How to Do a High-Fashion Teased Ponytail

By: Lisa Finn

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

It's time to get off the conservative horse and ride in style with a sexy, high-fashion ponytail. Awaken your hairstyle senses with a bed-head ponytail and notice how much easier it is to look sultry in your sweat pants and sexy in a sweater. Teasing your ponytail will give you a seriously stylish hairdo whether you're running after toddlers all day or running client meetings. Wear your hair slicked back or with a little volume on top -- either way your teased tresses will be no laughing matter.

Seriously Sleek Ponytail

Step 1

Deposit a dollop of mousse or straightening balm into your palm. Rub your hands together, and run your palms and fingers through your hair.

Step 2

Take a 3-inch-wide section of your bangs. If your hair is one length, take the section from the hair closest to your hairline. Place the brush at the roots behind the section.

Step 3

Blow-dry the hair up and back as you move your brush up through the section to the hair tips. Repeat around the sides of your head, pulling sections of the hair up and back as you blow-dry the already-dry strands.

Step 4

Brush your hair straight back on the top and sides.

Step 5

Tilt your head back a little. This allows you to pull the hair taut at the nape.

Step 6

Gather your hair using your hands and pull the hair up higher than the level of your cheekbone. Fasten the ponytail with a hair tie and pull the hair taut. This enables the tie to be as close to the scalp as possible.

Step 7

Take a 1/2-inch-wide strip of hair from the top of the ponytail. Wind it around the hair tie. Tuck the hair into the hair tie or secure it with a bobby pin. This covers the hair tie for a natural, wrapped look.

Step 8

Spray a generous amount of firm-hold hairspray on the top of your head. Smooth out any frizz with your fingers. Your hair should look slick and smooth on the top and sides with a ponytail in the back.

Step 9

Pick up a 3-inch-wide section of ponytail hair closest to the ponytail holder.

Step 10

Place your comb halfway down the shaft behind the hair. Use short strokes to tease the hair into a little nest. Continue to pick up strands around the ponytail and tease the hair until every section is puffy.

Step 11

Lift the different teased layers throughout the ponytail. Spray a generous amount of hairspray to keep the hair matted-looking.

Pump Up the Volume Ponytail

Step 1

Spritz a texturizing or volumizing spray into your roots and on top of your head. Smudge the product into your roots with your fingers. Refrain from brushing.

Step 2

Separate the middle portion of your hair into a 3-inch-wide strip down the center.

Step 3

Pick up a 1/2-inch-wide section about 3 inches from your forehead. Place a comb in and behind the hair at about halfway down the hair shaft. Use short up and down strokes to tease the hair. Spray with hairspray.

Step 4

Pick up the next 1/2-inch-wide section behind the first and continue teasing and spraying. Work your way back to the crown until three or four sections are teased down the middle of your head.

Step 5

Glide the comb gently over the center of your head to carefully smooth out the very top layer of hair. Be careful not to dig the comb in too deep; your hair should still be teased underneath the thin layer of top hair. Spray with hairspray.

Step 6

Tilt your head back a bit. Grab your hair and pull it taut in a ponytail above your cheekbones. Fasten with a hair tie. Your hair should be in a ponytail with a little volume on the top.

Step 7

Pick up a 3-inch-wide section of ponytail hair closest to the ponytail holder.

Step 8

Place your comb behind the hair about halfway down the hair shaft. Pull the hair quickly and firmly down toward the roots using little repeated strokes. This teases the hair into little nest-like pufffs. Continue teasing little sections throughout the ponytail.