If your hair is long enough, consider taking your ponytail up a notch into a high one. Personally, I enjoy this look because it keeps my hair out of my face all day and is less likely to sprout those annoying loose strands/flyaways that lower ones are apt to do. You can opt for the straight, sleeked back look or you can choose a more voluminous curly look.

For the straight look, I recommend flat ironing the hair first. Use a little gel, hairspray, dry shampoo or mousse to add some texture. Use your fingers and pull hair straight up grabbing it from above the ears and at the nape of the neck simultaneously. Try to smooth it out with your fingers, but if you can't get rid of all the humps and bumps, grab a paddle brush to do the rest of the job. Use either a bungee hair holder or regular non-slip elastic band, but I prefer the latter. The bungee holder allows you to pin the tail exactly where you want it after you've gathered the hair. Your hair will naturally migrate when you go to put in an elastic band. Just a little f.y.i!

Hide the band with a strand of hair! Just take a piece from the bottom of the ponytail and wrap it around the band a few times and pin in place. It looks much nicer than seeing a plain, old elastic band. It helps to first add a bit of hairspray to the strand you're using first. For a high volume tail, tease it a little, starting with the strands on top of the ponytail and working your way underneath. Conversely, you can go for a more tidy look and paddle brush the hair. Then, add a bit of silk spray at the end to reign in the flyaways and add to the smooth, shiny look.

Look at the front when you're finished with the back. You can use your fingers to carefully fix any pieces that are not quite right. Perhaps the right side is a bit puffier than the left. Take your fingers and hook the strands from underneath to gently lift them up. Be very careful and methodical when you do this, however. You run the risk of making a mess up there otherwise. Finish off the look with some hairspray!