For five years straight—between college and post-grad—a ponytail was basically the only hairstyle I wore. I pulled my hair up for work, dinner, workouts—really, everything. It wasn’t because I lacked imagination; the style could become whatever I needed it to be. A sleek, glossy pony felt clean. A high one with curled ends made much more of a statement. Even now that I’ve expanded my repertoire, I still think of the ponytail as the ultimate hair cheat code. It takes minutes, and a small change in placement can make it feel like a completely different hairstyle.
"The power of the ponytail is that it can give structural angles as well as a snatch," explains celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel. (Remember that Anne Hathaway ponytail everyone went wild over?) "The positioning, whether high, low, or mid, can have a transformative effect on the silhouette of not just the face but the entire body and the fashion being worn."
That’s really the appeal. Wear it at the nape of the neck with a sharp center part, and it reads sleek and clean. Lift it toward the crown with plenty of volume, and suddenly it feels like a party pony. "It’s ever popular because of the versatility of the style," Abergel adds. "You can wear it with a center part, side part, or no part at all. It’s a timeless style that can be endlessly reimagined."
Of course, the difference between a ponytail that feels styled and one that looks like you simply threw it up is usually in the details. Sometimes it’s the finish. Other times, it’s the placement or a really good accessory. Ahead, find 27 ponytail hairstyles worth saving for inspiration, along with expert tips for getting each one right.
Better pony up, baby—you’ve got scrunchies to buy.
Ponytail Hairstyle Ideas
Facelift Ponytail
Starting off with a bang: the ponytail that broke the internet. Abergel's advice to achieve the glossy finish? "I love to use Virtue Healing Oil because it adds the most luxurious shine and healthy finish to any ponytail," he says. And as for the face-snatching hack, keep reading to the bottom for all the details.
Braided Pony
If anyone was going to convince me to swap a basic ponytail for a braid this summer, it was Kylie Jenner. Between the beachy glam, the jaw-dropping dress, and those oversized earrings, this look is proof that one simple braided pony can completely change the vibe.
Face-Framing Ponytail
When Marie Claire wrote about this career-best sleek ponytail, the headline read "It's Just Dove Cameron and Her Sleek Ponytail Against the World." Honestly: who in their right mind would argue against that face-framing? And I know she has the best hair gels on her side, too.
"For sleek, snatched ponies, I refuse to attempt without the combination of Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, Sculpting Gel, and the Wax Works," says celebrity hairstylist and Paul Mitchell ambassador Sienree Du. "This combination gives high shine and control, and because the products work so well together, it makes gathering hair evenly a piece of cake."
Pulled-Back Ponytail
Selena Gomez didn't wear a ponytail for her wedding, but she could have. The look is obviously appropriate for special events. Instead of opting for face-framing strands for this glam look, the singer pulled all her hair straight back. "The ponytail has always been a go-to style because it’s so versatile. You can wear it sleek and powerful for the red carpet or keep it soft and playful for everyday life," explains celebrity hairstylist Davontae Washington. "It works for every face and every mood, which is why it never goes out of style. It’s simple but still makes a statement."
Slick-Back Ponytail
Speaking of versatility...Washington crafted this look for Ciara at the 2025 VMAs. At the beginning of the day, he'd tucked her natural hair into a neat bun so she could go to a football game. Then, before the big night, he added a ponytail extension to up the glam.
"I like to start with a healthy base, so the style looks clean and polished. Creme of Nature’s Argan Oil Sulfate Free Moisture and Shine Shampoo and Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment give me that foundation," the artist says. "For styling, I use Argan Oil from Morocco Perfect Edges to smooth the hairline and then finish with the Anti-Humidity Gloss and Shine Mist so it has that shine and stays in place."
Pigtails
What's better than one ponytail? Two ponytails. Otherwise known as pigtails. And what's better than pigtails? Pigtails tied with tiny blue bows. Thank you, Elle Fanning.
