Looking your best at important meetings, interviews, or other occasions is a must if you want to give the right impression. Aside from having a killer outfit, all women will want a haircut that is sophisticated yet stylish.
Avoiding unprofessional hairstyles is necessary for coming across intelligent and trustworthy. Hair that is too edgy, rainbow hair colors, and sloppy, messy styles don’t present you in the best light. For every hairstyle that is unpleasant, there is an easy way to transition it.
Unprofessional Hairstyles for Men and Women
To feel confident on that important day, avoid these 17 unprofessional hairstyles and try the suggestions.
1. Oversized Pouf
There’s no doubt that the pouf hairstyle is one of the best hairdressing legacies that Marie Antoinette left behind. It’s classy, elegant, and just gorgeous.
But the question is– is it suitable for the office scene? Not if it’s as big as this one! For us, it’s one of the worst unprofessional hairstyles as it draws too much attention and can be quite distracting in the workplace, and we’re pretty sure your office mates would agree!
2. Spiky and Colorful Hair
When working in the corporate world, it’s best to stick with the usual hair color—brown, red, blonde, gray, black, etc. And as much as possible, shy away from bright hair colors like this one. The spiky hairstyle is also something you should avoid since it would make you look unprofessional.
3. Too Much Hair Accessories
Using the right hair accessories can make you look more stylish and polished. However, you should pay extra attention to the type and amount of hair accessories you use.
Donning on too much hair clip (and one that makes such statements) is one of the worst unprofessional hairstyles as it makes you look just downright tacky.
4. Unusual Hairstyles
To be honest, anything out of the ordinary may not be the best office hairstyle. It will make you the center of everyone’s attention, but unfortunately– not for all the right reasons!
5. Undercut
No matter how liberated society become, we have to face the fact that skin-shaved undercuts remain to be a little too bold for the office scene.
But lucky for you, there are plenty of ways to hide undercuts (that are more subtle than the one in the pic)– hair extensions, ponytails, curls, and many more!
6. Colorful Mohawk
A mohawk can already make you stand out (just not in a good way) in the office. Add in the bright orange, green, and yellow hair color and you got the ultimate example of the unprofessional hairstyle that you should avoid in the workplace.
7. Unprofessional Pigtails
Pigtails look cute on you when you were a little young. On some occasions (when you’re out with friends), it would make you look carefree and fun. But this is one hairstyle you should definitely keep out of the office if you wish people to take you more seriously.
8. Shaved Hairstyles
Even though the office policy on hairstyles has already loosened, the hairstyle you sport can still signify a level of professionalism in the workplace. So as much as possible, try to avoid skin-shaved hairstyles like this.
9. Messy High Ponytail
When done right, a high ponytail can make you look sophisticated and elegant. However, a messy version like this one can do more harm to your reputation than good.
10. Messy Spikes
A clean and neat cut is the best men’s hairstyle for the office, and this messy spiky hairstyle is just the complete opposite of it!
11. Unprofessional Hair Color
For formal meetings and business occasions, avoid mixing bright colors together. An angled pixie with a shaved fade is fine, but keep colors to a maximum of two and in the same shade.
12. Unprofessional Long Hair
This mix of ponytail buns as a mohawk is too unruly for a professional setting. Leave hair loose to cover the shaved sides or pull all the hair into one ponytail.
13. Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks are a tricky hairstyle to tame but by pulling all the hair into a low or high ponytail, your look will be less sloppy or more stylish.
14. Loose Updo
Loose updos with sparkly clips are best saved for weddings, date nights, and other fancy occasions. To transform it into a professional style, tone down the teasing, smooth back loose strands and nix the glam barrette.
15. Unprofessional Braid
A thick braided mohawk like this may be rock and roll-ready for concerts, but the style and silver hair color is not office-friendly. Instead, try a simple French braid.
16. Hat Hair
Unless it’s wacky hair day at work, the backwards cap needs to stay at home. You can still wear your hair long and wild, but we’re sure your coworkers want to see your pretty face!
17. Messy Hair
Although long hair is always fun to show off, this style is way too messy. Run a comb through your hair and wear loose or with pins to clip hair back before showing up to work or that important interview.
Avoiding these unprofessional hairstyles is your best bet at coming across as sophisticated and intelligent. Stick with styles that are void of stray hairs and frizz, mismatched colors, and haircuts that are best saved for when you’re not on the clock and you’ll be set.