How to Elevate a Ponytail to Red Carpet Status

Easy tricks to get that classic look

Forget what teen movies of the early 2000s have taught you—ponytails are not just for dorks.

Sure, the hairstyle may have a bad rap, but it's the awards season of the minimalist, and the ponytails that have hit the red carpet so far prove they're anything but boring.

Leading ladies like Olivia Munn, Chrissy Teigen and Katie Holmes are only a few of the many stars who've opted for the classic updo this season. Although the style is easy to create, it's also quite versatile. So how come a ponytail can oftentimes look more like a rabid raccoon tail?

"It's all in the preparation," said hairstylist Laini Reeves, whose roster of clients includes Emily Blunt, Kate Bosworth and Amy Adams.

To start, blow-dry your hair in the direction you want it to move. The ponytail should begin somewhere above the occipital bone and below the crown, she instructed. Then apply mousse so that the hair holds.

"It's all about distribution to what is flattering to the head shape," added Laini, who loves a high ponytail on Amy.

The Big Eyes star wore a sleek variation to the 2015 Critics' Choice Awards earlier this month. For the same look, blow-dry, mousse, then use a flat iron from the roots of your hair to the ends. Use a flat or curling iron to add a wave to the ends.

For a sexier, tousled look à la Chrissy and Olivia at the 2015 People's Choice Awards, use a product that builds texture in the hair and then power-dry, or blow-dry your hair upside down to get that added volume. Finally, brush your hair with your fingers—using a brush will smooth out any texture—and secure. 

Easy, red carpet-ready and so worth the time.