Anyone who has hair long enough to pull it into a ponytail, will. It’s a universal style that’s effortless, convenient and low maintenance. Top Stylist and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken, Sam Villa, has pro tips for creating a ponytail that will last longer and look better.
- Prep: Start with a product like Redken Guts 10 to create volume at the base and then directionally blow dry hair with a round brush. This will smooth hair and prevent any lumps and bumps when gathering hair into the elastic.
2. Pocket: Hold thumb and index finger apart and create a pocket to brush hair into where ponytail will be placed. Hold a paddle brush vertically (pins will align straight) to untangle. Then, turn brush horizontally (pins become randomly spaced) to build tension and smooth. Keep the knuckles holding the hair snug against the head for maximum tension and tilt head back slightly so hair at the nape stays tight.
3 Secure: Use an elastic (2 if they are small or hair is thick). Feed hair through, lift up elastic, twist tight at the top and repeat as many times as needed. Or use an elastic cord – with the pocket hand, hold cord 1.5” down, wrap the longer end underneath the tail, up and around to tighten and repeat 4 times. Use a butchers knot to secure ends – an overhand knot around the standing end and pull tight. Form a loop around fingers, slide the loop onto the short end, and pull both ends to tighten, then trim the long end.
PRO TIP: Hide elastics by slipping a hair pin under the elastic, wrapping a section of hair around the elastic to hide it and then taking another hair pin to feed ends through the first pin.
“It’s important to know how to craft a ponytail, then you can embellish it with texture or use as a foundation to build a solid upstyle,” explains Villa who likes to use dry shampoo to create a frothy texture, his Signature Series Textur Professional Texturizing Iron at the base for extra lift and his Pro Results 3-in-1 Blow Dry Hot Brush to smooth and straighten.
Credits: Hair: Sam Villa ArTeam; Photographer: Mitch Meyer; MUA: Keri Hatfield; Wardrobe: Michelle Boucher assisted by Carmen Nydegger
Sam Villa is Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Sam Villa Company (Allvus, LLC) and Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken 5th Avenue, a L’Oreal brand. Villa is the 2020 International Hairdressing Awards ‘International Hair Influencer of the Year,’ the 2017 NAHA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Intercoiffure America/Canada Member, Behind the Chair Stylist Choice Award Winner for Favorite Platform Artist and Educator (2012, 2011 and 2007) and Favorite Overall Educator of the Year (2015). His inspiring education and innovative ergonomic professional tools achieve salon-quality results at home with minimum effort. Facebook: @SamVillaPros; Instagram: @SamVillaHair; YouTube: @SamVillaHair;
Twitter: @SamVillaPro;; Pinterest: @SamVillaHair.
Speak Your Mind