Being able to rock your hair any way you want to is not a reality for all of us. While many jobs focus less on what’s going on with your hair, others find a certain appearance necessary to maintain professionalism. Whether you agree or disagree with how a person chooses to wear their hair at work, sometimes it just makes it easier to find styles that allow you to look your best in the workplace without compromising your personal style and the health of your hair.
No one here believes straight hair is more professional and we certainly do not buy into the idea that you have to cover your hair with a wig to be suitable for the workplace. If you are looking for something new that won’t compromise your personal style, your job, or the health of your hair, here are some tutorials to check out.
MissT1806 has lovely hair and knows how to rock it professionally and playfully. She’s sharing 4 amazingly simple styles that are perfect for work and only require minimal time and effort. The first look is all about tucking, rolling, and pinning. If you can do all of those then you can rock this style. Hair must be longer than a TWA, and even if you cannot create a bun or puff at the end, this can altered by simply tucking and pinning all the way around. That first look is great for stretched hair that needs more longevity, as you may not be ready for wash day.
The second style is a toned down version of the beloved frohawk. If you can twist and pin then you can create this style and give less hawk and more banded beauty. We love the pompadour and we love the bun, so when you put them together you get a work elegant style sure to protect. Even if you are not working with medium or longer lengths, add the aid of a ponytail or a donut to give the illusion of a bun in the back and you have a working style for days. The traditional bun is always work ready and MissT1806 shares her version, which is parted down the middle (halfway”> with slicked edges and a big low bun straight to the back. This look can be altered for a side bud or even a high bun and still be work-friendly worthy.
If you are rocking braids as a protective style this summer and worried about them being “work-friendly,” worry no more as we share a video on how to enjoy your braids and still look professional. The key is hair being out of your face for braids to give off the professional look. Faceovermatter shares 12 gorgeous styles to fabulously rock your box braids or even twists for that matter. She has them long, which afford her the ability to create several looks. From high buns to twisted braided headband, she comes up with several styles perfect for the boardroom to the classroom.
I cannot forget my TWA or short-haired lovelies. I actually have two videos for you. Now, with shorter hair you always have the option of just rocking it naturally or placing a modest headband. If you want to jazz it up but still keep it professional I’ve got some options for you.
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The first one is by Jaelah O’Neil, and it is a popular one because it is cute, professional, and perfect for any occasion. It is a puff on short hair and if you thought you could not create one, then check her out because she has a beautiful puff that even the shortest of short hair can rock.
This style is for curlies with a longer hair than TWA and who can flat twist to create a beautiful and elegant halo braid perfect for protecting your ends.
No matter what style you choose to rock to work, know that curly, coily and wavy hair will always be professional as much as it is beautiful.
There is never a shortage of styling products you can use for wavy hair, whether your texture is thick, medium, or fine. The best products for wavy hair can help keep your waves smooth, frizz-free, and full of bounce. Type 2 waves can have a loose, S-shaped pattern, beach waves, or loose spirals with a thicker and coarser texture.
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While formulas that promise beach waves for straight hair or perfect spirals for tighter curl patterns usually garner a lot of buzz, there aren’t many headline-making products out there for naturally wavy hair. People often assume waves don’t even need product assistance. As someone with Type 2 hair, I’ll often hear, “You’re so lucky your hair just dries like that!”– as if I didn’t spend 20 minutes in front of the mirror that morning trying to get my hair to lay just so!”
“It’s another common misconception that wavy hair is thick, but plenty wavy girls are on the finer side,” says celebrity stylist Justine Marjan, who–besides being the go-to girl for the Kardashians–counts Type 2s like Chrissy Teigen, Ashley Tisdale, and Shay Mitchell among her clients. Her must-haves include light jellies and creams that won’t weigh down fine waves.
“Curly and wavy hair types are naturally more dry, so hydration and moisture are essential,” she adds. But what elusive miracle products will give Type 2 hair the definition, hold, and hydration it needs, without compromising on volume? We’re glad you asked. Here’s a list of the top styling products for type 2 waves.
Marjan swears by Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream because it’s “great for drier hair types that need extra moisture and definition.” This is one of my personal go-to’s, as well – I love that it’s infused with argan oil and smells amazing, too.
