Whether you work from a home office or a corporate office, your hairstyle is an essential part of your outfit. Running out the door with less than 10 minutes to get ready, is fast becoming the norm for some working women and working mothers.

Just as you would choose your clothing, shoes, jewelry and make up for the day, I believe you should spend a little time choosing your ‘hairfit’ or hair outfit for the day.

Not all of us have time to sit in a salon and have a daily blow-dry, however with a few tips you can look and feel confident in that next ‘last minute meeting’ or networking event.

1. Classic Corporate

LONG HAIR
Looking professional and like you mean business in that next boardroom meeting can be done with a simple chignon. Achieve this by brushing your entire hair back, place it all in a low ponytail, then sweep all the hair around the elastic band, (plait the pony tail first for extra detail) secure with bobby pins and you’re done! Literally it takes 2 minutes!

Need to step out to drinks after work?


Glam it up with colourful bobby pins or add clips around the chignon. Add a rosette clip accessory for extra romance or place a headband or wrap a scarf around the chignon for that bohemian chic look.

Top Tip – ensure hair is clean for maximum ease and a professional look.

SHORT HAIR
The beauty of short hair means it doesn’t take long to blow dry. At home, place some thermal styling protectant product, and then blast your hair at high speed for fast drying. Complete the look with pomade (for a smooth shine) or moulding putty for that piecey choppy look.

Need to step out to drinks after work?

Glam it up with a headband or add small clips around the fringe area for extra girlyness. Add extra product for more control and sleekness.

2. Business traveler

LONG HAIR
Traveling can play havoc with your hair. From different climates, to varying time zones, water and humidity just to name a few. With limited suitcase space, having a couple of essential hairstyling tools can help make the business trip hair easier.

Blow-drying your hair the night before can assist with limited time when traveling for business. My top tip is to sleep on a satin pillow case (the night before) your blow-dry will remain intact in the morning!

Top tip - Also try plaiting your hair at night (on semi damp hair) to wake up with dry wavy hair in the morning.

• Invest in mini straightening iron (or if you have the space in your suitcase, go for a normal sized one) for touch ups in humid weather. Great for those curly bits around the hairline
• Most hotels have hairdryers in the rooms, these come in handy for touching up your hairstyle from the business meetings to dinner invitations
• Keep some hair accessories in your bag for those last minute calls out for dinner or a networking event!

SHORT HAIR
A wash and go look can work depending on the type of business you are traveling for.
Use the in room hair dryer for a quick blast for choppy straight hair or for some added oomph and curl, place some velcro rollers in your hair whilst you apply your makeup, hover hairdryer over the rollers for a couple of minutes, then wait to cool. Remove, shake and you’re done!

3. Creative office

Oh, those creative types, with that crazy creative colourful hairdos! We love you! For those that work in a creative office, where the dress code is funky/smart casual, play up your hair to suit.

LONG HAIR
A pulled back top knot, adds functionality and glamour – think SJP from SATC! Dress up the top knot with a scarf or ribbon for extra style.

Hair braids or plaits are very retro and look wonderfully sophisticated with a hint of personality.

SHORT HAIR
For those with short sharp bobs, an excellent hair cut is essential to keep this style looking good day after day. Adding a low key headband can add some sophistication to the look too.

4. Home office

Just because you are working from home and no one gets to see you, doesn’t mean you don’t have to do your hair. Still feel business like when making those calls or even if you have to pop out of the home office to a meeting.

LONG HAIR
Pulling your hair back in a ponytail because you have just come back from the gym could be tempting, but not so good if you get called out to a client meeting or even a last minute function.

Eeek! Don’t have time to wash your hair? Get hold of some dry shampoo! This is excellent to use to soak up any oils at the scalp and freshen up the hair. After using the product, your hair will have that extra body, so take this into consideration when styling your hair.

Don’t have any dry shampoo? Try baby powder. Only a small amount though, so you don’t sport the ‘grey’ looking hair!

SHORT HAIR
Depending on how short your hair is, using some accessories can get you from ‘home look’ to ‘business look’ in minutes.

If accessories are not your style, then consider using a hairdryer or styling tools to change the style.
If you have coloured hair, use the colour to your advantage. A simple wash and dry off can still look great if you have some colour in your hair. Use product to separate the different colours from each other. Vegemite from kiddies fingers, doesn’t count as a colour.

The art of hair and work


Some essentials to pop in your handbag or laptop bag for those last minute business touch ups.

1. Mini Straightening irons (must have for the business traveler or gym goer)
2. Velcro curlers – (great for the business traveler)
3. Small comb
4. Paddle brush
5. Elastic bands
6. Hair accessories - Clips, bobby pins, head bands, hair cuffs
7. Tiny tin of hairspray or tiny tub of molding paste
8. No time to wash hair? - try dry shampoos or a tiny amount of baby powder

All these items can fit quite easily in your gym or work bag.

Expert tips that will help keep your business hair looking great are:

1. Sleeping on a satin pillow case. This stops the hair tangling overnight and spoiling your blowdry or style
2. No brainer I know, but freshly washed hair, nothing compares to the shine and movement of freshly washed hair
3. Using regular treatments keep hair looking healthy and shiny and prevent damage
4. Regular trims keep the hair in great condition and looking neat for any meeting or event!