A ponytail is the ultimate hairdoit can take you anywhere, from a workout to a black tie event, depending on how you style it. It can help bring focus to your face or disguise the fact that humidity is not your hair’s friend. I always use an elastic tie without metal so I don’t break my hair (Blax Bands are perfect); love these little ties that feel like ribbons without the bow. Here are  6 more secrets to scoring the perfect pony:

1. Work with slightly damp hair: If you pull back your pony just before your hair dries after a shower (or spritz it with a bit of product if you’re working with unwashed locks) the shorter pieces along the sides of your head are less likely to escape and create nasty fly aways. I always have problems with these.

2. Play with height: A low pony swept back at the nape-of-your-neck is very cool and modern, while a high, tight tail is almost universally flattering, emphasizing cheekbones and even giving you a non-surgical mini-lift. For the perfect high style, lightly tease a large section of hair on your crown’s underside, pull back and secure at the mid-point of your back of head, and finish with a little spray. For a low look, work with a deep part on either side, brush hair back, tuck stray pieces behind your ears, secure with an invisible elastic, pins and spray. Done!

3. Avoid the bulge: Sometimes, after a pony has been tied up, there’s a little section of hair that pops out, ruining your sleek vibe. To keep the bulge at bay, tilt your head back when you’re fastening the hair tie.

4. Volume without the tease: If you’d rather wash the floor than tease your hair, you can still score some lift in your pony with this easy trick: After your hair is secured with a tie, put your palms on top of your head and carefully slide them forward, slightly pulling at the back of your hair without freeing it from its elastic hold.

5. Let it shine: If all that tugging and pulling has left your locks looking a little dull, a drop of shine cream to finish your style will amplify your look a thousand-fold. Don’t be heavy-handed, though, as the last thing you want is to look greasy.

6. Last but not least, leave the 80’s scrunchii out of your hair. Carrie in Sex and the City called out boyfriend novelist Jack Berger as to the improbability of any stylish woman wearing a scrunchii. Don’t prove her wrong!