Texture and length decide which of these ponytails is yours: the Curly Ponytail and the Wavy Ponytail suit natural pattern, while the Sleek Ponytail asks for smooth, straighter hair.
Curly hair holds a ponytail better with a scrunchie than a thin band, and the Best Tools and Products section covers what else is worth keeping in the drawer.
1. Braided Ponytail
Cornrows turn the ponytail into the main event. With the braids running back from the hairline and gathering at a high point, the style gives you structure up top and a free-hanging ponytail below.
I like it for days when loose hair would be a hassle. Keep the tie at the same height as the braids end, so the lines look deliberate.
Pink against black hair makes the braid pattern easy to read, so a bold color is a good option if you want it to show.
2. Sleek Ponytail
Smooth edges decide whether a sleek ponytail looks polished or just pulled back. Lay them down with a soft brush until no flyaways break the line from forehead to crown.
I would choose this one for formal events, since it pairs well with a plain crewneck or a dressy neckline.
Keep the ponytail high and tight. Sleek hair costs time, since it rewards patience at the hairline and shows every spot you miss.
3. High Ponytail
Second-day hair is the best base for a high ponytail. Natural texture gives the elastic something to grip, so the style holds up better than it does on freshly washed strands.
Pull everything up to the crown and tie it off, then curl or wave the lengths so they swing loose instead of hanging stiff.
Side-swept bangs soften the lift and keep the look from feeling severe. A hoodie or a blazer both work with it, so I reach for it constantly.
4. Bubble Ponytail
Bubbles come from tying off the ponytail at intervals, so the length puffs out between each elastic. Space the ties evenly for a clean, playful rhythm.
Begin with a high ponytail, tie small clear elastics at even spaces down its length, and tug each section out a little to puff it into rounds.
Braided hair holds the bubbles well, since the texture keeps the elastics from slipping. I would keep the rest of the look simple, because the ponytail already carries the personality.
5. Half Ponytail
A half ponytail clears the face and still shows off every inch of length. Only the top layer gets tied back; the rest stays down around your shoulders.
On curly hair, I like adding a few braids near the front, which keep the sides neat and add detail without much effort.
Smooth the edges so the shape looks finished. It is a good pick when you want your hair off your cheeks but are not ready to commit to a full updo.
6. Curly Ponytail
Curls look their fullest at the ends of a ponytail, where the hair springs out in a loose cluster. A scrunchie suits this better than a thin elastic, because it holds without crushing the curl pattern.
Gather the hair high or at mid-height and avoid pulling it tight.
A patterned scrunchie, like a floral one, adds a little interest from behind. I would skip heavy brushing, since it breaks up the curls and trades definition for frizz.
7. Cornrow Ponytail
Cornrows pulled back into a low bun give a ponytail its structure before the hair even leaves the scalp. The braids stay neat for days, so the style suits a busy week.
I would keep the outfit plain, like the white top and a single gold necklace here, because the braid pattern already supplies the detail. A low gathering point also works with a dressier neckline than a high one would.
8. Ponytail with Bangs
Straight bangs change how a high ponytail reads: the lift happens at the crown, and the fringe frames the face right at the front. Keep the bangs smooth and even so the 2 parts look planned together.
I like this pairing with a casual graphic tee, since the hair does the finishing work. The trade-off is upkeep, because bangs need regular trims to stay straight across.
9. Hair-Wrapped Ponytail Base
A strand of hair wound around the elastic hides the tie and gives a high ponytail a finished, salon look. Take a thin section from underneath, wrap it around the base until the elastic disappears, and pin the end underneath.
Sleek, dark hair shows the wrap best. I would smooth the ponytail first, since any bumps near the base will break up the clean line.
10. Low Ponytail
A low ponytail with a twisted wrap at the base moves from a casual day to a date night with no extra effort. Twist a small section around the elastic and tuck the end in to hide the tie.
I like it with a simple cream tee, since the wrap supplies the interest. Keep the ponytail at the nape and let the length hang straight down the back for a clean line.
11. Power Ponytail
Height gives this ponytail its authority: tie it at the crown and let voluminous curls fan out above the shoulders. Keep the hairline smooth, so the top stays sleek while the length gets all the volume.
Glasses and a plain dark top suit it well, since nothing competes with the curls. I would fluff the ends with fingers instead of a brush, which keeps the curl pattern intact.
"The power of the ponytail is that it can give structural angles as well as a snatch," explains celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel.
12. Messy Ponytail
A messy ponytail works because of the loose waves and the few strands slipping out, so skip the brush and the mirror fuss. Gather the hair high, tie it off, and tug the crown slightly for volume.
