Pony up

Four easy looks that spur your ponytail on to high style

Not to sound like your high school guidance counselor, but your ponytail may not be living up to its potential। It's great to lasso your locks and tie 'em up when you're heading for a workout. But there's no reason to corral the look when you're going to work or out for dinner-- or anywhere in between. Here are four simple tail switches that will let your pony really go places.

1. The Big Tease

Work a mousse with a little hold, like Redken Touch Control ($13, cvs.com), into roots. Separate a 3-inch-wide strip, as if you were creating a Mohawk. Start about 3 inches back from your forehead and tease a 1/2-inch-wide portion with a fine-tooth comb like the Cardinal comb ($1, sallybeauty.com). Blast the teased roots with hair spray. Try Garnier Anti-Humidity Hairspray ($4, garnier.com)। Work your way back, teasing in sections। Gather hair in a high ponytail, smooth pieces from the front over the teased area, and set with hair spray.

Dress it up: Add a skinny headband. Scunci Skinny Headband, $5 for three, scunci.com; France Luxe Quarter-Inch Ultra Comfort Headband, $17, franceluxe.com; Conair Thin Is In headband, $4 for three, drugstore.com

2. Swing Low

A basic low ponytail goes from day to night with one elegant twist. Fasten hair at the base of your skull with an elastic that matches your hair color. Try L. Erickson Grab N Go Pony O elastics ($12 for three, franceluxe.com) or Goody Colour Collection hair elastics ($4 for 10, goody.com). Take a 1/2-inch-wide strip of hair from the part of the ponytail just above your neck and wind it around the elastic. Or fake it with synthetic hair — try a Tonytail Wrap ($7, tonytail.com)। Secure the end with a bobby pin.

Dress it up: Fasten a small barrette on one side of your head, about 2 inches above your ear. France Luxe Mini Oval Barrette, $9, franceluxe.com

3. With the Band

To give your workout style some flair, place a rubber-backed headband about 1/2 inch behind your hairline। Try Scunci No Slip Grip Headwraps ( $4 for eight, scunci.com). Fasten the hair in a low ponytail, then fold the tail into a U and slide the last few inches under the band. For fine strands, a light-hold spray like Bain de Terre Dual-Purpose Styler ($9, ulta.com) will tame any flyaways. For thick hair, try a pomade like Citre Shine Glossing Pomade ($4, drugstore.com)।

Dress it up: Wear an eye-catching headband. Jennifer Behr Wide Lattice headband, $62, jenniferbehr.com; Eva Scrivo Double Strand Ballerina Band, $55, evascrivosalon.com; Jennifer Behr Skinny Silver Scallop headband, $52, jenniferbehr.com. Eva Scrivo silk hairband, $55, evascrivosalon.com

4. Giddyup

If your hair is fine or squeaky-clean, you'll need to add a texturizing product, like Pantene Pro-V Texturizing Moussing Wax ($7, drugstore.com), for hold। Tie a loose, low ponytail, leaving 3 or 4 inches between the elastic and your scalp. Flip the tail to one side and push it under the elastic toward your scalp, creating a vertical roll; secure it in the middle with bobby pins. Don't worry about making a perfect, sleek updo — this style looks best a bit undone. Let a few strands fall loose and leave the back a bit messy — it's high-class and hot to trot.

Dress it up: Slide in a jeweled hair clip. Tarina Tarantino semiprecious stone Crystal Bow Barrette, $70, Velvet Bow with Swarovski crystals, $38 for two, and semiprecious stone Bee Hair Clip (also on model), $30, tarinatarantino.com