I often use ponytail hairstyles with my clients. They are trendy, but also give so much to play around with. Depending on your type of day, your mood, and the kind of texture you have that day. There is an option for you. I appreciate the diversity of the options available for Black women especially, because a ponytail one day can show off your natural curls, and then the next day have the look of a polished, edited style.
I think of one of my clients from years ago. She was adamant that if you wore your hair in a ponytail, you made no effort at all. She wore her hair down every day, and her ends were so damaged from the constant heat styling. I remember her sitting in my chair and me pulling her hair back into a high ponytail, and allowing her natural ends to remain free, and she was pretty quiet for most of the time as she was looking in the mirror. At the end of the appointment, she kind of shocked me with the comment, “I didn’t know it could look like that.” That’s the impact of a ponytail. Having your hair styled in a way that shows what it can do naturally is gorgeous. These photos that I’ve put together are some examples that I hope will impress you as much as my ponytail impressed her.
#1: Ponytail with Swooped Side Bang and Volume
That side swoop gives off some great 90s nostalgic vibes, like something you’d see in a music video that you’d want to try out. The bangs over the forehead are thick, and swoop to the side to tuck behind the ear while the ponytail is mid-high and blunt cut straight across. The crown is teased to create some volume which adds height and shape so it’s not all one level. I think this hair style is best suited for round and oval face shapes because the angled swoop balances the face.
#2 Slicked Low Ponytail with a Deep Wave Texture
The change from smooth to textured is so seamless that one could think two people worked on this collaboration. The top and sides are all working for that slicked back look and not a hair is out of place during that transition. Then the ponytail finishes in waves that are beautiful, full, and denser than gorgeous. When this style is complete, it’s low-maintenance, which is my ideal. After a couple of days the curly texture looks even better as it’s loosened up. This style is one I appreciate the most because it doesn’t fall apart as time goes on. In fact, it actually gets better.
#3: High Curly Ponytail with Honey Highlights
What a gorgeous ponytail! I love those honey highlights woven through the curls! They definitely help the ponytail look more dimensional! I love how the slicked-back base of the ponytail really elevates the ponytail. The defined curls plus the youthful bounce really make the ponytail look full! Those lighter pieces really do pop where the curls open and stretch, almost like a sun-kissed look but more natural. Details like these are what make a great ponytail even more unique!
#4: Swooped Mid-Height Ponytail with Straight Silk Press
Although the silk press and ponytail combo looks easy, it actually presents quite a few challenges. If done incorrectly, the final product often shows for it. Here, I like the side part with the little baby hairs on the side. She has a nice and smooth ponytail that is very straight with just a little bend at the ends. I love the gentle wrapping of the hair around the ponytail with the silk press that she has. It looks like they did a silk press with a light hand and great heat control because the hair still has a little bit of body and isn’t completely flattened.
#5: Low Ponytail with a Sleek Wrap and Curled Ends
Wrapping a ponytail is a sign of sophistication, and the hairstyle is a low ponytail where the hair is wrapped around the hair tie. The rest of the hair hangs straight and has curls at the ends. It is polished and professional and demonstrates a no nonsense attitude while maintaining a sense of style. This style truly shows that you mean business.
#6: Bone-Straight Mid Ponytail with Wrapped Base
This ponytail requires a lot of precision. Each individual hair is going in the same direction. The base is wrapped using a hair section that is measured with a ruler, and the tail is straight with no flyaways. I find styles like this meditative because of the discipline in the finish. To get this level of sleekness, you need to wrap your hair at night using a satin scarf. You’ll have to redo the edges in the morning, but the satin scarf will hold the rest.
#7: Mid-High Ponytail with Flipped Bouncy Ends
This ponytail style has a lot of personality thanks to the flip at the end. Everything else looks sleek and controlled, smooth with no bumps, but the ponytail flip is an under curl that playful bounces back. This is the type of style that makes people do double takes. It’s not overly dramatic, but the attention to detail is on another level. The shine at the base of the ponytail tells me a good shine spray is in play. I always recommend shine spray before smoothing the ponytail, not after!
#8: High Wavy Ponytail with Slicked Edges
It is easy to see why this style is so flattering as it works for so many people. In terms of base and ponytail, the baby hair curls at the temples is a nice touch to keep it from looking overdone. This is an easy, go to hairstyle that is functional for everything from errands to dinner dates. I firmly believe everyone needs a style like this.
