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A ponytail is the ultimate hair hack: It’s comfortable, timeless, keeps your strands out of your face, and is appropriate for virtually any occasion. Whether you’re headed to the gym or the office, date nights, weddings, or holiday gatherings, there’s a pony that works for every event. And as party season closes in and your calendar fills up, sleek ponytail hairstyles will help you save big on time without sacrificing style. Plus, they’re simple to do on yourself–and I’m showing you how, ahead.

Depending on the length of your hair, you can opt for a low, mid, or high ponytail–or try one of each this season. Want an elegant look for a winter wedding? Try a slick low pony. Feeling playful for a holiday party? Go for a glam style with a little more height. Of course, adding sparkly earrings or a hair accessory like a satin bow, velvet headband, or shimmery hair pins never hurts, either. No matter how you do it a sleek ponytail is anything but basic. Scroll on to see how to get the look your way.

Sleek Low Ponytail

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Instructions:

Step 1: Part your hair. A middle part or side part works–wherever you feel most comfortable!

Step 2: Use gel and/or hairspray to hold down flyaways and baby hairs, depending on your hair type.

Step 3: Place strategic bobby pins in gold, silver, bronze, or black to hold down face-framing pieces that are too short to fit into the ponytail.

Mid Ponytail

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Instructions:

Step 1: Play around with leaving the part or going straight back at this level to see what flatters your face shape.

Step 2: Try to get a straight line going from your temples to the level of the ponytail.

Step 3: Use eyebrow powder and a makeup brush to apply root cover to the edges to cover sparse areas of the hairline, especially at the temples.

Step 4: Use the same products as with the low ponytail to hold down flyaways and baby hairs.

Sleek High Ponytail

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Instructions:

Step 1: Flip your head upside down and use a large paddle brush to get the hair all going in the correct direction.

Step 2: Spray hair spray onto the paddle brush and brush down flyaways.

Step 3: Add a bungee hair tie in addition to the normal hair tie holding the ponytail. This gives a little extra lift.

Step 4: Tease the base of the ponytail for volume, then smooth over the top.

Step 5: Use the same products for smoothing and hairline as outlined for the mid and low ponytails.

Did you try any of these sleek ponytail hairstyles? Show us on Instagram @lulus using #lovelulus–and head to our Special Occasion shop to score stylish dresses for everything from Christmas to prom!