I Tried TikTok’s Latest Hair Hack — & It’s Perfect For Summer

Nowhere else is home to quite so many clever hair hacks as TikTok. From DIY curtain bangs and achieving heatless curls overnight to the one-minute messy-bun hack and using hair-toning drops to transform color, the app is unrivaled when it comes to hairstyling transformations and shortcuts.

Lately, beauty-obsessed TikTokers can't seem to get enough of what we're coining the "perfect ponytail" trick, and it couldn't come at a better time. With the weather heating up, more of us are opting for low-maintenance updos that look and feel cool, and the high ponytail is always a winner. But while celebrity hairstylists and beauty influencers would have you believe it takes mere moments to nail, achieving a ponytail that has bounce, volume, and stays put isn't actually that easy.

There are hundreds of ponytail hacks on TikTok but Kirsty Hollick (aka @the.bridalist, who is an excellent follow for hair tips and tutorials on the app) has gone viral for showing followers how to achieve a speedy summer ponytail that isn't flat or lackluster. The best part is that it only takes a simple scrunchie and doesn't involve bobby pins, hair bungees (elasticated hair tie pro hairdressers love), or the need to intricately section your hair and apply product. Even better, it can be tailored to your hair type, whether it's thick, fine or in between; you don't have to have flowing Rapunzel-esque lengths for it to work.

The "perfect ponytail" hack is simple. First, you'll need a scrunchie, but you can also use a simple hair tie if you prefer depending on the look you're going for. Use a paddle brush like the Denman Large Paddle Styling Brush to brush your hair up into place. Then, take your scrunchie and loop your hair through twice.

Before pulling your hair through the scrunchie for the third and final time, use your free hand to split the ponytail into two sections. Flip the top half over your head so that it's out of the way, and tie the last part of your scrunchie around just the bottom half of your ponytail. This will leave the top section of your hair free, but simply flip it back over the bottom section of hair and use your fingers to pull at the base to tighten.

What you'll get is a voluminous, perky ponytail that won't fall flat as the day goes on. Depending on how polished you want the finished result, you can pull out small sections of hair around your face for a framing effect or clip up any stray strands.

My hair is very thick and gravity takes its toll on any updo I wear throughout the day, especially ponytails, so I was intrigued to try this. Surprisingly, it's not as fiddly as you might think and I aced it on the second attempt. The first time, my scrunchie was way too small but I ended up opting for a large silk version, which worked a treat to give me a gorgeous high pony à la Ariana Grande. I'm proof that it works on medium-length hair, too, and thanks to the extra support of the bottom half of hair, my ponytail stayed in place for a lot longer than any of my usual updo styles.

I've found that this hack works a lot better on day-old hair rather than hair that has just been washed, as any updo requires a certain amount of grip. However, a dry shampoo like Batiste Dry Shampoo Original Clean & Classic or non-sticky texture spray such as Ouidad Going Up! Volumizing Texture Spray or Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray spritzed through roots, lengths, and ends will provide the right amount of hold.

Considering how easy and effective this is, I'll be ditching my straighteners this summer and wearing my hair up a lot more. It seems Kirsty's 1.7 million viewers will be doing the same.

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