The High Ponytail

The new high fashion ponytails are mighty high

Although it's widely referenced in the beauty industry, there really is no such thing as a “classic ponytail.” If you’re astute, you’ll notice that the details of this simple hairstyle change from season to season. It's swung from low and short to long and curly, then pin-straight and back again. Now the ponytail is having a 1950s moment with plenty of height ( please refrain from breaking out the poodle skirt). Here are a few do it yourself tips for creating summer 2009’s hottest high fashion ponytails. Try on ponytrail trends in our virtual hairstyle studio.

The High and Slick Ponytail

While most high ponytails generally call to mind the bouncy, swingy version that high school cheerleaders wear on the football field, this one is more sophisticated. Think very shiny (use glossing spray) and slick. To make this hot summer hairstyle trend your own, pull back all of your hair in the front. If you’ve got bangs, slick them back with a bit of gel, and gather the hair with a clear elastic high atop the crown. Flat iron the tail pin-straight or use the same heated tool to create a flip, a truly retro take on the modern ponytail. Skip the earrings and accessorize with a necklace made of textured wood or bright pieces of coral to look as though you just stepped off the pages of Vogue.

The Bardot Inspired High Ponytail

Inspired by Brigitte Bardot, this ultra sexy (a.k.a. “bedhead”) ponytail transitions from day to evening effortlessly and hides tell-tale traces of a bad hair day (i.e. greasy roots and brittle ends). However, if you have the luxury of time, first wash the hair with a volumizing shampoo and lightly condition the ends. Break out some large, hot rollers and leave them in for about 20 minutes. Without disturbing the curl (the messier, the better), tease or “back comb” the roots of your hair to create lift at the crown, then lightly brush your mane into a chic high ponytail. If you’ve got long bangs, pull out some pieces and part them down the center to frame your face. The secret to frizz-free curls is to put a glossing serum in the hair with a light touch. Maintain curls by misting a bit of light hold hairspray all over.

Summer Ponytail Hairstyling Tricks

Fasten your summer ponytail with an invisible band that’s snag-free and won’t break the hair (never resort to using a regular rubber band, like the kind you find tied around your newspaper subscription). Bungee ponytail bands with two hooks are also great because they have a tidy look and hold the hair super tight. Simply wrap one around and around the base of your ponytail and clip the two ends together to secure. -Stephanie Simons

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