Professional Looks for Long Hair

[Darkfrog]

Hey all. I have hair that reaches to the middle of my back (when wet), a round melon of a head and no bangs. Try as I might I can't find a way to wear my hair that doesn't make me look like either a college youngling or a schoolmarm. Any ideas? I can French braid and inverse French braid my own hair with little difficulty, but I've not so much as touched a can of hairspray since the mid-1990's.

At my last job, I worked for scientists, so scruffy from the interns to the CEO was the word of the day, but now I want to look good on those job interviews.

[manderly]

French twists are the epitome of professional and sleek IMHO.

[klcqtee]

I think that depending on the severity of your features when your hair is pulled back, you have a lot of options. If you seem harsh with your hair slicked back, try checking out nightshade's tutorial on how to make a bit of a poof at the front (it's adorable, and I'm not doing it jsutice in my explanation.

A nice half updo, with the rest of your hair neatly behind your shoulders also would be acceptable for most job interviews. (Depending of course upon the position you are applying for.)

If your features are not over powering when you slick your hair back, I think a french twist would be nice.

I think you should remember that having some personality in your hair toys would also be a good way to stand out and show your personality without being excessive. I don't think you really -need- to have a super professional, slick backed, harsh bun. If you feel that is what you'd like, just to be sure your hair does not disqualify you for a position you are qualified for, then you could always add an interesting hair stick!

[florenonite]

French twists are good, though I find them really difficult; I've never managed one that looked professional.

I wear buns regularly, even though I'm a "college youngling" :p I find it looks too severe if I pull my hair back straight from my forehead, so I keep my side part in and do a bun at the back at about ear-height.

[nowxisxforever]

One thing you can do.. is learn a bunch of buns, firstly.

Then, get some curlformers. ;)

Use curlformers to curl the front bits of your hair, and put the rest in a bun, preferably a loose style.

The face-framing curls would help soften the look.

[annuscka]

I love French tucks - they're incredibly easy with forks (I don't even use any pins, just the fork) - and look very good (even somewhat complicated!)

Always imagined that I'd wear a crown braid once I become a professional Something, but that is a bit more work....;) But just look at Yulia Tymoshenko! :D

[HairColoredHair]

French twists, Figure-8s (especially with held by a ficcare or a classy-looking or demure hairstick)...

[Darkfrog]

My hair is too long for a French twist or tuck. But what are these "curlformers" of which you speak?

[Elettaria]

I'm currently experimenting with new styles after chopping off 15", and I'm getting rather fun of a style which I'm calling the Lazy Peacock, as it's a cross between a lazy wrap and a peacock twist. Do a lazy wrap bun and leave the ends sticking out at the top. It softens the look a great deal. At waist length, my hair's about the longest I'd want to use for this style, you might be able to manage with mid-back hair.

[noelgirl]

My go-to 'do for interviews and the like is a low bun. I find that parting it off-center keeps it from looking too schoolmarmy.

Elettaria, I am intrigued by this Lazy Peacock idea. Any pics?

[Wicked Princess]

When I'm going somewhere for work, specifically, I like using a figure eight updo, or nicely wrapped cinnamon bun (the only two updos I can manage) and sticking a colorful hair clip in (I have yet to actually purchase a ficarre clip, darn my laziness!). After my hair has been lightly oiled, it's very sleek looking, but the color of the clip not only draws attention to my dark hair, but I also feel that it also shows that I'm not afraid of wearing something to show off my personality. Feeling comfortable, and feeling like I can be myself gives me a huge boost in confidence, which always helps in interviews, and allows everyone else to remember me as the individual I am.

Or maybe I'm placing waaaay too much confidence in my hair toy collection...:confused:

I like the image of the french twist, but I swear I can't figure out how to do them on my hair, hehe.

[misstwist]

My hair is too long for a French twist or tuck. But what are these "curlformers" of which you speak?

At midback your hair is NOT too long for a french twist. There are any number of tutorials around here for a french twist with long hair.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=124
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=116

The two links above are to our article section. CinnamonHair currently has a thread about making a french twist with knee length hair that might work for you.

This is the tutorial that unlocked this for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXfR1WiJv6s&feature=channel

My hair is just a little longer than waist and I wear a french twist at least three times a week nowadays. It's all about technique, not length.

[Sheltie_Momma]

I think a low pony tail, with a bit of hair braided and wrapped around to cover the elastic is a beautiful professional look.

[Magdalene]

One of my favorites is to wrap the tail of a french twist into a low bun, then skewer with a stick or clip.

[annuscka]

Your hair is probably not too long for a French tuck - mine is around mid/lower back and I can do one. Granted, it can give a slight neckbrace effect - but it might make for good posture ;) Nah, but seriously - if you're at all curious about one, try it because I think your hair could still take one.

[MemSahib]

Try tucking under the length of your braid after French/Dutch braiding. It is a bun, yes, but it has a bit more interest than a slicked back look. I agree on trying the French twist but whether you can do it at mid-back or not may depend upon your thickness. Mine is baby fine and the twist still worked for me at that length but it wouldn't for everyone.

[LittleOrca]

I did a woven bun (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=2945&pictureid=37061) for an interview. Just wear some nice sticks with it, nothing cheap, and it helps if they match or at least go together in a set (such as one holding a tea cup and the other holding a tea pot). You can find instructions for it here: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=54

You should have enough hair to do even a little one. :)

[Elettaria]

Poor photo of a Lazy Peacock:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3789895254_dd11ffa8cb_o.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3789895254_dd11ffa8cb_o.jpg)

There appears to be a line just above the bun part, but that's some sort of illusion, ignore it. I'll try to get someone to take better photos for me soon, using a few different hair forks. I have discovered that I am appallingly bad at taking photos of my own hair.

[nowxisxforever]

My hair is too long for a French twist or tuck. But what are these "curlformers" of which you speak?

http://www.sallybeauty.com/Curlformers-kit/SBS-473040,default,pd.html - look at the picture there.

Essentially they're curled tubes that you stick a crochet-hook-like-thing through, catch your hair, pull hair through, and then let it set. No-heat ringlets! They work really well from what I've seen so long as you don't fiddle with them and you leave them in long enough.

[Elettaria]

Another lazy peacock, slightly better photo this time.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3789898246_d9ec64a0d4.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3789898246_d9ec64a0d4_b.jpg)

For those who missed my post earlier in the thread, this is a lazy wrap bun with the ends sticking out in the fashion of a peacock twist. I'm doing it with waist-length hair and a good, thick blunt hemline. It holds reasonably well with hairsticks, and very well with forks.

[Amara]

Leave in a side part or deep side part when you put your hair up.

[Nyghtingale]

I like a braided Chinese bun.