A high ponytail looks like the simplest style in any hair routine, but the difference between a flat, slightly lopsided ponytail and a sleek, lifted one comes down to two or three specific technique steps most people skip.
Volume at the crown before gathering, and a wrapped section to hide the elastic, are what separate an effortless-looking high ponytail from one that looks thrown together in thirty seconds.
Gather the hair in two passes — bottom section first, then combined with the top — rather than trying to smooth the entire head in one motion, which is what usually leaves stray bumps near the crown.
Save this tutorial for later — pin it to your ponytails board.
Work a small amount of volumizing mousse into the roots at the crown and back-comb lightly for lift before gathering the ponytail — this is what avoids a flat, dented look on top.
Clip the top section separately and smooth the lower section into place first, brushing firmly toward the crown point.
Combine both sections at the desired high point — generally level with the top of the ears or higher — and secure tightly with a strong hair tie.
Take a small piece of hair from underneath the ponytail, wrap it around the base to cover the elastic, and pin the end underneath.
Smooth any remaining flyaways with a small amount of gel on a fine-tooth comb, then set with a light finishing spray.
Skipping the root lift step at the crown before gathering is the main reason — the ponytail itself can be perfectly smooth and still look flat if there's no volume built in underneath at the very top.
Wrapping a small hidden section of hair around the base of the ponytail to cover the elastic prevents the visible groove a bare hair tie leaves, especially on fine or straight hair.
A thicker, snag-free elastic specifically made for ponytails holds significantly longer than a thin rubber band, which tends to stretch out and slip within a few hours on thicker hair.