Blame Gretchen Wieners’ circa-2004 mandate, but for a long time, we treated wearing a ponytail like sporting our favorite pair of ratty sweatpants in public: lazy, low-effort, and only to be done once a week max. But, much like the Plastics’ other style guidelines of only wearing jeans on Fridays and never rocking a tank top two days in a row, Gretchen’s unflattering opinion of the humble ponytail was sorely misguided — and Hollywood’s biggest stars are here to prove it.
From Gabrielle Union and Bella Hadid to Jennifer Lopez and Chrissy Teigen, our favorite celebrities are showing the world that ponytails are a worthy part of any hairstyle repertoire. Whether they’re low and full of volume, or perched high and straight, the simple updos are dominating red carpets everywhere lately, and it’s impossible not to notice… and to want to copy them all.
Before we do, we asked pro hairstylists Adir Abergel, creative director of Virtue and go-to guy for stars like Saoirse Ronan and Emilia Clarke, and Glen Coco Oropeza , whose clients include Teigen and Diane Guerrero, for all the ponytail tips we need to know for summer. Ahead, their answers, and the very best red-carpet inspo to go along with them. Forget wearing ponytails once a week — how does every damn day sound?
For Abergel, the appeal of a ponytail comes from three things: the ease, the speed, and the elongating effect updos can have on your face. In other words, ponytails are basically instant (and temporary) face lifts — just look at Hailey Baldwin’s scrunchie-wrapped take.
Oh, and ponytails work everywhere — day to night, work to club, couch to other couch. Abergel says that the deciding factor on where your ponytail works best is how polished you want to make it. For example, Tessa Thompson’s braided pony by Cidney Renee practically screams, "I have a 9 p.m. reservation at Per Se."
And if you can’t already tell from Jennifer Lopez’s dramatic ponytail, you can make them work from sunrise yoga to after-dark plans without a hitch.
Zendaya’s low-key, plaited pony is all we want to wear on a Friday night.
If hairstyling isn’t really your forte, then you’ll love ponytails for their simplicity. Oropeza says that you can take a basic approach that stills looks intricate by wrapping metal wire (found at your local craft store) around the base of your ponytail — just like Chrissy Teigen’s. It looks complicated and glamorous, but is actually totally effortless.
Abergel is famous for his structured metallic details. No doubt these accessories on Saoirse Ronan for the SAG Awards could beautify any boring low ponytail.
Abergel’s Instagram would suggest that rope — fancy leather rope, specifically — can elevate second-day hair instantly. Our proof? The low-key look he created for Jessica Biel at the Golden Globe Awards.
Abergel confirms a secret technique exists — and it creates the perfect no-fuss ponytail, like Joan Smalls’ here. "The placement of your ponytail is very important," he says. "I like ponytails to sit right at the crown. This gives it the perfect elongation and balance."
Zazie Beetz shows how you can adorn a heat-free protective style with a gold cuff for a whole new look.
Or follow Storm Reid’s example and go for a low pony affixed with pretty floral clips.
Oropeza says that, rather than stressing over finding a ponytail that "works for you," start by thinking about where you’re going, and what you’ll be wearing. For example, Laura Harrier’s high-necked dress suggests an even higher ponytail will work best.
Of course, with every ponytail comes the fear of it sliding out within an hour. Luckily, Oropeza has a solution. He says to start by sectioning the hair into two parts; secure the back section to your desired height, then combine the section of hair in front of the ears with the back section using a second elastic. "By using two elastics, you double the security of the ponytail’s placement and longevity," he explains.
You can follow the same technique for low ponytails, too.
Amandla Stenberg’s hairstylist Vernon François wrote on Instagram that he has ponytail fever, which might be part of the inspiration behind this impressive updo he created for the actress. Not only does it feature tons of texture and volume, but François added a matching accessory to finish off the look.
Gabrielle Union’s hairstylist Larry Sims pulled inspiration from Diana Ross for this look, which is classic and modern at once.
Cool off this summer by pulling your protective hairstyle into an extra-high ponytail like Sasha Lane’s. Take hairstylist Nai’vasha Johnson ‘s advice and opt for a mini bungee cord to keep your loc updo tight for hours.
Elle Fanning’s campy ponytail works just as well off the Met Gala red carpet as it does on it. Although, according to Fanning’s hairstylist Jenda, this ponytail may take a whole suitcase of extensions to achieve at home.
Hair bows are back in a big way — and Alicia Keys proves that the throwback accessory can instantly dress up a ponytail.
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Source: Refinery29 – Samantha Sasso