4 Stunning Ponytail Hairstyles to Try — Step-by-Step & Hair Type Guide

 

Classic ponytail hairstyles is one of the most hairstyles we adore and love, because of its synonymity to comfort and simplicity. Ponytails should not be in boring look despite its simplicity, you can always follow up chic ideas on that. There is always a ponytail style out there that matches perfectly with you, no matter your sense of style or hair type...

There also exist braided ponytails that can be worn to any occasion to compliment any outfit. The length of the hair and style preference make versions of ponytail. Check through the various types of ponytails, you are doubting about the ideal style of ponytail to fit. Definitely, this post will benefit you and serve as a great inspiration to you.

1.  Cute Braided Ponytail Hairstyle

Braids are ways of manipulating the hair volume into chic style that is easy to maintain. You will surely get beautiful styles or ideas that will look great on your hair when opting for ponytail styles. The braids of the ponytail will be loosely done which would provide you a casual outlook. Revealing the underlying natural color of your scalp will highlight the beauty provided by the hairstyle. Facial structures and hair types should be the factors to consider when choosing braided ponytail style because braided ponytail styles tend to highlight the shape of the face.  

Materials / Tools Needed

• A wide-tooth comb for detangling the hair gently
• A soft bristle brush to smooth the hair into place
• Elastic hairbands (preferably snag-free)
• Bobby pins to secure loose strands or the braid tail
• To ensure a sleek finish, use an edge control gel or styling mousse.
• Get a rat-tail comb to create clean partings
• For finishing touch, use a good hair oil or serum for shine

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. First thing first, prepare your mind. Then, detangle and clean your hair, then apply a bit of serum or leave-in conditioner for smoothness.
2. Brush the hair upward or backward depending on where you want the ponytail to sit (high, mid, or low).
3. Secure the ponytail with an elastic band, making sure it’s firm but not too tight.
4. Take a small section of hair from the ponytail and separate it from the rest — this will be used to create the braid.
5. Create a classic three-strand braid with the separated section, braiding until you reach the end and securing it with a small elastic.
6. Wrap the braided part of the hair to the ponytail to cover the elastic band.
7. Pin the braid underneath using bobby pins to keep it in place.
8. Smooth your edges or flyaways with edge control or styling gel for a polished finish.
9. Add accessories if desired — such as a ribbon, scrunchie, or decorative clip.

Hair Type or Face-Shape Suitability

• Straight or wavy hair works perfectly for a sleek, refined braided ponytail.
• Curly or coily hair can also rock this look beautifully — stretch or blow out your hair lightly if you prefer a smoother finish.
• Round faces benefit from a high braided ponytail, which adds height and elongates the face.
• Oval and heart-shaped faces suit almost all ponytail positions, whether high or mid.
• Square or angular faces look softer with a slightly loose braided ponytail that adds curves and movement around the jawline.

Maintenance Ideas

• Apply a light oil or serum daily to keep the ponytail looking smooth and shiny.
• Get hair bonnet made by satin or silk to prevent roughness of the hair and to keep your hair intact.
• Avoid overly tight ponytails — they can cause tension along the hairline and lead to breakage.
• Refresh edges with a touch of gel or mousse the next morning to maintain sleekness.
• If your braid loosens during the day, simply rewrap the braid around the ponytail base and secure with a bobby pin.

2.  Loose Ponytail Hairstyle

The loosely flowing hair creates an adorable outlook in a simple and trendy way with overlapping braids. The tightly fixed braids have a protective layer to the hair providing a high pony holding the hairstyle firmly in place. When ponytails are highly raised, they tend to enhance the facial features.

Materials / Tools Needed

• Wide-tooth comb
• Soft bristle brush to smoothening of the hair
• Elastic hairband for hair co-ordination
• Hair mousse or styling cream for softness and control.
• Bobby pins for securing any hair falling apart.
• Optional: decorative hair accessories.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start with very soft and clean hair. The kind of hair that will be easy to create natural movement, in order to create a soft, effortless look.
2. Apply a small amount of mousse or styling cream to add smoothness and light hold without stiffness.
3. Gather your hair loosely toward the back — you can place the ponytail low at the nape, mid-height, or even slightly to the side depending on the look you want.
4. Secure with an elastic band, but don’t tighten too much. The beauty of a loose ponytail is its relaxed, airy volume.
5. Gently tug at the crown to add slight height and create a natural, lived-in feel.
6. Pull out a few soft strands around the face to frame it and enhance the gentle look.
7. Finish with a light mist of hairspray to hold the shape without making it stiff.

Hair Type or Face-Shape Suitability

• Wavy and curly hair naturally enhance the loose ponytail’s texture and softness.
• Straight hair can also achieve this look beautifully — adding a little wave or volume helps it appear fuller.
• Round faces benefit from face-framing strands that elongate the face.
• Oval and heart-shaped faces look flattering with loose ponytails placed at almost any height.
• Square faces soften instantly with a loose, slightly tousled ponytail that reduces sharpness around the jawline.

Maintenance Ideas

• Use a silk or satin scarf at night to prevent frizz and keep the natural texture intact.
• Refresh the ponytail in the morning by gently brushing the top and re-loosening the base.
• Apply a tiny amount of serum to the ponytail length to maintain smoothness and shine.
• Avoid using tight elastics that can create dents — loose ponytails look best when the hair isn’t pulled tightly.
• If the softness fades throughout the day, lightly mist with water or texturizing spray and reshape with your fingers.

