A ponytail can be the quickest gym style or the centrepiece of a formal look, depending on how it is built. This gallery covers twenty ways to wear one. There are vintage bouffant and pompadour ponies with lifted crowns, a looped bubble tail, a sleek high pony wrapped with its own hair and a long, glossy extension ponytail. Braided options include a mohawk braid flowing into a low gather, cornrows leading into a high tail and a Dutch headband braid on short hair. Softer ideas include a criss-cross twist, a knotted base, a messy second-day pony and a half-up version.
Hair type shapes your choice. Thick, long hair holds bouffants, curled cascades and knots easily. Fine hair often needs teasing at the crown and clip-in extensions for a full tail. Layered or shorter cuts suit braided, pinned or drawstring styles that tuck in shorter pieces.
Placement also changes the look. High ponytails lift the face and feel energetic, while low and side ponies are softer and more romantic.
1. Bouffant Ponytail
A big bouffant gives this wavy ponytail a dramatic, vintage feel. Add texture with a large-barrel iron, backcomb the crown and smooth the top layer over the volume. Secure with an elastic, and add extensions to the tail if your hair is fine.
Inspiration: @kyrawau
2. Loose and Looped Ponytail
Elegant enough for a date night, this bubble ponytail starts as a low pony with two strands left out to tie. Secure a section a few inches below the base, then gently pull it loose to form a bubble. Repeat down the length.
Inspiration: @ashpettyhair
3. Embellished Drawstring Ponytail
Short, layered hair can still wear a ponytail with bangs. Style the fringe first, then pull the rest into a small bun. Slide the comb of a drawstring hairpiece into the bun, tighten it and finish with your favourite accessories.
Inspiration: @circlesofhair
4. Ponytail Cascade
Curled blonde lengths cascade from a high ponytail wrapped with a strand of hair. Thick hair works best, though fine hair can be bulked up with a weave. Use a conical wand for the curls. It is ideal for weddings or a night out.
Inspiration: @natalieannehair
5. Braided Ponytail Mohawk
A single braid running down the centre leads into a classic low ponytail in this mohawk-style hybrid. It looks fashion-forward yet is easy to do. Polish the braid with a little wax and spray the tail for a tousled finish.
Inspiration: @taylor_lamb_hair
6. Pompadour Pony
Height at the crown with smooth sides creates a striking pompadour ponytail. Tease the top, fold it back into a bouffant, then gather the sides and nape. Wrap a long hairpiece around the base and curl the tail softly.
Inspiration: @kykhair
7. Twisted Side Ponytail
A twisted braid starts at a side part and follows the hairline around the head. Loosen the twist with your fingers for a softer look. The loose ends fall over one shoulder in a romantic side ponytail.
Inspiration: @tonyastylist
8. High Sleek Ponytail
Straight hair suits a high, sleek ponytail. Tease the roots, pull all the hair to the crown and secure it with an elastic. Wrap a strip of hair around the band to hide it. You can keep the roots smooth or add volume.
Inspiration: @studioalessandranunes
9. Cornrows for Long Ponytail
Long hair looks youthful and fun with a few braids leading into a high messy ponytail. Create the braids first, tie them off at the top of the head, then gather the rest. It shows off the length beautifully.
Inspiration: @hairby_chrissy
10. Messy Ponytail
Between washes, a tousled ponytail looks great, especially on waves or curls. Work dry shampoo through first to absorb oil and add a matte texture. Pin the hair up in sections instead of using an elastic for a softer finish.
Inspiration: @evalam_
11. The Criss-Cross Ponytail
Leave a section free on each side, then gather the rest into a low pony. Twist the spare sections, cross them over each other and wrap them around the base, pinning the ends underneath. The criss-cross effect is simple yet pretty.
Inspiration: @hairdreams_
12. Center Parted Pony
A centre part gives structure to face-framing layers in this messy blonde ponytail with bangs. Keep the part short, just a few inches from the hairline, so the crown keeps its volume. Loose edges make it ideal for shorter hair.
Inspiration: @hairbymarissasue
13. Weave Ponytail
Extensions make this long, sleek ponytail look runway-ready. Pull your own hair into a tight knot, then wrap the weave around it until it is as thick as you want and pin it in place. A fringe can be added too.
Inspiration: @celebrittany_hairstyles
14. Half Ponytail
Half-up ponytails keep hair off the face while looking relaxed and feminine. Skip brushes and combs, and use your fingertips to separate and pull strands back. Secure with a band or twist and pin. Soft waves suit this style well.
Inspiration: @jaywesleyolson
15. Glamorous Pony
Smooth hair with a flat iron and add shine spray before tying it up. Leave a thick section out at the front, drape it along one side in a C-shape and wrap the ends around the base of the ponytail. Elegant and simple.
Inspiration: @hairdreams_
16. Botticelli Ponytail
Volume and curls give this high ponytail a luxurious, timeless feel. Set your hair with rollers or a large-barrel iron before gathering it at the crown. Clip extensions into the underside for extra length. Pin any loose curls at the base for a neater finish.
Inspiration: @tatiana.wladi
17. Knotted Ponytail
Tying the tail around itself creates a neat knot at the nape and turns a basic low pony into something more polished. Long lengths can be knotted directly and secured with a couple of pins. If your hair is shorter, fake the effect by folding small sections into upright loops and pinning each one.
Inspiration: @salonxvi
18. Dutch Braid Pony
A Dutch headband braid gives a short ponytail a crown-like finish, ideal for a summer wedding or a casual day out. Simply create a three-strand Dutch plait across the head and feed it into the ponytail. No advanced skills needed.
Inspiration: @hair_by_pelerossi
19. French Braid Ponytail
A loose braid towards the crown lets layers and long bangs be worked into a swept-back look piece by piece. It adds volume too. The tousled, curled tail recalls Brigitte Bardot and keeps the style grown-up.
Inspiration: @kayleymelissa
20. On Top Ponytail
Very curly hair often stays neater in humidity-resistant styles like this high ponytail. Smooth pomade or cream over the roots for control. A weave adds length and can bring bold colour, like the vivid red seen here.
Inspiration: @mochicmonet
Building a ponytail that lasts all day
- Start with second-day hair or add dry shampoo first, as freshly washed hair slips out of elastics.
- Use two elastics for heavy hair: one to gather and one slightly higher to lift and lock the tail in place.
- Hide the band by wrapping a small strand of hair around it and pinning the end underneath.
- For extra height, tease the crown lightly and smooth the top layer before gathering.
Avoiding tension damage
Wearing a tight ponytail in the same spot every day can cause breakage and thinning around the hairline. Vary the height from day to day and loosen the elastic when you get home. Choose snag-free bands or spiral coils instead of rubber bands, and never tie up hair while it is soaking wet, as wet hair stretches and snaps more easily. If you use extensions or weave ponytails, give your natural hair rest days in between.