#9: High Sleek Ponytail with Long Straight Extensions
This ponytail captures the mood perfectly! With a tight ponytail that extends down past the shoulders, high ponytails are a look. The slight curl at the bottom gives a nice touch. I also appreciate the hair wrapping around the elastic to conceal it, the overall wet look shine looks great. If you’re working with extensions and want that seamless look, you want the base as flat as possible because any bulk at the tie point will be a dead giveaway.
#10: High Ponytail with Loose, Face-Framing Waves and Curtain Pieces
I am a bit obsessed with the face framing pieces here. Softening everything, they’re curled into loose waves to blend into the ponytail so it doesn’t look disconnected. The ponytail has big body waves and fantastic movement and the overall effect is flirty and fun in a way that’s hard not to smile at. It looks great because it doesn’t take itself too seriously, lets a little hair fall where it wants and that relaxed attitude makes it more beautiful overall.
#11: Extra-Long Sleek Ponytail with a Curled Tip
The long and straight ponytail having a single curl at the end is a statement. The base for this ponytail is packed and wrapped smoothly, and all the hair is aligned straight as it goes down to the waist before curling under into a single nice spiral. This is dramatic but at the same time restrained and definitely shows a considerable amount of effort. Pulled through the extensions and probably purposeful sleeping with the hair in a loose braid to avoid tangling. This looks like some professional work.
#12: High Ponytail with Cascading Body Wave Extensions
This ponytail is designed to get you noticed. It’s high, long, and has body waves that cascade down your back and are almost hypnotic. The base is slicked back with baby hairs tucked away, and the volume of the ponytail makes it feel like a special occasion. I’ve done wedding ponytails expecting to receive a lot of calls from wedding guests, and that has happened numerous times.
#13: Natural Curly Puff Ponytail with Swooped Edges
A puff ponytail will always be a favorite of mine. I love the way this one is high and shows the natural curl pattern with super tight coils and volume for days. The swooped edges that are styled into little curls are a nice touch and help to frame the forehead. This active ponytail is wonderful because it celebrates the natural texture and curls and the hair is pulled back and let free. I always suggest to my clients to apply a leave-in conditioner to their hair before starting a style to reduce breakage because it will keep the hair moisturized.
#14: Sleek High Pony with a Single Baby Hair Curl
This high ponytail style showcases that sometimes simplicity is key. It is only accessorized by a single wrap-around curl that elevates the look by adding some soft and layered texture to the overall sleek appearance of the ponytail. The ponytail begins with a great base that accentuates the fullness in the ponytail. It is extremely straight with a very natural appearance, as if no extensions have been used.
#15: Classic Sleek Ponytail with Swirl Detail
This ponytail has been done over and over again with perfection. There is nothing better than a smooth base, a non-wavy tail, perfectly straight down and a swirl with a little baby hair in front of the ear that shouts “I put effort in, I pay attention to detail!” The horn is super high, but it’s not an extreme amount that it’s going to pull and the completion is very clean and simple. I think all the other ponytails out there are benchmarked off of this one because everyone else should be able to do it. When I have a client sit in my chair and say “just a ponytail,” this is what they mean. Which is why it deserves to be done to a super high standard every time.
#16: Low Ponytail with Curled Layers and a Deep Side Part
I’m loving the relaxed vibe on this! And honestly, I rep the low sit, the super deep side part, and the front bits wrapped into some nice light and bouncy waves that frame the face while the rest is pulled into a pony the same texture. It straddles that perfectly in between not formal and not lazy which is honestly the hardest to pull off. I love how the curls in the pony give just the right amount of movement without getting too fussy and I reckon the low placement makes this way more everyday wearable than some of the higher ones.
#17: High Ponytail with Voluminous Curls and Side-Swept Pieces
My client enjoyed the style so much that she chose to cancel her down-style appointment and instead opted for a birthday ponytail! It was a high ponytail that featured bouncy, voluminous curls, and the side-swept piece that was curled under toward the face was glam without being too stiff. There was also a great balance with the face framing curls and ponytail curls being the same in texture and density, which created an intentional look. It was a celebration hairstyle that just happened to be a ponytail!
#18: Mid-High Ponytail with Soft Curly Waves
A wonderful hairstyle option that has some great elegant detailing is the example shown here. This is a really nice simple hairstyle, and it has some gentle soft curls that are on the shoulders. The base is smooth, and has no flyaways or bumps. The overall look is very clean. This look may come off as relaxed and casual, however, it is very time consuming and hard to achieve. This look can work for so many different people and different face shapes. The curls make the face appear softer, and the clean back look makes a round face appear longer. If you are really stuck on what to choose from, this option is probably the most low risk option, but that means its the best option as well.
