Tales of the Tail

I am a klutz when it comes to styling my hair, so I typically wear it down. However, ponytails are one of the cleanest, most classic looks. They can be dressy and elegant and they can be casual and sloppy, but they are always comfortable and easy to pull off. Plus, with your hair pulled back away from your face, your bone structure and skin is on display and they can make you look beautiful.

Here are some tips for creating the perfect, elegant pony:

• Thicken up. When your hair is slightly damp, apply a dollop of thickening cream to your locks. This will make your hair easier to work with and the extra fullness will make your pony healthy and shiny looking.
• Dry your hair with your blow dryer. If your hair is curly or wavy, straighten it out with a natural bristle brush (like a boar bristle brush). This will make your hair healthy and super shimmery.
• Tie your hair back. Use a solid colored elastic without a metal clasp for a clean look. Consider using a solid black elastic, or a light brown one. Do not use a scrunchy or brightly colored elastic because you'll end up looking silly if you're over the age of 18!
• Position is everything! Your pony should be about two inches above the nape of your neck. If you go too high you'll look like a cheerleader. If it's too low, it will look sloppy and like you just woke up! To keep flyaways in place, use a tiny bit of spray to keep everything down.
  
• Push your bangs over. If you have bangs, brush them to the side for a more interesting, romantic, and classic look.
• Dress it up at night. Add some shine to your pony with a bit of silicone-based serum. Also, try wrapping a piece of hair around your elastic and securing it with a bobby pin for a more finished look.