Question: What's the healthiest kind of elastic to tie my hair up with, and what should I be doing to avoid breakage at the top of my head?
Answer: For most of us, summer means more braids, buns and ponytails to keep frizz at bay and our necks cool. But all that pulling, twisting and wrapping can lead to breakage; we asked celebrity hairstylist Tommy Buckett, who works out of Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon, to share his prevention plan.
1) Dry your hair before pulling it back. "The hair is at its weakest point when it's wet," says Buckett. "It stretches a little more when you pull on it, but it can only take so much before it snaps." If you're short on time, focus on drying the roots to the point just past where the elastic will be in place, then let the length of the ponytail air-dry.
2) A metal fastener is your ponytail's worst enemy. Get rid of all hair ties that aren't snag-free and stock up on fabric ties (they have less stretch and don't allow you to wrap as tightly), silicone bands (you can make them looser, since they don't slip) and bungees (for the smoothest look that you completely control).
3) Try out a new style for spin class. "Sweat breaks down the hair—I can usually look at a clients hair and tell that they go to Soul Cycle with a tight ponytail every day," says Buckett. A French braid will keep your hair out of your face without wear and tear.
4) Switch your ponytail height day to day. Ideally, you'd give your hair a break and wear it down between "up" days, but the second best option is to switch up your placement frequently: on top, back of the crown, nape.
5) Unwind with care. Take an extra couple of seconds to undo each loop of the elastic, rather than just dragging the whole thing down—it's the difference between losing half a dozen hairs each time.
