How To Tie A Ponytail? Complete Step-By-Step Guide

Christian Mba
Oct 23, 2023 By Christian Mba
Originally Published on Nov 05, 2021
Before you try a ponytail by yourself, make sure you know all about how to tie a ponytail.

Out of the hairstyles we have available to us, nothing beats a classic ponytail in terms of simplicity and comfort.

Creating different styles and hairstyles based on ponytails can provide you with fresh looks on a daily basis. There is no way that you haven’t seen a high ponytail or a low ponytail when out and about; the pony is very much an integral part of the current fashion trends.

Ponytail hairstyles are practical and straightforward yet allow someone to show their creativity. Gathering your long hair into a ponytail keeps your hair away from your face when you are focusing on your work, playing a sport, or want a different look for the day.

These hairstyles are one of those classic styles which you will see on the red carpet and that will never go out of style.

You can use bobby pins, elastic ties, a hair clip, or braids to create a new style for your ponytail and they are simple to do when just using a brush. Continue reading and check out our tutorials for the perfect ways to tie your hair into a ponytail.

After you have read all about creating ponytails that will go well with long hair, why not read our articles on how to eat rambutan and how to use hair oil?

Steps To Tie A Ponytail

Ponytail hairstyles are easy to recreate, and a simple ponytail will save you time when you want to put together a really good look but don’t have the time required for it.

We have put together a fine tutorial that lays down all the steps which are needed to make your ponytail free from bumps and make it look classy.

Step one: Find out where you want to place your ponytail, as this will dictate how you should do your ponytail. Creating a high ponytail would give your hair more bounce and a low ponytail will give a sleek and modern look. Both looks are perfect for every occasion.

Step two: You have to brush your hair in a fine and gentle way in order to create a perfect ponytail. If you don't want your ponytail to be frizzy or messy and be bumpy in appearance, brushing your hair in the direction of your ponytail will do the job.

Step three: It is important to add texture to your hair in order to increase the volume of your hair. A flat ponytail is something that no one wants.

To add more volume, it is suggested to use a hair spray; this is widely available in markets around you. Apply the hair spray and use your fingers to make your hair appear messy. If you are aiming for more texture, it is suggested to comb your hair after applying hairspray on your hair.

Step four: Brush your hair again and use a hair tie to tie your hair together into a ponytail. If you can still see any bumps forming, use a round brush and proceed to roll it sideways to smooth your hair back.

Once you are satisfied with your ponytail, tighten up the elastic to secure it further. Wrap the elastic around your ponytail two or three times to make sure that your hair will not fall out of the ponytail during the day.

To make your ponytail look even more perfect, you can hide the elastic on your ponytail.

Hiding the elastic can be done by taking a strand of hair from your ponytail and wrapping it around the hair tie in order to hide it away for that sleek, perfect appearance.

You can use the help of a bobby pin to hold the strand on the underside of your ponytail, and no one would ever know that it is there.

Popping up your ponytail with a bobby pin after you have tied your hair can help your ponytail not appear flat and lift your hair for a puffy style.

How To Tie A Ponytail With Short Hair

Who does not like short hair? It is brave, bold, and looks perfect when done correctly. You might think that a ponytail with a low amount of hair volume is not possible, but that’s not the case.

Short hair ponytails depend on the length and texture of your hair. Certain elastics and barriers can help you tie your hair even when it is short and lacks volume.

There are a couple of options that could be tried for short hair ponytails. Short hair requires a lot of layering to be done in order to create a perfect pony.

Start by collecting your hair towards the back of your head and try brushing the hair at the neck into your hand as well, and repeat the same process for your side hair.

Whatever hair you are able to gather after this, put it together with the use of a hair tie. Pin the rest of the hair that you are not able to reach with bobby pins in order to lay it in the same direction as the rest of your hair gathered in the ponytail.

There are multiple other tricks and styles for short hair. You can also gather your hair behind the base of your neck and secure it with the help of a hair tie.

Use your fingers to slide down the elastic to the tail and stop 2 in (5 cm) before your hair length ends. To add more volume at the top of your head, proceed to lift your hair in thin sections, then use a hair tooth comb.

Secure the position by using an elastic band. Adding a scarf to your short hair ponytail can do wonders in terms of looks and appearance.

After pulling your hair backward, wrap the scarf around your head in a tight manner in order to secure it in the perfect position. A pony can be done with short curly hair and bangs as well.

You let your curly hair play instead of pulling your bangs behind and then simply tie the rest of the curls behind using a hair tie. Clearly, it is possible to tie a ponytail with short hair.

The Best Ponytail Styles To Try

With the current fashion trends, we see ponytails going higher up the head, and the use of hair accessories is more apparent than ever before. There are multiple ways to knot and loop your ponytail.

