Blake Lively: Queen of the Ponytail

Tired of the messy, fishtail braid trend yet? Neither are we.

Celebs like Miley Cyrus, Kirsten Dunst and Shailene Woodley have managed to make many variations of the classic braid their signature looks, but one starlet, in particular, always surprises us with new ways dress up her golden braids for the hottest red carpet looks of the year. Want to guess who?

Yes, it's Blake Lively. Now back to her enviable, slight rooty golden blonde shade after a short stint as a redhead last year, Blake is often spotted rocking some serious tousle and texture, a messy but sexy braid or a delightfully casual high or low ponytail. The side braid she wore to the premiere of "The Green Lantern" last year is still mega-popular on Pinterest and often referred to as one of the best braided looks yet. But the polished, high ponytail-fishtail braid combo she sported to the premiere of "Savages" recently might blow that one out of the water.

Are your clients looking to Blake for hair inspiration? Check out a few of her most sexy, playful and beautifully executed ponytail and braided styles and get tips on the tools you'll need to achieve them.

 

	The High Fishtail Braid Blake holds down the red carpet and fights dreaded frizz with this tightly pulled back, high fishtail braid and bejeweled accessory. What's going to be your best friend in order to keep your client looking polished throghout the evening? A firm-hold hairspray. Try this one from White Sands.

 

	The Low Messy Fishtail Braid Check out the texture on Blake! This style from her "Green Lantern" premiere has been lusted after by clients since she debuted it last year. You'll need a great mousse to create volume before beginning your braid. Check out these tips from the Rusk Creative Team.

 

	The Casual Pony How can a simple side ponytail look so glamorous? If your client asks for tips on how to wear a style like this on a daily basis, stress the importance of polish to create an effortless-looking style that still screams "Elegance."

 

The Teased High Ponytail Blake's go-to stylist, Jennifer Johnson, the lead stylist on the set of "Gossip Girl," has said Blake is simply blessed with a great head of hair. But to achieve the bump of volume you often see on Blake, hair up or down, you'll need a great texturizer for the roots. Johnson has recommended a beach spray like David Babaii Bohemian Beach Spray that she often uses on Blake to recreate some of her top, voluminous looks.

 

The Sleek High Ponytail It's not often you'll see Blake rocking anything other than sexed up, foxy volume, but this sleek ponytail look suits her just fine. Celebrity stylist Rod Ortega said this look is a "fresh, chic style, a staple suitable to any occasion, from the red carpet to the beaches of Saint-Tropez." Ortega used a smoothing cream, a paddle brush and a flat iron to create Blake's chic red carpet style.