As a reviewer with Type 2c hair says, “I would suggest this to anyone who is in need of a product that doesn’t create frizz and doesn’t make [my] hair sticky or crunchy!”
With a slightly-tacky, creamy texture, ELEVEN AUSTRALIA Keep My Curl Defining Cream is a must-try for any Wavies who want extreme hold and definition. This completely changed my hair when I first started using it in high school, and it’s still on rotation in my product lineup!
You won’t find any sulfates, silicones, phthalates, and parabens in Not Your Mother’s Naturals–but it’s what you will find inside that makes all the difference. Tahitian gardenia flower helps shape waves, while mango butter reduces frizz and adds shine.
AG Hair Re: Coil Curl Activator has five stars from the NaturallyCurly community – so you know it’s good. Need more convincing? One CurlTalk reviewer promises that with Re: Coil, “My hair is consistently and predictably curlier, softer, and relatively frizz-free.”
Marjan always reaches for OUAI Curl Defining Cream (a cross between a cream and an oil) when she works with her celebrity clients. To get Insta-ready waves, she recommends “applying in sections for even distribution. If you are letting the hair air dry, make sure to avoid touching or scrunching the hair, as friction from our hands can cause frizz.”
Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls is a miracle in a tube. It manages to leave waves super-soft (AKA, no crunch whatsoever) while still defining their shape and holding it all in place.
Over on the Type 2 boards on CurlTalk, Bread Beauty Hair Gel gets a lot of love. User Guide 65 says, “It gives my hair definition like I’ve never seen it before! I have to be careful how much I use, because all that definition takes away from the volume. But I get day two hair that needs no refreshing.”
If you prefer your haircare certified organic and all-natural, then you need to check out this alcohol-free styling gel from Curlsmith. It offers medium-to-firm hold, and ingredients that won’t harm your hair, all for under $30.
“My HG wave-defining products are hard-hold gels. I like the Rizos Curls light hold gel the best,” says Therese1, a Wavy who shares her feedback on Type 2 styling products on CurlTalk.
Sometimes, wavies can get away with skipping stylers with the right conditioner – that conditioner is DevaCurl One Condition. “It’s so creamy, but it’s light enough for my fine hair,” says a CurlTalk community member.
Another CurlTalk favorite? Kinky-Curly Knot Today leave-in conditioner. Users love that it keeps waves detangled and smooth, which is the first step towards a good hair day, right?
Even though Love Beauty and Planet’s Leave-In Smoothie isn’t marketed towards waves or curls, I find it to be the best leave-in formula on the market. I don’t have to follow up with other stylers – I love simply smoothing this through my damp waves and going!
LA-based hair stylist Helena Lambert opts for Living proof Style Lab Control Hairspray to lock in shape and shine. “If your hair type is frizzy, this will smooth any frizz,” she says.
Here’s how to get waves with more body and bounce, courtesy of Marjan: “Once the hair is completely dry, finish with TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray for volume.”
Lambert’s secret for “woke up like this” hair? “I’ll spritz DESIGNME PUFF.ME Volumizing Dry Texture Spray, scrunch the ends a bit, then gently twist it into a top knot. I leave it up for a bit, letting it semi-air dry. Then take it down and air dry it the rest of the way,” he says.
The Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask is the way to go for hair that needs some extra attention. Marjan says she often uses it on her clients to add moisture and hydration to dry, frizzy waves.
You can deeply quench, nourish, and soften dry, damaged strands to get your hair back to looking healthy with these blends with creamy shea butter, rich coconut milk, and pure macadamia oil.
Wavies love this amazing, nourishing mask because it deeply conditions, hydrates and restores dry hair to its natural vibrancy and health with this replenishing treatment.
DIY TREATMENT
20. DIY Flaxseed Gel
If you’d rather whip up your own styler, try this combination from CurlTalk connoisseur BeinDeb: “I make [my DIY flaxseed gel] using a marshmallow root tea as the base, and add a pinch of honey and oil.”
Of course, you can’t rely on products alone for perfect waves. To get the most out of these stylers, make sure you’re not over-washing your waves or damaging them with your diffuser! What are your top styling products for type 2 waves? Share them with us in the comments below!
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