It is my pick for errands and long days at home. A black long-sleeved top keeps the outfit as easy as the hair, and the style asks for very little time.
13. Wavy Ponytail
Smooth roots with loose waves are what make this ponytail look chic instead of undone. Keep the crown sleek and let the lengths carry the movement.
A loose strand near the face softens the lift. A plain tee or a simple tank is all the outfit needs, because the waves finish it on their own.
14. Barrette Ponytail
Pinning a low ponytail with a barrette gives you a tie and an accessory in one. A white one reads quiet and clean against long brown waves.
Slide the barrette over the gathered hair at the nape and check that it sits straight.
A knit top adds softness, and the texture sits well beside the barrette. I would pick a barrette with a firm grip, since waves can slip out of a loose one.
15. Wrap-Around Ponytail
Wrapping hair around a pin sounds fussy, but it takes one turn. Its maker’s tip: place a hair pin at the top of the ponytail and wrap your hair around it once, rotating the pin clockwise to about 3 o’clock.
Gold bobby pins keep the finish low and neat. A leather jacket suits it, and the style works for errands or dinner.
16. Deep Side Part Ponytail
Parting deep to one side moves the attention to the front. The ponytail stays sleek, and the curly ends become a small bonus at the back.
Comb the part in while the hair is dry so the line stays crisp.
A plain sweatshirt works well here, since the part is the detail. I like it on days when I want polish with no extra pieces.
17. Barbie Ponytail
Length and shine define a Barbie ponytail: tied high, pulled smooth, and left to fall long and straight down the back.
Smooth the surface section by section so no bumps break the line.
Straight, glossy hair shows every flaw, so give it time. I would wear it with a plain black top and let the ponytail run the whole look.
18. Flower Clip Ponytail
A white flower claw clip turns a quick ponytail into something deliberate. Long wavy hair fills the clip nicely, and the waves keep it from sliding.
Gather the hair, then clamp the clip over the tie to hide it.
Choose a clip sized to your hair’s thickness, or it will slip. I would wear it with an everyday tee.
Best Tools and Products for Ponytails
Starting from freshly washed hair?
Dry shampoo at the roots can mimic that texture. A texture spray works the same way for grip, and a hair tie with a hook holds more securely than a plain elastic.
To get a twisted look, split the ponytail in two, twist each half in opposite directions, wrap them around each other, and tie off the ends.
A flexible-hold hairspray finishes it with shine and without stiffness.
How to Prevent Ponytail Breakage
A ponytail should never hurt. If your scalp feels sore or a headache creeps in, the ponytail is too tight, and I’d take it down and redo it looser right away.
The advice for preventing ponytail breakage is to wear your hair more loosely and change styles so the same spots aren’t pulled day after day.
Skip thin rubber bands. A satin scrunchie works well, and so does a wide fabric-wrapped elastic with no metal piece to snag strands.
Rotate the position, too: high, low, and side. Mix in buns, French twists, and braids so your scalp gets a rest.
Take the tie out gently. I find that’s often when the hardest tugging happens.
Ponytail Placement
Decide on height before you pick up the brush, because placement changes the whole feel of a ponytail.
A high ponytail reads youthful and lifted.
A mid-height one is effortless and the most versatile of the three. Of the 3 placements, the low ponytail looks the most current to me.
If you can’t choose, think about the day ahead and what you’re wearing. Then set the tie, check it in the mirror from the side, and move it up or down before you add any finishing touches.
Short and mid-length hair can still hold a good ponytail; a bit of texture spray or pomade does most of the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some different ponytail styles for natural hair?
Curly, half, and power ponytails all show off natural texture well.
Curls hold their shape best when I skip the brush and secure the ponytail with a fabric scrunchie, since a thin elastic squeezes the ends and a brush pulls the pattern apart.
On curly hair, a half-up ponytail stays tidy at the temples if you add 2 or 3 small braids along the front. Low ponytails with a twisted wrap and sleek, textured styles also suit almost any occasion, weddings included.
Can you sleep with a ponytail?
It’s better not to. A tight ponytail strains your hair and can cause breakage and headaches, and a loose one doesn’t stay put in bed.
If you want your hair gathered overnight, a loose braid is the safer choice. Pain or soreness at any point means the tie is too tight.
How to make a ponytail look classy?
Smooth the hair first: a sleek, high, tight ponytail with no flyaways along the hairline looks polished.
For strays, I smooth the surface with a soft brush and a dab of pomade or a wax stick, then run a flat iron over the length and finish with shine spray.
A light curl in the length also reads refined without looking like much effort.
