Easy Festival-Inspired Ponytail

I’m so excited to bring you another fun hair tutorial today! The messy pony has been my go-to this summer because it’s that perfect mix between “put together” and “I woke up like this”–plus, with this crazy heat we’ve been enduring lately, it’s a great way to keep cool and keep the frizz to a minimum! 

Today, I’m sharing my version of my favorite messy pony with a festival-inspired twist (just in time for Pitchfork, for you Chicagoans!) 

Plus, read on for a fun giveaway of some of my favorite hair products featured here and a FREE 3 day weekend pass to Pitchfork Music Festival! 

As you guys know, I test out a lot of hair products, and I can be a tough critic, but the brand I’m teaming up with today–Verb–a truly awesome haircare company from Austin–has shot to the top of my list! All of their products are cruelty-free and do not include harmful sulfates, parabens or gluten. Plus, they don’t cost an arm and a leg! (Most full-sized products cost just $14!) Their products are just as lovely as their packaging. (‘Cuz you know I’m a sucker for branding!) 

When I gave their products a trial-run earlier this month, I knew I’d be a life customer. (I have used them every day since!) For this tutorial, I’ll be using their Ghost Hair Spray, which I love for it’s flexible, medium hold and frizz control, as well as their Sea Spray–which is a dream in the summer! I apply it to both wet and dry hair for great, beachy-bedhead texture.

Their Volume Spray and Ghost Oil are also amazing products, and the Dry Shampoo is one of the best I’ve tried–ideal for soaking up extra grease and adding volume to your roots! (I took it with me to Paris and it got me through some extra days without having to wash my hair, because, you know–times in money in the most romantic city in the world!) I love that it isn’t an aerosol spray–it’s actually a powder–so there’s no risk of the dispenser clogging (the worst!) and it doesn’t count as a “liquid” on the plane. Hehe. 

You can purchase their products both on their website and also at Sephora. Great for those of you VIB Sephora Members who spend paychecks per year on beauty products (WHO ME!?)–you can pick some of these up on your next trip!

Okay–so, are you ready to DIY your festival pony? Let’s do it! 

 

Step #1: Prep dry hair with styling product 

My hair in this tutorial was day-old–I had air dried it yesterday and curled it slightly, but what you’re seeing here is the leftovers. (Hence: Why I love this hairstyle! It makes dirty hair look so much better!) You can do the same, or leave it straight–it’s up to you!

Typically I will throw it up in a ponytail and assess what I have to work with. If I like it, I’ll leave it, if it needs more wave, I’ll twirl a few strands around a 1.5″ barrel iron, wand style. 

Whatever you’re workin’ with–apply your styling product to prep your hair. Here I’m using both the Ghost Hair Spray, which I apply liberally all over my hair from roots to tips, followed with the Sea Spray. You can also apply the sea spray to damp hair and let air dry, following with hair spray–but the combination achieves the messy-chic look I’m going for that is perfect for any festival! 

 

Step #2: Pull hair into a high pony

Once your hair is all prepped and ready to go, pull it into a high ponytail. Don’t worry about it being perfectly sleek–if you have some bumps that’s totally okay–it’s supposed to be messy! 

 

Step #3: Make your wrap braid 

Pull a small section from the base/back of your ponytail, and braid it. The size of the section will really depend upon how thick your hair is, but a section about 1.5-two fingers wide will probably be just-right for most hair. 

Braid it all the way to the end (don’t worry about securing the end of the braid with an elastic, as we’ll be pinning it!) and once you’re finished, wrap it around your ponytail holder. My hair is long, so it wraps around twice, but if your hair is shorter it might only wrap around once. Keep in mind that if your hair only wraps around once, maybe consider making your braid thicker in order to cover up your ponytail elastic! 

 

Step 4: Secure with bobby pins 

You’ll want to secure the braid by sticking a bobby pin into the ponytail holder near the section where your braid ends. Follow by sticking 3-4 more pins around the base of your ponytail to make sure it doesn’t go anywhere! If you have problems with your pins holding, try making an “x” shape with your pins, crossing them over one another as you stick them into your ponytail! 

Another note: not all bobby pins are created equal! The ones from the drugstore do not hold my hair together. I buy mine in bulk from Sally Beauty Supply, and they are SO much better. (Seriously, buy the ones that look exactly like the above photo! They’re so much better!) 

If you have ends sticking out, give your braid a good spray so they stick down, and you should be good to go! 

 

Step 5: Finishing touches 

I like to give my fly-aways a good spritz with hair spray, and my ponytail a final spritz of sea salt spray for extra texture once my pony is good to go. Also optional: curling a few sections around a wand. (Don’t use a traditional curling iron, it will look too “done up” for this look!) 

That’s it! You’re done and ready for Pitchfork! 

 

Enter the Giveaway! 

I’m teaming up with Verb for an awesome giveaway! One lucky winner will win a free 3 day pass to Pitchfork this weekend (Friday-Sunday!)–AND an amazing tote bag FULL of Verb products! All you have to do is comment below (make sure to include your email!) or over on Instagram right here and the winner will be notified Thursday night! 

Thank you to Verb for partnering on this post and giveaway! Verb makes products that I love, have tested, and use daily! I hope you love them just as much, and thank you for supporting the brands that support GG!