It might be summer, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have parties to go to, does it? But what does one do with a big event and hair in desperate need of some va-va-voom — especially when you’re heading out straight from the office?
Looking good after a long day at a desk or dashing in and out of the AC isn’t easy, but with a bit of careful planning and some well chosen desk drawer essentials, we can all look cocktail ready at a moment’s notice. Here’s how.
Tools of the trade
You need to plan ahead if you want to look effortlessly chic after a long day at the coal face.
There’s no shame in bringing your straightening irons to work. With a bit of practice you don’t even need a mirror. Use your trusted iron to flick under the ends of your existing do or add waves or if you’ve been hit with a nasty case of humidity hair.
And forget serum to smooth the ends — just grab that old office favourite, hand cream. It’ll do the same job on frizzy ends and it smells nice too. Win-win.
Stephanie Stevenson, group director of the UK’s HNB Salons, says if you don’t have a lot of time to get ready, “Work with what you’ve got.” She says silky, straight, long hair is the way to go. After straightening, shake out your hair and apply hairspray to the ends. Allow to dry then brush out.
Desk-drawer essentials
If storing a spare pair of straightening irons at work is beyond you, how about keeping easy extensions in your office drawer? A clip-on fringe is a great way to liven up an office do.
Pastels’ Ruksher Malek, whose salons stock a range of hairpieces, recommends going one step further and keeping a variety of extensions at hand. “Clip-on extensions are exceptionally versatile and easy to use; transform your look with a fringe, or clip on a chignon for a classy look. You can even add length, volume or curls to achieve the look you desire in an instant.”
Plan ahead
Extensions sound like too much? Then let’s go back to basics. If you have time to wash your hair before work, add some leave-in conditioner and skip the blow dry. Instead, twist your wet hair into a bun. By the time you take it out at 6pm you’ll have a natural wavy do fit for a night on the town.
Spray saviour
If you didn’t have time to wash your hair, make sure you have dry shampoo in your desk drawer. Batiste, available for around Dh30 from Boots, is the best by far and comes in a range of scents. The pink floral one is amazing and the bottle looks cute too. Plus, it comes in handbag-handy sizes.
Just spray it onto the roots and brush through thoroughly to avoid powder residue.