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    1. Beauty
    2. Hair

    Renée Zellweger’s Messy Ponytail Is the Y2K Hairstyle of My Dreams

    Bridget Jones, I see you.

    Ariel Wilson#039;s avatar
    By Ariel Wilson
    Published 17 November 2025 In News

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    Renee Zellweger wearing an off-the-shoulder blue and white dress. She also is wearing a half up half down hairstyle and smiling at the camera with her hand on her hip.
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    The messy ponytail is back, and ‘90s babies everywhere are rejoicing. On November 17, actress Renée Zellweger was spotted in London at the Bridget Jones Scenes In The Square statue, made to pay homage to the actress’s iconic film series. For the event, Zellweger looked sharp in a black dress, which she paired with white, pointed-toe heels. Of course, my favorite part of her look was her practical, yet insanely chic, updo.

    Zellweger’s hair was styled into a low ponytail, draped over her left shoulder. Wispy curls artfully framed her face from all sides, complementing the slight waves at the ends of her ponytail. She matched the hairstyle with a stylish pair of oval, cat-eye sunglasses, which only highlighted her stunning “my skin but better” makeup look. In short, the messy pony is back, and my middle-school heart couldn’t be happier.

    Renee Zellweger in a messy ponytail hairstyle.

    Renée Zellweger arrives for "Bridget Jones" Scenes In The Square Statue unveiling in Leicester Square on November 17, 2025 in London, England.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    A classic ponytail is one of my favorite updo hairstyles for a reason: it’s highly versatile. At its core, a ponytail is a simple, practical hairstyle that anyone can learn. Therefore, Zellweger’s lived-in version is equally as chic as the blunt style Kerry Washington recently wore to the Big Night Out Gala, because both served the same purpose: keeping each star’s hair up and out of their faces while each woman works on her respective project.

    There’s an art to elevating everyday hairstyles, and it’s all in the small details. If Zellweger’s messy ponytail is now on your wishlist, keep reading to discover a few products I recommend for achieving a similar look.

    Amika Perk Up Plus Extended Clean Dry Shampoo

    Amika
    Perk Up Plus Extended Clean Dry Shampoo
    $30
    SHOP NOW

    This is one of the rare times that I will say that you can style dirty hair. Although I still recommend using a dry shampoo to soak up any oils and add a bit of texture.

    Raise the Root Thicken and Lift Spray

    Color Wow
    Raise the Root Thicken and Lift Spray
    $24
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    Volumizing products like this one are also fantastic to get that messy ponytail.

    Pimoys 100 Pcs Elastic Hair Ties, Thick Seamless Hair Bands No Damage Soft Ponytail Holders Hair Accessories for Girls Women, Neutral

    Pimoys
    100 Pcs Elastic Hair Ties
    $6
    SHOP NOW

    A hair-colored hair tie is also great to keep your updo looking cohesive, especially if you're going for a monochromatic moment.

    Le Pirouette Titanium Rotating Curling Iron - 1quot;

    L'ange
    Le Pirouette Titanium Rotating Curling Iron
    $74
    SHOP NOW

    Curl those wispy pieces that don't quite make it into your ponytail to make the style look a little more intentional.

    Velvet Curtain Cotton Touch Texture Balm

    R+Co
    Velvet Curtain Cotton Touch Texture Balm
    $34
    SHOP NOW

    A texture balm like this will keep those wispy curls looking perfectly piecey all day (or night).

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    Ariel Wilson
    Ariel Wilson
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    Beauty Writer

    Ariel Wilson is the Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. Previously the associate beauty editor at PS, she also has bylines in InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women's Health, and more.

    Shaped by her experience in research, social sciences, and the non-profit sector, Ariel enjoys looking at beauty from a sociocultural lens, looking to avenues like politics, culture, and the arts, to inform her views on the space. That being said, as a true beauty-product obsessive, testing the latest items to hit the market, keeping up with trends, and meeting industry icons, will always be her favorite part of working in the beauty space.

    When she's not working, Ariel can be found hanging out with her husband and loving on their two cat daughters: Cow and Chicken.

    Read more
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