Sometimes the snooze alarm on repeat just happens. But sleeping in on a weekday doesn’t mean you have to lose when it comes to looking cute, especially with your crowning glory. When you don’t have time to shampoo—and even fewer minutes to style—work with what you’ve got and rely on a favorite weekend look: the undone bun.
“Updos are the perfect solution because they actually look better with the wavy texture of second-day hair,” says Jen Atkin, mane master to the lush-locked Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba and Khloe Kardashian. Here, easy tweaks that take the simple hair twist from boring to the boardroom and beyond for whatever may be on your calendar.
Scenario #1: You’re presenting to the big boss at the morning meeting.
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Add class to your topknot with French hairpins, suggests Atkin. “They sit better than bobby pins and look more professionally done,” she says. First, run your fingers through hair, then spritz roots with a dry shampoo such as Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($39)to “add grit that will help hold pins,” says the pro. Gather locks above the crown as if you were making a genie ponytail and twist the ends around the base to form a donut shape. Instead of your usual weekend scrunchie, use a clear hairband to secure the bun. Next, take pins and place randomly, tacking down flyaways and rippled sections. Not sure how to use pins? A quick primer: Hold one between your fingers towards the rounded end. Place the pin vertically at hair and push in, twisting slightly. Insert towards scalp.
Scenario #2: You’re having lunch with your visiting-from-out-of-town mom.
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To your mother, a disheveled ‘do is just plain bad—but rough, dry, unhealthy-looking locks are even worse. Fake frizz-free, freshly washed hair by running styling cream like Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Tousling Styling Creme ($8) through sections. No styling cream on hand? “Use hand lotion in a pinch,” Atkin advises. Rake through hair from roots to ends with a wide-toothed comb, then do a deep side part. Smooth both sides back and twist into a low bun fastened below the crown. The result: silky, softly scented strands that look sleek in seconds.
Scenario #3: You’re going straight from the office to a date.
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Time to call in the big guns! Bedazzle your bun by wrapping a necklace around it. Whether gold or blinged out, “the metal and gems in jewelry reflect light to make your hair appear shinier instantly,” Atkin says. Start with your basic messy bun, fastened with a hairband. Mist the whole shape with a firm-hold hairspray, such as L’Oréal Paris Elnet Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold ($15); the tackiness will help anchor bobby pins. Lay the center of the necklace across the base of your bun and pin on each side. Cross ends in back and then again in front, moving up to the highest point of your ‘do, pinning every couple inches. Voilá!