Babygirl Ponytail
One of Abergel's favorite ponytail looks is the "the ultimate Nicole Kidman baby girl ponytail" that he created for the 2025 Golden Globes. "A pony can be dressed by adding volume with extensions; you can wrap a piece of hair or a beautiful ribbon around the elastic," he explains. "What makes it a formal ponytail is the attention to detail. Every hair is styled with intention."
Messy Ponytail
Cool girl alert. Leave it to Jenna Ortega to overthrow the slicked-back hair trend with some major tousling. Expect to see a wave of wavy ponytails very soon.
Wrapped Ponytail
There's nothing more iconic than a hair-wrapped ponytail base, especially when that ponytail is on the head of the Paris Hilton. "She just rocks it so well, whether it’s a textured '60s-inspired Barbie pony or a sleek, straight high-fashion pony," celebrity hairstylist Sienree Du (she created this look!!) says. "With that gorgeous face, she just makes everything look so good!"
Extra-Long Ponytail
Angela Bassett's extra-long curly ponytail combines so many great styling elements. There's the natural texture, the sleek crown, and the major length, of course. Rhea Blake, a curl specialist at Ouidad NYC, has great tips for those with a curly texture who want to get a similar look. To start, she suggests sectioning damp hair and raking gel (she loves Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel) through each section. "Holding the ends, give a gentle 'shake' to encourage curl clumping and pattern," she adds. "This helps avoid uneven product distribution and fosters better curl definition."
Blunt Ponytail
On the other end of the spectrum, you can keep things short and sweet with a simple, straight, and blunt-ended ponytail à la Julianne Moore.
Half-Up Ponytail
Anya Taylor-Joy has worn some gorgeous ponytails in her day. This half-up, half-down style is especially sweet.
Barbie Ponytail
Behold: the Bama Barbie, Olandria Carthen, and her ponytail. (That deep side part, FYI, usually characterizes a Barbie ponytail.) If you want a style *this* sleek, Washington says to always section the hair carefully when pulling it up.
"It makes the ponytail look sleek from every angle," he says. "I also like to wrap a scarf around the base for a few minutes to set the style."
Bouncy Ponytail
Kate Beckinsale's bouncy ponytail is also giving Barbie, albeit with a more retro flair thanks to the length and curly ends. This look should get credit for kicking off the tiny-bows-everywhere trend.
Curly Ponytail
I know, it's a travesty that she hasn't been mentioned yet. Like so many others, Washington's ponytail icon will "always" be Janet Jackson. "She’s shown how a ponytail can be glamorous, edgy, and unforgettable. Her looks have attitude and presence, and that inspires how I approach ponytails in my own work," he says.
Extra-Long Braid
Braiding is another amazing way to zhuzh up a simple ponytail, and Kerry Washington took it to new heights with this gorgeous long 'do. Tie your hair back like normal, then add one thick braid or break the ponytail into multiple twists for extra intrigue.
Cuffed Ponytail
There are so many ways to accessorize your ponytail. Might we suggest charms, chains, and hoops? You might even be able to repurpose your favorite bag charms this way if your purse is getting too heavy.
High Ponytail
Abergel also notes that "a great pomade is essential for smoothing edges and for laying baby hairs flat." The Marie Claire beauty team loves Jillian Dempsey's Roadie Pomade. It was named best pomade in the 2025 Hair & Skin Awards.
Low Ponytail
It's a ponytail fit for a (Californian) princess. Meghan Markle's softly pulled back style is both casual and elegant.
Middle-Parted Ponytail
Ahh, the classic ponytail and blazer combo. Eva Longoria's soft waves and sleek middle part make it all the better. If you're consistently aiming for a sleek look, Blake suggests incorporating regular deep conditioning treatments to counteract any drying effects that your styling products may have.
"If you frequently use gel, especially stronger hold ones with more polymers, alcohol, etc., your ends and mid‑lengths may need extra moisture," she notes.
Short Ponytail
Short-haired girls, you can get the ponytail of your dreams, too. Just look to Priyanka Chopra for proof. "For thousands of years, the pony symbolized power, strength, progress, and feminism. Pulling hair out of the face and instantly giving that 'boss babe' energy," says Du. "There’s something powerful about the way it lifts everything- your hair, your posture, and your confidence."
