How to Do a Ponytail for Beginners

The classic perfect ponytail is a hairstyle that works for any age. Ponytail hairstyles are flexible look that works for casual weekends and for an evening out. Ponytails can work for people with long hair, short hair, curly hair and straight hair.

Although the process for creating a ponytail is straightforward, there are some ways to transform the look. The biggest decision is the position of the ponytail on the back of your head, which can be as high or as low as you want it.

You may also customize your ponytail look to be casual, professional or fancy. Adding a headband is also an option for styling a ponytail.

1. Brush your hair well from tips to the roots to remove all tangles.

2. Gather your hair ties or scrunchies for use.

3. Stand in front of a mirror and place your hands at your temples. Lean your head back approximately 45 degrees and run your hands backward until they meet in the center of your head. Gather your hair back inside your hands as you move them back.

1. Turn to the side and look in the mirror. Decide how high you want the ponytail to be, which is personal preference. Some individuals prefer a low ponytail at the base of the neck or nape of your neck, while others prefer high ponytails located at the top rear of the head.

1. Hold the ponytail in position with one hand and comb the front portion of your hair backward using the brush. This smooths out the front portion to remove any bumps.

1. Pick up a hair tie or scrunchie and place it on the fingers of your free hand so your fingers are inside the hair tie’s hole. Some individuals use three fingers and some prefer all of their fingers inside the hair tie. Experiment until you find a technique that feels right for you.

1. Place the rubber band around the location where your other hand is holding the gathered hair. Wrap the rubber band from the top of the gathered hair down over the sides until it meets underneath the hair.

1. Keep the fingers holding the hair tie firmly pressed together and then release the hair with your other hand. Grasp the small loop of hair that now protrudes up through the center of the hair tie and pull it all the way up and through until the hair tie encircles it.

1. Evaluate the tightness of the hair tie or hair band to see if a gap exists between the base of your ponytail and the hair. If a gap exists, pull the hair tie away from the hair gently with one hand. Twist the hair tie clockwise, so that it crosses over itself. Bend the hair tie back down over the ponytail and use your other hand to pull the hair through the new loop.

1. (Optional) Hold a can of hairspray above your head at least 10 to 12 inches from your head. Press down on the nozzle to apply a light coat to the front portion of the ponytail. This keeps any shorter pieces of hair or flyaways from coming loose from the ponytail. This keeps any shorter pieces of hair or flyaways from coming loose from the ponytail. Hair clips or bobby pins can also be used for this purpose.