#19: Starter Loc Updo with Freestyle Flat Twists
Prior to starting my journey with locks, my creativity when it came to hair styling was pretty much non existent, but I can appreciate what an updo with starter locs can bring. An updo with starter locs, especially in the earlier stages, is very inspirational. The organic, looser flat twist pattern that leads into a high gathered puff is super fun, and the shorter locks with the natural texture on top are so full of personality. I love the common misconception that you can’t do anything with your hair during the locking phase. Styles like this always prove them wrong. It’s fresh, youthful and works wonderfully with the current length.
#20: Cornrow Ponytail with Red Accent Braids and Curly Ends
One of my younger clients once asked me if coloring her braids would be “too much” so I showed her something like this. The combination of red and black braiding hair creates depth and an interesting look, and the spiral cornrow design is super creative. The ponytail with the curly ends is so cute and adds to the overall youthful look. With the right nighttime maintenance, this style can last 2-3 weeks and protects your hair.
#21: Short and Sharp High Ponytail with Flipped Ends
I don’t know why short ponytails are often overlooked in favor of long ones, but take a look at this example. It has been set high and completely slicked down at the base, and looks so chic! The ponytail ends at the nape of the neck and flips out. This look is so polished and so confident, stating *I don’t need a longer ponytail to make a statement*. The entire look is so clean and gives off an almost architectural style. This is further proof that you don’t need extensions to achieve a polished look with a ponytail, especially if your natural hair is short.
#22: Stitch Braids into a Curly Drawstring Ponytail
There is always something to appreciate in this combination. For example, the stitch braids are neat, evenly spaced, and seamlessly feed into the back of the ponytail. The curly ponytail that springs with life adds a lot to the style. I’ve done this style on clients who wanted something protective, yet still wanted to feel glamorous, and it unfailingly checks both boxes without compromise. The curly texture in the ponytail, whether it’s a drawstring ponytail or extensions braided in, really softens the precision of the braids. It’s a study in contrast, and it just works.
#23: Low Sleek Ponytail with a Subtle Flip
Low ponytails are the best style to stay fancy without looking like you are trying. The ponytail is perfectly straight and silky and placed high above the nape. The only hair movement is at the bottom of the ponytail where it flips up in one single curl. It is the definition of minimalistic. You can wear this to meetings or dinner and no one will question you.
#24: Mid-Height Ponytail with Bouncy Hollywood Waves
I appreciate the way these waves channel classic Hollywood glam vibes. The mid-height ponytail rolling waves is a nice touch. The hair falls into elegant curls, exuding sophistication and lively movement. You can clearly see the sleekness of the foundation and how this polished the style to avoid a messy appearance. To achieve this look, a large barrel curling iron is required plus a generous amount of patience to form the waves, but believe me, the end result justifies the means. I have had more of my clients request this style of waves than any other form of styling.
#25: Curly Updo Ponytail with Loose Front Pieces
I really love the sweetness of this style. The ponytail pinned with the curls falling is awesome. The soft romantic curls around the face are great. I really like the little braid tucked at the back because it adds a little structure to the style so that it doesn’t look too messy. This style would be lovely for special occasions but honestly I think the best version is wearing it on a random Tuesday because you felt pretty.
#26: Natural Texture Ponytail with Slicked Roots
I wish people would take the opportunity to wear their hair like this. Hair is normally brushed back into a straight line, but here some form of the natural curl is kept fully in tact. Here we make curl control strctictions and allow for lots of volume. It looks like all your curls are back, but its all your natural height. If you are growing your hair out, this style is perfect as it compliments the length instead of fighting it.
#27: Loc Ponytail with Crosshatch Parting
What stood out the most to me was the crosshatch design. I appreciate how it adds an artistic flair, a nice contrast to the straight sections. The locs have a beautiful lived in color which is the combination of warm color at the ends and darkness at the roots. There’s a great skill here to twisting the locs and arranging them like this. A light loc spray will keep everything moisturized without the buildup.
#28: Sleek Mid-High Ponytail with Body Wave Ends
This ponytail hairstyle looks like it took an hour, but it actually only takes about 20 minutes tops (if you have good smoothing skills). The base is laid super flat, has a good clean side part and the ponytail is super pretty because of the body wave gradation. I like the placement of the ponytail. It’s pulled high enough to give the lifted structured look, but not too high to pull at your edges. Also, a non-flaky edge control with medium hold is gonna be your best friend for this.
