The Ponytail Controversy

Over the weekend I got into a mildly heated discussion with my grandma about ponytails. I think they're fantastic: they are to bad hair days what Fix-A-Flat is to a popped tire.

Quick, easy, convenient, and it gets the job done. And if done with a little flair, it's dynamite!

Grandma disagrees.

To her, the only acceptable ponytail occasions are those that involve dirty work, like feeding chickens on the farm or cleaning house (or changing a tire). In the past, women wouldn't be caught dead doing anything else with one of these. Ponytails, she said, are not glamorous.

Ok, Gram. So ponytails may not be glamorous in the traditional sense, but that's the creative license modern pinups get to take. Glamour is whatever makes us feel like a star. When I have on a killer outfit, this hairstyle can certainly do that. It's also versatile, and can be at times cute, flirty, even sexy.

The trick to a good (in my opinion, not Grandma's, lol) 'pinup' ponytail is shape and body. This includes the back (a flippy "S" is always fun), but mostly applies to the front. You can make waves and curls that are elaborate if you have time; if you're in a hurry though (usually I am!) or need to style on-the-fly, here are two options:

In-A-Pinch 'Pinup' Ponytail

With bangs: Gather hair at the back of the head (I'm assuming here that you've never before tried a ponytail), tie in place and use a flower clip or ribbon to disguise the holder. Then, using a medium-size curling iron (make sure you plugged it in and it's hot... again, just assuming. Also don't burn yourself), curl bangs tightly so the hair rounds evenly, and tucks under slightly. Hairspray to keep it in place.

Without bangs: Using a comb, gather a section of hair in front, what would be bangs if you had them (and if you do have them, use mousse or gel to combine the shorter with the longer strands); tease this section of hair starting at the roots and working up the hair (i.e. toward the ends, and tease from the back, so as not to display the mess you're making). When the hair is stiff, bend backward to make a rise, and bobby pin in place at the top of your head. Hairspray it. Then put the rest of your hair in a ponytail (see steps described above :P).

Jusqu'à la prochaine fois,

Bri

P.S. As a disclaimer, Gram is and forever will be my vintage fashion guru; after all, she lived through several of the eras I like to emulate. Most of my jewelry, scarves and other accessories, as wells a few shoes and dresses (including one she wore on her honeymoon in 1957!), belonged to her. She's helped hone my eye for what fits, what coordinates well, the different textures and colors that look best.

But we shall forever be at odds when it comes to ponytails!