You do not need high-length hair to pull off a ponytail that looks perfect; a wrapped high ponytail can do the job for you. To elevate a pony at the top of your head, wrap a few of your hair strands around the hair tie and flip the ends.

Curtain bangs are certainly one of the hottest trends of this year, and a balloon ponytail seems to be a hot twist on traditional ponytails. Combining both of these trends seems to be a great option.

To create this pony, you need to start your ponytail high and tie off every 2 in (5 cm) section with a hair tie. Fluffing out sections as you proceed with this is the key to this hot style.

A loose wavy ponytail is another take on the classic ponytail, which seems to be getting a lot more attention. For this style, use your hand for tying a hair tie just below your neck, and do not forget to use your fingers to fluff out your hair more in order to increase the volume of your wavy ponytail.

Using hair accessories such as a clip and bow can add to the beauty of this ponytail.

A simple low ponytail is something that you can never go wrong with. It is perfect for your Sunday afternoons when you are heading out for errands or just hitting the town with your friend; it is effortless and a classic.

Use your hand and start with the middle part of your hair and secure the hair at the back of your neck.

A wrapped-up ponytail is truly the peak beauty of ponytail styles. Use your hand and wrap strands of hair around the base of your ponytail and secure it using a tie or clip. It truly gives a different kind of vibe to your ponytail.

Braided ponytails have been seen picking up pace in hairstyles. Add a braid to your low or high ponytail. It is suggested to apply some hair spray in order to increase the texture before you start tying your hair and use a braid in order to make it easier for you.

Polished bangs can instantly change the look of any ponytail. A side-swept ponytail can look perfect when done correctly. The first step is to blow dry your hair and then use a flexible hairspray that can hold your ponytail without it looking stiff.

Ways To Tie A Ponytail

The simplicity of tying a ponytail means that you can tie a ponytail yourself. You can try to tie a ponytail with string or other accessories as well; it all comes down to your personal preferences.

Scrunchies: Instead of tying your hair with elastics or clips, you can take the help of scrunchies and tie your ponytail. If you are aiming for more of a dramatic look that would make your scrunchy stand out, combining it with a high ponytail should make it look beautiful.

A messy low ponytail with scrunchy makes for more casual looks.

A scrunchy will be gentle on your delicate hair and will not create a crease. You can even tie them around your wrist in case you don't feel like wearing them in your hair.

Clips: A clip is simple and they come in attractive designs and colors that bring attention to your bun or pony without standing out completely. A clip can work with low or high ponytails, and you can pull off any look with these.

Ponytail bows: You can gather your hair in a ponytail and tie it using a bow hair barrette just above the elastic.

Scarves or bandanas: These are the perfect ways to tie your ponytail and make it look gorgeous. It can elevate a normal ponytail and make it look more fashionable.

Using scarves or bandanas to tie your ponytail is a style that will never go out of fashion and will remain a timeless classic.

If you want things to be simpler, buy scarves or bandanas that already have elastics attached to them. The elastic on these is covered by the material of the scarves, and they will not damage your hair.

Spiral hair tie: These old-school hair ties are another way to tie your ponytail without damaging your hair. These types of hair ties are perfect for any kind of hair, regardless of their length or texture.

These hair ties do not tangle your hair and will hold your hair all day.

If you often find your hair getting wet because of certain activities, as these hair ties are plastic, they would not be affected.

Other hair ties are infamous for stretching out when you use them to tie your hair on a daily basis, but because of these being plastic, their durability increases. You can blow dry these hair ties with heat to get them back into their original condition if they happen to mess up or become stretched.

No crease: These are some of the best types of clips out there and come with many advantages. They are made out of nylon or ribbon and are gentler on your hair in general.

They can also be slipped onto your wrist if you want a different style. There are versions of this ponytail tie that are created using silk instead of the more common materials, which can add a bit of class to the ponytail.

Elastic: There is no way you can ignore elastics; using these is a common way to create a classic ponytail. Elastics are the ultimate option for those looking to create ponytails with short hair, as these small bands hold short hair in place throughout the day without breaking off.

One thing to keep in your mind is that you should always look for elastics without metal pieces in them as they can damage your hair and end up giving you a headache.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how to tie a ponytail then why not take a look at how to make a waterfall, or how to hold a pencil?

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Written by Christian Mba

Bachelor of Science specializing in Computer Science

Christian Mba picture

Christian MbaBachelor of Science specializing in Computer Science

Christian Mba is an experienced blogger and content writer with over a decade of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Nigeria and has a keen interest in Python programming. Along with his writing and blogging expertise, he is also an SEO specialist with more than six years of experience. Chris, as he is commonly known, has a passion for music and enjoys playing the piano.

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