I have a slight infatuation with the perfect ponytail. The object of my affection is the slicked ponies seen at Richard Chai Love Spring 2013 runway show last month. I am always trying to achieve a sleek, parted pony that looks a little playful and a lot polished.

Usually, my hair frizzes and I relent into a top knot. But after discovering Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep, my pony has hope. It gave my fine hair just enough volume and grit to achieve style. And it stayed put all day long. It also works as a refresher on day old hair. In true Aveda fashion, it smells fabulous.

The sporty collection was a great match for the athletic hair style. But Kevin Ryan, Aveda Stylist, adds that Richard “plays with proportion – nothing is exactly as you’d have imagined it. We’re slicking the hair back into a low ponytail with asymmetrical partings on top of the head. At first glance it looks like a regular pony, but look again and you notice something’s a little off.” And I am always game for an artistic interpretation of a classic.

Here’s a how-to from Kevin that helped me tremendously.

1. Prep damp hair from roots to ends with Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep; blowdry straight with a Mason Pearson brush.
2. Flat iron hair, working from nape to crown.
3. Create a square section of the head by parting hair along the parietal ridge. Secure on top of head with an elastic. (I just do a deep side part instead)
4. Smooth out bottom section with a fine-toothed comb and mist with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray to control flyaways.
5. Secure bottom section into a low pony at the base of the head; flat iron loose ends to completely smooth out the pony. Hold in place with Air Control Hair Spray.
6. Release the top section of hair and flat iron to remove any kinks. Brush toward the right ear, making a clean parting on the left.
7. Emulsify a dime-sized dollop of Flax Seed Aloe Gel and smooth it over the top of the hair for shine and hold.
8. Starting at the point where the left parting meets the forehead, make another part diagonal across the head, creating two asymmetrical sections on top of the head.
9. Pull each section back and secure into the pony at the nape, maintaing clearly defined partings.
10. Flatten flyaways with a fine- toothed comb or soft brush and Air Control Hair Spray.
11. Finish with a generous coating of Brilliant Spray-On Shine for a gloss.

Photography by Imaxtree, Style.com and Aveda Corp.