| 25 Ways To Jazz Up Your Ponytail |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Date: 7/1/2002, 4/1/2006 |
Introduction
 I
recently received an email from Chelsea who complained that she needed
a new way to wear her hair. "I either wear it up in a
ponytail or I wear it down", she wrote. I need new ideas
for my hair.
(Photo of short ponytail design courtesy of Goldwell - Stylist: Tami Scott, Salon: Tami
Scott Studio - St. Louis, MO. Photo: Mike Kastler)
Giving me new ideas for hair articles is definitely a very
dangerous thing. For the past few days as I sat through Dallas
toll way traffic jams, zoned out in my morning shower and packed HairBoutique.com
daily orders I let my mind wander through a tunnel of thoughts all
connected to new and unusual ways to morph a plain ponytail into
something spectacular.
While many of my ideas are just nuts, they could be a lot of fun to
try - with a designated hair helper of course. The majority of
my new fangled hair wearing ideas are definitely easy and practical
ways to jazz up just about any ponytail.
So let the ponytail games begin:
 1.
Wear two or more pigtails.
The Spice Girl's Emma had the right idea with her random assortment of
blonde tails that sprang from the top of her head like dog ears.
She also looked stunning with low slung pigtails that started below
her ear lobes giving her an instant demure look. Play with
wearing your pigtails up, down, or in between.
(Goldwell -
Stylist: Courtney Fell, Salon: Mill Salon, Photo:
Kevin Bryan).
 2.
Tie it up in knots. Play
with Zulu knots or separate your ponytail into two separate tails and
twist into random knots
pinned to the back of your head. Experiment will pulling loose strands
out of the knots and letting them form random twists or faux
dreads. Try wrapping the base of each knot with a strand of your
own hair for added interest.
(Goldwell - Stylist Jose
"Genesis" Torres, Salon: Vogue Hair Salon, Photo: Jose
"Genesis" Torres).
 3.
Adopt a pink poodle pony. Follow
Gwen Stefani's lead and do the outragous pink colored ponytail shown to the side. Although her hair is currently on
the sedate scale, Gwen is the queen of cool and unusual colors and
ponytails. If you really want the cotton candy look see a
professional hairstylist. Don't try the pink look at home.
You could hurt yourself.
 4.
Try the little sprout route. If
you just can't bring yourself to re-create Gwen Stefani's pink and
white ponytail look consider her sprouted ponytail look. Gwen
became well known for her past assortment of thin ponytails mounted in
random formation along various parts of her crown. They were
breathtaking and innovative. Don't stop with just one think tail
sprout. Play with just a few or an entire head of thin pony sprouts.
(Goldwell
- Stylist: Bonnie Serrano, Salon: Scissors, Photo:
Lee Roderick).
 5.
Twist and tie it into faux deads.
Whether you add the still hot twists to your regular ponytail or do
your entire head, it is a look that will make a big difference.
Jennifer
Aniston wore them as part of an elaborate
tied updo while Portia
Di Rossi looked stunning in her full set of dread wannabes.
Note: Do not use Vaseline
or other petroleum products to create your dreads. Use hair
pastes, wax or gels designed for hair styling only.
 6.
Crank up your ponytail cuteness factor.
Nothing generates more appreciative head turning than a slick shiny
ponytail that ends in soft bouncy curls. After you have carefully
created your perfect ponytail grab your favorite hot
rollers or curling iron and go to work. Create just a few flirty curls right at the
ends of your tail. (Photo above of Conair
- Instant Heat Travel Hairsetter). Remember, the
larger the roller or curling iron barrel, the bigger the curls.
 7.
Take your tail's texture to new levels.
Brandy is a classic example of a celeb who transformed her sleek hair
into massive natural curls for a variety of ponytail styles ranging
from half up/half down ponys to one single tail. Take Brandy's
lead and add allover curls or waves.
For a new trick, sleep in small
rag curlers or pipe cleaners to create lots of kinky curls or
waves. If you prefer an instant transformation, use very small
hot curlers or a curling iron to get super kink.
 8.
Splay The Ends. Create two
random ponytails at different levels on your scalp. Take the
ends and apply a great wax or hair paste. Use your fingers to
"spray" them out in a formation as shown to the side. This
style may need assistance from your fav stylist or a good hair
friendly pal.
An alternative look for shorter ponytails is to use wax and create
stiff spikes that form a random pattern from the ponytail.
(Photo
courtesy of Goldwell - all rights reserved).
 9.
Dip It. Create a the hot new Shoe
Polish look on the tips of your ponytail. This is the look
that resembles dragging your long hair through an open can of shoe
polish. Adding the contrasting "shoe polish" colors is not a
temporary change but if you limit the contrasting color to just your
very ends, you can snip them off with your next end trim.
When possible use temporary or demi-permanent colors to lightly
"dip" your ends. Blondes look great with black or red
tips and brunettes can try the blonde or red dipped look. When
possible.
 10.
Wear a side tail. It doesn't
have to be a big deal. Pull all your hair to one side, attach a
"hair friendly" hair band and then play with various options
from splaying the ends to curling them. Wear it high, low or in
between. Tip the ends or play with your bangs for a hot new
variation.
(Photo courtesy Goldwell - Stylist: Bev Love, H.I.P.E.
