Alex Noonan shows you how to transform this trusted style from simple to sophisticated in minutes.
"The classic, sleek ponytail looks beautiful on anyone," declares Robert Maiolo, of Maiolo Copeland salon, Sydney. "It acts as an instant facelift and can be worn to the most glamorous event or event occasion." The key to taking this look from crashing on the couch to a party with panache is to spend a bit of time perfecting and polishing the style. We discover how to create three looks with ease.
High Pony
The high ponytail is as simple as it is sleek. To re-create the look at home, Maiolo advises, "First blow-dry your hair smooth with a straightening milk or balm, like John Frieda Collection Brilliant Brunette Runway Straight Smoothing Milk, $16.99. Then brush your hair into a high ponytail and secure with a hair band. Take a small section from the ponytail and wrap it around the band and tuck the end into the hair band underneath the pony tail." Spray the wrapped hair with a hairspray, like ghd Ultimate Hairspray, $35, to secure and finish with a spritz of hairspray all over. If you have fine hair or you would like to add volume or length, Maiolo recommends attaching hair extensions. Try HairDo Clip-In Straight Extensions, from $159.95.
To the Side
"The key to this look is creating a soft texture in the hair before tying it to the side," reveals Maiolo. If you have a fringe, blow-dry it smooth first. Create volume and texture in the rest of your hair by spraying L'Oréal Professionnel tecni.art volume architect, $21.95, at the roots. Then tip your head upside down and blast it with the blow-dryer until completely dry. Using a comb, backcomb your hair through the back and crown. "With your fingers, style your hair into a ponytail in line with your ear on your favourite side," suggests Maiolo. "Then, with the pointed end of a tail comb, pull sections at the back upward to create height." Finish with hairspray, such as Wella High Hair Finishing Spray Firm Control & Ultra Control, $20.
Low and Loose
Hair accessories are a fantastic way to instantly dress up your tresses, and with this loose style it's all about relaxed glamour. To start, blow-dry your strands smooth and set in hot rollers, or tong into ringlets. Once your hair has cooled completely, "brush out curls with a Mason Pearson brush [try the Popular Pure Bristle & Nylon Brush, $185] to create gorgeous shiny waves," says Maiolo. Run a small amount of a curl-taming product, like Pantene Pro-V Wave Creating Milk, $6.99, through the mid-lengths and ends. "The hair clip is the main focus in this style, so treat yourself to a beautiful hair clip or a vintage brooch," adds Maiolo. "Clip hair into a loose ponytail and don't worry if some pieces fall out as this will soften the look even more."
i love da 1 to da side!!! nice ima use dat style fnx!
2.hartnettclan@xtra.co.nz- Nov 07 02:12pm
I dont like the one on the side as it looks far too messy. Model looks like she has been dragged through a bush!
3.soniaandmartin@xtra.co.nz- Nov 08 06:25am
Amazing how a simple pony tail can change a look
4.blndsdohvmrefun@xtra.co.nz- Nov 08 07:15am
All 3 styles are fab....
5.te_k02bro- Nov 08 07:37am
As a male with long hair, im more of the traditional "High ponytail" but seeing these three styles has given me a newoutlook on how hair can change a look.
Nicely done guys
6.rnilsen_pene- Nov 08 02:02pm
I like the first on sleek is great.
7.goedgifu- Nov 08 05:04pm
The top photograph models hair is thinning very badly around the hairline you can see gaps in her hair
Pulling hair back too tightly is always a bad thing
The side ponytail is very fetching though rock on 80s
8.purple_mooncat- Nov 13 02:35pm
Low and loose is very sexy - I've always worn my hair that way, it's not as damaging.
9.wfm000- Nov 13 03:32pm
I like the "topsy tail" I think it's called. It's a plastic thingy with a hoop on 1 end of a long pointy stick . You poke the stick thing through between scalp and ponytail elastic, pull the ponytail through the hoop and u have a very lovely extension to ponytail. Anyone know if u can still buy them?
10.redklogs- Nov 13 03:48pm
OH MY GOD WE ARE BACK IN THE EIGHTIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A PONY ON THE SIDE. 8 year olds think side pony tails look good, how sad that so do you
Nicely done guys
Pulling hair back too tightly is always a bad thing
The side ponytail is very fetching though rock on 80s