Cornrow Ponytail
Tracee Ellis Ross has worn some amazing ponytails in her day. Think blunt styles and extra, extra long extensions. Here, she pulled her cornrows back and secured them at the nape of her neck, immediately giving me a new favorite page in her ponytail catalog.
Casual Ponytail
We talk about Katie Holmes's 2019 Khaite cashmere bra moment a lot, but forget to mention how great her hair looked when she wore it. It was styled in the perfect casual ponytail, and her outfit wouldn't have been the same without it.
Pop Princess Ponytail
We can't talk about ponytails without talking about Ariana Grande. “The second we saw it, it just felt like her: powerful, feminine, and instantly recognizable,” celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton previously told Marie Claire when asked about creating the signature style. “We kept going back because it became her iconic look.”
Ponytail With Bangs
This baby bang and straight ponytail situation was such a quick blip in Miley Cyrus's iconic hairstyling journey, but I won't let it be forgotten. She really is so cool.
"From high and snatched to low and sleek, the ponytail is endlessly versatile, adapting to every mood, era, and vibe," adds Du. "It’s worn by everyone from athletes to pop icons, proving it’s more than just a hairstyle—it’s a statement."
High Drama Ponytail
The High Drama Ponytail is one of 2025's top ponytail trends. If you don't want to go full camp like Met Gala Hailey Bieber, you can still add a touch of drama to your top-of-the-head 'do with a fun hair accessory. This is where the aforementioned scrunchies come in—we're still taking some cues from Copenhagen Fashion Week.
Why Are Ponytails Trending Again?
The ponytail has always been practical, but lately it’s doing much more than getting hair out of the way. The best versions can subtly change the entire face, which is exactly why the revelation behind Anne Hathaway’s lifted ponytails became such a cultural phenomenon. After months of speculation about her appearance, her longtime hairstylist Orlando Pita showed that the effect came from two tiny braids hidden beneath her hair. Hathaway later confirmed to Elle that she hadn’t had a facelift—the lift was all in the styling. The fact that such a small tweak could create such an effect made the technique impossible to ignore.
That viral reveal also gets at why the ponytail is having another moment: people are realizing how much the style can actually do. Celebrity hairstylist Kellon Deryck previously told Marie Claire that its staying power comes from how easily it can move between everyday and elevated. It can subtly lift the face or make an otherwise simple look feel much more considered, without demanding an elaborate styling routine. “It works across textures and occasions, which is why it’s become iconic,” Deryck says. “It’s universal. But when styled with intention, it feels like high art.”
How Can I Make My Ponytail Look Fuller?
Because my hair is fine, I usually add some texture before pulling it back. Once the ponytail is secured, I’ll tease underneath rather than combing through the entire thing. Curling the ends helps, too; otherwise, my hair tends to settle into one thin piece. When you want noticeably more volume, though, extensions will make the biggest difference, and using clip-ins works great. “A pony can be dressed by adding volume with extensions; you can wrap a piece of hair or a beautiful ribbon around the elastic,” says Abergel.
The hidden braids used beneath Anne Hathaway’s ponytails offer a different kind of help. They won’t make the lengths look thicker, but they can give the base more lift and prevent the style from sitting flat against the head. “The braids are positioned to create gentle upward tension through the temple area,” celebrity hairstylist Marcos Diaz previously told Marie Claire. That tension is what creates the lifted effect.
How Can I Prevent Ponytail Breakage?
My best advice is not to treat every ponytail like it needs to be snatched within an inch of its life. The American Academy of Dermatology warns, “Frequently wearing a hairstyle that pulls on your hair can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.” To lessen that tension, it recommends wearing hair more loosely and changing up your style rather than pulling on the same areas every day.
Most importantly, a ponytail shouldn’t hurt. “A successful braid lift should feel secure, not painful,” Diaz previously said. Tenderness or an immediate headache usually means there’s too much tension. I’d loosen it rather than trying to tough it out, and use a fabric-covered elastic instead of a bare rubber band when possible. Be gentle when taking it down, too—that’s often when I end up tugging hardest.
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