A ponytail was likely the very first hairstyle you mastered, but do you know how to perfect a sleek, long-lasting version? We tapped the experts to learn how to share their tips on how to get the look, tame flyaways, and make sure your style stays flawless all day.
Featured Experts
- Steven Picciano is a national artist for Goldwell
- Harry Josh is a KERASILK Ambassador
- Danielle Priano is a SexyHair Ambassador
- Raven Hurtado is a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
- Wes Sharpton is a Hairstory pro & educator
How to Achieve a Sleek Ponytail
Method One: Wax or Balm
“My favorite way to smooth flyaways and baby hairs is using a hair wax stick because it doesn’t leave any stiffness or hardness,” explains Raven Hurtado, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. “It simply smooths hair down without feeling sticky.”
Though most hair waxes and balms come in stick form, Hairstory pro and educator, Wes Sharpton notes you can use your own application methods for an even smoother finish. His go-to? “I love Hairstory’s wax ($29) because it’s malleable and really easy to work with,” Sharpton says. “My pro tip is, you can take a tiny bit of wax on a toothbrush and work the hairline back, creating a more polished look.”
Method Two: Hairspray
These days, we also have gorgeous hairspray formulas that won’t leave your hair feeling stiff. “A great spray and brush are my favorite products to get a sleek ponytail,” explains KERASILK Ambassador Harry Josh. “That not only allows me to shape and brush properly but also to secure at the very end. I love the KERASILK Texturizing Finishing Spray ($36) that provides a flexible hold, but also allows me to create a natural-looking texture.”
Using hairspray, you can shape your perfect pony and address flyaways. “Whether the hair is slicked back or down and bouncy, one of my favorite tricks is to use a fluffy makeup brush with a strong hold hairspray like SexyHair Spray and Stay ($23), and then spray directly onto the brush hairs before swiping over the flyaways,” explains SexyHair ambassador, Danielle Priano. “This will lay down any wild bits while not disturbing the style you worked hard to create underneath.”
Get a Sleek Ponytail with Curly Hair
If you have a curly or coily hair texture, Josh says, “The key is the blow dry/flat iron in order to truly get that tight, ‘snatched hair.’ lt’s all about making the hair super straight products like the KERASILK Taming Balm ($36), which is the perfect secret weapon to achieve that look.”
Goldwell national artist Steven Picciano says adding mousse can help keep your sleek ponytail in place. “I like to apply a medium hood mousse like Goldwell StyleSign Bodifying Brilliance Mousse ($23) to dry hair and brush the hair with a boar bristle brush into the direction of the base of the pony. Once all of the hair is collected at the crown, secure with a hair tie, wrap as tight as possible and dry the mousse with a blow dryer. On the ends if necessary, polish the hair with a smoothing iron on a low to medium temperature.”
Expert Pro-Tip: Only Straighten When Completely Dry
“Going over the curly texture wet will stretch the hair too much and could cause breakage,” Picciano warns. “Also, the hair will have waves instead of being totally straight.”
Expert-Approved Products for a Sleek Ponytail
