Forget about the boring basic ponytail. Try these updated ponytail styles. It will get your hair off your face and keep you cool but will also make you look chic. There definitely is a difference between the "workout/exercise" ponytail and "a night out on the town" ponytail. Pictures and how-to's found here.
1) The "side" ponytail
How to achieve this look:
Step 1: Create waves with a wide-barreled curling iron. To do this, spritz styling spray on 2-inch sections of hair and wrap around the barrel of a curling iron. Alternate directions.
Step 2: Finger comb waves into a ponytail, securing just a few inches either to the left or the right.
Step 3: For an even more polished look (see Nicole's hair above), take a pencil-sized piece of hair from the bottom of the ponytail and wrap around elastic. Secure end of hair in the band and hold in place with a bobby pin.
Step 4: Finish with a spritz of hairspray.
2) The "sleek" ponytail
How to achieve this look:
Step 1: Blowdry hair straight. If you have wave in your hair, straighten hair completely with a flat-iron.
Step 2: Brush hair back into a ponytail. Secure with elastic.
Step 3: Tame flyaways with a spritz hairspray on your hairline.
Step 4: For added polish, run a shine serum (like Bumble and Bumble's Gloss) through ponytail.
3) The "polished" ponytail
How to achieve this look:
Step 1: Put your fingers on either side of the front of your ears. run fingers straight up.
Step 2: Clasp the collected hair in one hand.
Step 3: Tease the roots with a wide-toothed comb.
Step 4: Spritz hairspray on teased roots.
Step 5: Let hair go and smooth back into a ponytail, securing with elastic.
4) The "rumpled" ponytail
How to achieve this look:
Step 1: Start with unwashed hair or get the messy look by spraying roots with volumizer and airdrying hair, or blowdrying using your fingers instead of a brush. Scrunch hair as you dry.
Step 2: Part hair slightly off-center (parting in the middle is also trendy). For an extra funky look, create a zig-zag part in your hair with a comb.
Step 3: Rake hair back at the nape of your neck. Fasten the tail lightly so that it sits slightly below the middle of the back of your head.
Step 4: For more fullness, secure four or five bobby pins just above the elastic. This way you get a fuller look. Scrunch the tail once it's in place.
5) The "dramatic" ponytail
How to achieve this look:
Step 1: Spritz hair with a volumizing spray like Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray, then dry hair straight. If you have curly hair, use a diffuser and an anti-frizz product instead of the volumizer.
Step 2: Take a section at the top part of the back of your head and tease hair at the root. This will give you needed volume for the dramatic look.
Step 3: Once hair is sufficiently teased, carefully brush hair back into a pony up high on the back of your head just above your ears. Gently pull hair at the top of the pony out and up for drama.
Step 4: Run a gloss (like Bumble and Bumble Gloss, see sleek ponytail above) through ponytail, using extra at the ends.
Step 5: If you're going out at night, up the drama ante by securing a gorgeous barette (we love the ones that look like brooches) near the elastic and on the side of your head. If you use a barrette, keep in mind that it's a piece of jewelry, so be careful not to overdo the look with earrings, necklace and a bracelet. The less jewelry you wear, the more oomph your pieces have.
6) The "cheerleader" ponytail
How to achieve this look:
Step 1: Blow-dry hair using mousse or spray for volume, then pull hair high on top of head (above your eyes). The sleeker, the better, so brush out any bumps.
Step 2: Secure with a thick elastic band. For added bounce, tease the hair right at the elastic.
Step 3: Skip the bow, but spritz with hairspray. Try a headband for a super-trendy look.
7) The "half-up, half-down" ponytail
How to achieve this look:
Step 1: Part hair from ear-to-ear into a top and a bottom section.
Step 2: Secure top section with a ponytail holder.
Step 3: Take the point of a rattail comb and put it under the hair, just at the crown. Gently coax hair up until it's just a bit puffed.
Step 4: For more drama, wrap a ribbon or a strip of fabric around hair and fasten with a bobby pin.
Now go re-vamp your ponies and give them a little oomph!
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