Source: Heat Free Hair / Heat Free Hair
If you asked most naturals what’s at the top of their hair wish list (besides stronger edges, longer hair, and more moisture), it would undoubtedly be simplistic versatility. Black women are known for changing our hair like we change our clothes, but doing so is often much harder than it looks. It’s for that reason that wigs have become a go-to among celebrity and everyday women alike, but we don’t always want to be Diana Ross when it comes to our curls. Some days we want to serve Kelly Rowland/Angela Bassett low-pony realness, and the best way to get that look in real life is with a drawstring ponytail.
Five years ago, I got my very first weave installation with Heat Free Hair so when it came time to take a dip into the drawstring pony pool, I went back to my favorite natural texture extensions brand. As I mention in nearly every hair review I write, I love a bun and a ponytail. Unfortunately, my hair doesn’t always have the range to achieve the desired look. In recent years, I’ve relied on clip-ins to give me the dramatic style I’m usually going for but, as anyone who uses them knows, smoothing hair over metal clasps isn’t as easy as it looks on the internet. Hence, my excitement about Heat Free Hair’s drawstring options.
If you’re not familiar, Heat Free Hair, launched by Ngozi Opara in 2012, sells bundles, closures, clip-ins, wigs, and ponytails in four textures: for kurls (3C-4A), for koils (3B-3C), for kinks (4B-4C), and blow out. The wefted hair I used years ago was for koils which was a great match for my natural texture, but since that hair was sold out in the length I wanted for my ponytail, I asked to review the 24-inch For Kurls ponytail in ultra full because, again, I like drama up top.
Source: Heat Free Hair / Heat Free Hair
All of the drawstring ponytails offered by Heat Free Hair have the option of everyday fullness, like for the office, or ultra full, which is perfect for formal events and birthdays — the occasions I had in mind when I made my choice. Length also varies between 12 inches and 24 inches so you can go as big or as small as you like.
The day my ponytail arrived in the mail, I tried it on as soon as I got home from work because I needed to know if the hair was going to look as glorious on me as I had imagined. Luckily, I was already rocking a low bun so it literally too two minutes for me to push the teeth/combs on the inside of the ponytail into each side of my bun, pull the drawstring tight, and then wrap the string around the bun for hold. I pulled a one-inch strand of the hair in the ponytail and wrapped it around the base to cover my tracks, so to speak, and the look was done and I was in love.
I applied that same method when I first wore my hair in public for the Image Awards earlier this year and it made getting ready on such a hectic day a breeze.
Source: Brande Victorian / Brande Victorian
Even though this texture is a tad kinkier than my own, because I was able to slick my own strands down so nicely and conceal any evidence of the drawstring, the ponytail was truly a perfect match with my own hair. The only thing I did to the ponytail prior to wearing was dye it black (it comes in more of a 1B hue) and apply a leave-in spray for shine and moisture. Unless you brush the ponytail out or style it in some other way, it maintains its definition all day long.
Source: Brande Victorian / Brande Victorian
As you can see from the photo below, ultra full is full full, so there’s no blending in with the crowd when it comes to this option. But despite its somewhat grandiose appearance, the hair isn’t heavy at all and I haven’t felt any strain on my neck while wearing it for a full day.
Source: Brande Victorian / Brande Victorian
The great thing is at the end of the night, you can just release the string on the ponytail, pull out the teeth, and go on about your evening with no-fuss removal. I recommend applying a little water and a leave-in to refresh the hair for the next wear, but without doing anything more than that you’ll be good to go.
This ponytail has become my go-to all year for last minute on-camera appearances and events because it truly gives you a fresh-out-the-salon type of look that anyone can do right from their bathroom. And for most women, that’s exactly the type of low-maintenance versatility we need. Click here to pick out your new ponytail. Use the promo code MadameNoire to save 15% off of all products on the website.
