15 Cutest Side Ponytail Ideas for 2024 That You Need to See!

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Side ponytails for long hair
Cindy Marcus
Cindy Marcus Hairstylist, Editor-in-Chief

A long side ponytail is being seen everywhere this year. From the runways of New York City’s Fashion Week, at celebrity weddings, and not to mention all the Hollywood red carpet events and award shows.

They are a beautiful way to wear your hair in a more formal manner without looking too uptight. They are super attractive because they have a lot of movement and styling options.

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Side Pony with Intricate Braids for Weddings
Instagram @samirasjewelry

#1: Side Pony with Intricate Braids

The side pony with intricate braids is a stylish and charming hairstyle. It adds a touch of elegance and femininity. Try this style that involves wearing small braids and a large side ponytail. You can incorporate braids, small and large, for texture and interest. This playful and captivating look works well for both casual and formal occasions.

The Chignon Side Ponytail Style

#2 The Chignon Side Ponytail

A rounded, heavy, geometric, cut frames the face dramatically. The longer bangs add charm to your style.

Ashley Tisdale with long side ponytail

#3 Ashley Tisdale’s Formal Side Ponytail

This is a more conservative side ponytail that is soft and pretty. It is the perfect side pony for any occasion.

Pin up girl style side ponytail for long hair

#4 Pin Up Girl Side Pony

A soft side faux pony with pin curls. To style, start with clean dry hair with a base product already in your hair. You will then want to set your hair with hot rollers, or a curling iron. This is to create the volume at the top of your hair and the sleek waves in the pony.

#5: Grecian Goddess Side Faux Ponytail

Add a unique twist by braiding your hair first to add a unique touch that’s been around for centuries. This style works best with thick wavy hair but can be done on just about anyone with long hair.

Wrapped side ponytail
Instagram @rebeckah.co

#6: Wrapped Side Ponytail

Make a simple side ponytail extra special with a few loose waves and a simple wrap to conceal the elastic.

Dutch Braid Side Ponytail for Long Hair
Instagram @lisa.y.adkins

#7: Dutch Braid Side Ponytail

The addition of a Dutch braid turns the everyday side pony into a feminine style that is worthy of your next glam event.

Fashion Forward Side Pony for Long Hair
Instagram @jackiewyers

#8: Fashion Forward Side Pony

With a nod to the brunette Barbie and the addition of modern texture, it is super trendy to take your side pony up top for an edgier, fashion-forward look.

#9: The Jasmine Inspired Side Ponytail

This style reminds me of a Disney princess. It’s so soft, yet dramatic and beautiful. This swept half pony falls completely over the shoulder to one side. If the hair is naturally curly, when wet, put curl crème all over and either diffuse or let your hair air dry after finger curling it into the shape you would like it to dry in. If the hair is straight, take a ¾ inch curling iron, curl your entire head, and do not brush the curls out.

Spray the hair with hairspray and shine spray for hold and shine. Decide what shoulder to wear it on and push it to that side. Twist the hair into a soft side ponytail. Then secure with bobby pins, going from the bottom of your hair line moving up. As you start to put them in, so they secure the hair, you can push the hair off to the desired side. Take the bobby pins and interlock them by making them into the shape of an x, where the lower hairline moves up to the top of the ponytail. Make sure the pins are crossed over for a secure hold. Finish with hairspray for shine and hold.

The Sleek and Sexy Side Ponytail for Long Hair
Instagram @myselfija

#10: The Sleek Side Ponytail

A clean, sleek, professional-looking side ponytail.  This works best with almost any hair type, as it is easiest on thick, wavy hair.

#11: The Mermaid Side Ponytail

Soft side ponytail with set mermaid waves and a soft fringe framing the face. This side pony looks and works best with finer hair. It helps if the hair is a bit wavy, so it will hold a curl longer.

Twist Side Ponytail Hairstyle
Instagram @amberb_hair

#12: Imp Twist Side Ponytail

A soft side-swept pony with a twist through the crown section connecting into the ponytail. It leaves a pretty design of lines and spices up a simple side ponytail. It’s cute and whimsical with a small amount of face-framing fringe.

How To Style:
Start with clean dry hair with a base product already in your hair. Such as styling lotion or thickening spray. Set your hair with hot rollers, or curling iron.

This is to create the volume at the top of your hair and the sleek waves in the pony. Section off the very top and front of your hair in a horseshoe pattern and tie up the top so that it is separate from the bottom.

Backcomb, hairspray, and smooth the sides of your hair. Take the ends of the section of hair you backcombed from the top of your head, and twist or braid into a half-inch section. Then add it to the pony so it creates a geometric design and line on the back of the head.

Gently pull all your hair softly back and off to the side into a soft side pony. You can then use a cute whimsical hair tie or a piece of hair to cover any type of hairband you may have used to secure your hair.

You can do this by taking the hair and wrapping it around the base of the pony as if it were a ribbon to cover any hair ties and make the style appear more finished.

Bumble and Bumble’s Styling Lotion, Thickening Spray, Gloss Spray Shine, Does it All or Spray de Mode HairsprayThis side pony looks and works best with finer hair. It helps if the hair is a bit wavy or a little more on the straight side.

Always start by blow-drying your hair with base products. This is to prep your hair to be put up into a special occasion style. Play with the hair until you like the way it looks, this is not an exact science. It is like creating a moving sculpture. Adjust it until you think it’s pretty. Then hair spray it heavily so it stays all day or night through any event.

Art deco side ponytail for long hair
Instagram @jackiewyers

#13: Art Deco Side Ponytail

A fun geometric hairdo with a side knot ponytail. To style, use Bumble and Bumble’s Styling Crème, Styling Lotion, Thickening Spray, Spray Shine, and Spray de Mode Hairspray or Classic Hairspray. This side pony works best with very long, straight hair. The hair should be fairly thick, or you may have to use a weft or hairpiece to create the volume on top.

#14: Side Faux Pony Waterfall

Uniquely use your own hair to support this elegant long side ponytail. Play with it until you like it and you think it looks pretty. Bumble and Bumble’s Styling Crème, Styling Lotion, Thickening Spray, Gloss Spray Shine, Spray de Mode or Classic Hairspray.

French twist long side ponytail
Instagram @thewildcurlco

#15: French Twist Side Ponytail

Very similar to The Jasmine-inspired side pony, this is a full-side ponytail. It’s twisted in the back, similar to a French twist, so it’s directed toward the face to make a lovely frame. When styling, use Bumble and Bumble’s Styling Lotion, Thickening Spray, Gloss Spray Shine, Spray de Mode, or Classic Hairspray. The side pony works well on most hair types, but it helps if the hair is finer and has some waves.

Long side ponytails look good on any face shape. They are a beautiful way to put your hair up while still enjoying the length of your hair for that feminine and soft look. Ponies can be worn casually or formally, depending on your chosen style. And depending on your mood, you can wear it with subtlety or flair. Be sure to check out all of our ponytail hairstyling ideas.