Ponytails have often been considered the quick solution on a bad hair day and, most often than not, that is precisely what they are. However, designers are telling us, a ponytail can now be a bit more than just a quick fix – a versatile and stylish do that, if done right, can work wonders for us. To make sure that the “if” part is taken care of and that, consequently, our do looks impeccable, there are several things we must take into account when making a ponytail.

The first thing most women tend to ignore, for one reason or another, when going for a ponytail is that, in order for this to denote elegance and class and not scream “I just got up and had to leave quickly for work,” the hair must be clean. Unlike with other hairdos, the ponytail means we must wash and apply plenty of conditioner on our hair to get that no-frizz, no-stray-hairs, perfect look we want.

Secondly, ponytails work best with straight hair so, if you’re curly, designers say, you might as well look for something else in terms of hairstyles because this is not something that will do the trick for you. If you’re in between, blowdry the hair backwards, while also using a hairbrush for straightening. Then, decide on which side you want to have your hair parted, opt for a low or high pony (depending on the shape of your face), and you’re ready to get to the actual work.     

Another thing essential for a perfect ponytail is combing. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that, if you combed your hair once, it’s enough. Take every strand of hair and swipe it over and over again to make sure you avoid “hair bags” and stray hairs; then, holding the pony firmly in your hand, pull an elastic over it. Choose hair-friendly bands that can be easily taken out without too much damage, while also being able to hold your coiffure in place for the entire day. Make sure you also hide it from view, preferably by wrapping a strand of hair around it once it’s in place.

One last tip is to make sure that hair is properly conditioned throughout the day. For instance, it’s almost certain that, by lunch, frizz or rebel strands will appear, so we must think ahead and apply leave-on conditioner ever since morning – that is, unless you want to carry a bottle of it with you to work. This being said, below is a video of a professional hairstylist showing us how to get the perfect ponytail in almost no time. Enjoy.