5 Easy Work From Home Hairstyles and Tips For Maintaining Your Hair

Jackie Summers | March 25, 2020

These are strange and alarming times, and of course the number one objective for all is to stay healthy and safe. And for most of us who are not essential workers, that means working from home, with many meetings and activities shifting from IRL to video. With most salons closed, it also means regular hair maintenance is a no go for now. While nobody expects you to look like you just stepped out of the salon, your video conference world is your new workplace, so it’s smart to make an effort. And though we may be a bit biased here, try to resist the urge to cut or color your own hair. If you can manage your hairstyle with smart styling and the right products, you’ll avoid doing something you regret when we all finally emerge from isolation. In the meantime, here are five hairstyling ideas for the WFH weeks to come.

Do Some Quick, Easy Beach Waves

Creating a few casual beach waves will give your hair a quick upgrade, especially if it tends to be fine or limp. These waves look better when they’re imperfect so don’t worry about getting everything just so. “Use a flat iron to create your waves,” suggests Matrix Celebrity Stylist George Papanikolas. “It will be faster, easier and you’ll create a more modern, elongated shape.”

To get the look, simply divide your hair into vertical sections. (If your hair is thick, separate the top and bottom first and curl vertical sections in each half.) Insert the flat iron at the top of each section with the iron closed, holding the iron on a diagonal with the tip pointed upward. Wind the section once around the closed iron, then open the iron and wind the hair once more between the plates. Close the iron and pull the hair through. Once you’ve curled every section, mist hair with a texturizing spray for hold and definition.

Treat Yourself To A Blowout

Even though your blowdry bar is closed, you can still rock a salon-quality blowout. It just takes a bit of patience, and it’s worth the effort to show up on camera looking polished. Start with freshly shampooed and conditioned hair. “Now is a good time to indulge in some self-care, like a multi-benefit hair mask to restore shine and moisture,” suggests Matrix Artistic Director Danielle Keasling.

Apply a heat-buffering thermal styling spray to damp strands to create a shield between your hair and the heat. Small sections are key so depending on how thick your hair is, divide it into three to four horizontal sections, parting the hair from side to side. Secure each horizontal section with a clip. Begin drying the bottom section. Divide the bottom into manageable, vertical subsections. Insert a round brush at the base of the first section and dry by moving the nozzle of your blow dryer in tandem with the brush from roots to ends. Be sure each section is completely dry before moving on to the next. Direct the ends under except for the sides, which should be directed away from your face and twisted around the brush before releasing. For more volume, switch to horizontal subsections—drying your hair up and back--when doing the very top section of your hair.

Make Your Ponytail Cute

If you’re trying to work, home school the kids and keep the house from looking like a total train wreck, no one will judge if your default hairstyle is a quick ponytail. But if you have a high-level teleconference on the calendar, you may want to give your pony an upgrade. Try these strategies:

Curl your hair before putting it into a ponytail. It will make your hair look fuller and more polished.
Do a little teasing on top before you gather your hair for a more voluminous, dressed-up effect.
By allowing a few tendrils to fall free, your ponytail will take on a soft, feminine vibe. To encourage the tendrils at the right point of the head, insert the pointy end of a tail comb just above the temple at your hairline and gently loosen a few slender strands of hair.
Camouflage the ponytail elastic. That stretchy cord that has been in the drawer or around your wrist forever doesn’t do much for the overall look. Pull out a small section of hair from your pony and wrap it around the elastic. Tuck the ends of the hair underneath the base of the tail and secure with a bobby pin.

Focus On The Front

If your teleconference is in just a few minutes and you’re running late, just do a quick touch up in the front. Think of it as if you’re a model in a photo shoot—nobody is going to see the back of your head. So go ahead and curl or wave the visible sections around your face—the rest doesn’t matter. It’s the hairstyling equivalent of wearing an office-appropriate top with your sweatpants.

Hide Your Roots

We’ve all seen the meme: “In three weeks, we’re going to know everyone’s natural hair color.” The roots they are a-coming and they’re going to get tougher and tougher to mask. One way to buy a little time until you’re reunited with your stylist is to do a cute messy bun.

Tease the roots and squeeze some dry shampoo into your hair to create volume and texture. Gather your hair at the crown of your head, spread the hair over your hand. With the other hand, squeeze the top into a bun shape and secure it with a rubber band. Then begin tucking the unsecured hair below the rubber band up and over and into the rubber band, section by section, allowing the ends to pop out above the elastic. Secure the base of the bun with a few bobby pins.

Finish with a light application of hairspray and voila! You’re FaceTime fabulous!