All The Deets Behind Mary J. Blige’s 40-Inch Met Gala Ponytail

If there’s one thing we know about Mary J. Blige is that she doesn’t do anything basic. Whether it’s a dance, thigh-high boots, denim, or voluminous curls– she is always going to show out. The Queen of R&B proved she could turn up the slay at the 2023 Met Gala with just a slicked-back ponytail.

[SEE ALSO: Janelle Monáe’s Hairstylist Shares How She Created The Singer’s Sky-High Met Gala Ponytail]

And we can thank her longtime stylist Tym Wallace for the lengthy slay. “I keep taking her hair length longer and longer,” Wallace told BET when she rocked inches on inches for the Super Bowl.

For this year’s red carpet event, Wallace pulled up with 40 inches of True Indian Hair to create the dramatic, yet understated look (yes, that’s a thing). Of course, we wanted deets and were excited to get all the deets from the stylist himself. Read on for the full get-the-look from Wallace, who pulled up with an arsenal of products from Black-founded beauty brand Mielle Organics to serve up the sleek, smoothed ‘do.

After prepping her hair with Mielle’s Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner, he blew out her hair with the collection’s Babassu oil-infused leave-in conditioner.

He then silkened out her hair with a micro flat iron, spraying Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray to prevent heat damage. “I pressed the roots and edges of the hair all around,” he said. “I followed that by using a one-inch flat iron throughout to get the hair bone straight.”

He then smoothed her natural hair into a low ponytail using Mongongo Oil Pomade-to-Oil Treatment. For added length, he wrapped 40 inches of color-matched hair around the base. The secret to the added body is starting with textured hair – he opted for deep curly, which he then flat-ironed smooth.

To slick down her edges, he used Pomegranate & Honey Blend Super Hold Edge Gel and finished off with Rice Water Shine Mist to add shine and prevent flyaways.