#29: Sleek Shoulder-Length Ponytail with a Swooped Bang
I think it is a compliment to say that the swooped side piece is doing a lot of lifting. It softens a lot of things, frames the face, and adds so much intention to the ponytail than a simple slicked back version. The tail is also straight and sits right around shoulder length with a soft curl at the end. I appreciate the style restraint. It knows what it wants to be. Not too long, not too done, just right.
#30: High Ponytail with Full Sweeping Bangs
There are hairstyles like ponytails and bangs that can look awesome or look like they’re in a fight. Here, it looks awesome! The bangs are super thick and sweep nicely across the forehead. The ponytail is high and straight. The ponytail and bang combo create a nice proportion balance. The bangs are full enough to not look like a last-minute decision. If you’re thinking of adding a bang piece, make sure the density matches your ponytail to avoid it looking disconnected. This type of hairstyle will change people’s perception of you as soon as you walk into the room!
#31: Feed-In Cornrows with a Wavy Low Ponytail
I love how cornrows create beautiful flowing patterns that complement the shape of the head. I also love that the ponytail is left loose and wavy instead of tight and slicked back. That definitely adds to the overall relaxed feel of the style. It balances out the painstaking detail that was put into the braiding. The detail shows how much time the stylist invested in the design. Styles like this is why I tell people that protective styling does not mean you have to stop being cute.
#32: Honey Blonde Sleek Ponytail with Soft Waves
Everything can be altered due to color, and honey blonde warm ponytail changes the vibe significantly compared to how it would look as black hair. The base is really slicked and the pony is loose and a bit wavy. Immediate read is effortless. I also love the warm combination of brown skin and blonde hair. It’s warm in a way that i never get tired of. The color of toner is not brass and not ashy, it’s a perfect in-between gold which is great. When you are maintaining blonde hair you should use a purple shampoo every other wash to keep your blonde from shifting.
#33: Sleek Ponytail with Romantic Barrel Curls and Baby Hairs
Let’s start with how great these baby hairs are styled. The baby hairs swirled to the side of the ear look so good that it seems like they were drawn. The ponytail is at mid-height, and the curls are nice bouncy barrel curls with real weight to them so they sway when you move. I’ve seen this combination of style before, and my bet is it will soon be signature. It looks good in pictures so it’s no wonder to see it at every occasion. Prom, weddings, birthdays, you name it, I see it.
#34: High Curly Ponytail with a Defined Curl Pattern
This ponytail gives the impression that your hair just fell into place, but we know the effort that went into achieving this look. The base is slicked back, and the curly ponytail has a defined curl pattern that is full and bouncy, and most importantly, not frizzy. My favorite thing about this style is that it looks really natural. If you’re using a curly ponytail extension, try to match your natural curl size as best as you can, and make sure to blend really well, as that will sell the illusion.
#35: Classic High Ponytail with Straight, Glossy Length
Who doesn’t love a slick, straight ponytail that makes you feel like you’re in a shampoo commercial? There’s nothing wrong about this look at all. The ponytail is pulled back tightly and at a high position. Her hair is completely straight and super shiny, and the ends of her hair have a soft curl toward the face, which adds some body so it doesn’t look dead. I have done this exact style on clients who needed to be more polished for work, and every single one of them texted me saying they got so many compliments. This look is timeless for a reason!
#36: High Ponytail with Soft, Rolling Curls
This style has an elegant and laid-back effect with all of the hair kept off the front of the face. When it comes to contrast, having a clean and finished base with a fun and lively movement on top is playful and useful. If your curls tend to flop by the end of the day, I recommend a very light defining cream, as it shouldn’t get overly stiff, and should help maintain structure. Typically, this style is low maintenance and will carry you through the whole day.
#37: Low Ponytail with a Quiet Kind of Polish
My favorite effortless ponytail is this one. The ponytail lies at the nape and allows the texture to shine. It looks as though it was smoothed to appear casually done. With a smoothing serum, it could look like you put in a ton of effort. The crown volume is what keeps it from looking flat. I find the softness more intriguing than sculpted.
#38 Straight and Sleek, Pulled High
When people want to look totally put together, this is the look I picture. It’s very simple and lets your bone structure shine. I will say, if you’re heating up the flat iron, you’re going to need some good heat protectant because the whole point is to look smooth. You don’t want to risk your hair’s health for it. This style feels like armor, and it looks really good in pictures.
#39 High and Straight with Ombre Ends That Catch the Light
My first observation is not the ponytail, but how the ombre creates a gradual golden effect towards the ends as if sunlight is shining there. The straight style adds a modern and purposeful vibe, and the color gives enough dimension so that it doesn’t appear flat. If you have a lot of flyaways, a lightweight serum applied to the hairline will keep those baby hairs under control and it won’t weigh the hair down.
