The Top 26 Professional Hairstyles For Women for the Office

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Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

If you’re looking for ideas for professional hairstyles for your next job interview or wanting to change your look at your current job, then you’re in the right place. Below, I’ve put together some cute and easy hairstyles for professional women in the marketplace.

But before you get going, just know that the best business hairstyles are the sleek ponytail for longer hair or a short haircut where you can tuck your hair behind your ears. So look out for those in the photos below.

Now, before your next hair appointment, check out these professional hairstyles women love!

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Professional Short & Textured Pixie Hairstyle
Instagram @paula.visona

#1: Short & Textured Pixie Hairstyle

This short, textured pixie cut has a top that easily falls into place while still retaining a great deal of movement. I recommend using a dry shampoo to really maximize the texture of this haircut, as well as a shaping wax to create a soft, piecey hold. Try Aveda’s Shampure Dry Shampoo and Aveda Light Elements Shaping Wax. I suggest this look for ladies with medium to thick hair who is able to commit to regular salon visits to keep up the short cut. It would be a great fit for a woman who wants a fun and chic look that is also easily styled.

Professional Loose Beach Waves on mid-length hair for women in their 40s
Instagram @tinabaybay

#2: Loose Beach Waves

loose beachy waves style is gorgeous. This is a great style that will give you that sophisticated style for your professional life. And will also transition easily into an afternoon or evening after-work style. Using a 1 1/4 inch barrel take 1-2 inch sections, and spray with heat protection. Then comb through, curl in the mid-shaft, and roll it up to the base. And then roll through the ends last, where you will need less heat. Finish off with O&M Original Queenie Firm Hold Hair Spray.

Wavy half up professional hairstyle
Instagram @jakelinejassoa

#3: Wavy Half Up Hairstyle

Look picture-perfect with a wavy half-up hairstyle. A half up wavy style will always look classic and never go out of style. For more height in your crown, always tease the top for extra lift and body for a fuller-looking style.

#4: Classic and Simple Straight Lob Haircut for Medium Hair

I love this straight lob professional hairstyle. It’s a classic shape, it’s feminine, and it’s silky and elegant! I used one of Aveda’s newest brunette shades. The haircut is a long angled bob with no layers. The lob is a popular hairstyle, and it is easy to maintain and manage. You can wear it for occasions or casually. You can enrich this hairstyle with some products. I would recommend Aveda’s smooth and shine styling cream, Aveda’s nourishing oil treatment, Kevin Murphy’s shine spray and Moroccan oil light hold hairspray.

Professional Cute Side Braid for Long Hair
Instagram @boeshairmakeup

#5: Cute Side Braid for Long Hair

This cute side braid for natural long hair has a fishtail braid to create a professional hairstyle for long hair. Because it’s casual, you can make it as nonchalant and big as you want!

Use a hair product that makes your hair a little rough. Don’t make your braid too tight. In the end, you should pull out the braid to make it big! You can use hair extensions to make the braid bigger, creating dramatic hairstyles for women.

#6: Easy-to-Style Messy Low Ponytail

Opt for an easy-to-style messy low ponytail for go-to glam for shoulder-length hair or longer. The beauty of a ponytail is it can be worn in so many ways. Pull out some of your face-framing layers to fall around the face, loosen the hair from the hair-tie at the center back to allow a little extra volume, and gently backcomb the pony to add texture. Remember this is low effort, but high impact.

Sleek Short Hair with a Side Part
Instagram @daisydidthat

#7: Sleek Short Hair with a Side Part

Consider this a long bob, with the parting at the side for maximum elegance that works for straight hair. Stylist Daisy went all out giving this stylish lady a proper look for the boardrooms.

Sleek pixie crop professional hairstyle
Instagram @pamela_cabelos

#8: Sleek Pixie Crop

A sleek pixie crop adds texture and fullness to fine straight hair. The sleek feel to the pixie ensures a low-maintenance style, although the choppy feel to the layers adds shape and life back into the hair.

High and sleek ponytail
Instagram @sleekedbyalis

#9: High and Sleek Ponytail

Make an impact with a high and sleek ponytail, great for long hair wanting a sharp up-do. Wearing the ponytail high not only has a great lifting effect on the face but completely heightens your look. Brush your hair upside down and into a high pony, and keep smoothing the hair once you’ve raised your head, ensure you spray with some hairspray to slick down the baby hairs, and ensure you’ve secured your hair-tie tight enough. If you need more security add another hair-tie over the top.

