How to Style Your Hair Like Harry Styles

Co-authored by Amber Crain

Last Updated: December 19, 2020 References

Harry Styles initially gained international fame as a contestant on X-Factor and went on to become a member of the chart-topping boy band One Direction. Today, he continues to thrill fans all over the world as a solo musician and actor. Over the years, his unique, carefree look has made him a style icon, as well. While he's rocked his tousled curls in a wide variety of styles and lengths, he's dedicated to an effortless bedhead look that's never over-styled. With so many looks to choose from, you can find one that works for your hair's length and texture.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Short Hair Styles

1
Sculpt your wavy or curly bowl cut into Harry’s 2010-era mop top. Start by brushing your damp hair into a deep side part. Then, mist your hair evenly with sea salt spray and scrunch your curls to define them. Focus on definition rather than creating a lot of volume for this. Let your hair air-dry naturally.^{[1]
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- This hairstyle is sometimes called the “mushroom bowl." Harry sported it back in 2010 when he appeared on X-Factor.^{[2]
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2
Grow out the mop top 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) to create his lion’s mane look. Create a deep side part and let the rest of your damp hair fall wherever it falls. Use a small amount of texture paste to tighten and define some of your curls and manage the overall shape. Air-dry your hair for a loose, natural vibe.^{[3]
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- Harry grew out his mushroom bowl cut several inches on the top, sides, and back to rock this style. The look was quite unruly and floppy, so styling is pretty easy as long as you have curly or wavy hair.
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3
Crop the sides and keep 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) on the top for the Dunkirk look. To create the 1940s-inspired look that Harry sported on the set of Dunkirk, start by spritzing damp hair with a sea salt spray to add texture and volume. Then, blow dry your hair straight back. Rub a tiny amount of pomade in your palms and apply to your hair for to create hold and shine.^{[4]
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- To get the cut, say you want a grade 3 or 4 in the back and sides. For the top, ask for plenty of texture and a graduating length in the front that gets shorter toward the crown.^{[5]
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- The Dunkirk cut works for most hair textures, including straight hair.
4
Keep the sides short and brush long bangs into a side-swept look. Use a comb to gently tease your hair and create a bit of volume if you need it. Then, brush all of your bangs over to one side and spray them with hairspray to keep them in place. Keep the back and sides loose and carefree, defining your curls with a touch of texture paste.^{[6]
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- The key to this look is the exaggerated side sweep. You need wavy or curly hair to pull it off.^{[7]
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5
Grow the top out 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) inches and style it into a quiff. Dampen the longer hair on top and apply hair gel or mousse. Then, use a blow dryer to push the hair on top of your head up and back into a voluminous wave. Finish by smoothing any flyaways down with a bit of styling wax.^{[8]
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- For extra volume, back comb or tease your quiff to the height you want. Apply a final misting of hairspray to lock the look in place.^{[9]
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- You need medium to thick hair to create a voluminous quiff like Harry’s.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Shoulder-Length or Longer

1
Keep shoulder-length curls in check with a headscarf or bandana. Harry kept his wild curls under control with accessories as he grew it out. He allowed his curls to dry naturally and hang loose, then tied a rolled-up banana or turban-style silk scarf around his head to act as a headband to keep the hair swept back off his forehead.^{[11]
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- Position the scarf or bandana just like you would a headband to hold back your bangs.
- Feel free to experiment with different colors and styles—Harry certainly did!
2
Create Harry's tousled shoulder-length style with thick, wavy locks. Apply a little texture paste to damp hair to define your waves. Then, use mousse or gel to sweep your long bangs up and straight back so they stay of your face. Let those wavy locks air-dry and flow in a loose, natural way.^{[12]
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- Harry went for a natural, romantic aesthetic as his hair grew out.
3
Grow thick hair past your shoulders and let it fall in loose waves. Apply wax, mousse, or sea salt spray to damp hair. Then, use a brush or your fingers to style the top part into a loose wave to keep it out of your face. Apply a little more wax or mousse to create texture and hold and let your hair air-dry naturally.^{[13]
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4
Try a man bun or ponytail to keep long hair up and out of your face. Pull your hair up into a loose man bun to rock Harry's laidback look. For a slightly athletic vibe, push a thin cloth headband into place to keep your hair secure. If you get tired of doing man buns, Harry often styled his longer hair in loose ponytails and laidback half ponytail styles.^{[14]
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