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Stay cool—and perfectly put together.
Key Points
- Party ponytails are the best hairstyle for keeping cool through all your summer events
- There are plenty of ways to style and elevate your ponytail, from adding accessories to embracing your natural hair texture
- Here, an InStyle beauty writer asks pro hairstylists to weigh in on their favorite looks to recreate this summer
As much as we love the summertime, there’s no denying that things can get pretty hot and sweaty. If you have a stacked calendar of events this season and don’t want to deal with all the sticky strands, a party ponytail is the perfect hairstyle to keep you looking and feeling cool. The classic updo is surprisingly diverse and flattering for all hair types, with plenty of ways to dress things up or down.
“A ponytail is one of those hairstyles that always looks polished but keeps your hair off your neck when it’s hot,” says celebrity hairstylist and SexyHair ambassador Clayton Hawkins. “It works for everything from weddings to dinner parties, and you can make it feel effortless or full-on red carpet depending on the vibe.”
From sleek slick backs to romantic loose tendrils, a party ponytail is easy to execute with the right styling tips and tools. To start, celebrity hairstylist and curl specialist Sophie Rose recommends thinking about the finish you want. “For my girls that like a wet or shiny finish, you can use a gel,” says Rose. “If you have curly hair and need something a little heavier, I really love edge control. For people who want a looser pony, I recommend a good texture spray. Spray at the root, and it will give you hold and volume while leaving a matte finish.”
Meet the Experts
- Sophie Rose is a celebrity hairstylist, curl specialist, and founder of Wynn Rose Boutique Hair Salon
- Clayton Hawkins is a celebrity hairstylist and SexyHair ambassador
Ready to beat the heat? Ahead, eight party ponytail hairstyles to try this summer season.
01 of 08
Classic Slick Back Ponytail
Simplicity at its finest, the classic slick back ponytail looks chic, effortless, and put-together no matter the occasion. Best of all, it takes minimal effort. To get a neat finish, Rose recommends blowing out the hair first for sleek strands before gathering everything into an elastic hair tie. As you create tension, smooth out any bumps with a boar bristle brush. If you have any sparse spots, apply root touch-up powder to fill in the gaps and create the illusion of thicker hair. Top things off with a smoothing wax styling stick to tame frizz and flyaways.
02 of 08
Wrap-Around Ponytail
If you’re looking for an easy way to elevate your look, wrap hair around the base of your ponytail to sneakily hide your hair tie. For a secure style, start by applying gel to the section of hair before securing the section with a bobby pin. Rose also recommends adding extra hair to bump up the thickness and length. “I love adding hair extensions to ponies,” she says, “The Hair Shop has clip-ins that are so seamless it will look invisible at the base.”
03 of 08
Curly High Ponytail
Take advantage of your natural curls or coils, which can add extra oomph to a super high ponytail. Start by moisturizing strands with a gel or curl cream, which will give your hair more spring and a boost of healthy shine. “I always make sure to keep the edges clean with a toothbrush whether my client wants more baby hairs or just a clean, polished hairline,” says Rose. “This will ensure the ponytail is neat and can be worn on a day to run errands or to a red carpet event.”
04 of 08
Romantic Ponytail with Tendrils
Soft and romantic, a loose ponytail with tendrils is the perfect hairstyle for a summer soiree or wedding. Add some texture by creating messy waves with a curling iron before gathering the hair into a low pony. You want to keep the finish matte, airy, and not overly done, so don’t worry too much about making things perfect. Rose says a “light hairspray to control the flyaways” is all you need.
05 of 08
Pop of Velvet Ponytail
Hawkins’s go-to method for dressing up a ponytail? Adding a velvet ribbon to the base. Instead of using an accessory, Hawkins prefers shopping for ribbon at the craft store or on Amazon for a unique and customized look. “Black velvet always looks chic,” says Hawkins, who has created the look for celebs like Rachel Sennott and Melissa Barrera. “Use extension tape to secure and wrap around the base of the pony. You’ll never get more compliments in your life.”
06 of 08
Surfer Girl Pony
Achieve that messy surfer girl look with no beach day required. If you have natural waves, start by applying sea salt spray to enhance your natural texture. For straight hair, add a few loose waves with a waving tool or curling iron, making sure to keep everything piecey and effortless. To lock in your “undone wavy look,” Hawkins recommends using a “ton” of texturizing spray, which will give you a beach-like gritty matte finish.
07 of 08
Face-Framing Ponytail
Utilize your face-framing layers by making them the centerpiece of your party ponytail look. The “super flattering” style is one of Hawkins’ favorites for formal events. Start by sectioning off the hair that falls naturally around the sides of your face. For extra precision, use creaseless clips to keep loose strands out of the way as you assemble your ponytail. Secure the rest in a hair tie, remove the sectioning clips, and let your haircut do the rest of the work.
08 of 08
Baby Braids Ponytail
“A pony can be edgy,” says Hawkins. “I love this freaky snatched pony I did with face-framing braids on Dove Cameron.” Start by sectioning off the hair for your baby braids. Gather the remainder of your hair and slick everything back into a sleek ponytail, using a smoothing stick and boar bristle brush to eliminate frizz and bumps. Working with the first section, apply a smoothing gel or pomade to create nice neat plaits and secure with a clear rubber band. Repeat on the other side and finish off the look with hair spray.
Read the original article on InStyle
