| 17 Ponytail Tips |
| Carrie Thayer |
| Revised Date: 11/03/07 - Original
Publication Date: 03/28/2006 |
Introduction
 |
|
Mischa Barton |
|
DailyCeleb.com - All rights
reserved. |
Ponytails have been around since the beginning of
mankind. Images of the earliest cavemen and women
indicated that they tied their hair back off their heads
with various "natural" pony holders such as vines, soft twigs
or pieces of animal fur.Since those caveman days the
ponytail has evolved and changed through many
civilizations and historical periods.
The ancient
Egyptians, both men and women (of all ages), wore versions of
ponytails to keep the intense heat off of their necks
and faces. The early Greeks and Romans also wore a
version of pulled back strands akin to today's pony
hairstyles.
Modern day celebrities like Mischa Barton, Brittany
Murphy, Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Simpson love to
wear ponytails for both casual and formal wear.
With every popular style that regularly cycles in and out of
hair fashion there are a series of
tips that can be gleaned that make taking a ponytail
trip a more pleasant experience.
There are also various myths that arise about any
type of hair style, including the seemingly
innocent pony.
Listed below are 17 ponytail tips that include
various myths, facts and
ponytail trivia.
1. Excessively Tight Ponytails May Cause
Tension Alopecia
Excessively tight ponytails, where the hair is pulled
with extreme tension from the hairline to the base of
the pony can increase the risk of tension alopecia, a
hair loss condition. This is more true when
ponytails are worn for extended periods of time.
This is more common when tight ponytails are created on
younger children. Usually this requires daily
tight ponytails for months or years. The bad news
is that tension alopecia may cause permanent hair loss.
Avoid the potential problem by wearing looser ponytails
or by taking a break in between wearing the style.
There is no danger when wearing ponytails on an
occasional basis, even if worn with tight sides and a
crown.
2.
Always Remove A Ponytail Before
Sleeping
Going to bed with a tight
ponytail can cause scalp stress and strain. It may
also cause unnecessary tangles when the tail parts of
the hair get entangled with the pony elastic.
Always gently remove your
current ponytail before sleeping.
3. Ponytails Can Cause Headaches
 |
|
Brittany
Murphy |
|
DailyCeleb.com - All rights
reserved. |
If you
ever heard that this is true but thought it was a myth,
in reality it can happen. Ponytails that cause
headaches tend to occur most often when the hair is long
to extremely long and thick to very thick. If the
ponytail hair is heavy in weight it can cause headaches
from tension. In some rare causes a ponytail made
with heavy hair can cause neck and back pains.
Relieve the problem of heavy ponytails by wearing the
hair in a pony with the base near the nape of the neck.
This allows for better weight distribution.
4. Ponytails
Should Always Be Secured With Hair Friendly Elastics Or
Clips
One of the biggest mistakes that
ponytail wearers make is securing the base of their
ponytails with rubber bands rather than hair friendly
elastics that have special coatings to prevent pulling
and ripping of hair.
Celebrity hairdressers often use Bungee Cords or Blax
Bands which are designed specifically for the creation
of ponytails. The advantage to the Bungee Cord is
that it hooks and unhooks and can be wrapped more than
once around the base of the ponytail. This allows
for easy removal of a pony.
The advantage of the Blax Bands
is that they hold very tight and sleekly. Because
they are relatively inexpensive, they can be easily
snipped with a scissors to remove them.
5.
Barrettes Are A No Ouch Ponytail
Solution
If pulling elastics on and off
is painful or difficult, opt for a long or extra wide
"pony" barrette that will hold the base of the pony in
place without pain, pulling or tugging.
6.
Angel Hairs Result From Hair
Damaged By Ponytails
When hair breakage from rubber
bands or other "unfriendly" hair bands cause breakage a
line of short hairs that are 2-4 inches fromt eh scalp
become visible. These shorter hairs that result
from ponytail damage are known as "halo" or "angel
hairs". They can easily be prevented by wearing
proper "hair friendly" elastic bands, Blax or Bungee
Bands.
 |
|
Jennifer
Aniston |
|
DailyCeleb.com - All rights reserved |
7. Ponytails Created On Damp Strands May Hold
Tighter Than On Dry Strands
Hair with shorter layers may
hold tighter around the sides when created on damp
strands that have been prepped with a strong holding gel
or mousse. As strands dry the shorter layers will
stay put.
8.
Slightly Aged Strands Hold
Ponytails Better
Ponytails are often
easier to style when hair is slightly aged from the last shampoo.
Newly washed, soft, or slippery hair, can often be trickier to
work with then “day old” hair.
9. Ponytails
Are
Considered To Be A Universal Style
Ponytails can be done on
hair that is long enough to hold a pony elastic.
Except for very short hair or someone with no hair,
everyone can wear some form of a ponytail.
Ponytails can be personalized to suit just about any
type, texture or style of hair.
10.
Sophisticated Side Ponies
A sleek and simple pony
worn to one side can look spectacular. Combined
with side swept bangs, a side pony can work for a face
shape that doesn't work as well with an off-the-face
style. Wear a side pony low and softly tucked behind the
ear.
11. High Ponytails Provide Instant Face Lifts
High ponies are set at the
top of the head near the back of the crown.
The high pony is famous for providing a "mini" facelift
by putting tension of the face and emphasizing the
cheekbones.
12.
Stacked Ponytails Involve Layered
Ponies
Stacked ponytails consist of more than one pony or is
designed to strategically be pinned around the base to
give the appearance of hair that is stacked on top of
other strands.
The benefits of a stacked pony is that it creates a
lot of fullness around the base. Having more than
one pony placed right on top of another creates a lot
more volume for the tail section. A similar effect
can be created with a circular pattern of bobby pins
that lift individual strands and stack them to create a
fuller tail section.
 |
|
Jessica
Simpson |
|
DailyCeleb.com - All rights reserved |
13. Add-On Ponytails Work For Ponytail Challenged
Strands
If your hair is too short for a ponytail but you
adore the look take your mouse and visit the
HairUWear site
for beautiful and incredibly affordable
PutOnPieces that come in an array of
add-on pony
lengths and hues to match your own hair. You can
also shop for a second pony that you can add to your own
hair to create a similar stacked look.
14. For Extra Control Apply Firm Holding Gel Or
Mousse
Apply a firm holding gel or mousse to help anchor
sides and crown into place.
15. Straight Hair Works Best For Ponytails.
Blow dry hair straight using a blow dryer with a
concentrator attachment. If hair is naturally curly or
wavy, apply
a straightening balm like
Phytodefrisant or similar to damp strands. Use
a boar's head style paddle brush and separate hair into
individual sections.
16. You're Never Too Old To Wear A Ponytail
Regardless of age or social status, ponytails are
always acceptable.
17. Ponytails Are A Great Bad Hair Day Solution
Since ponytails are the basis for many updo styles,
whip your hair into a quick pony when you're in the
midst of a bad hair day. Use the popular style as
a jumping off point for a quick twist, wrap or casual
chignon.
Summary
Ponytails have come a long way from the days of the
earliest cave people. Throughout history this
popular style for both and women has continued to evolve
and change into its current style and form. |