Sad but true: You can usually tell a mom by her hair. Odds are, it's pulled back into a lumpy ponytail, bunched together with one of her daughter's Hello Kitty elastics. The difference between that and looking sleek and put-together? About a minute. David Evangelista, creative director of David Evangelista at Cornelia Day Resort in New York City, makes it easy for you.

Lightly spritz hair with a regular-hold hair spray and tease at the roots. "This will create some volume and hold the ponytail all day and night," says Evangelista. Try: L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin ($14; Target).

Brush the top and sides of hair into one ponytail, leaving the back down. Attach with a band. Take the remaining hair, brush it smooth, and band it to the first ponytail. Try: Blax Snag-Free Hair Elastics ($3.50; beautyhabit.com).

Mist with spray shine and add a pretty barrette, or a thin headband for a more glam look. Try: Sebastian Professional Halo Mist ($16.85; sebastianprofessional.com); Goody ColourCollection Ribbon Wrapped Headband ($4.50).

CLOSE PRINT

The Perfect Ponytail in 1 Minute or Less Turn that ponytail from sloppy to sleek and polished in 3 easy steps By Amy Beal, Parenting Sad but true: You can usually tell a mom by her hair. Odds are, it's pulled back into a lumpy ponytail, bunched together with one of her daughter's Hello Kitty elastics. The difference between that and looking sleek and put-together? About a minute. David Evangelista, creative director of David Evangelista at Cornelia Day Resort in New York City, makes it easy for you. Lightly spritz hair with a regular-hold hair spray and tease at the roots. "This will create some volume and hold the ponytail all day and night," says Evangelista. Try: L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin ($14; Target). Brush the top and sides of hair into one ponytail, leaving the back down. Attach with a band. Take the remaining hair, brush it smooth, and band it to the first ponytail. Try: Blax Snag-Free Hair Elastics ($3.50; beautyhabit.com). Mist with spray shine and add a pretty barrette, or a thin headband for a more glam look. Try: Sebastian Professional Halo Mist ($16.85; sebastianprofessional.com); Goody ColourCollection Ribbon Wrapped Headband ($4.50).