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Everybody loves to wear ponytails unless you’re a short-haired diva. If you’re the traditional ‘bunch-it-up-in-a-scrunchie’ type, think again. There are so many different versions of this classic style that are not just quick fixes to combat bad hair days but styles you’ll actually want to try on a good hair day too. In fact, a ponytail is preferred by many celebrities all around the world because it’s a no-fuss, uncomplicated way to wear your tresses. Ponytail devotees prefer the chic and elegant of it all; it looks equally great in formal or casual attires; wear one at the beach, to the gym, or for an important business meeting.
However, a plain pony hairstyle can look pretty boring. This guide is all about teaching you 10 fun ways of jazzing up your simple ponytail into something fun and beautiful. You might have seen the famous side-swept ponytail on the red carpet or the front pouffe, a sleek ponytail made famous by Kim Kardashian. There are a number of styles you can add to a simple ponytail to jazz it up. Read on for the step-by-step tutorial that will take you through five different styles you can sport whenever you’re short on time but want to look your best. The best part is that you don’t need any complicated tools and all these styles take less than ten minutes to accomplish. We promise.
Why You Need A Cute Pony Hairstyle
Who doesn’t love a good ponytail? They are easy to tie, quick, and versatile enough for every occasion and outfit. But what if with the right apparatus and some skills, you could elevate your look to a whole new level? A cute ponytail is not just for the gram, but a need of the hour amidst the lazy buns and uninspired open mane. Cute ponytails add that oomph to your appearance while being effortless and chic. So, without further ado, check out these 10 ponytail hairstyle ideas that you can try.
Different Types Of Ponytail Hairstyles
1. Wrap-up Sleek Ponytail
This is an easy ponytail hairstyle yet the most elegant of all. The time taken is minimal and the results are beautiful. Wear this to an office, a party or even at the beach.
Requirements: An elastic band , A U-pin or a Bobby pin .
Prep time: About 5 minutes or less
Hair length: Minimum shoulder length up to any hair length.
Steps:
Step 1: Gather all your hair and secure it with an elastic band into a ponytail. You may use a hairspray or hair mousse to set your hair in place.
Step 2: Grab a small portion of hair from the back portion of the ponytail for a sleek finish.
Step 3: Wrap this small portion over the elastic band to conceal it for a neat look.
Step 4: Secure the wrapped hair in place with a bobby pin or U-pin under the ponytail.
Step 5: Use a hair straightener on the pony to make it even sleeker.
2. Bubble Style Ponytail
If you are the fun and frolic kind, then this is for you. A boon for fine-haired gals, it gives you a voluminous finish. Again this style is good for casual dates, school, college or outings. I will not recommend it as a formal look though. Funk it up with colourful flower clips for a beach wedding.
Requirements: Elastic bands depending on the length of your hair.
Prep time: Less than 5 minutes
Hair length: Below shoulder length.
Steps:
Step 1: Section the hair from the crown area to make a half ponytail. Secure it with an elastic band.
Step 2: Now grab the half ponytail section and add two sections from the sides to it. Secure this again with an elastic band. You'll see a pouffe forming between the two bands. Tug the hair lightly to add even more volume.
Step 3: Lastly gather all the remaining hair and tie it up with an elastic band. Repeat step 2 to pouffe out the hair between the elastic bands.
Step 4: You may stop at step 3 or if you have longer hair you may continue this till the bottom of your ponytail.
3. Side Braid Wrapped Ponytail
The style is a bit different from the first one. I would recommend this especially if you have short or frizzy hair. This will take care of stray hairs and secure them in place.
Requirements:An elastic band , A > U-pin or a Bobby pin.
Prep time: 5 minutes or less
Hair length: Shoulder length or more.
Steps:
Step 1: Part your hair from the middle of the crown. Separate portions from both sides of the crown and tie up the remaining hair into a ponytail.
Step 2: You will now have a ponytail with loose hair portions on the front side of the crown area on both sides.
Step 3: Braid the left portion of hair tightly, securing all the stray hair nicely into it. Now wrap the braid over the elastic band of the ponytail and secure it with the U-pin.
Step 4: Follow the same step with the right portion. Braid and wrap over the earlier braid and secure with a U-pin.
4. Twisted Side Ponytail
Give in to your fun and creative side by making a side ponytail with some added twists. The rope or twisted braid wrapped over the ponytail will funk up a simple side ponytail. Sport this look for a dinner date or at a beach party and I am sure you'll steal all the attention.
Requirements:An elastic band and Bobby pin.
Prep time: 2 minutes
Hair length: Medium to long; will not work for shoulder-length hair.
Steps:
Step 1: Separate a small portion of hair from one side of the crown area; this is the section you will be braiding.
Step 2: Grab the remaining hair and gather it up into a side ponytail.
Step 3: Divide the small portion of hair into two equal parts.
Step 4: Twist each individual part in an anti-clockwise direction tightly till the end.
Step 5: Now twist both the strands in clockwise directions to form a twisted braid. Wrap this over the elastic band and secure it with a bobby pin.
5. Double Braid Criss-Cross Ponytail

This simplest ponytail to recreate yet one of the most distinctive and unique styles of them all! A versatile hairstyle that you can wear almost anywhere you wish to.
Requirements: Elastic bands and a bobby pin.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Hair length: Medium to long; will not work for shoulder-length hair.
Steps:
Step 1: Gather all your hair and secure it with an elastic band.
