Ponytails

[monkeysmama]

I have hair down to my mid back, brown, poker straight, quite fine but lots of it, almost all one length apart from the remains of a fringe I am growing out. I have it cut every 3 months.

I have to wash it every day to wear it down and like it up but it always looks a mess. Other peoples' ponytails always look sleek and lovely. How do they do them?

Any other long hair quick styles appreciated too.

TIA

Sleek ponytail = silicone shine spray

I mostly wear my long hair twisted up in a sort of french pleat (gather at base of neck twist round and round then up and tuck over into a neat roll), held in place with an ibis clip

Is there a particular spray? Do you just tie hair back, spray it on and go?

I use an Avon one - you need to be careful with fine hair not to have too much on, but I put it back, spray all over, and then brush my pony through

I spray a paddle brush with hairspray (Elnett)which really tames and flattens any whisps. I am very partial to a shiny pony!

Thank you. Do you backcomb any of the crown bit? My hair dresser said that is how lots of people get good ponytails.

Nah, I don't ever do backcombing. You can do a nice 'pert' pony by using a little claw clip and clipping it underneath so that the hair goes up from the band and then down over the clip

I used to but eventually you go bald and the tangles are the work of the devil.

A claw clip? Sounds interesting - do you mean like a little grip? How do you put it in? Sorry - so many questions!

I do various ponytails.

i do one with a back-combed bit, like a less bouffy version of this

Also do one with a slight quiff, a bit like this

I often tie a strande of hair around the base of the ponytail to cover the hairband, too, like this

I use a light serum or styling cream (always experimenting with different ones!) to smooth and tame hair before I start, then a light hold hairspray to 'set' my ponytails.

YouTube has loads of tutorials teaching you how to do nice styles yourself.

Thanks Carrie - any tips on how? I've looked at some of the videos on the net and it seems so involved!

Yes, that's me! And when I put products on it's like an oil slick on my head. I want a simple but nice style for everyday that takes minutes to do. Can it be that hard?