Slicked back ponytails continue to be one of the most sought-after hairstyles, and there’s no sign the celebrity-approved style is going anywhere. With that in mind, now is the perfect time to learn how to achieve the perfect sleek ponytail on every hair type. According to celebrity stylists, there are a few simple tips and tricks that will help you achieve this sleek (and chic!) updo.
Before we learn how to get the smoothest, sleekest straightened ponytail, let’s talk about placement. Ultimately, the height of your ponytail depends on your personal preference. That said, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind. “For a snatched look, place your brush at the top of your ear following the line from your cheekbones and secure (the pony at) the crown of the head,” says celebrity hairstylist MJ Snyder.
Celebrity hairstylist Mitchell Ramazon, the newest member of the Living Proof Stylist Squad, takes a similar approach. “I like to work the cheekbone by placing the ponytail angled upward above the cheekbones,” he shares. “If there is a side part, I like to place the ponytail lower. This is ideal for a more elegant look.
Looking for a runway-inspired lifting effect? Go high. “It’s always flattering to go just above the eye line for a face and eye lift,” says Gregory Russell, celebrity hairstylist and global artistic director of Pureology. “Most (clients) feel too high for the runway, so in the salon, medium and low hair is what is most often requested,” says New York-based hairstylist Paul Labrecque.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, though! “In general, the higher the pony, the more fun you have,” exclaims Tara Simich, hair expert and founder and CEO of Mermade Hair. “Keep a low pony for work or going to the gym, as it’s easier to maintain and won’t be uncomfortable. The mid-head is perfect for a night out and when you’re not going to crush the shape sitting in a chair or while driving. A super high pony is a real statement, think Ariana Grande. Save this moment for something special and don’t be afraid to add a clip-in extension.
Steps to Style a Slicked Back Ponytail
Now that you have a better idea of where to place your slicked back pony, it’s time to learn how to make it look sleek and smooth (not greasy or parted).
Step 1: Choose your location
“The best way to do a slicked back ponytail is to first decide where you want to part your hair, as this will define the direction you brush and how you section your hair,” says Simich. When choosing your placement, think about how you will spend your day or night, as well as what you will wear. Low ponytails can get tangled with high collars, medium ponytails can be uncomfortable if you’re sitting in a seat with a high back (like in a car), and high ponytails can look extreme for casual activities. Nevertheless, you do it.
Step 2: Spray Hairspray on a Boar Bristle Brush
High-shine hairspray is the key to a gorgeous, sleek ponytail. Spraying it directly on your hair may result in clumps and/or uneven finishes. “The Mason Pearson brush makes a fantastic tight base, and by spraying on the brush and not the hair, hair will look smooth but never wet or parted,” says Labrecque.
If you don’t have a Mason Pearson Brush [check price] (because, cha-ching), any boar bristle brush will do (may we suggest the Machete Everyday Hairbrush in Malachite [check price], or Tracee Ellis Ross’s PATTERNDouble-Sided Bristle Brush [check price]). If you prefer vegan bristles, Simich suggests opting for nylon. “The Mermade Styling Brush is specially designed to remove bumps, glide over tangles and leave a silky glass finish on the hair,” she says. Other options to consider include the Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hairbrush [check price] and the Olivia Garden NewCycle Styling Combination Paddle Brush [check price].
Step 3: Brush your hair into a ponytail
Starting with dry hair and using the straightening brush of your choice, comb your hair from your hairline (or your part, if you choose to maintain one) to the crown of your head at the midline from your head or neck. (During this step, you may want to apply additional styling products, which will depend on your hair type. We’ll talk more about that in a moment.)
Step 4: Secure Your Ponytail
What you use is up to you. If you have fine hair, you may want to opt for clear elastics. If you have thick or curly hair, hair ties may be more suitable. “I’m a big fan of hair ties because they have a hook on each end, which is key to a clean ponytail,” says Ramazon.
Step 5: Touch up flyaways
Once your ponytail is slicked into place, examine it once. If there are areas that could be a little smoother, go over them with a detail brush. Simply spray your brush of choice with a little more hairspray and remove stubborn strands that are getting in the way of your perfectly smooth style.
