The Look: Voluminous ponytail Works best for: Shoulder length straight hair
Step 1: Working with dry hair, section off a horseshoe shape from temple to temple on top of your head and spray with a volumizer like Sexy Hair What A Tease, $15.44.
Step 2: Using a fine toothed comb, tease the back side of that section to create volume. Smooth the section away from your face when you're done.
Step 3: Brush hair back into a high ponytail and secure with elastic.
Step 4: Use a large curling iron (try Conair 1-1/4" Curling Iron, $29.95 to curl just the ends of ponytail. Mist with hairspray to set the look.
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Debra Messing
The Look: Sleek deep side-part Works best for: Straight thick hair
Step 1: Apply a tiny amount of a de-frizzing and shine enhancing gel like BioSilk Silk Gel, $12.79 to dry hair.
Step 2: Create a deep side part with comb.
Step 3: Flat iron hair straight (try Paul Brown Hawaii Flat Iron, $120) flipping out the ends slightly.
Step 4: Tuck hair on the same side as your part behind one ear and pin for extra hold.
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January Jones
The Look: Pinned up ends with a headband Works best for: Wavy or straight, shoulder length hair
Step 1: Create a side part in dry hair and loosely bobby pin (so hair drapes above one eye) two inches of the side opposite your part behind your ear.
Step 2: Choose a work-appropriate headband like Dominique Duval Athena Leather Headband, $40-$120 and slide it onto the top of your head, covering the pin.
Step 3: Bobby pin the ends of your hair under, to the hair at the nape of your neck (faux bob style) or swoop into a loose bun.
The office is a magical place. It's where all sorts of interesting people come together to learn, grow and build better businesses. Oh, who are we kidding? Work is a 9-5 (if we're lucky) grind that pays the bills so that on weekends we can live our lives with the people we love. Most of us work to live and not vice versa, so the thought of racking your brain in order to pick the perfect office hairstyle sounds about as thrilling as reading a memo about new printing practices. That's why we picked nine flawlessly polished, easy-to-do hairstyles that are perfect for your place of work. Hopefully they'll give you one less thing to think about as you're rushing out the door in the am.
While we know it sounds like more fun to find the perfect party hairstyle or the best hot date hair, now would be the time to inform you (NOT via post-it note) that, while seemingly boring, it is important to find a hairstyle that works for the office ... strike that, a hairstyle that works for YOU while you're working at the office. And one that requires minimal effort (aka takes less than 10 minutes out of your hectic morning to achieve), and keeps you feeling confident and professional until your rush hour drive home.
And though these looks are simple, they are slightly formal hairstyles. Wear them and your co-workers won't ever gossip about your bad hair choice or your hair color mishap at the water cooler. Instead they'll talk about how you kicked butt on your big presentation. With a simple twist here, a hair accessory there, these celebrity hairstyles will allow you to walk out the door with confidence every Monday thru Friday no matter what hair length or texture you have.
Also, if you don't have a job, sport these hairstyles when you want an effortless, polished look. And if you're job searching, these looks can work for you too -- but consult these tips on how to look hirable first.
Celebs inspiring these office looks: Elizabeth Banks, Roxy Olin, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michelle Williams, Alicia Keys, Kristen Bell, Kate Beckinsale, Debra Messing, and January Jones.
