Holiday Hair How-to: The Party Ponytail, Both Straight and Curly

We saw the low ponytail all over the runways for spring, but it’s also the perfect hairstyle to complement a cocktail dress this holiday season—it exudes just the right mix of sophistication and fun. Since your calendar is likely filling up with festive events, we had Lizzy Weinberg of New York City's Prema Salon whip up two hairstyles to choose from depending on your look, your mood, and your styling tool of choice. Here, she guides us through the easy ponytail tutorials—one sleek and sexy, one romantic and wavy. 

The Chic Straight Ponytail: Divide and Part

For the straight ponytail, start by parting your hair down the middle. You can find the exact center by placing a comb on the bridge of your nose and going straight up from there. 

 

Clip and Straighten

Use a heat protectant spray, then secure your hairline sections with pin curl clips to keep everything flat. Straighten your hair all the way from the roots to the ends, going through first with a comb and following behind with a flat iron (we used a ghd Eclipse).
 

Slick Down and Pull Back

Take out the clips and apply a matte texture pomade to slick your hair from the part down along the hairline, use a boar bristle brush to brush it into a low ponytail. This will smooth out any bumps.
 

Secure and Wrap

Secure with a hair bungee if you have one. An elastic will work too, but a bungee (a single elastic that has a hook on the ends) will help get a smooth and polished look with no bumps. (They are especially useful if you have curly hair.) Then take a small section of the hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the base.
 

Pin and Straighten

Secure with a bobby pin and flat iron the ends again to get a hard edge and ultra modern look. 

 

The Chic Straight Ponytail

Complete the look with a spritz of finishing spray and wear with your sexiest holiday outfit. (We're thinking leather or a tuxedo jacket with a plunging neckline.)
 

The Romantic Wavy Ponytail: Measure and Part

Part your hair on one side using the arch of your eyebrow to find your starting point. 

 

Twist and Curl

Take a one-inch section of hair and wrap it around a curling wand (we used the ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand) starting in the middle rather than at the root. Twist the hair around the wand, making sure to hold the bottom inch or so of your hair so it'll remain uncurled at the end and create a more textured finish. If the curls start looking a little too tight and bouncy for you, when you release the hair from the wand, gently tug on the bottom of the curl and it will relax. Continue to do this until your whole head is curled.
 

Divide and Back-Comb

Section off the back and front of your hair by creating a part from ear to ear. Take a small section at the crown of your head and backcomb your hair to add texture and volume. Simply hold the hair up and place your comb three or four inches above the root and comb down. 

 

Secure and Add Volume

Pull your back section of hair into a ponytail around the nape of your neck and secure with an elastic. Slide your forefingers underneath the hair above the ponytail and pull the strands out a bit to add volume and dimension to the pony. 

 

Wrap and Pin

Pull one of the front sides back leaving a few tendrils down to frame your face and wrap it under the ponytail and around the elastic, secure with a bobby pin. Do the same with the other side. 

 

The Romantic Wavy Ponytail

Complete the look with a spritz of finishing spray and wear with your flirtiest cocktail dress. (We see something off-the-shoulder or lace.)
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