3 Ponytail hairstyles: a step by step guide

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Ponytail hairstyles work for any occasion and styling them is incredibly simple. Ponytail hairstyles can get you ready in a flash, or you can dress them up for a big event. Have a go at our top three ponytail ideas: choose between sleek and straight styles or ones with playful, adventurous volume. Whatever your ideal pony hairstyle, our step by step guides will help to make it perfect.

Elegant low ponytail hairstyle: step by step method

A low ponytail is a soft, sophisticated look. Here's how to make a ponytail with an elegant twist:

Separate the lower part of your hair and make light curls or waves using a hairdryer with a round brush or a diffuser. The ionic conditioning feature of the Philips EssentialCare dryer uses charged negative ions to leave your hair smooth and frizz free, while ThermoProtect technology prevents overheating. Once you’ve created smooth, bouncy waves with the dryer, gather the lower part of your hair and secure into a ponytail style at the nape of your neck.

Lightly tease the loose hair on the top or blow-dry it upside down to add volume. The EssentialCare hairdryer’s ionic conditioning prevents static from building up on your hair, which can be a side-effect of backcombing.

Create a parting in this top section and then smooth both the left and right sections of this back to meet at the top of the ponytail. Fix these lengths just above the ponytail with hairpins so that they cover the hair tie and blend with the rest of your hair.

Tip: If you’re looking for more low, elegant yet simple ponytail hairstyles, try a sleek and straight alternative. Straighten your hair with a protective straightener like Philips KeraShine Vivid Ends, then smooth it back and fasten about 5cm above the nape. Separate a strand from the ponytail and wrap it around the hair elastic to cover it, then hold it in place with a bobby pin.

High ponytail hairstyles

High ponytail styles give you an upbeat, playful look that you can adapt for a casual weekend or a dressed-up night out. For a lazy Saturday, you can simply gather the hair loosely together and let it fall naturally. But with super smooth hair, high ponytail hairstyles become the perfect look for going out. To get a great result and also keep your hair protected, the Philips KeraShine hair straightener is a good choice. It uses SplitStop technology to protect your hair from split ends and damage by minimising heat exposure and friction. Charged negative ions helps to eliminate static, and a keratin infusion in the plates gives your hair a boost of this essential ingredient for a glossy, healthy looking result.

Smooth your hair with the KeraShine Vivid Ends straightener, which gives silky results without an unnecessary high temperature or damaging friction.

Brush your hair straight back, keeping it close to your head. Gather your hair in a ponytail high up on the crown of your head, brushing upwards from the nape of your neck to smooth the lower part of your hair. Fix your hair in position with a hair tie.

Want to know how to make a ponytail look extra chic? Separate a narrow strand of hair from the underside of the ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie to hide it, securing underneath with a small hair pin.

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Volumised ponytail ideas

Amp up your low or high ponytail styles with show-stopping volume. Try these tricks to make simple ponytail hairstyles look gorgeously thick and full.

Hair accessories:

High ponytail hairstyles can appear thicker when you secure them with several hair ties in a row. Lifted further from the head, the ponytail swings freely rather than lying flat. You can also thread hair pins into the hair tie, through the top of the ponytail. Tucked out of sight, these help the ponytail to fan out and appear wider.

Double ponytail:

Make your ponytail hairstyle look thicker and stay put for longer at the same time with a double hold. Gather the hair at the top and sides of your head in one ponytail and then create a second ponytail directly underneath this with the remaining hair. Either leave the ponytails to fall together naturally or wrap them together with a strand of hair.

Blow-dry for volume:

Divide your hair into sections and blow-dry each at the roots before styling to create extra volume. With the EssentialCare hairdryer from Philips, you can create volume without frizz with negatively charged ions to control static and keep your hair smooth. ThermoProtect temperature also gives you the optimal drying temperature to protect against overheating.

With a choice of these ponytail ideas, you can be ready for any occasion. Whether you’re going for an elegant evening party or a casual weekend look, discover the perfect ponytail styles for you here.

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