Headshot Hairstyles: The Best Ways to Wear Your Hair for Professional Photos
Your hairstyle is as important as your outfit in a headshot. The wrong style can date your photo, distract from your face, or make you look like someone people would not recognize in person. This guide covers what works for every hair type, plus timing tips for cuts and color. Pair it with our wardrobe guide for the full preparation checklist.
The golden rule of headshot hair
1. Wear your hair how people know you
Your headshot should look like you on a good day, not a different person entirely. If you always wear your hair down, do not pin it up for the shoot. If you have curly hair, do not straighten it just for the photo. The goal is recognition: when someone meets you after seeing your headshot, they should instantly know it is you.
2. Hair up or down?
Hair down generally works best for headshots because it frames the face and creates a softer, more approachable look. Hair up can work well for formal industries or when you want to emphasize your neckline and jawline. If you are unsure, bring a few hair ties to the session and try both options so you can compare.
Best hairstyles for women
3. Soft blowout and loose waves
A soft blowout with gentle waves is the most universally flattering hairstyle for headshots. It adds volume and movement without looking overdone. The key is smoothness at the crown and soft texture at the ends. Avoid tight curls or perfectly uniform waves, which can look too styled and artificial on camera.
4. Sleek bob and straight styles
A sleek bob or straight hair photographs beautifully and conveys a polished, modern look. Use a flat iron to smooth any frizz, but leave a slight bend at the ends to avoid a stiff, ruler-straight appearance. This style works especially well for corporate, legal, and finance headshots where clean lines matter.
5. Updos that work for headshots
Low buns and loose chignons can look elegant in headshots, especially for formal industries. Avoid tight topknots or messy buns, which either look too casual or pull the skin around your forehead. Leave a few face-framing pieces loose to soften the look. See how updos pair with different necklines in our women's outfit guide.
Best hairstyles for men
6. Classic side part and textured crop
A clean side part is timeless and works across all industries. If you prefer a more modern look, a textured crop with slight volume on top photographs well and avoids looking flat. Use a matte pomade or clay to add texture without shine. Avoid wet-look gels that create distracting reflections under studio lighting.
7. Beard and facial hair grooming
If you wear a beard, trim it two to three days before the session so it looks neat without appearing freshly shaved. Define your cheek line and neckline for a clean boundary. Stubble can look great in headshots but needs to be even and intentional. Patchy or uneven stubble reads as unkempt rather than stylish.
Curly and textured hair
8. Embrace your natural texture
Curly, coily, and textured hair looks fantastic in headshots when properly defined. Use your regular styling products to bring out your curl pattern and add definition. Do not straighten, relax, or dramatically alter your natural texture just for a photo. Your headshot should reflect how you actually look.
9. Taming frizz on shoot day
Frizz is the enemy of sharp headshot photos because it creates a halo of loose hairs that softens your outline against the background. Apply an anti-frizz serum or leave-in conditioner the morning of the shoot. Avoid touching your hair once styled, and bring a small spray bottle of water mixed with conditioner for touch-ups between shots.
Timing your haircut
10. The 5-day rule
Get your haircut five days before your headshot session, not the day before. Fresh cuts can look too sharp and unnatural, and they need a few days to settle into their shape. This is one of the most commonly overlooked tips in our headshot preparation guide, and getting it wrong can make an otherwise great photo feel off.
11. Color touch-ups
If you color your hair, schedule a touch-up about one week before the shoot. This gives the color time to settle and fade slightly to a more natural tone. Visible roots or freshly applied color that has not yet oxidized can look different on camera than in person.
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