How to: Get a Super-Long, Super-Sleek Ponytail in Seconds

Fri, 11 January 2013 4:40PM

Like one might fantasise of an island holiday, I often dream of having longer, thicker hair so that I could play with it with it a little more. The extent to which I can experiment with my soft, baby-fine hair is a donut bun. And even then I’m struggling to get the ends around the donut.

First world problems, clearly. But if I could add to my list of hair woes, it would be that it takes ages to grow. I got it cut into an almost-bob back in August, and it’s still only just creeping past my shoulders.

On the red carpet recently there have been a few instances in which the celebrities are wearing a hairpiece, but I loved how the ponytail could instantly transform their total style.

Remember this snap of Jessica Alba, complete with the side braid?

I was lucky enough to try a Headlines Hairpiece, from $181, of which Hilary Duff and Ricki-Lee Coulter are fans, and which were also used during NYFW at the Christopher Esber and ELLERY shows. Made to order, my hair was matched to a particular shade: a few weeks later, along came a hairpiece. That’s when I decided to try a sleek side-parted, side ponytail à la Jessica (minus the side braid because I don’t have enough hair. Sob.).

• Begin with ‘second-day hair’ and add dry shampoo at the roots to soak up any excess oil and give your hair a little grit and texture at the same time.

• Grab a tail comb and create a side part (as seen above) roughly in line with the highest natural arch of your eyebrow. Note: your side part will be on the opposite side to your ponytail.

• Take small sections of hair at the crown and backcomb for extra volume and height. You should aim to get your hair to stand up as much as possible (like the crazy hair I have above!). Then use a paddle brush to smooth over the surface.

• Pull your hair over to the side behind your ear so it sits against the nape of your neck and secure with a hair elastic.

• Grab your hairpiece and press it over the base of the ponytail and ensure it is clipped in properly. Pick up a piece of your own hair, and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to conceal the elastic. Tuck it behind the base and add bobby pins to hold it in place.

Here’s the finished product:

Tell me, Primpers, have you ever tried a clip-in ponytail?

If so, what styles do you wear?

Hayley x

Posted by: Hayley Bennett

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Tags: headlines hairpiece, ponytail, side part