NYFW Hair Diaries: Romantic Braided Ponytail + Pink Romper

wavy braid ponytail tutorial topshop petite romper

Topshop romper (in olive) US 0P, YSL bag, J. Simpson heels 5.5 (runs half size small)

For my second look at NYFW with TRESemmé (see my first look here), we did a wavy, textured ponytail with a side braid and tousled bangs. This might be one of my favorite looks ever, and can work for casual or dressier occasions alike. I paired it with my Topshop romper for a few events, and the hairstyle stayed in place all day despite some gusty winds! FYI this particular Alexa style romper runs small and short, so if you want a little more coverage, I’d suggest trying the regular sizing (they make it in tall, too) instead of petites. I love the slightly more formal details like notched lapels, side pockets (yay!) and cuffed sleeves, but in a playful romper format.

topshop petite pink romper nightime outfit

I asked my TRESemmé stylist to break down this hairstyle into some main steps for those of us who may want to recreate it at home. Continue reading below for the how-to!
And if you’re looking for romantic bridesmaid hairstyles that are cohesive but not identical, something like this could be made into several variations with a bun, twisted loop, or another braid at the bottom vs. a ponytail.

braided volume wavy ponytail tutorial 1

1. My stylist started by working TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume Mousse into my hair, which helps create some lift and hold at the roots which I always like in a ponytail! If you have thick hair, she recommends working mousse in section-by-section, as shown.

2. Dry hair as needed while lifting at the roots with your fingers.

3. Part off a section across the front, as shown. This section of hair will be for both the side braid and bangs (if you have them!).

4. To create volume at the top of the ponytail, lift up a section of hair by the crown of your head. My stylist back-combed / teased this section near the roots, then sprayed that area with TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume hairspray to lock in any added volume.

braided volume wavy ponytail tutorial 2

5. Gather your hair back into a ponytail by the nape of the neck. Tip: before securing the ponytail, use the skinny pointed end of a long comb to lift up the section at the crown of the head, until the “poof” is shaped the way you like it.

6. Secure the ponytail. My stylist used a bungee-style elastic which is one long strand with a hook on each end. I absolutely love these and just started using them at home now, as they hold my thicker hair in place without stretching out or breaking like regular elastics.

braided volume wavy ponytail tutorial 3

7. Braid the section that was parted off in Step # 3, leaving out some loose pieces in the front if you have bangs. Secure the braid with a thin elastic, and use your fingers to loosen it a bit (as shown) for a fuller-looking braid.

8. Wrap the braid around the base of your ponytail to hide any bungees / elastics. Secure with bobby pins.

9. Curl the loose pieces of hair in the front – for such small pieces, curling should take just a few seconds against a hot iron.

10. Curl the hair in the ponytail, section by section. Run your fingers through the curled hair to loosen it up, and finish with hairspray to lock in the entire look. Voila!

tresemme nyfw fall 2016 hairstyles

This post is in partnership with TRESemmé, a product of Unilever.

wavy dutch braid ponytail updo tutorial

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40 Comments

  1. Anonymous wrote:

    I love your blog and have a question about this hairstyle. Is the braid a regular braid or a french braid? I would love to try to recreate this look and I can't tell from your post. Thank you!

    Posted 10.5.16 Reply
  2. Dayle Pereira wrote:

    I love the blush pink shade – you look amazing in it, especially with your 'do!

    xo http://www.stylefile.in

    Posted 10.3.16 Reply
  3. Anonymous wrote:

    Really love your hairstyle!

    http://www.alisharicki.com

    Posted 10.2.16 Reply
  4. Tiffany wrote:

    Absolutely stunning!!! Love the romper so much.

    closetfullofdreams.com

    Posted 9.24.16 Reply
  5. Clare wrote:

    It didnt appear for me, but thank you for the suggestion about the pin-it button! I downloaded the app 🙂
    Thank you!

    Posted 9.22.16 Reply
  6. Anonymous wrote:

    What size did you get in the romper?

    Posted 9.21.16 Reply
  7. Paris Chic Style wrote:

    Hi Jean, I love this hairstyle on you. It's perfect for everyday, casual, and formal events. I love your tips about tailoring oversized clothes. I also struggle finding clothes that perfectly fits. 😉 xo

    With Love From,
    Paris Chic Style

    Posted 9.21.16 Reply
  8. Doreen's Style Diary wrote:

    This hair style is absolutely darling. I wish I still have my long hair to try it out.
    http://www.doreensstylediary.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  9. Jean wrote:

    Hi Clare! Thanks for your kind comment!

    Oh no…that's so odd about Pinterest. It shouldn't be related to any ad blocks. So if you hover your mouse over a photo, a Pin-it button doesn't appear on the upper left hand corner of the photo? Another option is just to install Pinterest's pin-it button on your browser toolbar. I use mine all the time whenever I'm surfing the web!

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  10. Jean wrote:

    Hi! Haha unfortunately I can't say I have shopped for one before, but if anyone else has please jump in! Sorry I can't help here…

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  11. Jean wrote:

    I've seen them at Target! You can also do a google search for bungee elastics and several come up from places like Amazon, etc. A 1" iron was used here : )

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  12. Dhara wrote:
    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  13. Cam Nguyen wrote:

    Thankyou so much for the tutorial. Can't wait to try it when my hair grows out a bit more and especially for the holiday.

