How to: Do a ’60s-style Ponytail

Wed, 21 March 2012 10:38AM

Like many of you, I love Mad Men. But I adore the mad women beside them even more. In particular, I am crazy for the trends they have reintroduced. Think perfect red lips, seductively lined eyes, oval nails and alabaster complexions. Now with the hit series set to return for its fifth season in the US next week, devotees of Betty Draper can rest assured that an influx of ‘60s inspired beauty trends will continue to reign supreme this Autumn.

My favourite already is the super-easy, instantly wearable and coquettishly casual ponytail. Actress Julianne Hough nailed it last year:

More recently, versions of the look have been spotted on Victoria Beckham and Kate Beckinsale …

… while Salma Hayek and Nina Dobrev added a twist with a playful plait…

Australia’s leading hair stylist, Kenneth Stoddard says that with the right product, rather than too much of it, any variation of this look is a cinch. “Obviously ’60s hair is all about height and volume but to translate that into today’s woman we have to simplify the look,” he says. Here’s how:

• With clean, dry hair, start creating texture with thickening spray or volumising mousse. Kenneth advises literally ‘soaking’ the hair’ in the stuff to create the eventual ‘oomph’ needed.

• If you choose thickening spray section the hair from the middle, and – lifting sections parallel to the part – hold up the hair and spray from tip back to root. Repeat until all hair is covered. (Kenneth loves Fudge Membrane Gas, $19.95, for this as it acts like an invisible holding agent and brushes away easily, leaving the hair thick and dry.)

• If you choose a volumising mousse (Schwarzkopf Extra Care Volume Styling Mousse, $4.99 is a steal), it’s easier to flip the head over and with product in both hands, work it through from the base of the hair to the top ensuring all hair is damp with product.

• Work into hair until hair feels rough and dry.

• “Next step is to part the hair but instead of parting to the back of the head, only part three quarters of the way back and then comb the crown back over,” Kenneth says. This works with either a middle or side part, using the invisible line running from the front of each ear across the top of the head as an indicator of how far to go back. (If you go for Kate’s look, you can finger-comb over the part as the final step for a looser feel.)

• To give the ’60s feel and avoid flattening all the height and texture you have created, finger-comb to pull the hair back into a band. If you do use a comb, make sure it’s wide-toothed; ‘skim’ the comb over the hair so it smooth, but underneath the texture is not disturbed or flattened.

• Secure in line with the top tip of the ears tightly, and loosen a bit more height by gently pulling the hair forward above the hair-band with the fingertips. Pin if needed, but do so right at the band so the pins aren’t obvious.

• Alternatively, a low ponytail is also gorgeous for thicker hair that is not in danger of being pulled down by the weight of the ponytail. Secure as above.

• If you leave the front section down, keep it light and textured by finger combing into place – rather than brushing out – and set gently with hairspray.

What do you think – inspired to try it?

And what other Mad Men beauty trends are you in love with?

Posted by: ecb

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Tags: 1960s, 60s hair, braid, featured how to, fishtail plait, fudge, high ponytail, julianne hough, kate beckinsale, kenneth stoddart, mad men, Nina Dobrev, plait, ponytail, salma hayek, schwarzkopf, victoria beckham