Tips by hair type
Thin hair
If you have fine hair, you can avoid a stringy and/or straight style by adding a few additional products and styling techniques to the mix and avoiding the others altogether. “For fine hair, use a volumizing spray like Unite’s BOOSTA Finishing Spray [check price] at the roots to add texture before styling into the slicked back ponytail,” says Snyder. “You can also spray it directly onto a boar bristle brush when slicking back hair to tame flyaways and prevent a greasy look.” Its formula contains tapioca starch, which helps absorb excess sebum.
If you want to add volume while you’re at it, Simich says to consider teasing your hair before straightening it. “This will give you more density to play with and the illusion of thicker hair,” she explains.
Another option? Add a clip-in extension. “For those who want more volume or depth in their hair, I like to sell them the Halo Couture Pony clip-in extension,” reveals Labrecque. Personally, we love the Insert Name Here Ponytail Extensions [check price], which are sold in over a dozen styles, with options for every hair type and color. As for what to avoid, Russell advises avoiding any heavy or oily products, such as gels or creams. Instead, he suggests sticking to lightweight hairsprays, like Pureology Soft Hold Hairspray [check price] .
Straight hair
The trick to getting a slicked back ponytail on straight hair is to give it enough texture to give it grip. “If your hair is straight, sometimes the pony slips and falls out,” says Ramazon, recommending Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray [check price] before straightening. After adding a touch of texture, it’s time to enhance the smooth shine. Snyder suggests starting with a smoothing serum to control frizz. Don’t overdo it, though. You only need one or two pumps, no more.
Once you’ve massaged the serum into your strands, Snyder recommends spraying a medium-hold hairspray like Unite’s GO365 Hairspray [check price] on a bristle brush and gathering your hair into a pony the size of your hair. choice. “I love this hairspray because it has an adjustable nozzle that offers three different strengths: soft, medium and strong hold,” she says.
Thick hair
If you have thick hair, Labrecque and Snyder say you can use heavier styling products, like creams and gels. Snyder’s essential method? Apply a strong hold styling cream or pomade from your roots to your crown. Next, apply GO365 Hairspray on the strong setting to a boar bristle brush and use it to gather and smooth your hair into a sleek ponytail.
A word to the wise: If your thick hair is borderline dry, Ramazon says using a leave-in conditioner beforehand can help. “Slicked ponytails need the right amount of moisture and hold for a neat, healthy look,” he says. “I prep hair with a few pumps of Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In [check price] for the perfect amount of moisture that won’t make your hair feel greasy or weighed down.” For best results, he advises applying from the middle towards the roots.
Curly hair
If you have curly hair, consider how you want your straightened ponytail to look. For a more textured approach, Simich suggests laying your curls flat. “If you have curly hair, work with your texture and flatten the curls rather than brushing them,” she says. “It will give you a real high fashion look,” she explains.
If, however, you want a classic ultra-smooth, straightened look, grab your flat iron and get to work. “With curly hair, I straighten the roots a little with a flat iron, then use a dry hairspray like Got2b Glued Blast Freeze Spray [check price] to keep them there,” says Labrecque, again suggesting a brush in boar bristles to smooth the strands. “Then I put a hooked band around the hair and let the pony be natural.”
This is if you want to rock a natural pony tail for your sleek style. For a perfectly sleek pony, Ramazon recommends starting with a blowout. When drying your hair, he advises using a straightening cream that will moisturize the curls while protecting them from damage caused by heat and humidity. “For an extra smooth and sleek finish, I would also apply Living Proof’s Smooth Styling Spray [check price]” he adds. “The formula will not only smooth the hair but also add shine. This combination of products will give you a ponytail that will turn into a rash for the rest of the week.
Takeaways
Slick ponytails are very popular because of how easy they are to make and how effective they are at hiding second-day dirty hair. That said, they are not without their flaws. “Potential downsides include tension headaches if the ponytail is too tight and hair breakage if it’s tied in one place too frequently,” warns Snyder.
Before you dismiss style altogether, consider this: Labrecque says it’s not so much about the style itself as how it’s suppressed. “Hair will never break on a pony until you take the rubber bands out,” he says. “The hook strips will twirl and other strips should come off as you go, one rung at a time.”