The wavier (and dirtier) your hair is, the better for this low ponytail. Add volume and hold to second-day hair by spraying it with a dry texturizing spray like Big Sexy Hair Get Layered Flash Dry Thickening Spray, $17.95. Create a half-part at the center of the head and loosely secure your hair above the nape of the neck. One more shot of hairspray, and you've got a (controlled) windswept updo.
The sleekness of this ponytail makes even the most casual boyfriend jeans and tattered tee look pulled together. Use a styling gel with a shiny finish like Bumble and Bumble Gel, $26, at the roots of the hair before pulling back with a fine-toothed comb. Wrap a 1-inch section of hair around the elastic, pinning it underneath, and finish with a strong-hold hairspray like Drybar The Sheriff Firm Hold Hairspray, $27.
The beauty of a messy side braid is there's really no wrong way to do it. Copy this look by first creating a smaller braid to weave into the larger one, or skip right to the side braid. Sprinkling in Fudge Urban Powder Styler, $8.79, will help give hair some grip while adding volume for the perfect, textured look. And since it soaks up excess oil like a dry shampoo, you'll have perfect, beachy waves the next day, too.
Get fancy with your ponytail by adding a braid to the back. Once you've slicked your hair back into a high ponytail, follow these steps for a fishtail braid. Then, simply finish with a light mist of hairspray.
This fishtail option works on shorter hair just as well as it does long. Use a texturizing spray like Garnier De-Contructed Texture Tease Dry Touch Finish Spray, $4.29, throughout the hair. Make two low fishtail braids on either side of the head. Then, wrap them around each other at the back of the head, securing with bobby pins and a strong-hold hairspray.
