The perfect ponytail: How you can have it following a few steps


The perfect ponytail is something of a myth. Rest assured, it is indeed out there. It takes a little experimentation, and a lot of trial and error to find one that matches your personal style, but I've seen the promised land. And it looks good.

You've probably heard that updos work best on dirty hair. This is true in every occasion except with the ponytail. A ponytail is best on squeaky-clean hair. Otherwise, it just looks dirty and messy, like you're on your way back from the gym. For a truly stylin' pony, wash and dry your hair, taking care to style it as sleekly as possible.

There are now two options: the chic low pony, cinched at the nape of your neck; or the pony gathered a few inches below your crown. In general, if you are above the age of eighteen and not a high-school cheerleader, you should avoid the high ponytail tied at your crown as a style statement.

For the chic low ponytail, part your hair deeply on one side, then brush it smoothly over across your forehead. Tuck any stray pieces behind your ear or mist with hairspray. Keep the hair sleek and close to your head, pulling it back and securing at the nape of your neck. For the ponytail gathered a few inches below your crown, the trick is to add volume at the top of your head, either by teasing it, or by attaching a few small temporary extensions for volume.

Put your fingers at the crown of your head and gather up a large section of hair, about three inches wide by two inches deep, teasing it on the underneath to create volume. Run your hairbrush over this section lightly, then pull hair into a ponytail just above the middle point at the back of your head.

This look is most chic when secured with a hair-covered elastic, or when you wrap a strand of your hair around the elastic itself, pinning underneath the ponytail with a bobby pin. If your hair needs more volume, place your palms on the top of your head and slowly, gently, slide them up, pulling the back of your hair ever so slightly up while keeping it secured in the elastic. Finish with a light misting on hairspray, concentrating on the sides and back of hair.

Change your part, and you'll change your life. Okay, this is a slight exaggeration, but if you belong to the school of good hair = happiness, nothing shakes up your look faster than a dramatic part change. Normally wear your hair all flippy and coquettish and surfer girl, with no discernable part? Take a comb and draw a deep part on the side of your head, with your bangs or front part of your hair lying low across your forehead and tucked behind your ear.

Addicted to side parts? Try a center part, which - despite what some of you may think - can work on non-oval face shapes, as long as you have enough volume. And if you've been wearing your hair parted on the right for the last eight years, you'll be amazed at the volume and lift that you'll get from switching it to the left.

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Note: This article was sent to us by: Delilah Reem at 02042011

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