20 Greasy Hair Hairstyles That Hide Oily Roots for Days

It is day two, or three, or honestly four, and your roots are looking a little slick. Here is the thing most people miss: oily hair does not have to mean a bad hair day. The trick is to work with the oil instead of fighting it, because greasy roots actually give buns, braids, and updos better grip and hold. The right style hides the shine at your part and crown and turns the whole thing into a deliberate look. Grab a bristle brush to pull the oil down through your strands first, then try one of the styles below.

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Sleek Low Bun

A smooth, low bun with a clean middle part is the go-to for taming second or third-day roots. The slick finish holds well on oily hair and looks refined rather than rushed.

Greasy roots actually help here, giving the bun grip and hold so it stays put all day without slipping loose.

Brush the hair back smooth, twist it into a low knot at the nape, and pin it. A little lightweight gel controls flyaways without adding buildup.

Messy Bun

The messy bun hides oily roots inside the knot itself, which is why it is such a reliable fix. Bedhead becomes the whole point rather than a problem to solve.

Twist small sections up and pin them loosely, pulling the front apart for volume and lift. The greasy roots give it the texture and hold a clean version has to fake.

Tug the sides out to puff it wider, since a bigger bun pulls the eye away from your part.

Slicked-Back High Ponytail

A sleek, slicked-back high ponytail turns oily roots into a smooth, deliberate finish. Pulling everything up and back looks sharp and put-together, not unwashed.

The slick crown is the whole look, so the grease actually works in your favour by keeping the hair flat and glossy against your head.

Smooth the crown with a bristle brush misted with water, gather it high on the head, and wrap a section around the base. Mist the hairline lightly to catch any last flyaways.

Low Ponytail With Face-Framing Pieces

A clean low ponytail with a couple of soft strands left loose at the front gives a romantic finish while managing greasy roots. The center part adds structure and the tendrils soften the look.

Pulling it low and smooth keeps the oil from showing while the loose pieces frame the face. It flatters oval and heart-shaped faces, and works well on long, fine to medium hair.

Be careful in humidity, since those tendrils can frizz fast without a touch of serum smoothed through.

High Messy Ponytail

A voluminous, tousled high ponytail gives lift when your roots are greasy but you still want height. The messy texture up top hides the oil while the volume adds interest.

Roughing up the crown is what conceals the slick roots, so a little deliberate mess works entirely in your favour here rather than against you.

Use a strong elastic to hold the weight comfortably. It suits square and longer faces and naturally thick or wavy hair especially well.

French Braid

A tight French braid hides oily roots inside the woven pattern. The tension pulls the hair away from the scalp so the eye sees texture, not shine.

Starting the braid right at the roots is the trick, since that is where the grease shows most and the weave covers it completely.

Braid it snug from the hairline down the back, and finish with a light mist of hairspray to lock it in place. It suits most lengths past the shoulders.

Dutch Braids

Two Dutch braids do not look like a greasy-hair fix at all, which is exactly the appeal. The raised, woven pattern conceals oily roots while looking sporty and finished.

Braiding under rather than over lifts the braids off the scalp, so they stand out and hide the shine underneath.

Braid them close from the hairline and let the tails hang loose, or pin them up into an updo. A little water smoothed along the hairline tidies any flyaways.

Fishtail Braid

A loose, low fishtail braid is a pretty way to get through second or third-day hair without washing. The intricate woven pattern hides the grease, and the more textured the braid, the less oil shows.

Start it from the roots to disguise the oily sections at the top and pull it apart gently for fullness.

A little dry shampoo worked in first adds grip and soaks up shine. Tug the braid wider once you finish for a relaxed, lived-in shape that hides the oil.

Waterfall Braid

A side-swept waterfall braid adds a soft, romantic twist to second-day hair while concealing oily roots. It weaves across the head, dropping strands as it goes for a delicate finish.

The braid across the top covers the roots where grease shows, so the style looks intentional rather than unwashed.

Part to one side, weave the braid across toward your ear, and lightly tug it to make it look bigger and fuller. A light shine spray finishes it off.

