One of the best things about working at R29 is the fact that we're always encouraged to be creative with our beauty looks which means we experiment with our hair on the reg. But, as many of you have told us time and time again, not every workplace is as open and creative. In fact, there are some offices where an unruly hairstyle could land you in the HR hot seat.
So, to show the more conservative workplaces some love, we tapped hair genius Jon Reyman, founder of Spoke & Weal and Jon Reyman Pro. Using his mane expertise, he whipped up five 'dos that are both gorgeous and cubicle-appropriate. The best part? You can 100% pull off each and every one of these in the comfort of your own bathroom.
Click to check out some styles that are restrained enough for any office but are anything but boring.
The Windswept Chignon
For those mornings when you can't imagine your hair getting up to anything polished or prim, breathe easy. This twisted, tousled chignon is one of those rare styles that looks like you spent hours on your hair when you actually didn't. "This style is perfect for second-day hair," Reyman says.
Top and trousers: Layla Racy.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Start by spritzing your hair with a prep spray. Reyman prefers Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep. "Spray it all over your hair. Saturate it until your hair becomes wet," he says. "This product will give it that piece-y, separated texture." Then, rough-dry with your fingers — not a brush.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Next, split your strands into three vertical sections.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Pull the centre section into a ponytail, and then secure the bottom of it with a small, thin hair tie.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Roll the ponytail under, starting at the bottom, until it reaches the base of your neck.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Then, pin it in place. "You can use bobby pins or hairpins," Reyman says. "To keep the style's shape, cup the hair in your hand while you pin it." This makeshift bun will serve as an anchor for the rest of the style, so it doesn't need to be 100% perfect.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Start pulling small pieces from one of the side sections and wrap them around the bun. Make sure you're wrapping loosely — too tight, and the style will look warped.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Pin each piece into the bun before moving on to the next one.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Once you've done the first side, repeat the same process with the second section of hair.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
The finished look should be part bun, part chignon — but with a ton of texture.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
The Double Fishtail
Take your typical double-braided hairstyle to new heights by plaiting a fishtail instead of a regular twist.
Sweater: Marna Ro; Skirt: Camilla and Marc; Sneakers: Ash.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Start by parting your hair straight down the middle. Then, pull a small section to either side of your face, and pin the rest of the hair out of the way. "The size of each section is determined by how big you want the hair to be, and what your hair type is," Reyman says. So, play around until you find an amount that you feel comfortable working with.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Begin fishtail-braiding the first section. "Make sure to braid in the direction that you want the braid to fall," Reyman says. This means directing the plait toward the back of your head. "The smaller the sections of hair that you take [when you're braiding], the more elaborate the style will look," he says.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
When you're done, secure the braid with an elastic and repeat the same step with the second section of hair.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Pro tip: "Test each braid to make sure it's long enough, so that it reaches the centre of the back of your head," Reyman says.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
"Massage the braid to make it a little softer," Reyman says. "It will also help it lay flat against your head." If a few pieces fall out, no worries — fishtails tend to look better when they aren't 100% perfect.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
When both braids are finished, secure them behind your head with an elastic.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
For a more polished look, take a small section of loose hair and wrap it around the elastic. Secure it with a bobby pin.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Feel free to touch up the rest of your hair with a flat iron, if necessary.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
This is the perfect braid to wear to work — and out on the weekend.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
The Architectural Ponytail
You know that ponytail trick where you flip it into itself to create a twist? Consider this style its edgy, grown-up cousin.
Top and jacket: Nanushka.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Split your hair into three vertical sections.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Secure the middle section into a low ponytail that rests right at the nape of your neck.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Grab the two side sections and secure them directly over your first ponytail, so they're laying on top of each other. But, make sure the elastic isn't tight against your roots. Then, create an opening above the top elastic.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Loop the first ponytail over, and then slip it through the opening you just created. Make sure you pull it all the way through, so your hair creates two twists on either side of the elastic.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Then, take a section of hair from the top ponytail, and loop it over and under through the same opening. The hair will sit on top of the twists, hiding the opening you just fed it through.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Gather all of the hair at the base of your neck, and secure it with a ponytail holder that doesn't match your hair. "This will add a bit of edge to the style.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
And, you're done: This hairstyle looks a lot more complicated than it actually is.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
The epitome of "business in the front, party in the back."
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
The Reverse Half-Updo
This style may be the easiest way to add some pizzazz to limp, lifeless hair. Can you spot the hidden ponytail?
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Take a small, circular section at the crown of the head.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Pin it out of the way.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Pull the rest of your hair into a low, tight ponytail at the nape of the neck. "To make the hair in the ponytail especially tight, tip your head back a little," Reyman advises. "This will make the nape extra taut, so there won’t be any sagging."
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Smooth down the strands using some hairspray or texturising gel. "It may be a good idea to try this style with second-day hair," Reyman says. Second-day hair is typically more pliable and textured, making it easier to work with.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Let the top of your hair down, so that it covers the ponytail you just created. "You can flat-iron it or just brush it down with a boar-bristle brush," Reyman says. "This style looks its best when it's smooth and slick."
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
If you want to, you can also run a flat iron over the top layer of hair to make it extra straight.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Is this the easiest way to hide your greasy roots, or what?
Jeans: Won Hundred; Shirt: Apiece Apart; Jacket: Nanushka; Shoes: Won Hundred.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
The Sophisticated Bun
Even ladies with layered hair can create sleek, flyaway-free buns in seconds. You just need to learn Reyman's handy hairnet trick.
Top: Novis.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Rake your hair back into a part-less, low ponytail.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Next, take a hairnet, and pin it to the top of your ponytail. "Make sure it matches the colour of your hair as closely as possible," Reyman says.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Use the hairnet to catch your entire ponytail. Reyman calls this a "hair hammock."
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Making sure your hair is secure in the hairnet, wrap the entire section around your elastic into a bun.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Make sure the bun doesn't stick out too much: It should be fairly flat against your head.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Finish by pinning it into place. "A general rule with pinning is that you should place your hairpins where your fingers are," Reyman says. "This will ensure your bun keeps the shape you want it to." He also suggests using hairpins over bobby pins, as they hold a bit better. Just make sure they match your hair colour.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
Voila! The perfect low bun.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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