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Blink once, and you may miss it. Blink twice (or three times), and the half-up, high ponytail is back. It’s as if Jeannie herself has blinked it back into favour, with the iconic hairstyle – immortalised by ’60s sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie – now appearing on almost every red carpet.
Of course, there have been many revisions since then. J. Lo’s 2000 Grammy appearance in that dress with that hair is one such adaptation, and a lasting one at that. That palm frond Versace gown – or lack thereof – catapulted a younger Jennifer Lopez (on the arm of Puff Daddy at the time) into the spotlight, with her half-up, Jeannie-esque ‘do compounding the look, firmly etching it into our pop culture psyche.
Just last week, fellow diva Beyonce, riffed on J. Lo’s Grammy appearance, donning a similar ‘do – half her hair pulled tightly upwards, and knotted with more hair, with the rest cascading in loose curls. It was the brand of glamour we’ve grown to know both songstress’ for, and one which is being mirrored by youthful protégé types.
Take Bella Hadid, who this week displayed a streamlined take on the hairstyle; sleek, straight and abnormally shiny (a nifty hairpiece or two, here), it was pulled off her face with slick precision and sprouted from the top with undeniable glamour.
Fellow progeny pal, Hailey Baldwin, also took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, although her sojourn was slightly later, namely the ’80s. Paired with a pastel blue suit dress (complete with glomesh trimmings and white pumps – how very ’80s, indeed ) Baldwin’s blonde mane textured and waved slightly, pulled back and up at the crown and affixed with a scrunchie of the same colour. A time warp of sorts, she kept in fresh and modern with pared down beauty. Hailey is a repeat offender of the hairstyle, championing it on various occasions throughout her young career.
Ever the hair chameleon, Zendaya also played with the hairstyle; hers a slightly more dramatic adaption. Secured with several knots of hair, the rest of her mane was tonged and fell in fountains around her face.
Like Zendaya, Kerry Washington also played with drama, securing her pony with a very round, almost bulbous piece of hair (very Jeannie like), with the rest falling in big waves.
And of course, Ariana Grande, the current doyenne of this particular ‘do, the high ponytail is unequivocally part of her brand. In fact, seeing her without her high pony would seem amiss.
Either swept all the way up, or partly elevated; either way, it’s about height and theatre. You know what they say, the higher the hair…
Get lifting.
