10 Easy Ponytail Hairstyles

Ponytails are pretty much our go-to look when it comes to easy hairdos. You hop out of bed, wonder how you’ll style your strands, and probably almost immediately think of the pony. Seriously can you think of a better easy hairstyle? The only thing is, while we love ponytails, we’re the first to admit that a traditional ponytail can get pretty boring day in and day out—not to mention, wearing your hair in the same ponytail every day isn’t the best for the health of your strands. And since nobody wants to be basic all the time, we’re all about looking for ways to revamp our go-to easy hairdos for something a tad more eye-catching.

Ready to take your favorite lazy girl hairstyle up a notch? Follow along! Here, we’re sharing ten ponytail hairstyles—including the low ponytail, the wet ponytail, and more—plus the hair styling products you’ll need to achieve each look.

1. WET PONYTAIL

Over the past year, runways and red carpets have been teeming with wet hair—or at least tresses that appear to be sopping. With the hairstyle popping up every which way we look, it was only a matter of time before it got locked in as a full-blown hairstyle trend. If you want to rock a just-slinked-out-of-the-pool look without actually donning soaking wet locks, we know just the look for you.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Shampoo

L’Oréal Paris EverSleek Keratin Caring Conditioner

Wide tooth comb

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Clean Style Gel

Hair tie

L'Oréal Paris Elnett Previous Oil Satin Hairspray

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Start with freshly washed hair

Although you won’t actually be rocking soaking wet strands, it’s important to begin with clean hair. Use your shampoo and conditioner, then you can move on to styling.

Step 2: Massage gel throughout

After letting your hair air dry for a bit, use a wide tooth comb to brush through any tangles before adding in a half-dollar’s worth of gel. Using your comb, brush through your hair once more in order to evenly distribute the hair gel.

Step 3: Pull hair into a pony

Use your hands to smooth over any visible comb lines and gently pull your hair up into a high ponytail, continuously smoothing any bumps as you go.

Step 4: Finish with shine-boosting hairspray

Spritz on hair spray as a finishing touch.

2. simple low ponyTAil

It may be unbelievably simple to create and style, but the low ponytail is always a super-chic easy hairdo. Whether you’re headed to a work meeting or out for the evening, the low pony adds instant sophistication to any look.

What you’ll need:

Hair elastic

Fine-tooth comb

Boar-bristle brush

L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray

Get the look by following with these simple steps:

Step 1: Start with straight hair

You won’t want wet hair for this ponytail, and we tend to think it looks best with pin-straight strands. Use your flat iron to straighten your hair—and don’t forget to use a heat protectant beforehand.

Step 2: Create your part

Using your comb, create your part wherever you like.

Step 3: Pull hair into a pony

Use your boar-bristle brush to sweep your locks into a ponytail that falls at the nape of your neck, then secure it with an elastic and you’re all set!

3. DOUBLE BRAIDED LOW PONYtail

Love the way French braid pigtails frame your face but don’t want to fuss with the ends hanging over each shoulder? This double-braided hairstyle transforms into a single pony and is très chic.

What you’ll need:

Mini clear elastic

Get the look by following with these simple steps:

Step 1: Create two French braids

With a center part down the middle of your head, create a French braid on each side from your hairline to the nape of your neck.

Step 2: Merge your braids

Instead of continuing your braids separately, merge them together by combining the two closest sections of each braid, then combine the two remaining sections in each braid so that you now have three sections to work with. Braid those three sections all the way to the ends.

Step 3: Secure your braid

Using a mini clear elastic, tie your braid off and you’re ready to complete the rest of your beauty routine.

4. ROPE PONYTAIL

If you’re like us, you’re all about adding dimension to your braids. With a million braided styles out there, one of our favorite looks seems to get forgotten. Resurrecting a gorgeous hairstyle you’re sure to love, we’re here to reintroduce you to the super-simple rope braid.

What you’ll need:

Hair tie

Mini clear elastic

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Pull your hair into a high ponytail

Be sure to pull it extra tight—gently, of course!

Step 2: Split and twist

Divide your ponytail into two equal sections and twist each in opposite directions from the base of your pony all the way to the ends.

Step 3: Weave your rope

With a twisted section in each hand, wrap each around the other to build your rope. Seal it off with a clear mini elastic and you’re ready to lasso the day! See what we did there?

5. PINEAPPLE PONYTAIL

Have natural curls? Instead of doing a traditional pony secured with a hair tie, grab a silk scarf and follow along to get this ‘do.

What you’ll need:

L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Treatment

Silk scarf

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Smooth your curls

Before pulling your hair up, refresh your curls with a quarter-sized amount of hair oil.

