I’ll be the first to confess that, as much as I adore a ponytail, it’s a bit of a cop-out hairdo. Sure, they’re great for running errands or “going to the gym” (aka running errands in leggings), but really putting together a ponytail hairdo that looks put-together is a challenge. So, in the spirit of changing up one of my basic, bland go-to’s, I scoured Instagram for the loveliest (yet simplest) ponytail designs ever. I discovered something for almost everyone ahead, with beautiful ’90s-inspired designs and relaxed and easy loose, low alternatives. Trust us when we say that after you’ve seen this lineup, you’ll never look at ponytails the same way again.
What’s the easiest way to jazz up a classic high ponytail? To enhance volume, curl your ends with a curling iron or wand. Finish with a spritz of shine-boosting hairspray and you’re good to go.
Yara Shahidi’s sleek high ponytail has been entirely revamped. Fill your ponytail with edge control, comb your edges into a stunning design, and position it at the crown for plenty of volumes.
Still, want to keep your ponytail understated? After lightly spritzing your roots and lengths with a texturizing spray, use a silk scrunchie to collect your hair at the nape of your neck (my personal favorites are these bbs from Slip), allowing a few loose strands to play with.
Be no farther than this braided hairdo for proof that a ponytail can look as neat as heck. If you want to duplicate this look, you’ll need a smoothing brush, shine spray, and flyaway tamer.
Nothing beats (or is simpler to achieve) a high ponytail with loose, face-framing layers, in my opinion. Securing your hair with a scrunchie completely channels the ’90s mood, or try for a more subtle style with a transparent elastic.
After you’ve pulled your hair into a high, J. Lo-worthy ponytail, use a flat iron and gently flip up your ends. You’ll be left with a sleek-yet-retro style that will garner you accolades (trust).
Source: cosmopolitan