I have curly to wavy, thick, frizzy hair.  Its just short of my waist and I have a few shorter layers in front.  I want to put my hair up but at the same time want a hairstyle that is trendy and "messy".   I want people to be able to see I have curly hair.  But I'm extremely bad at doing my own hair.  If anyone could offer some tips for a messy bun or some other messy hairstyle that isn't too hard for someone like me that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

Try putting your hair up in a bun but leave lots of loose ringlets out of it to frame your face and show off your curls.  When you make the bun, leave three or four inches of the tail end out of the bun and stick it through the center from back to front or tuck it behind the bun and make it sort of fan out like a peacock's tail above it.  Both looks seem to still fall well within the definition of "trendy" ;)

Thanks for the idea!  I'm going to have to try that tonight!