How can I tie my hair back without looking like a potato?

[AlJalilia]

So my head already looks like a potato. And now in my new job I have to have my hair tied back. I am literally scraping it all back into a low ponytail and I look even more spud-like 😞.

Is there anything I can do to make it look better? Maybe something with the front of my hair, or a fringe or something?

I have a large, fat face and really need your help. Thanks.

Granny pineapple top bun?

I'm sure you don't look like a potato! But I have v thin hair and sticky outy ears and pulling my hair back really emphasises that, so I have some understanding of what you are trying to say - it's the thin flat hair thing right? If so, I'd suggest trying to get some volume in your hair around your face and on top before putting it in the pony. Try tipping your head forward and spraying strong-hold hairspray through the roots (when your hair is dry), leave it a minute to set a bit, then when you stand up again try to gently shape it back into a pony without flattening it down again. Don't brush it, just try to tuck/shape it with your hands. Then a bit more hairspray to hold it.
Someone might come with a much more expert technique but this is what I do as it is fast, simple and only needs cheap hairspray.

You just have to work out what suits you and play around. I don’t suit a low pony tail or hair in a parting. I have a long face and I look frumpy. I suit a high pony or high bun with it all pulled straight of my face. Everyone is different.

Scraping it back doesn’t do most people any favours. You want a soft bun or mid height pony and once you’ve done it stick your fingers in the held back hair and loosen it so you get some softness/shape on the top of your head.

Have a look on YouTube for some ideas.

I don't have a fringe anymore (I was frying it with the straighteners as it was so unruly) but my hair looks MUCH better in a ponytail if I have a fringe.

Use side combs to puff your hair out at the side, really softens the look

Have you tried pinning it loosely back in a hair claw, so it still hangs a bit loose at the front?

How long is your hair? I shove mine in a high messy bun. Or a high ponytail.

Instead of a ponytail, you can twist it and clip it with a large barrette, gives a better shape.

Your post made me laugh OP 😂

I don't wear my hair back for this very reason, not so much a potato but I just go from reasonably attractive to downright minger!

What about loosely clipping the front section back in a kind of "bump" with a few loose bits and then putting it in a ponytail or bun?

When I had long hair I would side part it then pull it round the sides of my head into a pony. I remember the potato face look!

I started to feel exactly the same so had a fringe cut. Not only do I think I look loads better, I've been told I look younger too! Win, win.

What style of fringe would suit a fat, wide face?

@AlJalilia

What style of fringe would suit a fat, wide face?

A curtain fringe will soften your features.

I think a tapered cheekbone or chin-length side-fringe would look nice, it would soften your look and give the pony tail a nicer shape.

I have a curtain fringe. I look like Matt Lucas otherwise. Sorry, Matt.

I don't suit scraped-back hair either (probably most people don't).

I part out the top half, put some texturising powder in, backcomb with my fingers, then loosely fingercomb it back, twist and pin low on the back of my head (like a french pleat but only the top half of hair). Then I scrape the rest of the hair (the bottom half) into a ponytail, including the ends of the pinned hair. It looks interesting at the back and keeps it all tidy but it's not flat against my head. If your hair is long enough you can grab a small section from the bottom, wrap it around the pony and pin to conceal the elastic.

It sounds like a faff but only takes minutes.

Can somebody please post a link to a curtain fringe? I don’t know what it is. Thanks.

@crispinglovershighkick I like that idea! I will give it a try.

curtain fringe

No advice I'm afraid OP other than fringe but just wanted to say how much I love the title of this thread.

Could you wear a nice hairband to give a bit more volume at the top? Or french plait it which gives more volume and texture?

Volume, batisiste, upside down dry.

I know exactly what you mean about potato face

For me it's a toss up between my fine scraggy hair looking thicker without a fringe using some of it up, and my face looking less potato like (and younger with my forehead hidden)

Face wins. The fringe is coming back

Curl your hair before tying it back. Will add volume and texture.