Braided Crown

A braided crown wraps braids around the head like a halo, hiding oily roots all the way around the scalp. It looks elegant and dressed-up while quietly solving the grease problem underneath.

Braiding the front and sides covers the crown and part line completely, which is exactly where the oil is most visible.

Braid two sections from each side and wrap them around the head, pinning as you go. It suits special occasions and works best on longer hair.

French Twist

A French twist rolls the hair vertically up the back of your head, which hides both oily roots and unwashed ends in one move. It is one of the most effective covers for greasy hair.

Rolling everything up and tucking it away conceals the slick roots entirely, and the grease helps the twist hold its shape.

Gather the hair, twist it up the back, and pin it in place. Practise on clean hair first, since it holds best on day two or three.

Half-Up Bun

A half-up bun conceals the oiliest part of your hair, the crown and roots, while letting the lengths flow freely. Twisting the top section up hides the shine where it shows most.

The bun sits right over the greasy crown, so it does all the concealing while the rest of your hair stays down and loose around the shoulders.

Twist the top into a small knot and secure it. Pull a few pieces loose at the front to soften the shape.

Claw Clip Half-Up

A claw clip half-up is a two-minute fix, and the clip itself covers the part line where grease shows the most. Twist the top section up and clamp it firmly in place at the crown.

Because the clip sits right over the oiliest strip of your part, it hides the shine while keeping the whole thing quick and low-effort.

Pick a clip wider than your part, since anything smaller leaves an oily strip showing on each side of the clip.

Two Front Braids

Two thin braids on either side of the part with the rest of the hair left down is a top oily-hair style for the season. The mini braids hide the oiliest strip without forcing a full updo.

Braiding the sections right along the part covers exactly where grease is most visible, so you skip the bun entirely.

Braid a thin section on each side from the hairline and leave the rest loose. It suits medium length and longer.

Slicked Headband Bun

A wide headband covers the oiliest part of the hair in a single motion, paired with a loosely twisted bun. It says polished without much effort at all.

The greasy roots give the bun its texture and hold, keeping it from falling apart, while the headband hides the first two inches from the hairline.

Twist the hair into a loose bun at the nape or crown and secure it, then place the headband to cover the first couple of inches of roots.

Hollywood Waves With a Headband

Smooth, glamorous Hollywood waves with a headband let you feel like the main character while hiding oily hair. The waves add shine and movement that draw the eye down the lengths.

Adding a headband covers the roots while the waves keep the focus on the polished, glossy mid-lengths and ends instead of the scalp.

Set the waves with a curl-hold spray and slide a headband over the crown to hide the roots. Focus any heat on the ends and mid-lengths, not the roots.

Bantu Knots

Bantu knots section the hair and keep it neatly tucked away, which makes them a smart cover for greasy roots. Rooted in the Zulu people of southern Africa, they are a sharp style in their own right.

Wrapping the hair into knots hides the oily scalp and roots completely, so the grease disappears into the style.

Section carefully so the parts look neat, and secure each knot. Wear them as they are or take them down later for waves.

Second-Day Waves

Waves are one of the best styles for oily hair, since the texture and movement draw the eye away from the roots. They give the hair a lived-in, deliberate look rather than a slick one.

Adding a bend through the mid-lengths pulls attention down and away from the greasy crown, so the roots fade into the background.

Use hot tools on the mid-lengths and ends, not the roots. A little dry shampoo up top adds grip and lift.

Sleek Straight Low Ponytail

A gorgeously sleek, straight low ponytail is an edgy way to hide oily roots. Brushing everything smooth and low keeps the grease from showing while looking sharp and modern.

Pulling the hair back tight and flat turns the slick roots into a deliberate, glossy finish rather than an unwashed one.

Straighten any knotty sections first so it lies flat and smooth, gather it low at the nape, and wrap a strand of hair around the elastic to finish.

Space Buns

Two buns high on either side of the head are a playful way to hide greasy roots. Twisting the hair up into the knots conceals the oil while keeping the look fun and youthful.

Because both buns sit up off the scalp, they hide the slick roots and the part at the same time.

Part down the middle, gather each side into a bun, and pin them in place. Pull a few pieces loose at the front for a relaxed, undone finish.