Pigtails may seem like a hairstyle kids do, but you can totally rock them! Last month, I had an awesome client, an architect in her mid-thirties, who was trying to come up with a hairstyle for her trip with friends that was “fun but not costumey.” To fit that description, we chose to do loose pigtails with some added texture. As she was leaving the studio, she stopped in front of the mirror and said, “I can’t believe I’ve just put this off for so long!” That’s the issue with pigtails. While many may think they look childish, in reality, they can be one of the most flexible hair styles. It all depends on how the pigtails are styled, what type of texture is used, and what added details are included. These adjustments can completely change the overall look.
In my opinion, pigtails are pretty dependent on what style you choose for them. For example, the look can be really changed by a braid. So can the height of the pigtails, how the part is done, and if there are pieces left out by the face. Some styles only take about five minutes while others take a little more time. However, you certainly don’t need to be a professional stylist to do these looks. I’m going to show you fifteen pigtail styles that I really like, and honestly, a couple even surprised me with how good they ended up looking.
#1: Redhead Pigtail Braids with All That Natural Texture
This hairstyle is yet another example of the beauty of understated elegance. The red tones are stunning! For thicker hair, this braid pigtailed hairstyle adds an intentional lightness to the overall aesthetic without sacrificing any of the volume that makes it so good. The hair frames the cheekbones, and the best part is it takes no time to put it all up! For hair that is very fine or super tightly curled, you may want to change up your technique a bit to get the clean look you want. Other than that though, this is a no brainer for everyone with medium to thick hair that has some good natural body!
#2 Easy Braided Pigtails with Those Wispy Bangs
An ideal Saturday will always include braided pigtails and wispy bangs. The braids make the hair seem fuller and more voluminous, rather than falling flat with no texture. The bangs bring the whole look together and can soften the look of the hair as well as frame the face. This look is super flattering on heart and oval face shapes. If this is the route you decide to go, you’ll have to make sure to keep your bangs looking fresh in between appointments which will mean trimming them every 3-4 weeks. This is because long wispy bangs lose their purpose.
#3 Sleek Pigtails with a Sharp Fringe
I love the work done with the fringe. It has been cut at just the right length to draw the eyes up, and the under pigtails are kept clean and simple so as the overall look isn’t detracted from. The use of clear elastic bands is a solid choice as they won’t distract from the style. This will come together quickly if you have medium density hair that is fairly straight, and will look like you spent more time than you did. Just a reminder that the fringe is going to need some maintenance.
#4 Floral-Accented Pigtails for When You Want Something Special
I don’t usually consider myself an accessories person, but a nicely selected floral hair pin can change the vibe for someone with smooth, medium weight hair who wants a more polished look for their pigtails. The technique in the example is not complicated, but those floral clips make it a lot more than just “running to the farmer’s market” and now it looks like a “garden party with a glass of wine.” The combination of fancy pins and sleek hair creates space for your eyes to relax. Keep in mind, though, that accessories will add a few minutes to the hairstyle, and you should be prepared to pin them in such a way that they stay put for the duration of the day.
#5 Dark Brown Twisted Pigtail Braids
These styles are perfect for when you want simplicity and elegance. The twist is a lovely way to add extra interest without being too busy. When you put this in a braid, the contrast in color between the twist and dark strands really pops! This style is best for fine to medium hair so that the twists aren’t too bulky. The best part is that this style doesn’t require a lot of product, you might want to use a little hairspray for hold, so your hair will be thankful for the break from the product.
#6 Pigtail Buns with Green Scrunchies
Creating braids buns is really easy, and gives the impression that you put in a lot of effort. They can be super playful too! These green scrunchies add just the right amount of fun to the outfit without being too extra or over the top. Pigtail buns are super easy to do, but they work best with medium and thick hair, because thinner hair won’t have the volume to make a bun look full and scrumptious (as opposed to wimpy)! It gets all your hair off your face too so your features get to shine! I wouldn’t wear these to a formal event, but for just about every other occasion, they are spot on!
#7 Classic Pigtails with Pearl Details
What makes these styles unique is the degree of sophistication offered by the pearl accents. Without these elements, the design would be rather average, consisting only of a pair of pigtails. However, the hair accessories add a level of detail and cost. The hair is of a thicker, healthier quality, which adds a level of polish to the design as well as completing the look. If your hair is reasonably straight, this is a style that you could probably achieve in five minutes or less. The pearl accents will also draw a lot of attention to you. If you have coarse or very curly hair, you may want to smooth your hair beforehand as the hair would fight against the styling.
