Photos from Instyle.com and People.com
My hair is probably as long as it has ever been (about bust-length), and while I love wearing it down and straight, often times when I go out at night I'll deck myself-out in bold accessories and tend to feel like if I wear my hair down it's a bit distracting from my outfit! I'm not into fussy up-dos so I'm all about a sleek ponytail (plus I get my hair cut with a razor so it has great texture at the ends which a ponytail shows-off). I've been a big fan of Redken's Iron Silk 07 since it came-out a few months ago -- it protects your hair from heat styling products, but it also speeds-up the process of getting your hair silky smooth. I just spray a little bit in my hair -- section by section -- as I'm straightening (don't put too much or your hair will get a bit stiff). When you're done straightening Kerastase has a new product called Double Force Controle Ultime which is a multi-protective finishing hair spray with a firm hold and protective UV shield that's a great final touch before heading-out. Plus it helps guard against humidity while remaining light and free of residue which is especially important now that it's starting to get a bit warmer out. The most important thing about a sleek ponytail however is for it to be frizz-free! Jump for some frizz control solutions!
I bought Frederic Fekkai's Coiff Perfecteur Anti-Frizz Silkening Creme last summer and it's a great preventative for mild frizz. After I shower, when my hair is just a little bit damp, I put a little squirt on my hair line where my frizz tends to accumulate and it has been helpful for keeping my frizz at bay. There's also a new line called Living Proof and they've got a product called that not only helps get rid of frizz, it cuts blow dry time in half and repels dirt so hair stays clean longer! Use both of these products together and you're pretty much guarantees a frizz-free sleek pony (use very very little of each though so your hair does not get weighted-down). Do you use any products to achieve your sleek ponytail?
the best ponytail is custom made done by Rodolfo Valentin of New York.