The Secret to Mastering Beyoncé’s High Ponytail With Any Hair Length

Misty Spinney
May 06, 2015

When the first photos of Beyoncé on the red carpet at last night’s Met Gala hit the web, you might have been looking at that dress (or what it was barely covering up ;) but I was looking at the superstar’s super high, curled-to-perfection pony. I mean, seriously, when was the last time YOUR ponytail looked as sweet as Bey’s?

Today, I’m showing you how to master Beyoncé’s Met Gala ponytail even if you think your layers make a high ‘do impossible — and, yes. Even IF you don’t have extensions.

Mega PRO TIP!!!

TIGI Big Head Hair Stick ($13).

Step 1: Pull Your Hair into a Pony

Use a larger curling iron, with a barrel of about 2 inches to curl and smooth out a small, 1-inch section of hair. This will be the hair you wrap around your ponytail to help you get that I Dream of Jeannie-like height Beyoncé has in hers.

Step 2: Curl Hair To Wrap Around Base

Use a wax like TIGI Big Head Hair Stick ($13) to smooth down the strand of hair you just curled. This will also help give it a little firmness to help make your ponytail stand up more. Now, wrap it around the base of your ponytail and pin it in place in the back.

Step 3: Smooth + Wrap

If your hair is long, you will already have this covered. If you have medium length hair or lots of layers and need a little extra length, you will pull up that back section of hair that you left hanging loose and pin it in place in two sections to blend in with the fall of the rest of your pony. First, pull half of the loose section up and over to pin in place just below your ponytail. Then repeat just below that with the final strands left out.

Step 4: Fake The Length

Pro Tip: Disguise the pins by pulling a couple strands of the hair you pinned over the bobbys to keep everything in place.

Curl all of your hair that has been pulled up into the high ponytail and pinned below it. Use a large curling iron (approx 2-inches) and pick up one to two inch sections of hair to curl at a time. It helps if you spray each strand with hairspray prior to curling. This will make your curls last longer.

Step 5: Curl Hair

Use a rattail comb to tease the hair at the roots to the midshaft of your hair throughout your ponytail. This will help to create volume and give the ‘do that full texture. When you are done, gently comb over the top layer to help smooth down the hair. Also gently comb through all of your curls to soften and blend them together.

Step 6: Add Volume + Texture

Use the same curling wand to go back and place a couple more distinct curls toward the front of the ponytail.

Step 7: Final Curl Touch

Now rock this look out tonight, this weekend, at your next wedding — go, girl!

What was your favorite look from the Met Gala? What event would you rock the Beyoncé ponytail to? Share with us below!!

Hailey Bieber's New "Chocolate Syrup" Hair Is All The Internet Can Talk About RN

Say goodbye to the iconic bob, because Hailey Bieber just flaunted a new hairdo. Of course, the internet just had to equate her returning brunette locks to a type of food — because apparently that’s a thing that needs to happen for every hair and beauty trend now. Bieber debuted “chocolate syrup hair” after posting a mirror selfie on her Instagram story and a video to TikTok. The model opted for a classic blowout, darker brown hue, and mid-length extensions for a fuller and fresher look.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Fans were ecstatic about the switch, with one commenting that this is the “best hair [Hailey’s] had” and another chiming in that “the iconic long hair is finally coming back.” It’s giving us flashbacks to Bieber’s 2022 era, when her deep brown long hair was all over red carpets.

Fans who missed the social media posts took notice of her hair change at yesterday’s Super Bowl, when the Biebers were pictured getting cozy in their VIP Box. Hailey matched the new color shade with a fluffy cheetah print jacket, white top, and mid-wash jeans. Her superstar hubby, Justin Bieber, followed the brown aesthetic with a loose caramel long sleeve adorned with crescent-moons, dark pants, and a black backwards cap.

This is the first time Hailey's sported long hair since she chopped it off back in 2023, making it at least a year since she displayed the chin-length bob heard around the world (we all thought about copying this hairstyle a time or two, let’s be real). The shoulder-grazing cut was actually nicknamed after food too — cinnamon cookie butter hair — due to the range of golden brown and copper undertones.

And now, chocolate syrup hair is just the latest in a slew of beauty trends that the Rhode skincare founder has started. Remember glazed doughnut skin? Strawberry girl and latte make-up? Blueberry milk nails? Okay, so that last one was inspired by Sofia Richie, but it still fits into the ongoing theme here…

Peep Some Hailey Bieber's Best Hair Moments Over The Years

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

The 2018 Met Gala

Hailey was pretty in pink with this 2018 hairdo at the "Heavenly Bodies" Met Gala. The pastel color is really hair to pull off, but leave it to Mrs. Bieber to absolutely slay. While I love her brunette do right now, definitely would love to see her try something more playful like this again!