Step 2: Grab two small portions of hair from underneath the ponytail and braid them.
Step 3: Leave a small portion of hair and wrap both the braids on the remaining ponytail to give you a crisscross wrapping.
Step 4: Secure the braid with the hair at the bottom using an elastic band.
Step 5: Grab the small portion which you had left out in step 3 and wrap it over the elastic band above to conceal it. Secure it with a bobby pin.
6. Half-Up, Half-Down Ponytail
A casual, fun ponytail hairstyle that works perfectly with jeans, dresses, and Indo-Western outfits, this half-up and half-down hairdo adds a youthful expression to your otherwise classic fits.
Requirements: Pin-Tail comb , paddle brush , hair stick , and Elastic bands
Prep time: 2 minutes
Hair length: All Hair lengths
Steps:
Step 1: Place a pin-tail comb right next to the top of your ears and create a horizontal split going to the other side.
Step 2: Pull the top section of the hair apart and bunch it up.
Step 3: Take an elastic band and secure the top half of your hair in a ponytail.
Step 4: Brush the rest of your hair with a paddle brush and finish the top with a hair stick to keep all the flyaways in place.
7. Hair Scarf Ponytail
If you want to channel your inner Parisian, this scarf hairstyle is the best choice for the same. It gives you a main character energy without putting in too much effort.
Requirements: Hair scarf , elastic band , and dry shampoo
Prep time: Less than 5 Minutes
Hair length: Medium to long hair
Steps:
Step 1: Apply some dry shampoo on your hair to avoid any greasiness, unlike a slick pony this hairstyle needs a frizzy, messy look.
Step 2: Loosely take all of your hair in a mid-pony and secure it with a clear elastic band.
Step 3: If you have thin hair, you can skip the elastic and directly use a scarf to tie your hair.
Step 4: Clear any knots or tangles in your hair with your fingers for a natural look.
8. Sporty Ponytail
Even if you are busy killing it at the game, your hair can still be on point. With this hairstyle, you can freely move around the playfield without your hair getting in the way while looking chic at the same time.
Requirements: Cap , paddle brush, and elastic band
Prep time: Less than 5 Minutes
Hair length: Medium to long hair
Steps:
Step 1: Use a paddle brush to get all your hair out of the way and into a high ponytail.
Step 2: Wear your baseball cap and take the high pony out of the closure gap from the back panel.
Step 3: Tighten your ponytail once it is out of the cap to secure it and make it appropriate for the event. Trust us, you don’t want your hair loose on the ground.
Step 4: Comb out your hair or better even, tie it up in a braid for a more controlled look.
9. Pineapple Ponytail
If you are a curly-haired girly, and you are tired of the usual low pony then give this ultra-high pineapple ponytail a try. This ponytail hairstyle idea will make you look like a brooding artist like Rihanna or Frida Kahlo perfect for workshops and park dates.
Requirements: Scrunchie, hair stick , and leave-in conditioner
Prep time: 5 minutes
Hair length: All hair lengths but preferably curly or wavy
Steps:
Step 1: This hairstyle looks best with naturally curly or wavy hair, but if you have comparatively straight hair then use this curler to give your hair that bounce and locks needed for the look.
Step 2: Apply some leave-in conditioner to your strands for a soft, naturally messy look.
Step 3: Warp all your hair in a ponytail, fold it once towards the front and put the scrunchie around it.
Step 4:Style the curls in the front in such a way that they are lying equally on your crown.
Step 5: Use a hair stick to even out the baby hair and flyaways near the scalp to make the curls appear more dramatic.
10. Side-Swept Ponytail
If you have bangs and you are always struggling to style them with a ponytail then this side-swept ponytail hairstyle is just the right choice for you.
Requirements: Comb, clip and elastic band.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Hair length: All hair lengths with side or curtain bangs
Steps:
Step 1: Bring all your hair on one side of your shoulder and secure it with a rubber band.
Step 2: Comb your bangs and move to either side.
Step 3: You can also straighten your bangs for a smooth frizz-free look.
Parting Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and the chic, creative ways to pretty up your pony. Now pull off the cute yet sober hairstyles with our All-Time Favorite Ponytail Hairstyles. These hairstyles are going to help you when you are in a time crunch and need a quick fix when it comes to your hair.
FAQs
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What are some different types of ponytail hairstyles?
Here are a few ponytail hairstyle ideas:
- Slick Ponytail hairstyle
- Braided Ponytail hairstyle
- Bubble Ponytail hairstyle
- Side-Swept Ponytail hairstyle
- Half Ponytail hairstyle
- High Ponytail hairstyle
- Sporty Ponytail hairstyle
- Low Ponytail hairstyle
- Side Ponytail hairstyle
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Which ponytail looks good on short hair?
The following hairstyles look good on short hair
- Half up half down ponytail
- Criss-cross ponytail
- Side low ponytail
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Which hair length is perfect for all hairstyles?
Medium and long hair lengths are perfect for ponytails because you can experiment a lot due to their flexibility and length.
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What is the difference between a pigtail and a ponytail?
A ponytail is when all your hair is tied in a bunch and pigtails are when your hair is parted in the middle and your hair is tied in two parts, either in a pony or braids.
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How to tie a high pony?
To tie a gravity-defying high pony, start with a high half pony and then add the rest of the hair to it with another elastic band. Finish it with a hair-setting spray for a long-lasting look.