Thread: how to get this half ponytail look

so i'm trying to find cute and stylish ways to wear my hair that's quick and easy to do. i have hair like this model (straight and long with long bangs) and i'd like to try this 1/2 ponytail look. can anyone tell me how to make the tail bouncy-looking (without any special gadgets)? i'm always falling flat with my tails...

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Tease the back, smooth the top layer over the rat, spray with a freeze hairspray.

Oh this is fun to do--it can add a bit of volume and interest to a very ordinarty style. I suggest practising it a bit in the mirror but, basically, what you're doing is pulling the hair in the middle of the tail to the front. So:

1. pull your hair up into a half pony tail (or a full one)
2. place your hands on either side of the hair at the top of the tail; gently tug so the hair is tightened.
3. Part the tail into to halves and pull both inside halves so that they come as far to the outside as possible
4. smooth everything out

It's a bit hard to write out (let me know if a video would be more helpful) but basically you're looking to lift your hair so that as much as possible falls from the sides of your pony tail.

thanks for the input Anala, but teasing the hair isn't the part that's got me stumped... it's the ponytail part that's got me confused. it looks like the hair inside the ponytail is really bouncy (yet still straight) and that's the look I want to achieve.... unless you're talking about teasing the ponytail hair?

Kanikah... I think I really would need to see a vid, thanks :)

Could it be she used a small version of a Bumpit to get this look?

Bumpits - Hair Volumnizing Inserts - BUMP IT UP!

But beware - Bumpits were included in the list of "Eight Looks Women Love But Men Hate": http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beaut...n-hate-2479792

Originally Posted by xodinahox

unless you're talking about teasing the ponytail hair?

That's what I thought she meant. The long non-ponytail bit you can more or less ignore, but the top section that's going to make the ponytail needs to be bouffed up and backcombed at the back, in order to build up the bulk, but smoothed at the front, to look pretty. It's like a smaller beehive do.

Originally Posted by anala

Tease the back, smooth the top layer over the rat, spray with a freeze hairspray.

hmm, i tried doing a ponytail and then teasing it and smoothing the top layer. the problem i'm finding here is that it gives volume but only to the back. i tried spreading it out and pinning it agains my head, but that just doesn't look natural and not at all suited for an everyday style.

man, i really thought there was a simple trick to get this bouncy ponytail look.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

But beware - Bumpits were included in the list of "Eight Looks Women Love But Men Hate": Make-up women love but men hate - Fashion + Beauty on Shine

This is so true. My husband nearly had a heart attack when I said I might try styling my hair with a Bumpit.

Originally Posted by xodinahox

man, i really thought there was a simple trick to get this bouncy ponytail look.

I looked at the picture, looked again, and then went into my bathroom and gave it a try. It actually is rather simple. All you are looking at is a French Twist twisted up to the high crown before being secured and allowed to cascade over the back and sides. It takes really long hair to pull off but you could play around with it until you find a starting point that gives the look you want. The lower the twist starts the lower your side hair will be pulled down.

I hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Ariadne_Eleni

I looked at the picture, looked again, and then went into my bathroom and gave it a try. It actually is rather simple. All you are looking at is a French Twist twisted up to the high crown before being secured and allowed to cascade over the back and sides. It takes really long hair to pull off but you could play around with it until you find a starting point that gives the look you want. The lower the twist starts the lower your side hair will be pulled down.

I hope that helps.

BINGO!!!!! you are all sorts of awesome-ness :)


Thanks to EVERYONE who posted for their input. I really appreciate it!

You're welcome. Glad I could help.