Nothing screams “I am about to get sh*t done” quite like a woman pulling her hair back into a high ponytail.
Practicality aside, the high pony can create the illusion of lifted cheekbones, elevated brows and tighter skin. In fact, the ‘ponytail lift’ is a real procedure, popular amongst cosmetic surgeons that claim to take seven years off your life.
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However, for those wanting to create this natural facelift with nothing but a trusty hair elastic, you may find yourself suffering from a nasty external compression headache. AKA a headache caused by something on the outside of your head, similar to if you were wearing a tight hat or headscarf.
Image credit: Getty
If this is the case, we have the answers.
So the next time you need a high pony to hide your day three dirty hair, get through a sweaty workout, or to compliment a statement lip, here’s how to achieve it sans pain:
1. Don’t leave it up longer than required
If you are committed to rocking this style, but are prone to headaches, try not to whip the hair back for longer than necessary.
Make your hair the last part of your glam routine, and remember to take it out once you’re home.
2. Swap out elastic bands for coils
Unlike regular elastic hair ties, coiled ones won’t tug at your hair or create any extra pressure by pulling certain strands more tightly than others.
They’re designed to balance out the pressure of your ponytail, with the specific intention to stop headaches.
bh recommends: Lady Jayne Style Guards™
3. Bobby pin the excess
Bring in the help of bobby pins to keep all the pieces of your hair off your face, without having to scrape it too severely into the elastic.
Start by brushing your hair gently back into a pony. Tie what you can into the elastic at a pressure that is comfortable for you, and anything that won’t go with it can be pinned back after.
bh recommends: Rock & Ruddle Boar Bristle Acorns & Butterflies Brush and Lady Jayne Bobby Pins
4. Fake it with hairspray
Another hack for a slicked-back look without putting all the pressure on your pony is to utilise hairspray. Using a clean, unused toothbrush, spray the bristles and use it to comb down hairs that don’t fit in the elastic, as well as smoothing flyaways.
bh recommends: JUSTICE Professional Firm Hold Hairspray
5. Give your hair a chop
Shorter hair means a lighter ponytail, which means less pressure on the scalp. Simples.
Image credit: Getty
Main image credit: Getty
Do you ever get headaches while wearing a ponytail? Have you got any tips to beating them?
Not sure about the ponytail headaches but the NBN outtages today were a killer.
Yup, pony is a no go for me atm. Hair way too heavy , just looks funny in flopped pony. Have tried a few elastics as style guards do not work, but it just goes down. Sigh.
I always wear my hair in pony tail as it gives slimming effect to my face…have to pay some price to look pretty!!
I nearly always wear my hair in a ponytail. I find that the coil things don’t work for me. They give me a headache. I find it’s best to use soft scrunchies.
Oh dear. The price of beauty…beauty is pain, pain is beauty….sorry for the famous writer misquote.
I wear my hair in a pony tail most of the time but my hair is fine so I don’t really get headaches.
The coils don’t work for me either.
So chic and cute
I know exactly what you are talking about re the headaches from a pony. I find some hairtie types are much less headache inducing than others. The soft silk scrunchies are excellent.
I love putting my hair up high in a pony. Thanks for the tip about swapping out elastic bands for coils.
I always wanted to know what it was called, now I know, compression headache.
Scrunchies and soft materials are better for me.
I’m freakishly prone to ponytail headaches, so I wear a plait more often – less scalp pressure.
If I do wear a ponytail, I make sure to brush, brush & brush out any unevenness. I bend over & brush the hair downwards, then gather in a scrunchie, just above my crown. With the ponytail centred near the top of my head, there’s less pull than if it’s ear height.
I dont tend to wear my hair in a ponytail but I did used to get headaches whenever I wore a headband. They are so not the things for me.
i think my head is too big for a high pony hahaha.
I have always had this issue, which is why I tend to avoid putting my hair in a high ponytail.
I got the Lady Jayne style guards in the November 2018 RR. They were fine to use but not that much different than regular hair ties and to be honest other than when I was testing to review them I haven’t worn them since and I don’t know where they are now. I suspect my daughter has snaffled them away. But I think for those prone to headaches a scrunchie would be the way to go.
This article actually helped not gonna lie, I feel like one of these days my pony tail related headaches are gonna kill me!!!
No headaches for me because my hair is too short to put into a ponytail.
Yes I remember the ponytail headaches and I wore it high and tight – that’s super tight almost a facelift tight !! These days I use coils for exercise and a large comb to keep it smooth.
Better the ponytails than those ridiculous buns/chignons that are all the rage on top of the head. Bet they cause headaches.
I always get ponytail headaches – I get about 2 hours and then out it comes. I haven’t tried coils though – might have to.
I wish I could wear a high ponytail to find out.
My hair isn’t long enough for a high pony!
hoping soon enough to be able to actually have a pony
Oh my gosh! Is that why I get headaches?!?!
I wear ponytails every day.But not that high.
Ponytails are so practical.
Never had a headache with a high ponytail… Good tips though…
I love that feeling when I take my ponytail out and my headaches diminishes.
Short hair so no need for this!
I always get hair headaches and it’s the WORST! Thanks for the Tips BH
hahahaha yeah this a thing. I use a chopstick these days over a hairband so it doesn’t pull on my scalp as much.
Thanks for the tips. Hate getting headaches
I am growing my hair, but i will probably need a trim of sorts soon just to give it some shape
Silk scrunchies are the best!
I tend not to wear a high pony as it gives me headaches. If I do I will do it for a short period of time.
I wear low pony tails mostly.
I love the look of long hair but prefer the ease of looking after short hair
High ponytails never work for me. I find that coils result in a saggy ponytail too.
I love high pony tail. I believe it gives you a fresh and young look. Also the hair are mess free.
Just tie it lower and little looser ladies X
I love high ponytails but don’t have the required length to create one 🙁
I use a scrunchie instead of tight hair tie. I loosen up the high pony when I get home to reduce headache/pressure from weight of hair.
I don’t put my hair up into a high pony often, as don’t want to place pressure on my fine hair. Jealous of those that have thick hair and rock this look!
Need to try this
hairspray on a spoolie also works just as great as a toothbrush!
Nice tips
I love a high pony but my scalp ends up being so sore afterwards, nothing seems to have helped.
I always get headaches when having my hair up in a high pony and next time I will being using these tips.
but Ive got to admit myself that I’ve never actually tried to wear the high pony tail, but the sleek bun, which is as equally painful if left for too long