickly in salons or with luxury brands, but supermarket or high-street formulas do the job beautifully day to day, as do the ones you find online.

The key is not to overdo it: a light texture, two fingers to scrunch, and that little undone finish that looks effortlessly offhand. That’s the true boho signature.