Cara Delevingne, who has been slaying the beauty game as of late on her Suicide Squad press tour, debuted a next-level ponytail last night. And is it just us, or did it make her look like a totally different person? Must be the Croydon Facelift Effect (opens in new tab)...
A celebrity favorite, this kind of ultra-tight, scraped-back style is notorious for opening up the face, ironing out the skin for a smooth, line-free complexion, and hoisting facial features, like the eyes, brows, and cheeks, for a "lifted" look.
Beloved by Beyoncé (opens in new tab) and Bella Hadid alike, it's undeniably chic—but heed this warning (opens in new tab): Styling your hair like this repeatedly over an extended period of time can lead to damage or even hair loss. So make it an occasional hair statement versus a full-on, plastic surgery alternative.
1. Prep damp hair with Christophe Robin Instant Voluminizing Mist with Rosewater (opens in new tab) at the root for added lift, and Ouai Wave Spray (opens in new tab), a weightless texture mist, through the ends for touchable texture.
2. Use a flat iron, like the ghd Platinum Professional Styler (opens in new tab), to create waves that will boost texture. You can take the "S" wave approach by folding the hair into waves for imperfect, loose bends.
3. Gather the hair into a high, tight, and bump-free ponytail at the crown, then secure with a bungee band. The key is getting the right angle! Lift your chin to prevent bagginess at the nape area. Then, to hide the band, wrap a section of hair around the bungee and secure with a pin.
4. Spray a texturizer, like Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray (opens in new tab), through the ponytail for fullness and added texture. The more hair that can be seen from someone facing you, the better. Set the final look with Balmain Session Spray Strong (opens in new tab).
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