The selfie is a staple on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You know which angles make you look your best, and you know which hairstyles flatter you the most. But once you start networking and applying for post-graduate jobs, you need a business professional hairstyle that matches your personal style and your career.
Professional networking sites like LinkedIn allow its users to post photos. Having a photo is one of the most important elements to being seen. Most employers say that the first thing that they notice about a potential employee’s profile is his or her photo. While a stellar resume matters, how you present yourself to the world can just as big of an impact in an interview and during your first days on the job.
Don’t just get your resume and your business attire ready. Here are three tips for selecting and maintaining a business professional hairstyle:
Balance Professional and Personal Style
Sleek and neat are two terms that are used to describe a professional hairstyle. If it looks like you just rolled out of bed, many of your coworkers will use that first impression to gauge your work ethic.
If you have naturally straight hair, style it by adding volume at the root. Use a volumizing shampoo from Kérastase and blow dry your locks in an upward motion. Then use a flat iron to straighten your hair in a C motion towards the ends to create smoothness. This easy style can be worn during professional hours as well as on the weekends. With regular hair trims and professional products that protect your hair, like Kevin Murphy’s Repair-Me.Rinse reconstructing conditioner, this style will always be a quick and easy way to start your day.
If you prefer to wear your hair in an updo, a timeless clean bun can easily fit into both an office setting and a corporate happy hour. This business professional hairstyle works for all hair types. If you have naturally curly hair and worry about frizz, an updo hides most of the uncontrollable wisps. Keep a smoothing serum or Kevin Murphy’s Easy.Rider anti-frizz créme in your bag for emergencies and sudden humidity.
Choose an Appropriate Hair Color for the Workplace
Your hair color should mesh well with the type of employment that you’re seeking. If your employer is more on the conservative side, stick with a natural color during your interview and the first months of employment until you find your footing. Customer-facing positions also tend to demand more traditional hair coloring than jobs behind the scenes.
If your employer offers a looser standard of attire, feel free to choose a bolder hair color that matches your personal style. As you get acquainted with more people in the company, you’ll get a feeling for what styling is best.
Regardless of the company culture, get your color touched up before you head out for an interview. Having grown-out color may result in not being called back for a second interview or a job offer. But a professional stylist can even out the color or recommend a new shade for your new job. You should also use a professional shampoo like Kérastase’s Bain Chromatique Riche to keep your color vibrant and your hair healthy.
Style According to Your Hair’s Texture
Different hair types can give employers different perceptions about a person. People with straight hair often seem serious. On the other hand, people with curly hair can come across as carefree and personable. But don’t let stereotypes get in your way. The best way to make a good impression is to have a tidy hairstyle, regardless of its curl and texture. Both men and women can have unique personal styles that fit in the business world.
Whether you have a calendar full of interviews or you start your job next week, schedule a trip to a professional salon. It’s important to talk with a professional hair stylist who can help you select the style that works best for you. With a business professional hairstyle, you can make a great first impression and show off your skills. Book an appointment with us at Deseo Salon & BlowDry. We will be happy to help you meet your professional hair care needs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Business Professional Hairstyles
How important is your hairstyle when applying for professional jobs or interviews?
Your hairstyle can significantly influence first impressions in a professional context. Many employers notice a candidate’s appearance, including their hair, immediately, whether in a LinkedIn profile photo or in person during an interview. A polished, well-maintained hairstyle signals attention to detail and professionalism. Getting a fresh trim and color touch-up before interviews is a worthwhile investment that can make a meaningful difference in how you’re perceived.
What does a professional hairstyle for the workplace look like?
A professional hairstyle is typically described as sleek and neat. For straight hair, adding volume at the root with a volumizing shampoo, blow drying upward, and finishing with a flat iron in a C-motion creates a smooth, polished look appropriate for office settings. For any hair type, a clean updo or bun is a timeless, universally professional option that works from the boardroom to corporate happy hours. The key is that your hair looks intentional, not rushed.
What products help maintain a polished business hairstyle every day?
Several professional-grade products make maintaining a business hairstyle easier. Kérastase’s volumizing shampoo adds root volume for straight styles. Kevin Murphy’s Repair-Me.Rinse reconstructing conditioner keeps hair strong and resilient through regular styling. For curly or frizzy hair in an updo, Kevin Murphy’s Easy.Rider anti-frizz crème handles unexpected humidity. Keeping a small product in your bag for quick touch-ups during the day helps maintain a polished look from morning to after-work events.
How should you choose hair color that’s appropriate for your workplace?
Hair color choices should reflect the culture of your workplace, especially in the early stages of a new job. Conservative employers and customer-facing positions typically call for natural hair colors during interviews and the first months of employment. Once you understand the company culture better, you can adjust accordingly. Regardless of industry, grown-out, faded color can negatively impact how you’re perceived, getting color touched up before a job interview is always a smart move.
What’s the best way to keep color-treated hair vibrant for a professional appearance?
Maintaining vibrant color between salon visits is essential for a consistently professional look. Using a color-protecting shampoo like Kérastase’s Bain Chromatique Riche is one of the most effective ways to extend color life while keeping hair healthy. Avoiding harsh drugstore shampoos that strip color, reducing heat styling frequency, and rinsing with cool rather than hot water are additional habits that keep color looking fresh longer.
Can curly or textured hair look professional in a workplace setting?
Absolutely. Any natural hair type, straight, curly, wavy, or textured, can be styled professionally. The key is that the style looks tidy and intentional regardless of texture. Curly hair worn in a clean updo is an excellent professional option that controls frizz and wisps. Using a smoothing serum or anti-frizz product keeps the look polished throughout the day. Curly hair can even project a personable and approachable quality in many professional environments.
How often should professionals get their hair trimmed to maintain a polished look?
Regular trims are essential for maintaining a consistently polished professional hairstyle. Split ends and uneven growth quickly make even a great haircut look unkempt. Most professional stylists recommend scheduling a trim every 6–8 weeks to keep your style looking fresh and intentional. For those managing color as well, spacing color touch-up appointments around trims helps maintain both vibrancy and shape without visible regrowth or fading detracting from your professional appearance.
Where in Denver can professionals get a great business-ready haircut and color?
Deseo Salon & BlowDry in Denver is a go-to destination for professionals seeking polished, career-ready hairstyles. Their stylists can help you select a cut and color that balances your personal style with your professional environment, and recommend the right products to maintain the look between visits. Located in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood, Deseo is conveniently accessible for Denver metro professionals who want to make a strong impression at work.
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