Getting ready for work in the morning can be a struggle. Between squeezing in a workout (if you’re into that sort of thing), figuring out what to wear, and all the other variables that mornings tend to throw at us, getting out of the door in a timely fashion isn’t always an easy feat. And for those of us who wake up with serious bedhead, figuring out what to do with our hair before we face the day can be a whole separate layer of stress. Help.
The editors at Who What Wear, know a thing or two about chic hairstyles that are easy to do when we’re short on time. After all, as busy players in the fashion and beauty space, there are some days when we have several early-morning meetings and previews before we even hit the office, meaning we’ve got to get our hair looking right without wasting any time.
Turns out, all you need is a little inspiration to take your work hairstyle repertoire from drab to fab. Read on for the styles four of our editors rely on for quick-and-easy chic factor and then keep scrolling to see even more easy hairstyles that will make your co-workers do a double-take.
The style: Smooth, center-parted tresses. Get the look: “Recently, I’ve been wearing my hair sleek and straight with a center part, which feels a bit more sophisticated than the beachy waves I was wearing last year—and also easier to style. I start out by applying Shu Uemera hair oil through my ends and blowing it straight with a T3 hair dryer. Once it’s dry, I’ll hold it in place with Elnett hairspray, which is essential for getting it to stay put behind my ears. If I want my blowout to last longer than a day, I’ll go back with my GHD hair straightener to smooth out any kinks.”
The style: Sleek high bun. Get the look: “I routinely straighten my natural 4b hair, so there are a ton of variables that can really derail any plans I’ve got for styling it. (Rain, wind… you name it.) A bun is the fastest style I can achieve, no matter what. I simply scoop all my hair into a bun on the highest point of my head and secure it with an elastic. Then I’ll smooth down any flyaways with some Oribe hair gel and lay my edges down with my Baby Tress Edge Styler and Design Essentials edge-control gel. I’ve tried just about every edge control out there, and this one is my favorite because it gets my edges nice and flat without ever turning white or flaky. Last, I’ll add a statement scrunchie (my favorite one is from Kitsch x Justine Marjan) and a bobby pin or two to make sure everything looks polished. At this point, I can make it all happen in about two minutes.”
The style: Tousled high pony. Get the look: “For my high pony, I like to use a texturizing spray (Kristin Ess’s is my fave) or lightweight dry shampoo by Amika, which gives my fine hair a little bit of extra grit, texture, and volume. Not only does it make the tail look perkier, but it also helps keep it in place all day so I’m not involved in a perpetual slip and tug war (which leads to breakage!). Then I’ll just use an Invisibbobble hair ring to tie it in place! Oh, and if my ends are looking rough, I’ll use Virtue’s split end serum, which every hairstylist is obsessed with to make the ponytail look a little cleaner at the bottom.”
The style: Bouncy body wave. Get the look: “My hair has a natural wave to it, so my everyday hair look is all about enhancing the texture that’s already there—I like to keep things low maintenance. When my hair is damp from the shower, or just when I wake up and it’s frizzy and dry, I flip my head upside down and scrunch in some mousse with my hands first to give it shape and then go in with a bit of gel for added hold. Once I’ve achieved the texture I want, I’ll spray in the Kristen Ess wave spray (a little goes a long way, friends) and voilà, voluminous, natural-looking waves.”
This natural afro is an entire mood.
There’s nothing easier than a low ponytail.
A chic wool cap can conceal any bad-hair-day woes.
We love the easy yet polished look of the low ponytail. The statement scrunchie really completes the look.
This twisted protective style is perfect for safeguarding natural tresses and also makes for no-brainer styling in the morning.
We love a half-up style, and adding a braid to the mix instantly elevates the look.
Bangs plus a bun is always a cool look.
It takes no time at all to load up your bun with tons of hair accessories.
Spice up any slicked-back style with a chic headband.
This topknot is top-notch.
When all else fails, a side braid is an easy style you can do in minutes. Up next, move over, pearl clip. These four hair accessories are about to blow up.
