Thirstyroots.com
Some people refer to this hairstyle as “Ponytail with a bump in the front,” “bouffant ponytail,” “hump ponytail,” or even “The Snooki.” Thankfully, there is a proper term: pompadour ponytail.
Most believe the term ‘pompadour’ comes from Madame de Pompadour because she wore her hair piled high on top of her head. She was the French Royal Mistress of King Louis XV (maybe that’s also why they call it “hump ponytail?”).
The style–which consists of the front of a person’s hair being swept up high off the forehead–has been in and out of fashion since the 1700’s.
There are several different ways to achieve the look, but basically, you pull your hair into an ponytail while leaving out a chunk in the front. Tease the chunk (or if you have thick hair, you may not even need to tease it) and push it forward until it’s as high as you want. Next, use bobby pins to secure it then add any hair behind the bobby pins to your existing ponytail.
Appropriate for the office, dance floor or Saturday afternoon errands, the pompadour flanked by a ponytail is an extremely versatile look. It’s no wonder the style has remained a staple for so long.
Celebrities often rock the style on and off the red carpet. Click through our fab photo gallery and let us know: Who wore it best?
fashionbombdaily.com
“Think Like A Man” star Gabrielle Union rocked a pompadour ponytail and bun combo at BET Honors. The braid was the icing on the cake.
beautyriot.com
Willow Smith donned several extravagant hairstyles in the music video for her popular banger, “Whip My Hair,” but our favorite 11-year-old kept it sleek at The American Music Awards with the pompadour.
stylebistro.com
Singer/songwriter Ashanti wore a pompadour ponytail with braids on the sides at the opening of “Delphine” restaurant at the W Hollywood Hotel. The sides were braided and the mix of light and dark brown was a nice touch.
essence.com
Victoria’s Secret model Chanel Iman wore a simple pompadour ponytail to an elegant affair.
bobbypinblog.blogspot.com
Does anyone make pompadours look as flawless and high-fashion as Janelle Monae? The “Tightrope” star consistently displays the “vertical ‘do,” and her signature look has inspired women everywhere to grab their mousse and “pomp” it up!
thestar.com
In the music video Kanye West famously dubbed the “greatest video of all time,” Beyonce wore a half-up/half-down pompadour ponytail. She later wore the same style during live performances of “Single Ladies” all over the world. She kept her hairstyle simple and sleek.
instyle.com
After starring in Star Trek, Zoe Saldana displayed an effortlessly gorgeous half-up/half-down pompadour ponytail at an awards show in 2009. She didn’t go too high with her hump, and by minimizing the air up there, she gave the looks a romantic edge.
The pompadour look certainly isn’t just for those who wear ponytails. Stars like Rihanna, Chrisette Michele and Janet Jackson prove that women with shorter haircuts can wear the style too and make it look just as hot, if not even hotter. Whip it, flip it, curl it or streak it, the hump has evolved into an easy but edgy style.
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