#40 Soft Waves Gathered Low
This type of ponytail is great for someone trying to make an impression without looking like they spent more than 5 minutes on their hair. The loose waves have an effortless vibe, and give the impression that you pulled it back after sleeping in braids. The low ponytail looks good on a lot of people and is pretty easy to adjust. If you have thick hair, smooth everything down before tying it up, or else it will get bunched up at the bottom.
#41 A Low Chignon Ponytail That Feels Effortless
I love this style because of the slight twist at the base. It’s simple and adds an elegant detail to the whole look. I really love how clean and close the silhouette to the head looks with long necks. With this style, the maintenance really is in the edges being laid and the part looking clean; a little edge control really does go a long way.
#42 Curly Ponytail with Color That Feels Alive
These highlights do so much of the heavy lifting as they change color depending on the light from each curl. This creates so much warmth and movement in the ponytail it will be hard not to stare at it. The scarf adds some personality without stealing focus away from the hair, which I think is pretty hard to pull off. If your curls are this naturally textured, a curl refresher spray on day two will do the trick without having to start over.
#43 Box Braid Ponytail with a Touch of Gold
While I do say that braids take a long time, it is nice to know that for weeks, you don’t have to worry about your hair every time you roll out of bed. This specific look has the density and weight that makes for a really nice feeling braided ponytail, and the gold accents at the ends are a nice touch that totally changes the whole vibe. Something as simple as that can make it go from everyday to occasion. When getting your braids done, be honest with your braiders about the amount of tension you can tolerate. Your scalp will thank you later!
#44 High Puff with Flowers and a Lot of Personality
When I see this style, I can’t help but smile. the pouf has great volume and the curls are defined enough to maintain shape. The floral scarf was a great touch and helps to make the style even more memorable. I feel that with natural hair, a pouf looks best when you don’t attempt to make it very polished. I think that a little imperfection adds to the charm of the style. Keeping a good moisturizer in rotation is a must so that the ends of the curls remain soft and do not dry out.
#45 Curly Ponytail with a Velvet Headband
The velvet headband smooths the front section and keeps everything polished while the ponytail curls go all over the place. That contrast between tidy and messy is what makes this look so good! You can easily put this look together in 10 minutes and feel great about yourself. If you tend to get frizz, using strong hold gel will keep everything in place when you put the headband on.
#46 Curly High Ponytail with Confident Volume
The ponytail has so much volume that is really nice. The curls are nice and defined but not too uniform which keeps the ponytail looking nice and full. The length is right around the nape so the volume shouldn’t pull the ponytail down too much. Using a curl cream and working it through in sections before you pull it up will help each curl hold its shape and not clump together.
#47 Braided Ponytail with Golden Beads
The beads in these braids make the hair look more accessorized than done. The braids are nice and clean on top while the length adds movement to the style. Just make sure to check in with your scalp after a few days. If your scalp is feeling sore, don’t suffer in silence. The style is not worth the pain.
#48 Defined Curls Pulled Up High
I appreciate the smooth edges that give the hair a nice clean look. The person who styled the hair obviously put a lot of thought into it. The fringe curls look nice and are well defined. This suggests that the right amount of product was used. This is honestly a style that is great to wear and photograph which is all a ponytail could ask for.
#49 Multi-Section Ponytail with Gold Cuffs
For instance, the gold cuffs are nice because the ponytail sections add structure and the gold cuffs give some flair without too much effort. It’s really good for freshly flat ironed hair because the sections stay defined. If the cuffs are sliding, put a tiny bit of holding gel on the section before you close the cuff and it will stay.
#50 Curly High Ponytail, Full and Playful
There is lots of excitement shown in this one. The coils are bouncy, are very voluminous, and the overall look is great. I think this style of ponytail suits anyone with a busy day and isn’t too bothered about their hair getting messy. To keep the curls nice and bouncy and to avoid them drying out, I would recommend using a curl-enhancing cream before tying it up.
#51 High Puff with Burgundy Undertones
The color is subtle enough that it may not be obvious at first: a dark base that changes to warm burgundy in the light. This adds a richness to the whole puff that a plain black wouldn’t. The curls are extremely well-defined and the height elongates the face which is flattering in a non obnoxious way. Regular deep conditioning will ensure that color treated curls look as good as they feel.
#52 Curly High Ponytail with Real Presence
The confidence of this style comes from the volume and the fact that the curls look healthy and well cared for. The shine and definition are all there, and they look great together. I would pair it with anything that makes you feel like you because a pony like this doesn’t need anything else. It is already doing its job.
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