Professional Pixie Cut
Instagram @fonhairsalon

#10: Professional Pixie Cut

“This cut is called an ‘undercut pixie‘ – the back and sides are quite a contrast from the length on top, which also gives versatility for styling,” explains stylist Alex Totani of South Australia.

For this haircut, you don’t need a lot of styling products if the stylist has cut into the hair enough. Most hair types can go short like this but the style will need to be altered by the stylist to sit in this shape.

Totani says to use Davine’s texture powder to create some movement and finish with Davines no gas spray, which is the perfect end to short hairstyles.

“We believe if you enjoy a haircut it doesn’t matter what face shape you have,” says Totani. “Short hair is easy to style and fun, and it should represent your personal style and personality. Maintenance will be every 4-6 weeks.”

Wavy Medium Length Hair with Side Part
Instagram @belximenes

#11: Wavy Medium Length Hair with Side Part

This wavy hair with a side part has movement and volume. Soft surface layers were added for the fine texture, completing the undone look with beach waves.

Go for medium-length hair with a side part because it really fits any face shape. It’s cost-effective, low maintenance, and takes no time to style. Also, have a hair regimen for such undone curls hairstyles.

Use a leave-in conditioner that fits your hair type, a heat protector, and a 1’1/4″ inch barrel curling iron. Finish styling this hair by adding sea salt spray or texture spray to give it that undone beachy look. This takes about 5-10 min to curl.

Easy High Bun Professional Hairstyle
Instagram @beauty_talia

#12: Easy High Bun Professional Hairstyle

This style is perfect for anyone who loves their hair up – whether they’re heading to work or even a party. From the front, it might look like your typical high bun but from the back, it’s a different story. When it comes to professional women’s hairstyles, the high bun adds a sense of style and satisfaction. However, it can be easily converted into a romantic, boho hairstyle.

The twisted bun shows off the highlights beautifully and the braid creates texture and detail. The best part is, that it can be done within 20 minutes, so it’s perfect to fit in our busy lifestyles. In this case, I used an olive oil edge control gel that you can get from your local drugstore. The beauty of it is that it picks up all the hair, gives it incredible hold without going hard and flaky.

lob with loose waves for medium brown hair
Instagram @giboazhair

#13: Lob with Loose Waves for Medium Brown Hair

The big trend in hair right now is lob haircuts.

For this medium hair, curl your hair with 1″ barrel and finish your look by brushing it to get the soft wave effect. Spray the brush with some hairspray for a hold before brushing.

Versatile Blunt Lob
Instagram @romeufelipe

#14: Versatile Blunt Lob

Trying out a versatile blunt lob is always the safest decision to go for. Professional women’s hairstyles like this end up in such a beautiful transformation. Feel free to wear it sleek and straight to show off the sharp blunt cut, or in tousled waves for a softer vibe. Ask for a bit of length to put it up in a lovely updo for an evening out.

Classy Pixie Cut
Instagram @nenannn

#15: Classy Pixie Cut

What a classy pixie cut! Hairstyles for the office like this textured crop gives the hair a full-bodied outcome. Part of the style appears soft, making it suitable for office working and partying. Imagine it worn by ladies who are also managers. It can look edgy and it offers a strong, rebellious personality.

modernized bob
Instagram @ruteboazhair

#16: Modernized Bob

This could be described as your classic bob, but modernized. Bobs are a favorite style of haircuts because they are timeless and super versatile. You can wear it professionally or add waves for a bit of sass.

This particular cut has invisible layering done in the interior of the cut. It allows for easy maintenance and grow out, but also gives the hair a smooth finished look. There’s also a soft texture throughout the cut which will allow maximum movement and the hair will feel light and airy.

This cut is for women with fine to medium textured hair. Because of the blunt cut, women with thick/coarse hair would probably have to work a little harder to achieve the look, but it is not impossible. This look is perfect for any professional because you still have the option of adding wave/enhancing texture when need be.

Professional Super Layered Graduated Bob Hairstyle
Instagram @northwestsalon

#17: Super Layered Graduated Bob

This super layered graduated bob is layered so that it is testing the pixie boundaries. It can be tucked and tousled just right to expose your super feminine features like a pixie cut, or it can be smoothed and set in front of the ears to create a more structured and symmetric graduated bob for a more powerful statement. All in all there is a short bob cut for anyone looking to show off their risky yet confident personality for work.