3.  Magical Braided Ponytail Hairstyle

Add outright colors to your braided ponytail like blonde to create a vibrant and sophisticated outlook. A blonde hair looks so magnificent on the wearer. The overall outlook of the hairstyle is being taken over by the blonde color. To achieve a relaxed look, then you can opt for the loose low ponytail style. This style of loosely braided ponytail provides an easy way to hold the long hair together. The hairstyle will be perfect for a casual outing.

Materials / Tools Needed

• Wide-tooth comb for detangling the hair
• Soft bristle brush for smoothing the top
• Elastic hairbands
• Bobby pins to secure the braid and loose strands
• Rat-tail comb for neat parting and sectioning
• Styling mousse or gel for hold
• Hair accessories such as pearls, tiny clips, or decorative pins for a magical finish
• Optional: curling wand (if you want soft waves before braiding)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Detangle and clean your hair. Apply a small amount of mousse or styling cream to give the hair grip and shine.
2. Create a neat ponytail—high, mid, or low depending on the look you want. Secure with a strong elastic band.
3. Section the ponytail into two or three parts depending on the braid style you want (three-part for a classic braid, two-part for a rope twist).
4. Braid the ponytail from top to bottom, keeping the braid neat and even. Secure the end with a clear elastic.
5. Gently pull the braid apart (pancaking) to make it fuller and more dramatic—this gives the hairstyle a magical, enchanted look.
6. Wrap a thin section of hair and use pin to secure it underneath.
7. Decorate the braid with pearls, gold clips, glitter pins, or tiny flowers for a whimsical, fairytale effect.
8. Set the look with a light hairspray to maintain the shine and hold without stiffness.

Hair Type or Face-Shape Suitability

• Straight or wavy hair works beautifully for neat, elegant braids.
• Curly and coily textures create a fuller, more voluminous magical braid that stands out effortlessly.
• Round faces benefit from a high magical ponytail which elongates the facial structure.
• Square or angular faces look softer with loose tendrils left out around the face.
• Oval and heart-shaped faces suit all ponytail positions—high, mid, or low.

Maintenance Ideas

• Use satin or silk scarf to wrap your hair at night to preserve the braid and reduce frizz.
• Reapply a small amount of lightweight oil to the braid daily to maintain shine.
• If accessories loosen, pin them back in place using small bobby pins.
• Avoid sleeping directly on the braid to prevent it from unraveling—gather it loosely or tie with a silk scrunchie to maintain shape.
• If the braid frizzes during the day, smooth the length gently with serum or gel and reshape with your fingers.

4.  Chunky loose ponytail

The chunky braids with loose ponytail is an adorable way of styling your long hair. This style is also being rocked by many celebrities, you do not necessarily need a stylist to achieve these trendy styles of ponytail.

What a versatile and ubiquitous way of wearing a ponytail. The braided part creates a beautiful outlook done in a unique manner. The idea of colors and different shades of hue to the hairstyle put more life and vibrancy to the outlook.

Materials / Tools Needed

• Wide-tooth comb for gentle detangling
• Soft bristle brush to smoothen the base of the hair.
• Elastic hairband
• Bobby pins for creating and holding up styles.
• Mousse that will add volume to the hair.
• Lightweight hair serum for shine
• Optional: scrunchie or decorative hair tie for extra volume at the base

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Begin with detangled hair — naturally wavy or lightly curled hair works best for a chunky effect.
2. Apply texturizing spray or volumizing mousse from mid-length to ends to build fullness.
3. Create soft volume at the crown by gently lifting sections and backcombing underneath, if needed.
4. Gather the hair into a loose ponytail, placing it at mid-height or slightly lower for a relaxed, chunky feel.
5. Secure with an elastic band, but avoid pulling too tightly — the fullness should remain intact.
6. Loosen the ponytail gently by tugging small sections near the crown and sides to create a fuller, lived-in look.
7. Add waves to the tail of the ponytail with a curling wand if extra texture or chunkiness is desired.
8. Finish with a light mist of hairspray to hold the shape without making it stiff.

Hair Type or Face-Shape Suitability

• Wavy or curly hair naturally creates a chunky, voluminous ponytail with minimal effort.
• Straight hair can achieve this look easily when enhanced with waves or texturizing spray.
• Round faces benefit from crown height and loose, face-framing pieces that elongate the face.
• Square faces look softer with gentle side strands that reduce sharpness.
• Oval and heart-shaped faces suit all variations of the chunky loose ponytail.

Maintenance Ideas

• Use a hair bonnet at night to protect the volume and reduce frizz.
• Revive the ponytail in the morning by gently fluffing the hair with your fingers.
• Reapply texturizing spray to restore fullness throughout the day.
• Avoid brushing the ponytail once styled — finger-combing helps maintain the chunky shape.
• If the ponytail loosens too much, simply tighten the elastic slightly or add a couple of bobby pins at the base for stability.

A chic ponytail style provides an appealing and enticing outlook. Colors add pop to the hairstyles most especially when in variety of shades to make a fabulous combo. Side braids also look gorgeous highlighting the hairstyle to pop. Low ponytails also provide firmness to the hair.

Braiding is not so mean as they are loose braids to opt to. Simply divide the hair you are holding into three knots and interchange them as you create a knot to the tip.