Ah, the humble low ponytail. Not only is it one of the most sophisticated hairstyles, it’s also one of the most versatile – able to be accessorised-up or dressed-down depending on the occasion and on your own personal style.
For those thinking that the look is a one trick pony, we’d have to argue back. Add an oversized scrunchie and it’s suddenly playful and statement. Tie a silk ribbon around the base in a neat bow, and boom, Victoriana hair at its finest. Or, for a high fashion finish, add multiple slides to nail this season’s biggest hair trend, stacked hair accessories.
Just this week Jenna Ortega attended the premiere of her latest film, American crime thriller drama, Finestkind, where she paired her sheer white lace corset blazer dress with a sleek low ponytail. She paired it with her signature chunky curtain bangs which framed her face and styled it semi-straight with a little minimal wave put through the ends.
Randy Shropshire
Styled intentionally it can help a look feel updated and up to date while offering some pared back style kudos. As for how to recreate Jenna’s low pony, hairstylists in-the-know recommend creating a low half-up style to lay the top and the crown of your hair down flat, then gathering the rest of the loose hair up into the half-up ponytail, blending and tying them together.
But beyond Jenna’s recent rendition, there’s loads of ways to pull it back off the face. You could braid it back, slick it down with hair gel for a wet-look finish or keep it disheveled and romantic with a few strands kept loose a the front to frame the face.
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The low ponytail offers an easy to achieve a hairstyle that works on so many hair lengths from a blunt bob to extra long hair, as well as a vast array of different hair textures, from tight curls to poker straight hair.
The key to its success, as always, is in the prep. Make sure hair is nourished and hydrated (especially if it’s long) and take into account that the look can be better on fine hair if it isn’t freshly washed. Even if you’re creating a sleek style, second day hair can add longevity, helping it to stay in place throughout the day.