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

The 2019 Met Gala

Clearly, Hailey does NOT disappoint when she shows up on the First Monday in May. This super blonde high ponytail is giving Bond girl in all the best ways! Plus, can we talk about the slicked-back hair and bow combo?! 2024 would eat this look up if she wanted to try it again!

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

We know miss thing rocks a shorter cut, and this blunt bob is no exception. The slick side part pairs so well with her naturally high cheekbones, and her earrings really compliment the length of the cut. 10s across the board!

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

The 2021 Met Gala

A soft, beachy wave is honestly everything. I love how she pairs this more lax hairstyle with a luxe event like the Met Gala, giving her overall look so much texture and intrigue. Plus, that honey-colored hair was made for an effortless look like this.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Mirroring her 2021 Met Gala look, Hailey rocked tousled waves again, but with a deeper honey color. The overall styling looks chic, but attainable, subtly inviting everyone to request "The Hailey" at their next appointment.

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards

WSJ. Magazine 2022 Innovator Awards

Hailey took beachy to new heights with this long hairdo. Her waves are slightly more subdued, giving that "I just woke up like this" look we're all still trying to get. I'm so excited to see her back to a darker brown now because this color is absolutely serving!

Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

The bob is bobbing — no, but really this iconic bob is next level. It takes her iconic waves and makes them elevated, elegant, and everything I've ever needed. While I'm more than here for her longer hair right now, I hope we get a brunette bob moment again.

For more hair inspo and celeb news, be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter, so you don't miss a thing!

Header image by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

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Not Close With Your Family? Here's How To Have a Joyous And Connected Holiday Season

Last year, some of us celebrated the holidays apart from our families for the first time. COVID has brought with it many changes, some of them arguably positive (like increased flexibility to work from home), some difficult (such as the realization of vastly different political and social views between family and friends), and some horrible (obviously, the health implications of a global pandemic). However, for some of us, celebrating the holidays without family members isn't exclusively due to COVID. In addition to so many of us living in different areas than our families of origin, some of us simply don't have close bonds with the people we grew up around. Sometimes, this can cause loneliness.

If you're not close with your family members, the holidays can be a difficult time. This is doubly true if you don't have a close circle of friends to call upon. But make no mistake, if this sounds like your situation, you're not alone — there are thousands of other people going through the same struggles you are. We sat down with Irad Eichler, founder of Circles, a website that connects people who are sharing similar struggles, like heartbreak, grief, or loneliness. Here are some of Eichler's tips for coping — and even thriving! — during the holiday season when you're not planning on spending it with your family, for one reason or another.

Don't Fall For "Perfect Families" On Social Media

Laura Chouette

The first VERY important step to having a joyous holiday season when you're going it alone is to stop believing the narrative that others' family situations are perfect, Eichler says.

"Remember people only post a moment in time, and only the moments when they look their happiest and best."

In addition to the fact that everything you see on social media is curated for the 'gram, it's also important to remember that by focusing on what others have and you lack, you risk failing to see the great things at play in your own life.

"These holiday periods can become a time of focusing on who and what we don't have, rather than who or what we do, and can cause a negative spiral into depressing and dreadful feelings of inadequacy," says Eichler.

Gratitude is the reason for the season, after all. So instead of only seeing the negative, try some gratitude journal prompts to help you focus on what's actually really wonderful about your life right now.

Make An Effort To Deepen New Connections

Joel Muniz

While it may seem like everyone has friends and family to spend time with during the holiday season, that doesn't mean no one is available for deepening a blossoming relationship or new friendship.

"Make a list of people you can or would like to connect with, and try to reach out to at least one of them," advises Eichler.

Reaching out doesn't have to mean a big plan or an hour-long conversation. Even a quick text letting a friendly coworker know you're thinking about them can go a long way toward deepening the relationship and moving it in the direction of closer friendship.

Don't have an acquaintance in mind? Then it's time to make new acquaintances. What's more in line with the Christmas spirit than attending a Meetup or event full of people eager to make new friends?

"Join groups with similar interests to yours, such as hiking, baking, or games. Push your boundaries and be brave - you might find new people who have much in common with you."

Give Back

Priscilla Du Preez

The holiday season is a great time to focus on giving back to your community, and coincidentally, acts of generosity and kindness are known to reduce loneliness and help people feel happier. One study found that knowing a few of your neighbors and doing small acts of kindness for them — such as cheering them up, listening to them, mowing their lawn, providing advice about local business recommendations and job opportunities, and chatting over the fence — was statistically correlated with feeling less lonely and having a lower risk of depression.

Helping out elderly neighbors can be a particularly gratifying way to give back.

"Notice older lonely people in your neighborhood or community who might have no family at all, and offer to help them," says Eichler. "These can become mutually meaningful connections, and help you 'adopt' a grandparent."

