Mystery Of A Slicked Back Pony

David (Ricky Martin) & Santana (Naya Rivera) GLEE - Tuesday, Feb. 7 on FOX. ©2012 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Adam Rose/FOX

Model, DJ and fashion"It Girl" Harley Viera-Newton was quoted in May of 2008 onRefinery29  regarding her own personal mystery of a slicked back pony.

Known for her spread in magazines like Vogue and Elle, the regular headliner at some of the coolest clubs in NYC reflected on her high school prom hair for her "after-thing."

Viera-Newton reported "I had my hair in a slick-back pony or something really embarrassing" finishing off her "really slutty, houndstooth, vintage Alaia dress with six-inch Alexander McQueen heels."

Her first reaction to her slicked back pony and fashions?  She said "I was like, 'I look good tonight,' and looking back, I'm like, 'you look like a whore!"

David (Ricky Martin) & Santana (Naya Rivera) on GLEE on FOX. ©2012 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Adam Rose/FOX (Episodic)

Oddly, even a supercool fashionista like Viera-Newton can struggle with whether a slicked back pony is whorishly embarrassing or sizzling hot.

Of course the fashion choices can play a part, but a slicked back pony is definitely a hairstyle which can scale from slutty to sophisticated depending upon a wide range of factors.

The mystery of a slicked back pony?  Is it fabulous or a fashion disaster?

The Mystery Of The Male Slicked Back Pony

Even more mysterious is when men adopt their own versions of a slicked back ponytail for untold reason.

Case in point?  One Direction hottie Zayn Malik famous for his spectacular sexy quiff he showcased at the 2014 BBC Music Awards.   Fans were in a frenzy with the pop hunk's bouffant hairdo.

One Direction Zayn Malik's Mysterious Slicked Back Pony

Santana (Naya Rivera) proposes to Brittany (Heather Morris) GLEE on FOX. ©2014 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Tyler Golden/FOX

Shortly after his big hair win at the BBC Music Awards he shocked fans with a slicked back pony at the X Factor live finals on Sunday night, December  14th.

Appearing on the stage alongside his One Direction mates he showcased a bump free, heavily gelled hairstyle pulled tightly back into a retro ponytail.

Zane's slicked back pony was a complete mystery to fans who responded with very mixed reactions.  Some fans thought he looked hot, others were disappointed the rocker had swapped his sexy quiff for a gel laden pony.

Zane's fans took to Twitter to lament the demise of his quiff, with the most frequent comment about his slicked back pony being a variety of 'wtf has zayn done to his hair (sic)'.

Rachel (Lea Michele) "100" Episode of GLEE - Tuesday, March 18 - FOX. ©2014 CR: Adam Rose/FOX

Of course some were enthralled by the new ponytailed look, with one user gushing: 'Zayn is the only male that can get away with his hair in a ponytail'.

Urban Dictionary Definition of  Slicked Back Pony - Slut Strands

Another mystery surrounding the slicked back pony is the fact it's defined by the Urban Dictionary as slut strands.  Say what?

The Urban Dictionary's definition's is "a type of hairstyle comprising all the hair slicked back from the face (usually in a ponytail) except for two strands, often the same length as the rest of the hair, taken from the two top corners of the forehead and left to dangle "fashionably".

Kate Walsh Wearing Ponytail During Interview With Jimmy Kimmel - Actress Kate Walsh during an interview with host Jimmy Fallon on September 29, 2014 -- (Photo by: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC)
Monday, September 29 on NBC (11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m.)

Very often this hair has not seen shampoo in weeks and when squeezed would probably be able to dress a garden salad.

This hairstyle is generally sported by the kind of girl who you wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole, mainly because there is every danger the ten-foot pole would disappear SOMEWHERE and the girl wouldn't even break a sweat."

The Slicked Back Pony Isn't For Everyone

Whether your male or female, young or old, not everyone can pull off a slicked back pony.

The success or failure of a slicked back pony is often tied to where it's positioned on the head, how much hair is captured by the pony and whether or not it's  paired with the appropriate fashions.

"Today" (l-r) Katy Perry, Ann Curry - Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC
Friday, August 27, 2014 on NBC

Tall, impossibly thin super models ala Giselle look picture perfect in the slicked back pony while some celebrities who adopt a similar hairstyle on the Red Carpet get failing marks from the fashion police.

Summary - Mystery Of A Slicked Back Pony

The slicked back pony can scale from uber cool when worn by fashion models to slutty or desperate when coiffed inappropriately.

One size definitely doesn't fit all when it comes to the slicked back pony.  Some men, especially celebrities like Johnny Depp and Jared Leto look amazing with slicked back ponytails.  Others like Steven Seagal, not so much.

The best approach with a slicked back pony?  Do what works best for you.  Don't buy into conventional  slicked back pony wisdom or follow what others are doing or thinking.