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A super smooth and sleek ponytail always looks chic, but sometimes your hair just won't cooperate. If you're prone to frizz and flyaways, you won't be able to just throw a band around your hair and go -- you need to tame your mane to get a perfect pony. It's pretty simple, really. With a few products and the right tools, you can show your hair who's boss.
Preparation
If you want a smooth ponytail, you need clean hair -- otherwise your locks will look clumpy and greasy. After you've shampooed, spritz on some heat protectant spray and let it sink into your wet hair for a few minutes. After the heat protectant has had time to percolate, work in another layer of product. Choose something smoothing, like a smoothing cream or straightening balm. Blow dry your locks while running a natural bristle brush through your hair. Blow drying while brushing will help your mane stay smooth and combat puffy frizz.
Extra Help
For a super sleek ponytail, after your hair is dry, run a straightening iron through your hair to make it even more smooth and sleek. Once your locks are satiny smooth and stick straight, give them a blast of shine spray to make your ponytail gleam.
Ponying Up
Use your natural bristle brush to comb your hair into a ponytail, and secure it with a cloth-covered band. Don't use an elastic band, as those nasties can rip your hair. To combat flyaway hair, rub a few drops of hair serum in your hands and smooth down the hair around the crown of your head. For even more precise flyaway control, spray a clean toothbrush with a little hair spray or shine spray and brush it over all the little hairs around your hairline.
Tips
If you're taking your ponytail out for a night on the town, bring an extra hair band and a brush with you in your purse. That way, you'll have the tools you need to re-engineer your 'do if it gets blown apart by an overzealous spin on the dance floor. Another great secret? Slip a tube of clear eyebrow gel into your bag. If you notice those flyaways taking flight once again, just sneak to the nearest bathroom and comb the brow gel through your locks for an instant fix.