Connect With Others Online

Thought Catalog

Finally, use the Internet for its highest and best purpose: to connect people. Whether you're using Meetup to find in-person events, digital forums for having conversations about special interests, or programs like Circle for getting support from others in your situation, the opportunities to create new connections are practically endless.

"There are many interest groups that can be found digitally, where or any person can connect with others in the same life stage, going through the same challenges, or who would like to explore the same interests," Eichler states. "Meaningful connections can be formed easily in these circumstances. The Internet enables us to find and connect to people all over the world who fit this, and to whom we can become more easily attached, as we are able to find people with the exact interests that energize us."

If you're struggling with loneliness, you're not alone. Connect with our digital community of makers and creatives here at Brit+Co by following us on IG and signing up for our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

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5 Ways to Decorate the Best Gingerbread House EVER

Nothing says the holidays like gingerbread house decorations. But, sometimes we'd rather skip the making-the-house part. Lucky for us, the folks at Dylan's Candy Bar have a pre-assembled gingerbread house just waiting to be decorated like the dickens. Each gingerbread house comes with a bunch of festive candies, but we hit up Dylan's Candy Bar in person to stock up on even more gummy candies, candy canes and a whole collection of colorful candy accoutrements.

Armed with more candy than you've even seen in person before, we created five gorgeous gingerbread houses: Candy Cane, Emerald City, Stripes + Lights, Color Blocked Craziness and Gold Rush.

How to make the best gingerbread house ever...

First thing’s first: get yourself a gingerbread house and mix up a batch of royal icing.

Then, it’s time for CANDY. Seriously.

Talk about a sugar rush.

Now, let’s start tricking out these houses!

Check out these creative gingerbread house ideas!

CANDY CANE Gingerbread House

Grab a Dylan’s Candy Bar Signature Holiday Paint Can ($30; Alt: Down Under Delight Paint Can, $17), as well as gumdrops, peppermints and candy canes.

You’re going to need a LOT of royal icing to stick on all the little candies! Make sure you’ve got two piping bags per house, just in case. We created a scalloped roof complete with red polka dots. Candy canes flank the door, welcoming you in, and we’re particularly in love with the sour gummy hedges in the front.

Add your finishing touches.

Voila!

So obsessed with this roof.

EMERALD CITY GingerBread House

For this house, you'll need a Mini Bin Filled with Mini Gumballs ($16; Alt: Sour Gumballs Bulk Bag, $6) and then you can pull out all of the green goodies.

The roof of your gingerbread house is definitely the best canvas for creativity. We created polka dot and squiggly stripes on this green roof. And sour gummy shutters? Yes please.

How fun are those fish at the top of the door? Sort of remind us of Eureeka’s castle.

STRIPES + LIGHTS GingerBread House

Dylan’s Candy Bar Wizard of Oz “Over the Rainbow” Paint Can ($16; Alt: Dylan's Candy Bar Rainbow Sour Belts Paint Can, $17) to create our striped roof.

Cut up gummy stripes to be the same length as your roof. Use royal icing to attach. Create icing windows and adorn with rainbow shutters.

Then use royal icing to create a string for your “lights” to hang on.

We couldn’t resist creating a few Christmasy hedges in the front of the house, complete with bright pink lights on top.

It almost looks too good to eat.

These gingerbread house designs are creative and so simple!

COLOR BLOCKED Gingerbread House

Just pick out some Dylan’s Candy Bar Tackle Box ($24; Alt: Dylan's Candy Bar Classic Christmas Tackle Box, $28), Dylan’s Candy Bar Everything Under the Sun Paint Can($17) and Dylan’s Candy Bar Whirly Pops ($3.75 each) to make this house.

We started with a criss-cross roof and embellished with floral candies.

Then, it’s time to add color everywhere you possibly can.

One fish, two fish, blue fish, blue fish!

GOLD RUSH Gingerbread House

Finally, we’re bringing the gold rush back with this minimalist design. The gingerbread dudes from Dylan’s Signature Holiday Paint Can ($17; Alt: Dylan's Candy Bar Candy Land Mix Bulk Bag, $9) are what really take this sleek look to the next level.

First cover the roof with icing, then add in gold stars. Use white chocolate-covered pretzels on the front of the house, and make sure to make dripping icicles out of your icing.

To finish it off, add snow piles around the house to give it a truly wintery vibe.

Done and done. And complete with a gummy gingerbread dude welcoming you in. Go ahead and pop a kiss off the top — we won’t tell.

And there you have it. Five ways to decorate the best gingerbread house ever.