Step 2: Flip and wrap

To create this look, flip your head over and tie a silk scarf around your head with your gorgeous curls popping out of the top—like a pineapple!

Step 3: Straighten your scarf

After your scarf is in place, flip your head back over and situate the knot in the front. Want a little more of an accessorized effect? Tie it into a bow!

6. SINGLE KNOT PONYTAIL

Before picking out a fancy hair tie, take a peek at this knotted pony that spruces up the classic look in the same way, sans added accessories.

What you’ll need:

Hair tie

Bobby pins

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Strong Hold

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Divide your hair into two sections

Horizontally part your hair from ear to ear, leaving your front section free and tying the rest into a simple low pony.

Step 2: Tie a knot

Part your loose front section down the middle and smooth it back towards your low ponytail. Instead of adding them to the pony, tie it in a knot around it.

Step 3: Secure your knot

To keep your knot perfectly tied, grab a few hair-colored bobby pins and secure it into place. Finish off by using a strong hold hairspray to help keep your look in place.

7. BUBBLE FAUX HAWK PONYTAIL

The ‘80s called and they want to share one of their favorite easy hairdos. And what better time than when fashion is having a serious flashback moment?! Yup, we thought you’d be excited.

What you’ll need:

Rat tail comb

Mini clear elastics

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Start a couple inched back from your hairline

To begin your bubble faux hawk, grab a rat tail comb and section off a portion of hair a couple of inches from your hairline. Secure it with the first of many clear elastics to come.

Step 2: Keep making bubbles

About an inch under your first bubble, create another. Think of this method as a relative of the French braid since you'll constantly bring more hair into the fauxhawk.

Step 3: Bubble off your pony

Once you’ve reached the nape of your neck you’ll no longer have to incorporate more hair, all you have to do is tie off your ponytail every inch or so.

Step 4: Add height to your hawk

To lift your look, gently tug each bubble to really define your throwback ‘do. And you’re done!

8. DUTCH BRAID PONYTAIL

Tired of classic French braids? Flip it inside out for this hairstyle that’s fit for any occasion. All you have to do is switch to an underhanded braiding technique and you’ll have a textured, eye-catching style in no time.

What you’ll need:

Mini clear elastic

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Weave your braid

Begin by splitting your hair into three sections at the crown of your head and weaving it together with an underhanded technique. Crossing the left section under the center section and the right section under the new center section, continue this process, adding in new sections of hair until you reach the ends.

Step 2: Tie off your braid

Finish it off with a mini clear elastic and you officially know a new braiding technique—not to mention a new pony!

9. UNICORN BRAID PONYTAIL

Who doesn’t love all things mermaids and unicorns? Give us candy-colored hair dyes, eye shadows, and lipsticks and we’re happy as a clam. So, when we found out there’s a ponytail out there dedicated to one of our most-beloved mythical creatures, you better believe we had to share it with you!

What you’ll need:

Rat tail comb

Lobster clips

Mini clear elastic

Hair tie

Bobby pin

Curling wand

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Separate out a section of hair

Using a rat tail comb, section off a one to two-inch middle section from your hairline to the nape of your neck. Clip the rest of your hair out of the way with a lobster clip or two.

Step 2: Create a Dutch Braid

With an underhanded technique, weave a Dutch braid from your hairline to the nape of your neck using the middle section of hair, then tie it off with a mini clear elastic.

Step 3: Smooth all of your hair into a ponytail

Unclip your two loose sections and brush them back into a low ponytail that includes your unicorn braid. Tie all of your hair together using a hair tie that matches your hair color.

Step 4: Hide your hair tie

Take a small section of hair from your ponytail and wrap it around your hair tie to hide the band. Secure it in place with a bobby pin on the underside of your ponytail.

Step 5: Curl your ends

To really perk up your super-girly hairstyle, use a curling wand to add a few romantic waves to your pony—you’re now ready for everything from your desk to date night.

10. TWISTED LOW PONYTAIL

Want to jazz up your go-to low ponytail? Adding a bit of a twist on both sides of your part is just the thing.

What you’ll need:

Boar-bristle brush

Bobby pins

Hair elastic

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Create your twists

These may look difficult to achieve, but we promise you can do it! Start with one side of your hair, and simply twist your strands in toward the center of your face.

Step 2: Secure with bobby pins

Once you’re happy with your first twist, secure it in place at the back of your head with a couple of bobby pins. Repeat this step on the other side before moving on.

Step 3: Pull into a ponytail

Gently and slowly, pull both of your twists, plus the remaining hair (that falls in the center of your back), into a low ponytail. Secure it with an elastic, then spritz on a bit of hairspray to lock everything into place.

Next: 7 Half-Bun Hairstyles for Every Hair Type