[Must-Read] How to Keep Your Hair Looking Perfect Until Your Job-Hunting ID Photo Shoot

Hair, Makeup & Outfits #Job-Hunting ID Photo #Hairstyle & Hair Color #Job Hunting

March 30, 2022November 9, 2026 Chiharu

In-person information sessions and interviews are becoming common again in Japan.

Have you ever spent time styling your hair and makeup at home, only to find that the wind or sweat ruined it the moment you stepped outside? It's discouraging, and it's easy to worry that you'll look unkempt.

When you're job hunting (shukatsu) in a city you've never visited, even finding a place to fix your hair or makeup can be a hassle.
So we've put together tips for keeping the hair and makeup you finished at home looking as good as possible!

Wax or gel? Choose a styling product based on your hair type and style
Finish with hairspray
Handy items for both styling and touch-ups
Summary

Wax or gel? Choose a styling product based on your hair type and style

To keep your hair neat and under control, we recommend using a styling product.
There are many kinds, and each behaves differently, so choose carefully.

It helps to narrow down your options based on how well a product suits your hair type and the finish you want.

If you like a glossy finish, be a little careful.
Hair that looks too wet can come across as less clean and neat, so we recommend keeping the shine moderate.

Finish with hairspray

Once your hairstyle is set, finish by locking it in place with hairspray.
Hold the can about 2–30 cm away from your hair and spray while moving your hand. Be careful: if you spray too close, the spray can harden into white flakes.

To keep your bangs in place, we recommend spraying a comb and using that.
Hold your bangs in one hand and comb them from the inside, from the roots toward the tips.
If you wear side-swept bangs, sweep them in the direction you want and secure them with a pin or similar.
Applying a little spray to the handle of the comb or to your fingertips to smooth the flow of your bangs makes them even less likely to fall out of place.

Handy items for both styling and touch-ups

The great thing about stick-type wax is that it keeps your hands clean. If you notice a stray hair just before leaving home, you can fix it quickly and head out right away.

When using it, gently glide it over your hair in the direction it naturally falls. If you press too hard, the wax can end up clumped on your hair.
This type of wax is also compact and easy to carry, so it's a good idea to keep one in your job-hunting bag. It comes in handy if a loose strand escapes while you're out and you need to tame it right away.

Summary

Many people have their ID photos taken early in their job search.
It's also a good chance to try going out in your job-hunting look before your first real interview.

At 19Studio, we set aside time for a grooming check before your shoot.
Our staff include people with experience as corporate recruiters, so you can have your appearance checked not only from your own point of view but also from an interviewer's perspective.

Chiharu: Loves writing articles and is studying copywritingI love writing and I'm currently studying copywriting. I turn the questions our guests often ask and the things I notice in the studio into easy-to-read articles about job-hunting and ID photos, so that even first-timers can understand them.