Perfect ponytails: a new trend for summer

With topknots being seen on the heads of the fashion-minded for a while now, it is high time we see some new hair trend begin to take the lead. Happily, the ponytail is making a comeback but with an interesting twist.

A hairstyle which, for most people, will remind them of school days with girls’ hair being scraped into a neat ponytails and tied with coloured elastic or “scrunchie” to match their outfit, the new trend attempts to make ponytails sexy and sleek: to rid the ponytail of its childlike past.

With many, many different types of ponytails it is brilliant to experiment. Its versatility means that each style changes for different people depending on hair type and length. From messy backcombed looks to impressive twisting techniques, there are so many styles to have a go with.

Jason Wu’s Fall 2012 showed off the sleek look at its best: with models’ hair neatly pulled back and secured with bondage tape. This is a little far in the style stakes for most, but an interesting idea that shows experimenting with different techniques can really work.

Another ponytail that has been seen around a lot lately is the opposite to sleek. The messy puffed-up pony is the ultimate in lazy hair styles, but it looks good and it’s spot on trend. Perfect for the beach or just a hot day, you should begin by texturing your hair with a product or, if you already have big hair, simply by pulling it into a volumised ponytail. Backcombing the hair once secured gives extra volume and thickness, for that perfect LA “slacker” look.

Using the same idea of the messy ponytail but adding bit of detail, “the twist” takes the simple ponytail up a notch. By using the natural textures of your hair, or adding some product in there, there should be enough volume to be able to twist the hair together and down the neck, securing any loose hair from underneath with some pins. It looks effortless, but stylish and perfect for summer.

With many more imaginative and interesting styles of ponytails out there, there’s nearly no end to how your hair can look. Why not give some a go?

 Rebecca Saunders