Salon, Victoria, BC. Photo: Stephanie Hull).
 11.
Crimp it. Whether you decide
to crimp the
entire tail, only the top or bottom layers or random pieces, the right
tool can create an instant hot new look for your ponytail. Be
creative and pull a few random hair out of your ponytail and let them
fall into crimped tendrils around your face.
(Photo of Conair Mini-Crimping
Iron to the right)
 12.
Add Sculpted Top Curls. A
good ponytail is a great starting point for a great updo that is soft
and carefully sculped with carefully placed looped curls. Whether you want to dress up your ponytail for a
special event or just change the look, use your ponytail as a starting
point for a cap of well placed curls.
(Photo courtesy of Goldwell -
Stylist: Sandra Marckhoff, Salon: R.E.L., Santa Rosa,
CA. Photo: Michael Leras).
 13.
Decorate With Feathers. Why
not make a fabulous low slung ponytail, pin the tail up and adorn with
gorgeous Peacock or other feathers. While you're at it, consider
letting your colorist create a custom rainbow effect at your crown to
offset the gorgeous feathers. This is definitely not a hair color look
to try at home without help.
(Photo courtesy of Goldwell -
Stylist: Kristin Page, Salon: Miranda Salon & Spa,
Calgary, AB, Photo: Greg Gerla).
14. Wrap
It. Add instant interest by taking one piece of your
own hair and wrapping around the top of your ponytail or
pigtails. If you prefer, add a clip on braid or hair strand and
wrap that at the top of the pony to providing contrasting texture or
color.
 15.
Add Temporary Extensions. Whether
you decide to attach add-on hair or invest in fun faux hair
extensions, go wild and be super creative. Add ribbons, pin-in
ponytails or braids. Christina Aquilerra made all the fashion pages
with her recent pink and white add-on faux hair extensions.
(Photo courtesy of Goldwell - Stylist: Lindsay Roberst,
Salon: Viola Institute, Photo: David Greene).
16. Pull
On The Glove. You can also select a variety of materials
from suede, velvet, silk or leather to wrap the entire length of the
tail from the top to the ends. If you prefer, you can slip on a
special hair glove for instant hair protection and a hot new look.
 17.
Half Up/Half Down A half
up/half down do that features a soft ponytail nestled at the back of
your crown is always a wonderful sleek and sensual look.
Ponytails can also be positioned underneath other strands to create
instant volume and fullness.
(Goldwell - Kendra Bye - Salon:
Three Small Rooms, Photo: Babak).
 18.
Twist It. The hottest new hair styling tools on the
market include the new instant twisters and braiders. Experiment and instantly create single or
multiple two strand twisted ropes. Use these hot new tools to
create a unique twisted ponytail look or create free form strands that
frame your ponytail. Your only limitation is your
imagination.
19. Braid It. Nothing
transforms a ponytail quicker than a beautiful Dutch, French
or Fishtail
braid. Experiment with one main braid or separate your hair
into side pigtails or ponytails and weave a beautiful fishtail or
French braid down the middle.
Microbraids make hot ponytail accent wraps or side pieces. Use a
set of complimentary micro-braids to form loops or knots around the
top of your main tail. Play with a number of looks until you
find one that suits your fancy.
 20.
Accessorize. Over the past year the hair jewelry
designers have introduced a huge range of ponytail specific
accessories from Austrian Crystal studded elastic bands to clip-on
string beads and jeweled side combs. With the incredible
selection of options from beaded scrunchies to faux fur and jeweled
babbles, let your imagination run wild.
Another option is to add hair snaps, hair magnets or other jewels
to the area of your crown surrounding your ponytail. You can
also clip in hair
snaps, beads or magnets at the top of the pony.
 21.
Add edible hair. At a recent rock concert I witnessed
a girl with long plastic wrapped strands of edible cherry and black
woven into her series of long twisted sprouted tails. As the
concert progressed I noticed people pulling out the wrapped licorice
from her strands, pulling off the wrappers and munching on the sweet
treats. Although it seemed a little bizarre, why not? At
least it is a practical use of add-on hair accessories. Be
creative and think of your own version of licorice hair.
22. Cover it. Nothing
looks more appealing that a soft shiny ponytail pulled through the
back of a baseball cap. Show up your tail or show off your cap but
take advantage of another way to make a new ponytail statement.
 23.
Clip it. Banana
clips are one of the hottest "easy" bun making
accessories around. If you tire of your tail, simply wrap it a
few times around the elastic enclosure and pin up your newly formed
bun with a festive banana clip or series of clips.
24. Slick it down. Get
that "just off the beach" look with a slicked back
ponytail. Cheat and use jojoba oil as your wet look
product. That way you condition and shine at the same time as
looking chic in your wet look.
25. String it up. Use
string or heavy thread to create an intricate stitched pattern at the
top of the tail. Or be creative and make an intricate basket
weave pattern from various pieces of ponytail strands tied together
with string.
Another option is to leave the ponytail hanging free but form an
intricate weave around the top and the sides of the scalp.
Summary
I am sure if I allowed my mind to roam through fields of ponytails
for another few days I might come up with 50 new ways to leave your
old boring ponytails behind.
Remember, whatever you do, let your imagination be your guide and
consult with experts when you use chemicals, dyes or other products to
alter your look.
Enjoy!
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