Trend Alert: Medusa Ponytails Are Slithering Their Way Into Summer

Summer is just around the corner and I found the next easy breezy warm weather hairstyle that will keep frizz at bay and those pesky flyaways from sticking to your forehead. Dubbed the ‘Medusa Ponytails,’ I’m predicting that this multi-braided style is going to be everywhere this season. So I tapped three hairstylists to learn more about the buzzy look, including how to achieve it right at home. 

• Danielle Keasling is a celebrity hairstylist and a Ulta Beauty Pro-Team member. She has 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, working with various brands like Matrix, Biolage and Great Lengths. Her previous clients include Lily Gladstone, Madison Lecroy and Jamie Chung.
• Emily Safran Wands is a hairstylist and owner of LAHH Salon in Florida. She has over 12 years of experience in the industry and attended the Aveda Institute of Soho Manhattan. She has previously worked at New York Fashion Week and specializes in style cuts, color services and extensions. 
• Stephanie Angelone is a hair extension specialist and master stylist at RPZL Hair Extension and Blowout Bar in New York. Her previous clients include Bryce Dallas Howard and Gigi Hadid. 

Loved by celebs like Rihanna, Bella Hadid and Rosalía, the experts explain that this style is a major upgrade to just rocking a singular braided pony and is going to be a hit come June. “This edgy, high-glam hairstyle keeps your hair off your neck (hello, heat relief!) while serving major attitude. With its sleek base and cascading braids, it’s both practical and high fashion. Whether you’re hitting the beach or a rooftop dinner, it holds up in humidity and transitions seamlessly from day to night,” says Wands.

This celeb-approved hairstyle is simple to achieve right at home— just grab a brush, some hair ties and a styling product to get started. 

1. Prep hair with a leave-in conditioner to prevent breakage and improve manageability. 
2. Wands recommends applying a styling gel, mousse or strong-hold pomade around the hairline and crown. Then use a boar bristle brush to smooth hair up towards your desired height (i.e., crown, mid-head or nape of neck) before securing with a hair tie. Angelone notes this step may require those with wavy, curly or coily hair to blow out hair first in order to make it easy to stretch and brush into a ponytail. She adds, “[This] will help with the braids hanging down and not sticking up. It will overall help you achieve the sleek slicked pony look.” 
3. Use a rat tail comb to divide the tail into two or more even sections. It’s completely up to you how many (and how thick) you want each braid. Now, there are different types of braids to try out, so consider a two to three strand method before tying the ends with an elastic band. Repeat the step until each section is braided. Wands suggest adding in extensions for even more volume and length. She adds, “The goal is texture, movement and a little edge like tendrils ‘snaking’ around.” 
4. Add some hairspray to maintain shine and prevent any frizz. Finally, take it a step further by adding some tendrils in the front, accessories (like hair cuffs, rings and barrettes) or laying down your edges to truly make it your own.