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  14. Aïchatou Bella Sakho wrote:

    This ENTIRE outfit is on point. The hairdo and the blush tone are just perfect.

    xo,
    Aïchatou Bella
    http://www.stilettosandstandards.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  15. Mei Liang wrote:

    Hi Jean! Thanks for sharing this hair style tutorial! It looks very beautiful on you. I'll definitely have to try it myself!

    -Mei
    Pieces of Mei

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  16. mybeautrip wrote:

    Beautiful hairdo!
    xx

    http://www.mybeautrip.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  17. Clare wrote:

    Hi Jean!
    I started following your blog this summer. I really like your professional clothes especially and have learned a lot about tailoring! Thank you!
    I was hoping to be able to save more of your pins on pinterest. I know you previously mentioned in a blog that that was okay and a little button should appear in the top corner? However I am not able to. I am not sure if I have some type of ad block that doesn't allow it, or if it also doesn't work for anyone else.
    Again, thank you for the blog, it is very helpful!

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  18. Ev wrote:
    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  19. Style Doctors wrote:

    Your look is always on point!

    Tra x
    http://styledoctors.us

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  20. Basia Budzisz wrote:

    So sweet ! ♥♥♥
    http://wear-owska.blogspot.com/

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  21. Deasy Noel wrote:

    Such a pretty hairstyle! I would love to get my hair done like that – so whimsical <3 In love with your full blush look too!

    http://www.deasynoel.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  22. Unknown wrote:

    HI Jean! This question is off topic but figured it's worth asking you…Have you found a good armband holder for your phone with a petite arm? I would love to have an iphone armband that actually fits- I have tried several and the velcro never straps small enough to actually function. Thanks!

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  23. Cattleya wrote:

    I love this hairstyle! I'm dying over the romper, it's so cute! I hope you enjoyed fashion week. Thanks for sharing!

    x. Cattleya

    alittlecattleya.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  24. Tess Felber_Sequins are the New Black wrote:

    This hairstyle is drop dead gorgeous and this light pink shade looks great on you! Thanks for sharing!
    xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  25. Rachel wrote:

    I love, love, love that braid! Your whole outfit is so chic.

    xoxo
    Rachel
    http://thetrendytomboy.com/

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  26. Alice Che wrote:

    So pretty! Definitely going to have to try that!

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  27. tr3ndygirl fashion blog wrote:

    love your pink look
    have an happy day
    kiss
    —> tr3ndygirl fashion & beauty blogger <---

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  28. Unknown wrote:

    This is such a great post! Have a nice day:)

    irenethayer.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  29. Marie Ebelt wrote:

    LOVE this outfit ! Pink looks gorgeous on you.
    Many kisses
    Marie

    http://www.whatiwearinlondon.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  30. Sharan Kaur wrote:

    Wow love this hairstyle! Can't wait to recreate it at home!!

    xoxo
    Sharan
    http://www.MyGoldenBeauty.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  31. Jessi wrote:

    I love your hair! So pretty. And blush pink is such a nice color for you!

    xoxo
    Jessi
    http://www.thedarlingdetail.com/

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  32. Nano @ #TravelWithNanoB wrote:

    What a stunning hairdo and it flatters you so much. It could totally be a wedding style! I could never pull it off without hair extensions though. xoxo, nano | http://www.travelwithnanob.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  33. Meghan wrote:

    I absolutely LOVE that braid!! Such an easy look to pull off for everyday too!!

    Meghan | BeyondBasicBlog.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  34. Neeltje | Thoughts in Style wrote:

    Your hair looks amazing!
    http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  35. Kim wrote:

    This looks amazing! Where oh WHERE do you get those bungee elastics? What size curling iron do you use? Thank you so much for the tutorial!!!

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  36. Dressed With Soul wrote:

    You look wonderful with this romantic braid and I love also your super cute suit!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  37. Polly wrote:

    What a pretty hairstyle! I can't wait for my hair to grow out so I can style it more!

    Polly
    http://gemsandjoy.com

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  38. Fictitious Fashion wrote:

    OMG.. Love this hairstyle so much. Gonna do it! Needless to say, that romper is super pretty. You make everything so lovely 🙂

    Maybe you'd like to read my new post: Five Years of Love

    Love
    Akanksha

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  39. La Bijoux Bella | by mia wrote:

    Sweet and subtly pink . . . Simply beautiful! 🙂

    La Bijoux Bella | by mia

    Posted 9.19.16 Reply
  40. Jessica | Petite Style Script Blog wrote:

    Hi Jean, thank you for the tutorial on this hairstyle! I agree it's great for casual or formal events. And what a great tip for potential bridesmaid hairstyles! I hope I'm able to do this on my own hair (after many practice sessions maybe). Your romper also looks adorable and the detailing makes it unique; I don't own any rompers but am tempted with how yours are always so stylish!

    ~Jessica | http://www.petitestylescript.com

    Posted 9.18.16 Reply

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