When one pictures hair in a ponytail you might conjure up images of Pippi Longstocking, or a high school cheerleader, however ponytails have made a pretty strong comeback as of late, and can be seen pretty regularly on the runways of the world’s biggest fashion shows. We’re going to take a look at some ways that you can take this simple hairstyle and turn it into a sleek and sexy look without a whole lot of work.
Tousled Ponytail
First up is the tousled ponytail. This messy, just got out of bed look has been popular for quite some time now, but adding the tousled look to a ponytail might be just the change necessary to take your boring ponytail to the next level. If you have thick wavy hair, this looks might come easily to you, but if your hair is straight, you might try wrapping small sections individually around a curling iron for a few seconds before pulling your hair into a ponytail. Tease your hair with a brush and add some pomade to help style the “un-styled” looking hair. Now go do your best Blake Lively impersonation!
Braided Ponytail
Braided ponytails, when done correctly, can look great. You don’t want to go for the pigtail look (like the aforementioned Pippi), but adding a peekaboo braid to your hairstyle give you a fresh and young look. You don’t want the braid to land flat, so wrap the strands loosely when braiding the hair.
Low Profile Ponytails
Low profile ponytails were all the rage on the runways this season, and there are a number of ways to master this easy but refined ponytail look. First, try a low side part with your ponytail starting at the base of your neck. For round faces, a central part with a low pony in the back can give a great slimming appearance. For additional face accents, try pulling out a few strands at the front before you put the elastic in to make the pony. Consider adding jewels, pins or flowers to your pony for a little extra zing – this is a fun way to take your look up a notch!
Sleek and Sexy
For the ultimate sleek ponytail, you’ll need to get that hair tight and flat. The key to this look is to minimize flyaway hairs. This can be done by blow-drying your hair while brushing it with a round brush, then by pulling back your hair carefully to minimize stray strands. Also, use hair wax or light serums to weigh hair down enough to keep frizzies from ruining your sleek style! Avoid ANY product containing alcohol – this drying effect actually makes frizz worse in any kind of weather.
Side Ponytails
Side ponytails might sound like the ultimate outdated hairdo, but when style correctly they can look stunning. Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and Vanessa Hudgens have all rocked the side ponytail with amazing results. For the best look, try adding some volume or waves to the ponytail, and don’t forget to leave some face-framing strands on the opposite side to finish off the looks.