#8 Twisted Rope Braids with Sun-Kissed Highlights
I appreciate rope braids because they are very fun to do, and I know my clients like the style at home. This style is also great if you have balayage or natural highlights because the twisting pattern picks up lighter pieces of hair. Plus, rope braids keep hair off the face, which is good for rounder face shapes as it gives extra emphasis to the cheekbones and draws the eye. Don’t be too quick to judge yourself if the sides aren’t even because twisting does take practice. A little texturizing product before styling helps a lot to make the hair hold its shape.
#9 Textured Twin Buns with a Hint of Ombré
I like how the ombre fade adds some dimension to what would otherwise be a kind of boring twin bun situation. The fade is a subtle color and is just enough to add some interest. With hair of this density and wave pattern, the bun texture looks effortless. Also, a low-maintenance style means working with your natural texture, which I appreciate. The only note I have for this style is if you decide to do this bun regularly, I advise some breaks. Avoid tight hair styles that pull on the same bits. This style will benefit from weekly conditioned ends.
#10 Chestnut Twisted Pigtail Braids
What makes this style different than a basic braid is how the twist begins right at the crown. On chestnut hair, it shows the dimension of the color beautifully. This style works best on medium to thick hair. For those who feel like their hair is always doing too much, the braids do a good job of managing volume. I would suggest skipping conditioning though, because any style that involves consistent braiding from the root does put a lot of stress on the hair over time. The little gemstone necklaces in the picture are a nice styling touch- it is the kind of detail that brings a whole look together without being too obvious.
#11 Half-Up Pigtails with a Sleek Finish
In this example, simplicity is key. Hair is kept off the face, pigtails are positioned just right to be fun instead of costume-y, and the look overall stays polished – the bands are unobtrusive. It’s a nice polished look when the hair is straight or smooth, which you get by straightening or smoothing of course, and if you have the right texture you’re good. If your hair is pretty curly or frizzy, then this will take some prep. This style is about achieving a sleek look so if you have the right hair texture, it can be an effortless, two minute hair do that looks like it was meant to be right on you.
#12 Twist Braids with Lavender Ties
The lavender ties may be small, but they do alter the overall vibe of the entire outfit. That’s what I try to explain to my clients about accessories. You don’t need to break the bank on something costly or get something super complicated. All you need is something simple like a color pair that looks intentional. The twist braids are soft enough to frame the face, working with many face shapes, and keep things more relaxed as opposed to severe and more stiff. Dense straight hair holds this kind of braid really well and will look nice and not messy at the end of the day. If you really like this look and want to wear it a lot, just alternate with something that doesn’t pull at the hairline so you don’t give those areas repeated stress.
#13 Pastel Pink Ombré Pigtails
We can have fun with this look! This root transition from natural blonde to pastel pink is super pretty, and the pink is vibrant enough to make a statement! For this look, high pigtails are a great choice as they show off the full length of the color shift, and the glittery hair clips are a nice touch. From a practicality perspective, soft shades do tend to fade fast, so you’ll need a color safe shampoo, cool water rinses, and probably weekly maintenance to keep the color looking this good. If you enjoy that kind of maintenance, this look will definitely make you happy!
#14 Curled Pigtails with an Intricate Crown Braid
I can see the hard work that went into this style. I especially love the crown and braid combination; it makes the style look a bit more elegant. The curls in the pigtails also give a playful and fun touch. I think the style has a nice contrast, in that it’s relaxed while also controlled. It’s great how it looks even more dynamic with thicker hair that has enough support for the two different textures. I’ll admit it’s probably not super easy to do the braided crown alone, I imagine it takes practice (and maybe a friend that does good hair). However, the good part is this style is super flexible. I think it even works for weddings, but also festivals, or just when you wanna dress up and be super fun!
#15 Fishtail Pigtail Braids in Twilight Tones
Fishtail braids are either loved or hated. They can be done so that the braid is nicely executed and tightly woven. When done on multicolored hair, the braid is mesmerizing, and so is the color pattern as it changes along the length of the braid. In hair that is straight or slightly wavy, and good density, the braid will start to loose form but will still look good. That is why I love pigtail braids. There is a lot of time and focus that goes into braiding. It is NOT a style you can do when you are rushing out the door. It is a style that you may want make some coffee, put on a podcast and do the braids. After doing the braids, you can expect to receive a number of compliments from people you didn’t know were watching you.
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