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Home · Ponytails

7 Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Go-to Ponytail

Check out these celeb-inspired updates to the classic style.
7 Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Go-to Ponytail
Thomas Concordia/WireImage for Style360
By Jennifer Ford · Updated October 26, 2020

When you’re pressed for time, you can’t go wrong with a ponytail or a low maintenance half-up, half-down style; but don’t confuse easy with basic. With a few minor adjustments, you can take this go-to look from rudimentary to high fashion. Say buh-bye to your boring ponytail and test drive one of these celeb-inspired Instagram versions instead.

when they tell u ya hair finally long enough for weaves so ya folks better be ready to walk alongside you wit a big ass battery powered fan to blow ur hair like your own personal formation tour at all times. You already know @bellacheveux on da hairs and @keira_rowland on da face

A photo posted by @kehlani on Sep 12, 2016 at 1:57pm PDT

Use hair chalk to add temporary color. You’ll stick out in the best way possible like Kehlani, who debuted her green and burgundy locks earlier this week. 

Always time for a dance break #cheerstotheweekend 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

A video posted by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on Sep 9, 2016 at 2:50pm PDT

To get Gabrielle Union’s easy breezy half-up, half-down look, use a curling wand to create soft waves. Next, part your hair into two sections, securing the upper half into a ponytail at the middle of the head.

A photo posted by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Aug 23, 2016 at 7:32am PDT

To recreate Beyoncé’s sophisticated half ‘do, spray your strands with a texturizing spray and tease out with a wide-tooth comb.

🍰

A photo posted by Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) on Sep 4, 2016 at 10:50am PDT

Take your style up a level by working a cornrow into your ponytail like Tyra Banks. Seriously, a single plait can upgrade your look in minutes. 

#DANCE #RiRiVanguard

A photo posted by badgalriri (@badgalriri) on Sep 1, 2016 at 7:37pm PDT

Want to copy Rihanna’s super sleek style? Instead of raking the hair into a ponytail with your hands, take a few extra minutes to smooth down frizz with pomade for a more polished finish.

Once in a lifetime kinda woman.

A photo posted by Laurennnn Palmer (@kekepalmer) on Sep 4, 2016 at 6:46pm PDT


You can also transform an average ponytail by experimenting with bangs. Hair chameleon Keke Palmer slays this retro hairstyle without missing a beat.

So proud of you @serenawilliams on your AMAZING show today! MAJOR! & I LOVED MY DRESS!! #nyfw ❤️❤️❤️

A photo posted by LaLa (@lala) on Sep 12, 2016 at 12:46pm PDT

And if you’re not afraid of a little hair dye, give your flat ponytail character with an ombré shade like Lala Anthony.

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