It’s no newsflash that the low ponytail has swung back into beauty style. But lately we’ve noticed a loosened up version of the trend coming through.
Model Anne V took to the red carpet recently (above) with an extreme version of the style that has popped up on several catwalks this past Fashion Month. Soft and billowy, her ‘do was a refreshingly casual counterbalance to her black-tie gown.
In terms of its catwalk incarnations, the low, loose pony trotted out most recently at the Stella McCartney show. The designer is known for loving a laid-back beauty style, and in response, stylist Eugene Souleiman scraped hair back into a low ‘tail, then pulled the elastic down to loosen things up. The result:
Rewinding back a little more, during Milan Fashion Week, Guido Palau styled a wispy version for Alberta Ferretti, thanks to a messy parting, and small pieces pulled out around the face to soften the overall feel (although wrapping a section of hair around the band kept things polished):
image: Greg Kessler for Redken
The look also appeared at New York Fashion Week, with Aussie designer Dion Lee requesting a sleek style of loose, low pony – his stylist Jon Pulitano obliged by pulling models’ perfectly blow-dried hair back, and tying a tail at about four inches below the nape. To ensure the hair didn’t look too straight, he rubbed the tops and sides of hair with his palms, creating a catch-the-light, halo-esque effect:
While the low, loose ponytail looks gorgeously romantic with a flowing dress, it also works well going into winter and its woolly layers. Throw a coat or a high-neck jumper over your ‘do, keeping the tail tucked in, and the effect will be a sort of fuzzy (in the chicest possible way) faux bob.
In theory, that’s all great – but in reality, the question is how to keep your ponytail in place all day when it’s meant to be soft and loose …
And this is where some clever tricks of the trade come into play …
Mr Palau ensured that his ponytails stayed tame by treating the mid-lengths and ends of hair with dry shampoo (namely, Redken Pillow Proof Blowdry Two Day Extender, $30.95) – this gives hair grit and a style better staying power. By wrapping hair over the elastic, and pinning this into place, he was also able to keep things under tight control.
For Jon Pulitano at Dion Lee, it was all about creating great hold by using small and grippy clear elastics, along with a finishing mist of hairspray: Redken Fashion Works 12, $26.95.
If you have fine, slippery hair that hates to be pinned down – or ponytailed up, for that matter – you could also try teasing the under section of hair. This will help provide support for your ponytail, keeping it buoyant and bouncy.
If, however, you have thick hair – or lots of it – and find it rarely submits to any serious styling, try this two-step approach: First, take the bottom half or so of hair and tie into a tight ponytail, just above the nape. Now, take the rest of your hair and style it over the first ponytail, making sure to completely cover and camouflage it. You see, because you now have less hair to play around with, you get better control, and will be able to more effectively style this loose look. Your loose pony will also hold better, as there’s actually less hair in it, meaning gravity won’t drag it down.
And that’s about it … with almost minimum effort, you’ve got yourself one of the easiest, coolest hair styles around.
