It depends on the situation, like, if I’m doing one for straight-up comfort, like to go running, then I’ll go with the classic pony — pulled back, with the height in the middle of my head toward the back, roughly above my ears.
It’s the old efficient standby that gets the hair off my face and, when my hair extends past my shoulders, keeps it from whipping into my grill…which gets really annoying after a few miles.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about running it’s this: ponytail placement is EVERYTHING.
And when I’m not running, sometimes I’ll go with a more styled pony, like really high up on my head with a pouffy, messy tail and the hair on the front and sides of my head completely slicked down (fun fact: I’ve noticed that when I wear my hair like this it also works as an improv face lift, weird!).
I don’t wear that one a lot, though, because sometimes it gives me a headache…and it’s a pain to keep all the stray baby hairs around my forehead in place.
More often than not, I’ll wear an undone, messy low side pony pulled to the left where I let the stray hairs just fly out and do whatever they want.
Hooray for purposefully messy/boho-style hair! 🙂 I’ll pour a 40 of Vitamin Water on the sidewalk if it ever goes out of style.
What’s your preferred pony? High or low? Casually to the side or dead center? Half up, half down? Let’s talk ponytails this morning.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Kiss & Make-up says
I love a high ponytail! And I think I look fav with one (lol, tooting mah own horn, yo) but my hair is so slippery that it never stays up 🙁 Plus it hurts.
Kiss & Make-up says
fab… no fav.
Astrild says
Same here. Today I wear a high one with lots of hairspray to hold it in place and by the time I’ve arrived at work, it was in the middle of my head slowly flying to my neck. Sad.
Estefania says
I’ve had my hair in a pixie (or shorter) for almost three years now, so I can’t really say what I love right now.. I know that when my hair was super long, a high ponytail would suit me best. I’m talking almost vertical! My hair is naturally wavy, so the ponytail would make it fall in soft waves with volume.
Maybe I should grow my hair out…
Agata says
I like a higher ponytail, preferably with no bobby pins. My bangs are long enough at the moment so I can do that although I am a little sad my pony tail is so short after I cut my hair! The only time I wear a pony tail is really when I work out, or when I am in a real hurry.
Bertha says
I’m in the middle of a pixie grow-out so right now the only pony I can manage is a teeny Pebbles Flintstone model to pull my bangs off my face when I’m at the gym. It’s tragic.
Jess says
I like mine high with a little poof on the top of my head. Hope that makes sense. :p
Lulle says
I usually do my pony tail high above ear level. I have a weak chin area and it kind of diverts attention away from it (maybe it’s in my head… but I think it works).
I do it right on top of my head (think palm tree coming off the crown of my head) for yoga. I can’t stand to have it under my head in savasana, my neck gets all stiff and I can’t relax. It probably looks funny but I let go of any ambition to look good at the door of the yoga studio 🙂
Wait, Ernesto is on MBB?! With his Chromebook and camembert pillow case! Wow, I didn’t know he was on his way to stardom! 😛
Erin says
Honestly, I’ll wear them anyway I can. That and a bun are my preferred styles. They are easy and go with everything, push they keep my hair out of the way!
Fran says
I love a high ponytail, but, no matter where I put mine, it works its way around to my right side! On Friday I have to wear my hair pulled back because I’m going to be a model for an ‘advanced skin class’ for makeup artists (i.e., how to cover up rosacea) at a Make Up For Ever store (what fun!), and I’m hoping a side pony will be acceptable. My hair is so long now that the only way to get it to stay on top of my head is to put it in a bun with some spin pins or a hair fork. Karen, you look great however you wear your pony.
Fancie says
I love a high pony! Makes the best buns
Allison C says
I wish my hair were longer ‘coz I like a high pony best. Since my hair is just shoulder length with longer in front/shorter in back, I do a middle of the head pony. I definitely don’t have enough hair for a side pony, though I LOVE the way that looks 🙂
Pamela Haddad says
I usually cheat and put it in a bun with a short fall around it so it looks like I put a lot of work into it. But today, I wore a high pony and my scalp is killing me!
Rachel R. says
Ususally low. It works best for my fine, thick hair. It can be casual or classy, depending on if and how I part my hair. Hair accessories give it variety, too. Sometimes I’ll do a higher ponytail for fun, but it takes more work and product. I think the dressy high ponytail that’s a little poofed up on top, is really cute, and I wish I could get it to work on me.
Lily S. says
You look adorable with a ponytail…. are you sure you’ve over 21?
Karen says
LOL, you’re sweet, Lily!
LindaLibraLoca says
I usually go for a high pony, as everything else leads to my bangs in my face and lipgloss, which I can’t handle.
Katherine M says
I usually like a mid-crown level ponytail when I’m working out, and since I have long front layers (and some hair growing out in the front from psoriasis), I use a barrette or bobby pins to pin them back. I’m also a huge fan of half up, half down – it can be sporty or romantic or professional when the occasion calls for it.
I don’t wear ponytails as much as I used to because I had breakage when I was younger from constantly wearing ponytails to stuff in a helmet for horseback riding. I am a fan of braids now just because I don’t get breakage. It wasn’t a lot of breakage but a tight ponytail would give me a massive headache. Braids are much easier on the skull for me 🙂
Kirsten says
I usually wear one that’s pulled through once then only half pulled through the second time so it makes a loop and keeps the ends off my neck.
Kim says
It’s funny that you ask that because I was actually considering it last weekend (the gal in front of me had a regular pony, like your running style). It occurred to me that I have never worn anything but a high version. I think it’s because that’s the height that holds my bangs (and keeps my hair tie from slipping out). I surmised that thick-haired ladies prefer a mid-height pony while thinner haired girls like me tend to go higher. I guess comfort and bangs-length also play a big part. 🙂 And if I’m just keeping it out of the way while working around the house, I’ll do the same as Kirsten, above. But twice through, with a loop.
Jane says
“I’ve noticed that when I wear my hair like this it also works as an improv face lift, weird”. Ha ha, there’s a name for that here in the UK, it’s called a Croydon facelift! I’m sure you look lovely whatever way you wear your hair, rock on!
Karen says
LOL, Jane! I learn something new everyday. Now I know what to call it if I’m ever across the pond!
Majick says
Hilarious – I’m glad I now have a name for it too!
Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters says
I like to do a high pony tail but bcz of my heavy hairs it gives headache within minutes so i have to comeback to easy softly pulled low pony tails!!
while working i prefer to keep my hair in a loose bun but while jogging or running a rightly pulled back ponytail saves me! 🙂
Majick says
I’m all over the place with ponies. For working out I like the middle of the back of the head. for yoga I agree that you either have to have it on top of the head or low in the back, and of course out for a headstand.
If I wear it to the side I tend to do a messy braid instead.
I think my all time favorite is low in the back. then my layers kind of fall out a little and it’s nicely disheveled (if that makes sense).
Great topic.