Asymmetrical Bob With Layering
Instagram @tanarosehair

#18: Asymmetrical Bob With Layering

This is an asymmetrical bob with layering to revamp and enhance thin tresses. With its short and wavy style, it makes the hair seem bulkier, bolder, and is packed with movement. It’s even wearable for women in a conservative professional setting. This is a cut that’s easy to style and gives women a sleek, put-together style.

#19: Subtle Angle & Long Layers with a Middle Part

“This subtle angle and long layers are lightweight ‘swooshing’ hair that were cut with a razor,” says senior hairstylist Jenny Reilly of Dobbs Ferry, NY. ” By pulling all of the hair to the front when layering, created a great shape and movement.  It also allows the layers to get longer in the back,” she explains.

Reilly says to make sure you leave the salon with a great shampoo and conditioner. “Always focus on the overall health of your long locks and get good styling products.”

#20: Lovely Side Low Bun With Braids

This low bun by combining two braid techniques – the Dutch Braid and Fishtail. It was created by hairstylist Jillian Allen of Tempe, AZ. “It’s all created using only 4-5 bobby pins! My favorite thing about it is that she could wear it two ways – with the fishtail down or wrapped up as shown in the photo in a side bun,” explains Allen.

This is a great look for a woman with long hair and minimal layers. “You’ll need a smoothing cream to prep the hair before beginning the braids to ensure smoothness when you pull them out for fullness. It’s a great look for special events, bridesmaids, or if someone just wants a fun updo for a professional setting,” she adds.

Shiny Bouncy Layers with Soft Curls Professional Hair
Instagram @hair.by_h

#21: Shiny Bouncy Layers with Soft Curls

These bouncy layers with soft curls are radiant, tousled, glossed, healthy, dimensional, light, and lifted. The best thing about this cut is the movement the hair has. The cut is light and layered.  Lastly, the style is bouncy, soft, and full.

This look does require some styling to create. I sectioned the hair, smoothed it with a round brush, and finished with a 1 1/4-inch curling iron. If you don’t mind spending some time styling in the morning, this look would be great for you. It works for most face shapes, and with the right cut, it can be tailored to almost every hair texture.

The Classic Bob with Bangs
Instagram @ravenrowsalon

#22: The Classic Bob with Bangs

Here’s the classic bob with bangs that never fails to add a wow factor to one’s appeal. This chop is so cute and looks flawless on straight, thick hair. It can suit most ladies as its length is customizable considering the face shape.

#23: Textured Long Pixie Cut

This textured long pixie cut breathes firmness and grace! The tousled effect accentuates the layers of this short chop. A length like this is easy to manipulate, so it’s ideal for lovelies who have a busy schedule. If wanting a chic style at work, this is the right haircut. Just be mindful of its maintenance. Depending on how fast the hair grows out, it may require a trim every 4-6 weeks.

The Perfect Hairstyle for Professional Older Women
Instagram @hairolines

#24: The Perfect Hairstyle for Professional Older Women

The perfect hairstyle for professional older women is right here! It features texture and waves to keep the finish in line with what’s trending. For a professional woman with thin tresses, this style is ideal as it gives a fuller and livelier edge.

#25: Modern Wavy Asymmetrical Bob

This look is a modern, wavy asymmetrical bob with blunt ends and textured layers. It was created by master stylist Brooke Korom of Athens, GA. The bob is a classic style that will never be dated, but adding asymmetric lines to the cut makes it more modern.

To style the asymmetrical bob, Korom says to use a volumizer at the root because it’s crucial for movement. “We used Unite Expanda Volume and Unite Mousse on her wet hair. As a finisher on her dry hair, we used Unite Texturiza Finishing Spray to break up her layers to give her a lived-in look,” she explains.

“The beautiful thing about the modern asymmetrical bob is that it can be great for all hair types,” she adds. “The line of the cut naturally flatters the jawline and can hide or accentuate any hair texture depending on how you cut the layers. For this client, the longer layers around the face really show off her natural S-shaped waves and the shorter layers in the back control the weight of her naturally thick hair.”

All in all, this is a beautiful cut and a beautiful style for both work and for play.

Modern Shag for Professional Women
Instagram @salsalhair

#26: Modern Shag for Professional Women

A modern shag is very feminine, which is appropriate to create a professional style for workdays. This cut works with a side or middle part hairstyle. Feel free to personalize the haircut to suit any face shape. Add some face-framing layers to define cheekbones and jawline.


Posted In: Hair Trends