The Ariana Grande half up, half down ponytail is one of the most iconic looks in contemporary pop beauty, combining playful charm with high-glam polish. This article gathers detailed steps, background on her natural texture, and practical notes for recreating the style, drawn entirely from the provided draft while preserving every original sentence text.
Signature Style and Ambiance
Ariana Grande’s signature hair - that half up, half down ponytail - gives off a vibe that’s both playful and high glam, making it an update on the usually classic style. Ariana Grande may be known for her many hairstyles, like the high ponytail and that unforgettable silver hue from the Sweetener era, but did you know that her natural hair is actually quite curly? Although she’s been presumably straightening it for quite some time, the truth is that Grande’s raw texture is quite curly, while the color is a dark brown. And in a new Instagram video, the “Twilight Zone” singer gave followers a rare glimpse at her natural ’do. The clip shows her bouncy ringlets on full display as she wears a sheet mask and tests lip products from her REM Beauty line.
Background on Texture and Natural Hair
The singer’s natural curls have become a focal point in discussions about her hair, especially as fans note the difference between her everyday texture and the polished looks she often wears on stage and red carpets. This contrasts with the more controlled, sleek ponytail look she’s famous for, which can involve extensions to achieve length and volume. The discussion around her natural hair also highlights past challenges with bleaching and damage during her early days on Victorious, when she wore red hair for Cat Valentine and later relied on wigs or extensions to maintain her preferred look.
Step-by-Step Guide to Achieve the Ariana-Approved Pony
1. Wash Or Wet Your Hair: You can definitely create your Ariana-approved look with dry hair, but if you want to get that heatless volume this style needs, you should start with damp or freshly washed hair. Now don’t let me discourage you from using curling irons, but take it from this bleached-blonde babe: It’s always nice to give your hair a break from heat styling damage during the summer months.
2. Create Heatless Curls: After letting your hair dry a bit, it’s time to give your hair some oomph like Grande’s. As previously stated you can definitely use heat styling tools, but to get some effortless curly waves, I like to use sponge hair curlers to get that effective yet entirely heatless result. To use your curlers effectively, spray each strand with some leave-in-conditioner, then simply wrap your hair around the center of curlers to hold.
3. Wait An Hour, Then Undo Your Curlers: Rolling and setting my hair for an hour, I couldn’t wait for glorious curls upon taking my sponge curlers out. Once that never-ending hour was finally over with, I was treated to gorgeous curls that would even make my Beachwaver jealous.
4. Brush It Out: You may be a bit sad to brush your lush curls away, but you want to keep this look as voluminous as possible. Taking a good paddle brush, simply brush your curls to free flowing waves. If you’d like to use hairspray at this step, go ahead and knock yourself out.
5. Section Your Hair In Place: To create that cute-as-a-button pony, you definitely want to fashion your hair into a half up, half down style. Using a clip (my preferred method) or hair elastic you’ve got lying around, simply grab some hair and section it off your face into a half ponytail.
6. Make A Half Up Ponytail: Once your hair is completely sectioned off, use an elastic and tie the parted hair into high ponytail off your head.
7. Add In Some Extensions: Here’s where things get a bit tricky. Unless you’re already sporting waist-length hair, you’ll surely need some extra help to get those Ariana tresses. A lot tutorials I saw called for extensions, so I was sure to put some clip-ins to work. Extensions may seem costly, but if you’re lucky enough to have a color that's easy to match, you can score big time on sites like Amazon. Luckily, I found these babies for under $30, but can only imagine how much Ariana spends to upkeep this look. To feign the look of long and gorgeous hair, make sure your extension piece rests just beneath your pony. Then, secure your clips and blend into the hair.
8. Wrap Some Hair Around Your Pony: Next, place some hair from your ponytail around your elastic. This step surely takes a few tries, but it helps create that crucial mod look, and doesn’t need tons of hairspray for hold. Once you’ve successfully covered your hair around the elastic, simply stick a bobby pin through your ponytail to secure your style in place.
9. Strike A Pose: Once you’ve reached this step, know that it’s time to start doing your victory dance. Although my hair isn’t as stylized as Grande’s (girl probably has a dope beauty squad), this is one awesomesauce hairstyle that makes me feel like a million bucks.
Practical Considerations and Maintenance
Keep in mind though, this style isn’t for those who don’t like high maintenance looks. Not only does this style require extensions, patience, and a good deal of your time, but it definitely takes a lot of tries (and eyerolls) later to get your look just right. And while heatless methods can reduce damage, extended wear and multiple adjustments mean frequent touch-ups and careful blending of extensions with natural hair.
Evolution: From School Beats to Red Carpet Glam
Ariana Grande’s hair journey includes notable moments beyond the half up pony, such as her high ponytail and the silver hue from the Sweetener era. Yet her natural curls have sparked renewed attention, as fans and media highlight the contrast between her recovered curl pattern and the frequently styled, elongated ponytail looks she improvises for performances and photos.
Visual Aids and Inspirations
Infographics or diagrams that illustrate the half up, half down technique, extension placement, and wrapping around the pony can significantly boost understanding for readers attempting the look. A simple flowchart showing the nine steps, plus a before/after collage of texture options, would be particularly informative.
Notes on Natural Texture and Hair Health
Grande’s natural curls are a point of interest for fans and hairstylists alike, emphasizing that her hair’s true texture is curly with a dark brown color. She has historically experimented with wigs and extensions to maintain her preferred silhouette while managing damage from bleaching and heat. The discussion around her hair underscores the balance between achieving iconic looks and preserving hair integrity over time.
Suggested Products and Budget-Friendly Options
Extensions are a common component of recreating the look, and affordable clip-ins can help achieve the volume and length needed. Budget-conscious shoppers can find viable options under $30, though color matching remains a key factor in achieving a seamless blend with natural hair.