How to Do a Sleek Low Ponytail
How to do a sleek low ponytail with a middle or side part, the products you need, a curly hair version, wrapping the base and how to make it last all night.
The sleek low ponytail is the hairstyle equivalent of a perfect little black dress. It looks polished, works with almost any outfit and somehow makes everything else look more expensive. It is a favourite for holiday parties, weddings, work events and New Year's Eve, and it is easier to do than it looks. Here is exactly how to get a glossy, smooth result that lasts all night.
What you will need
You do not need a lot of products, but the right ones make a big difference:
- A smoothing cream or styling balm for the lengths.
- A gel or slick stick for the hairline and part.
- A boar bristle brush for a smooth surface.
- A fine-tooth comb for the part.
- Strong elastics that match your hair colour.
- Bobby pins.
- Shine spray or serum to finish.
- Flexible-hold hairspray.
- A flat iron if you want very straight lengths.
How to do a sleek low ponytail
Step 1: Start with smooth hair
Blow-dry your hair as straight and smooth as possible, using a smoothing cream. If you have time, run a flat iron through the lengths. Second-day hair often works better than freshly washed hair because it is less fluffy.
Step 2: Make your part
Decide on a middle or side part. Use the end of a fine-tooth comb to draw a clean, sharp line. A middle part looks modern and symmetrical. A deep side part looks glamorous and adds volume on top.
Step 3: Apply gel
Apply a small amount of gel or a slick stick along the hairline and part. Use a little more if you have lots of flyaways. Do not overload, or the hair will look wet and crunchy.
Step 4: Brush back
Using a boar bristle brush, brush all the hair back toward the nape. Keep the brush flat against your head. Work slowly to remove any bumps.
Step 5: Secure the ponytail
Gather the hair at the nape of your neck, just above the hairline. Hold it with one hand and smooth any bumps with the brush in the other. Secure with a strong elastic, wrapping it as tightly as is comfortable.
Step 6: Smooth the length
Run a flat iron or brush through the ponytail itself. Add a few drops of shine serum.
Step 7: Wrap the base
Take a small section of hair from underneath the ponytail. Wrap it around the elastic to hide it. Secure the end with a bobby pin pushed upward into the base of the ponytail.
Step 8: Finish
Mist with hairspray, then smooth any remaining flyaways with a clean toothbrush or spoolie sprayed with hairspray. Finish with a light shine spray.
Middle part vs side part
Both are beautiful, but they create different moods:
- Middle part: clean, minimal and very current. Best when your part is naturally straight.
- Side part: softer and more glamorous. Can flatter round or square faces by adding asymmetry.
Sleek low ponytail for curly hair
You can absolutely do a sleek ponytail with curls. You can either straighten the lengths or keep your curls and slick only the top.
- Work on damp or freshly refreshed hair.
- Apply a curl-friendly gel at the hairline and part.
- Brush back with a soft brush or your hands.
- Secure with a fabric-covered elastic to avoid breakage.
- Leave the ponytail curly, defined with a curl cream.
- Tie a silk scarf over the slicked section for 10 to 15 minutes to set the gel.
Making the ponytail look fuller
If your hair is fine, a ponytail can look thin. Try:
- Teasing the ponytail itself slightly at the base.
- Splitting the ponytail into two sections, top and bottom, and securing them separately so it looks thicker.
- Adding a clip-in ponytail extension.
- Using a texturising spray on the lengths before smoothing.
Accessorising
A sleek low ponytail is a perfect base for accessories:
- A large satin or velvet bow at the base. See our guide to hair bow hairstyles for how to secure it.
- A metal cuff or hair band around the base.
- A silk scarf wrapped and tied.
- Pearl pins along the part.
Making it last all night
- Use enough gel along the hairline.
- Use two elastics if your hair is heavy.
- Bring a small comb and a travel hairspray in your bag for touch-ups.
- Avoid touching it too much.
Is a sleek ponytail bad for your hair?
Pulling hair tightly in the same spot every day can cause traction stress over time. Vary your hairstyles, avoid very tight elastics and use snag-free hair ties. Do not sleep in a tight ponytail.
Getting the sleek finish
The difference between an everyday ponytail and a sleek one is preparation. Blow-dry hair straight with a paddle brush, or flat iron the lengths. Apply a little smoothing cream or gel along the hairline, then brush everything back with a boar bristle brush before securing. A toothbrush with hairspray tames baby hairs.
Middle part or no part
A middle part looks modern and editorial. A slick-back with no part is classic and polished. A deep side part is elegant and softer on the face.
Making it last all day
Use a strong elastic and wrap it twice. Add a bobby pin through the elastic for extra hold. Finish with a light hairspray on the top. If your hair is heavy, two elastics, one on top of the other, stop the ponytail from sagging.
Ponytail accessories
- A strand of hair wrapped around the elastic
- A velvet or satin bow
- A gold cuff
- A silk scarf tied around the base
Ponytail for different hair types
Curly hair can be smoothed with gel for a sleek look. Fine hair benefits from a little volume powder at the crown first.
Key takeaways
- Smooth the hair completely before you tie it: blow-dry or flat iron first.
- Use a boar bristle brush and a little gel at the hairline.
- Wrap the elastic twice and pin through it for all-day hold.
- Choose your part (middle, side or none) to suit your face and outfit.
- Finish with a hair wrap, bow or cuff for evening.
One last tip
For a sleeker finish on second-day hair, use a little dry shampoo at the roots first, then smooth with a drop of serum through the lengths. The dry shampoo soaks up oil so the hair does not look greasy when pulled back tightly.
If the ponytail tends to slip by the afternoon, try securing it with two small elastics instead of one thick band: one at the nape and a second just below it, hidden under the wrapped section. Spray a little texturising spray at the root of the tail before you tie it, which gives the elastic something to grip. A bobby pin slid diagonally through the base and into the elastic locks everything in place for a long evening.
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FAQ
How do I get a sleek ponytail without flyaways?
Use gel along the hairline, brush with a boar bristle brush, and smooth leftover flyaways with a toothbrush sprayed with hairspray.
What is the best product for a sleek ponytail?
A smoothing cream for the lengths and a strong gel or slick stick for the hairline.
How do I hide the elastic?
Wrap a small section of hair around the elastic and pin it underneath.
A sleek low ponytail takes about ten minutes once you have the steps down. It is elegant, practical and will see you through every party of the season.
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Some posts may contain affiliate links; see our disclosure. Photography: Sasha Kim; directorvinny studios; directorvinny studios; cottonbro studio; behrouz sasani; Haguy Paulemon via Pexels.