We hope you have found some new gingerbread house decorations to get creative and inspired by this holiday. Tag us on Instagram when you complete, join our newsletter for more holiday inspiration, or take the Gingerbread House making class on B+C Classes!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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Zach Bryan & Brianna Chickenfry's Break Up Is COMPLICATED — Here's What To Know

Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia's explosive breakup is everywhere right now. From his seemingly one-sided social media posts to all the bombshell revelations she keeps dropping, it's clear this split is NOT amicable. Both parties are dropping tons of lore, info, and everything in between — including new music?! — right now, so it makes sense if you can't keep up. Luckily, I'm here to help break this breakup down for you! Here's everything you need to know about Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's relationship...or lack thereof.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

October 22, 2024 – Zach Bryan Announces His Breakup With Brianna Chickenfry

On October 22, 2024, after some recent speculation that Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry split up, Zach took to his Instagram stories. The country star said, "Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with [each other] and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I'll always thank her."

He continued, noting, "I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be. Please respect Brianna's privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too."

To wrap it all up, he closed by apologizing to his fans. He said, "With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Brianna hopped on her own Instagram stories shortly there after. She posted, "Hey guys I'm feeling really blindsided right now. Gonna hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately, when I'm ready I'll be back and ready to talk. I love you guys so much thank you for all of your kind words. Remember you are so loved and everything's always gonna be okay 🫶"

The Brianna got on Youtube next, posting a raw, emotional video about the situation. Sitting on the floor of her bathroom, she opened up as much as she could in the moment about her breakup. She said, "I just woke up to Zach posting on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going up. He didn't text me, he didn't call me. I just woke up to a bunch of texts, like, 'Are you okay?'"

Brianna, with her teary eyes and red face, explained she's been crying for "five days straight." She said, "I'm at the point where it's like, how can you give someone everything and love them so unconditionally, like through stuff that you shouldn't because you just love them and you want them... like you see the good in them?"

The internet personality said that this is all "so embarrassing" and "really, really heartbreaking." She elaborated that the couple broke up on October 21, but wanted to process on her own and "didn't want it to be public."

Much like her Instagram story, she told her audience that she'll come back when she's ready.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

November 7, 2024 — Brianna Claims Zach's Emotionally Abusive, Wanted $12Mil NDA

Well, it appears this week, Brianna decided she's ready. On Barstool Sports' BFF's Pod November 7, 2024, Brianna gave an inside look at the breakup unlike any other. Not only did she claim Zach was abusive, but she also alleged that he offered her a $12 million NDA to "not talk about the relationship."

After saying it's been the hardest year of her life, she said. "I'm still scared right now because I'm scared of him. My brain's rewired and I'm scared to make him mad and last week, I didn't want to talk about it 'cause I was scared."

Brianna then described the alleged emotional abuse. She noted that everything was cyclical and that he would build her up only to break her back down again. "There was always another excuse as to why he was treating me so poorly and why I'm crying myself to sleep every night, why he's screaming at me," she said. "And then you wake up, it's the apology, it's the 'I'm going to be better like I need you in my life,' but if you've been through this — I don't expect people to understand emotional abuse if you haven't been through it. I hope you never have to go through it but if you've been there you know what I'm talking about."

Not only does Brianna allege she was offered an NDA, but she said that other women that came before her had to sign their own agreements. She declined the offer because she didn't want to "sign away [her] experiences and what [she] went through to protect someone that hurt [her]." She also wanted to share this experience for other women who've suffered something similar.

And when it comes to the logistics of losing out on the famous lifestyle and alleged $12 million? She said, "It was never about the money — I was with the dude because I loved the dude."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

November 8, 2024 — Zach Quit Touring Amid Abuse Allegations

On November 8, 2024, Zach posted on Instagram — where he clearly loves to share all his big news — that not only is his new single "High Road" out today, but that he's also ending his tour early. Read his full statement here:

After not being home for a year and a half I drove out to my mothers gravestone in the dead of night a few days back on familiar Oklahoma roads and I came to realize just like in the past, that she never would call me again

Told her I quit touring because I got accepted to get my masters in Paris next year, I told her I was back in Oklahoma, told her about all my best friends in New York and all the nights we howled with the moon, told her about the immeasurable laughter my band and me have shared these last five years, all the calluses on my finger tips, every tear shed, told her about making it on The Rolling Stone and most importantly told her about porch swinging with my beautiful sister.
I wrote the chorus for this song a month or two back and finished it when I realized I was blessed with all these things.

I figured it was about time I released it.

Thank you guys for listening to ‘This Worlds a Giant’ last night and thank you to all the people who love me; who have truly carried the weight with me.

Seems that all these Quiet Dreams have gotten much too heavy but I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain.

High Road is out today and I appreciate all of you"

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83 Budget-Friendly Finds Under $30 That'll Have You Gifting Ready This Season

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Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.