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Just because you're on your feet in a restaurant all day doesn't mean you should look beat. A low-maintenance curly hairstyle allows your hair to have volume and movement without it hanging in your face. If you wear a uniform, your curly 'do allows you to glam it up and sneak in some personality. Choose hairstyles that showcase your natural wave and texture, as a shift of rushing between tables and the humidity of kitchen air make overly manipulated hair rebel. Your hairstyle should also align with health and hygiene standards. In other words, keep your hair away from food.
Updated Ponytail
While a ponytail remains the go-to style for many women in the service industry, don't stick to the ho-hum slicked-back ponytail that cheerleaders sport at football games. Switch up your look with a sophisticated, mussed ponytail. If you have fine hair that barely holds a wave, give it some texture by running mousse from the roots to the ends. Women with coarser or curly hair need only finger-comb their hair. Gather your hair into a ribbon, large clip or a cloth-covered band, as rubber bands grab your curls too tightly and create tangles and knots. Push up your hair at the crown to give it some lift and volume, but avoid releasing any tendrils that may hang too closely to the food you serve.
Partial Updo
Get the benefits of a ponytail without its severity by wearing your waves or curls in a partial updo. This look works best with full, coarse hair. Gather just the front and sides of your hair in a high ponytail. Leave the back hanging loose, showing off defined curls that you shape with putty or wax for extreme all-day hold. Give your curls on top extra spring by using duck clips to lift them at the roots as they dry and spritzing them with spray gel.
Side-Swept Bangs
Women with tight or corkscrew curls have a tough time managing flyaways and eradicating frizz while rushing around. Crop your hair shorter but look fashion-forward by wearing side-swept bangs. This look gives the impression of bangs framing your forehead without having them hang down and frizz out in your face. Part your curls to one side while your hair is still damp. Swoop your hair to the other side of your head, spritz it and clip it in place until it dries. Gently remove the clips and shape your curls on top without combing or brushing them. Keep you side bangs high on your forehead so they don't cover your eyes and interfere with your work.
Style Maintenance
With customers looking at your face and hair all day, choose a style that looks fresh whether you're at the beginning or end of your shift. Practice damage control by giving your hair a deep moisturizing treatment at least once a week. Detangle your hair by gently separating strands when they are coated with conditioner in the shower. Trim tangles, split ends and bulky sections with thinning shears every few weeks. Seal your look with a shine serum or finishing spray.
