I’m not exactly “girly” or “put together” all the time – my preferred fabric is a spandex/lycra blend – but every year I resolve to take the time to look good to go to work. There’s a lot to be said for dressing the part. Do you feel like a responsible adult all the time? Fake it. That’s what I do.

One thing I’ve always put up a fuss about is the ease with which men can work out at lunch. They can sweat their brains out playing basketball or taking a jog, shower, tousle their inch-long hair and go back to work.

I sought out the help of a professional for the great fitness gender dilemma, Ashley from Salon Buzz. Two years ago, Ashley came highly recommended to me by a friend, Catherine Warren Ernst, who is much more fashionable than I am and runs the website Chicago Catwalk. Ashley has been a part of major hair events including, but not limited to, my wedding.

Needless to say, I trust her.

I asked Ashley to help me find ways to go from sweaty workout back to work, while still looking professional and she gave me two styles that can help you walk in like you own the place after fitting in a great workout.

Here are the tools she recommends:

A good brush, like a Mason Pearson Bristle & Nylon Hair Brush, a comb to part and a comb to backcomb, a dry shampoo like Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-powder dry shampoo and a finishing spray like Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer Micro Fine Finishing Spray or Kerastase Laque Noire .

The Top Knot: This is the little black dress of post-workout hair. Always dependable. Never in question.

Step 1: In one-inch sections, apply Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-powder dry shampoo to hair (not scalp) and massage into the hair.

Step 2: To easily put your hair in a high pony tail, it’s best to flip your head over and brush hair into ponytail at the crown of the head.

Step 3: Back comb – or comb hair away from the end of the ponytail – at the base of the ponytail to increase volume.

Step 4: Twist the entire ponytail.

Step 5: Pin in a bun, securing with five to seven pins.

Step 6: Finish with a spray like Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer Micro Fine Finishing Spray.

The low-pony. This is a perfect style if your hair has a little wave in it, so don’t worry about getting the hair perfectly straight.

Step 1: In 1 inch sections, apply Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-powder dry shampoo to hair (not scalp) and massage into the hair.

Step 2: Part the hair with a deep side part

Step 3: Brush hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck.

Step 4: Back comb from the base of the pony to add volume.

Step 5: Twist a section of hair around ponytail.

Step 6: Secure under pony tail with at least two bobby pins.

Step 7: Smooth with a finishing spray like Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer Micro Fine Finishing Spray

Get out there and get a lunchtime workout in. Not even your hair is stopping you now #noexcuses.

[Disclosure: Sometimes I use affiliate links in my posts. Once in a while, if someone buys something that I link to, I’ll make a couple of cents to help cover costs like keeping the lights on and designing that thing you liked that one time]