Big Little Girl

 By B. Lee Cash

How does a girl graduate her favorite ponytails from grammar school style into sassy-chic? Style Sessions took a survey of your favorite "big" little girl looks, and found these favorite styles. They're cute, but not too cute. 

Your Pretty Pony
A single ponytail can be sporty or sophisticated, depending on placement. Even though the pony is generally a girl's best out-of-the-face fix, all stylists agree that the best looking pony tails start with hair that's been styled (even if it's the day before). For all ponies, start by applying a light moisturizing product, then thoroughly brush the hair.

The Simple Pony: Spray your brush with hairspray to create a smoother look and "stickier" hair. Create a side part, but stop short before the crown of your head. Smooth a two or three-inch section of bangs mod-style. If you don't have bangs, tuck the hair behind your hair for the same look. Upbrush the rest of your hair toward the top of the head, manipulating it to the crown. Secure tightly with an elastic. Your elastic should closely match your hair color. Take a one-inch section of hair from the underside of the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic -- the idea is to hide the elastic. Secure the end of the hair section with a bobby pin.  A light dusting of light-hold hairspray to avoid flyaways and frizzies.

Style Sessions Tip: For a more sophisticated ponytail, repeat the steps above but place the ponytail at the base of the crown.

Little Girl No-No: Avoid looking infantilized by not curling the ponytail or adding a barrette to your bangs.

Twin Ponytails: After your hair is thoroughly brushed, create a straight part beginning from the crown of the head to the base. Using a brush, gather the first side of your hair at the base of the head, just behind the ear -- the pigtails are going to be positioned in the back of your head, not the sides. Secure with a clear, ouchless elastic. Repeat on the other side. As above, take a one-inch section of hair from the underside of the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic. Finish with a light hairspray.

Cute Buns, Baby
Mini Buns: Starting with Twin Ponytails, take one of the ponies and wrap it securely around the elastic. Secure the hair by tucking it directly into the elastic or by using a bobby pin. You can "fan out" the bun and make it less tidy, more arty studied-mussy, or keep the buns button-like.

Style Sessions Tip: A lot of girls suggested wearing a cabbie hat with their Mini Buns, and big hoop earrings, to create a fly hip-hop, urban look.

Little Girl No-No:  Avoid wrapping anything around the buns, especially ribbon, so your Mini Buns don't become Minnie Mouse Buns.

Bun On The Side: Brush and smooth hair as if you are creating a low ponytail, but instead of securing the hair behind the head, smooth and secure hair just to the side near the ear. When you are securing with the elastic on the last pull-through, stop short. You want to create a "loop" with the hair. Take a few half-inch sections of the loop and pin it into the elastic. Do this until the hair has a flower-like look. Using your fingers, gently fan and fluff the flower to make it suitably mussy. Finish with a light spray.

Style Sessions Tip: Dramatic earrings are a must-have with the Side Bun!

Little Girl No-No: Side ponytails or buns need to stay low on the head to avoid looking dance-recital cheesy or, worse, 1980s dated.