Back in fashion week of 2014, Delphine Courteille, L'Oréal Professionnel international brand ambassador and French hair stylist, demonstrated the timeless, fashionable nature of the ponytail when she styled models with “minimalist and intellectual” low ponies to perfectly offset the runway designs—and has been doing so ever since.
However, if you have fine or thin tresses, you may have resigned yourself to the fact that ponytails just aren’t for you and wondered how to make a thicker-looking ponytail after the twentieth time of ripping your elastic out in frustration. But don’t fret. It’s time to ditch the days of lifeless, drab styles and welcome the era of the luscious, bouncy pony (just like Delphine Courteille) simply by following our five professional— yet easy—tips.
Learn how to make a thicker ponytail by starting with the right products.
Investing in a thickening mousse can also help you cheat the volumizing system. While your hair is still damp, scrunch a dollop the size of a golf ball into the lengths and tips of your locks and comb through. Full Volume Extra Hair Mousse from the Tecni.Art line by L'Oréal Professionnel is a favorite of ours, as well as of stylists worldwide, thanks to its ability to provide lift.
As well as speeding up your routine, some dry shampoos can also help refresh your locks before styling.
Ride the waves.
Waves always make hair appear more voluminous than sleek locks. Keep the finish cool and natural with a beach wave effect by using Wild Stylers Beach Waves Texturizing Spray by L'Oréal Professionnel. Before tying your ponytail, spray the formula onto your lengths and tips, using your fingers to tousle the hair into beachy summer waves with an on-trend matte texture.
Jonathan Soons, L'Oréal Professionnel British expert hair stylist and brand ambassador, explains that teasing the length of the hair with a bristle brush can also plump up your pony, which is a technique that is often used on the runway.
“A high crown, strong ponytail and matte texture at the ends through teasing is the key to a volumized pony,” Soons says.
Add volume while you wash.
You can encourage thickness in your hair from the shower with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, such as those from the Volumifique collection by Kérastase. Formulated especially for fine hair, the products help to create feather-light volume.
Double up on ponytails.
Who said that ponytails had to stand alone? Splitting your tresses horizontally and creating two ponytails, one above the other, can instantly boost the volume of your ‘do.
Tease the top pony to cover the bottom elastic with a teaser brush so that your secret is hidden, et voila! Your additional pony creates the illusion of more hair. To add a runway edge to your ponytail, try using Japanese hair elastics—their untied ends will give you more control over the end style.
Use two hair elastics.
This simple hair hack is used by stylists backstage during fashion weeks around the world. Using two hair elastics creates distance between the ponytail and the scalp, creating the illusion of thicker locks. Top tip: to sidestep hair damage, steer clear of tight, plastic-feeling elastics and instead opt for loose, softer bands.
Thin hair doesn’t have to mean it’s lifeless and drab. Put the bounce back into your pony with these simple tricks!
