A mid-height ponytail is suitable for both a casual look (such as a t-shirt and a pair of jeans) and an elegant dress. The secret is to make it look like a neat and studied hairstyle, rather than an improvised way of gathering hair with an elastic. Straightening the tips of the hair, hiding the elastic and adding volume to the ponytail are all effective ways to give a touch of class to this simple hairstyle.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Simple Ponytail
Step 1. Straighten your hair or define curls
The difference between a neat ponytail and a messy one is in the care you put into your hair. If you have frizzy or tousled hair, it will stick out of the ponytail or give it a quirky look. Depending on the texture of your hair, follow one of these tips to make your ponytail look neater before you've even done it:
- Straighten your hair with the straightener. There is no need to meticulously iron each strand, just focus on the tips and the portion that will form the tail. By doing this, you will help the hair fall back on the head in an orderly fashion. Give it a try, even if your hair is already smooth enough.
- Accentuate the curls, or the blur effect, with a curling iron. This way your ponytail will be neither frizzy nor too stiff, but it will instead look nice thanks to your defined curls.
Step 2. Create a sharp line
Use the comb and do it on one side or in the center, as you like. Run the tip of the comb along the parting to push away unruly hair and make it look neat and neat.
Step 3. Collect the hair with the comb
Use the comb to flatten the hair on the apex of the head, on the sides and in the area under the tail and to collect it firmly where you want it, i.e. in the center of the head. A medium-height ponytail should be a few centimeters below the apex of the head, neither too high nor too low.
If your hair is very disheveled, try spraying some hairspray on the comb before using it to style it: by combing it you will distribute it over all the strands and you will have a natural-looking hold
Step 4. Secure the tail with a rubber band
Use one that is good for your hair, that does not move or risk loosening after some time. Silk rubber bands are considered suitable for hair because they do not break the hair. Avoid using common rubber bands.
Step 5. Make sure the tail is positioned correctly in the center
Look at the back of the head in the mirror: is it positioned in the right place? Check if it needs to be moved slightly, to the right or to the left.
Step 6. Check how it swings
Does the hair hang the way you want it? If it seems to you that the tail has a strange shape, use a straight hair straightener, or one for curly hair, to fix it and give it the look you want. You can also apply gel or cream to give it a defined and homogeneous look.
Step 7. Finish the hairstyle with a little hairspray
Sprinkle some on the apex and sides of the head and on the tail itself and the look is complete.
Part 2 of 3: Cover the hair elastic
Step 1. Make a neat ponytail
Follow the directions above to create a firm ponytail in the center of the head. Use a straight or curly hair straightener to make it look neater.
Step 2. Grab a section of hair from the back of the ponytail
Choose a thick strand on the hidden side of the ponytail so that you don't know where it came from.
Step 3. Wrap it around the elastic
Wrap it up completely: when you are finished, the elastic should be entirely covered.
Step 4. Secure the end of the lock with a hairpin
One or two should be enough.
Step 5. Check that it looks neat
Covering the elastic adds a touch of elegance to the tail and makes it suitable for any type of event. Embellish it all with some cute barrettes and you're ready to go out.
Part 3 of 3: Adding Volume
Step 1. Make a neat ponytail
Follow the instructions at the beginning of this article to create a tail in the center of the head and make it look more tidy with the use of a hair straightener.
Step 2. Extract the locks of hair from the tail that are located on the apex of the head and along the temples
Pull out a good number of them: eventually you can put them back inside the tail, but for the moment they must be kept out.
- If you need to loosen the ponytail to get the hair out, you can do this.
- Gathering the hair first is essential to make sure you extract the strands that will be on the apex of your head when you have a tail.
Step 3. Keep the strands you picked straight above your head
Hold them with one hand while with the other you grab the comb.
Step 4. Tease the hair from the ends to the roots
Comb your hair in the opposite direction to the usual one, to make it puffy and create volume. Continue until you reach the desired volume.
Step 5. Flatten the top layer
Rest your hair on your head and observe the overall effect. With the comb, gently flatten only the top layer, leaving the underlying part teased: in this way the hair will retain its volume in the final look.
Step 6. Redo the queue
Untwist it and do it again, including the part of the hair you teased. At this point, the hair on the apex of the head will have a little volume and will no longer fall limp.
Step 7. Wrap a lock of hair around the elastic
Secure it with a hairpin and thus hide the elastic from view.
Step 8. Finish the look with a little hairspray
For a better seal, spray a little bit on both the front and back of the head.
