Sunday, September 27, 2009

Pretty Ponies: How to Get the Perfect Ponytail

    by guest blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose'.

    Ah, the ponytail — a tried and true classic. But how do you keep this timeless ‘do from feeling too tired? Pony up! We’ve compiled five of our favorite ponytail hairdo looks sported by celebs and show you how to get the same results with minimal styling effort.

    1. The Cheerleader (Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale)

    Good for days you need a perky pick-me up (hangover help, anyone?). The perfect ‘do for dropping the digits in your real age.

    drew barrymore ponytailkate beckinsale

    catwalk root boost tigiTools/Products:

    Get the Look

    Before blow-drying hair, spritz volumizing root boost spray close to the scalp all over. Then dry hair in sections using a large round brush to create big waves. After hair is dry, gather the top section and pin back, leaving a small poof for volume. Gather the rest of the hair into a high ponytail. Grab a one to two inch section of hair and wrap around the base of the ponytail; secure with bobby pins underneath the tail. Finish with hairspray.

    Bonus Tip: For extra oomph in your pony, use Scünci’s Create the Perfect Pony tool; insert it in the middle of hair while creating the ponytail, and secure your elastic around it.

    2. The Sleek Siren (Debra Messing, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian)

    A look designed to stop ‘em dead in their tracks. The ultimate, polished updo.

    debra messingjennifer aniston ponytailkim kardashian

    Tools/Products:

    • kms hair play soft wax
    • Flat Iron (We love the Hana Elite)
    • Shine Serum
    • Molding Paste/Wax (KMS Hairplay Soft Wax works wonders)
    • Firm Hold Hairspray

    Get the Look

    Use a pea-sized amount of shine serum before blow-drying straight. After dry, run a dime-sized amount of shine serum over ends for additional shine (use less if you have fine, thin hair). Run flat iron over hair in two to three inch sections, root to tip.

    di manno python cuffSmooth on a small amount of molding wax over front section of hair, parting it to the side. Pull back into a low or mid-height ponytail, keeping her taut and close to the head. Spray on hairspray to smooth any flyaways.

    Bonus Tip: Hide the elastic for a chicer look. Try a leather ponytail cuff from Di Manno Designs, which come in a variety of options to suit your style (we love the python!).

    3. The Hot Mess (Carmen Electra, Blake Lively)

    A sexy look that screams “I naturally look this good every day; no effort required.” The perfect beach ponytail transformed into red carpet-ready locks.

    carmen elektraBlake Lively

    Tools/Products:

    • Curl-enhancing gel or mousse (We swear by Curly Sexy Hair Curl Power Spray Foam)
    • Texturizing spray (Try Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray)
    • Wax/molding paste
    • Bobby pins

    bumble and bumble surf sprayGet the Look

    Apply curl-enhancing product to wet hair, and “scrunch” in to distribute evenly. Blow dry with a diffuser, or let air dry. Spritz in texturizing spray and apply molding paste to create piecey look. Loosely pull back sides and pin back, leaving out strands framing the face. Gather the rest of the hair into a loose mid or low ponytail, and skew slightly to the side.

    Bonus Tip: For kinkier curls, put wet hair into a tight bun or a braid and air dry overnight.

    4. The Vamp (Eva Mendes, Carrie Underwood)

    These ponytails make you go “va-va-voom!” Classic, polished and whole lot of sex appeal. Create with a side or middle part for your own signature look.

    eva mendescarrie underwood side ponytail

    Tools/Products:

    • Large round brush
    • Root volumizer
    • Comb
    • Medium to strong hold hairspray (we adore Garnier Fructis Full Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray)

    Get the Look

    Garnier Full ControlJust like for “The Cheerleader,” begin by spritzing on volumizing root boost spray and drying hair in sections using a large round brush. Then, gently tease the hair at the top back of your head using a fine-tooth comb, and smooth the top over it, creating a high “bump.” Leaving the front section loose (either split in the middle like Eva, or side-swept like Carrie), pull the remaining hair back into a mid-height ponytail. After securing the elastic, gently pull it out slightly, and then tighten just by pulling the sides of the ponytail, to further boost your “bump.” Spray hairspray all over for hold.

    Bonus Tip: For a higher “bump,” try Bumpits. They work wonders!

    5. The Accessorizer (Paris Hilton, Debra Messing)

    Spice up that plain pony with a headband, flower, combs or other accessories. No rules, and no age limit for having fun with your ponytail.

    paris hilton headband ponytaildebra-messing2

    Tools/Products:

    • Hair elastics
    • Accessory of your choice
    • Finishing hair spray (flexible hold)

    Get the Look

    There are unlimited possibilities to creating an accessorized ponytail. For Paris’s look, simply gather hair back into a low ponytail (split slightly off-center), and add a headband. For Debra Messing’s flower pony, just pin in a flower clip to the side of the tail, hiding the elastic.

    moni poniBonus Tip: Kids have the ultimate fun with accessorizing their ponytails. Check out Moni Poni for a new twist on this old classic. They look fantastic and are easy to apply in no time at all!

    Related posts:

    1. Get Red-y for Fall: How to Get Perfect Red Lips From crimson to garnet to ruby to cherry, red lips are taking the runways (and the streets) by storm. Here at BeautyXpose, we believe red lips are the perfect transition......
    2. Beauty and the Bride: Getting Picture Perfect Similar to the tale of the Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and the Bride (BATB) will examine a relationship fraught with mistrust, deception, fear, and hopefully, a happy ending. BeautyXposé......
    3. Veneers: Perfect Pearly Whites…for a Price A decade-old decision haunts one woman......
    4. Get Romance-Ready with Vintage Glamour Hair Spruce up your mundane mane for Valentine's Day......
    5. Meow! How to Get Purrfect Cat-Eye Makeup Get alluring eyes like our fine feline friends in just a few steps. Here’s how to recreate this purr-fect look yourself! Products Used Shadows: Emani Minerals – loose Crushed Minerals......


    Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.