7 Hair Hacks for Perky Ponytails

1. Wrap Base Ponytail Hairstyle

1. Dress up a basic ponytail

2. Fast and easy way to hide hair elastic bands

3. Hairstyle matches any outfit and can be worn virtually anywhere

4. #HairHacks - Pin pull-through

This hairstyle technique is a staple that we’ll be using in each of the ponytail hairstyles. Wrapping the base of your ponytail hides the hair elastic, adds a bit of volume to your hair, and gives a little extra class to your basic ponytail hairstyle. This easy hairpin technique allows you to secure the tails of the wrap without extra hairpins or hair bands and has a nearly invisible transition when completed.

Step-by-Step Wrap Base Ponytail

Step 1: Brush hair back into a ponytail and secure with a covered hair elastic band close to your hair color.

Step 2: Insert a large hairpin upward through the hair elastic band with the bent end pointing up.

Step 3: Pull a small ribbon of hair from the backside of the ponytail. Wrap around the base of the ponytail to hide the hair elastic.

Step 4: Bend the ribbon of hair in half and slide the bent hair loop through the closed end of the hairpin. Alternatively, place the hair strand into a second hairpin and place the open end of the second hair pin through the loop of the first hairpin. Pull on the open end of the second pin to pull the hair strand through the first pin.

Step 5: Pull the open end back down to draw the wrapped piece of hair through the hair elastic. This will hide the ends and secure the section.

2. Sleek Ponytail Hairstyle

1. Perfect second-day (or third-day) hairstyle

2. Neat and presentable ponytail

3. Adds polish to a casual hairstyle

4. #HairHacks - Part and Wrap

Smoothing out a ponytail can be a little tricky, especially when you’re trying to add a focal point like a side hair part. Splitting a ponytail into sections allows you to tackle each area. Starting with a parting from ear to ear over your head gives you complete control over the back of the ponytail. You can add front sections of hair easily without worrying about disturbing the back half of your hair. This also makes adding a base wrap easy since you already have sections out of your main ponytail. Just smooth hair back, wrap hair as normal, and secure it by pulling through the hair elastic or by using hairpins.

Step-by-Step Sleek Ponytail Hairstyle

Step 1: Section hair from ear to ear over the top of the head. Split the front section of your hair into a diagonal side part above the eyebrow. Hold the front two sections of hair away with large hair clips, then pull the back section of your hair into a ponytail at the back of the head and secure with a hairelastic that matches closely to your hair color.

Step 2: Smooth the largest front section of your hair to the side and back. Insert a large hairpin closed-end first into the hair elastic. Use the large section to wrap the ponytail base, and pull hair through the hair elastic as you saw in the first style.

Step 3: Smooth back the second front section of your hair, leaving the diagonal side part showing. Wrap the section in the opposite direction around the base of the ponytail, and either pin to secure, or pull through the hair elastic as before.

Step 4: Using a medium-hold flexible hairspray, lightly mist the base and ponytail, smoothing down hair frizz lightly with your hands.

3. Side Ponytail Hairstyle

1. Allow your hair to show while keeping it in control

2. Low side ponytail elongates the neck and makes the hair appear to have a longer length

3. Elegant and romantic hairstyle that can be curled or left smooth

4. #HairHacks - Mini Claw Hair Clip for Fullness

If you lack volume in your hair, getting a full look to your ponytail can seem nearly impossible. Back hair-combing helps, but often leaves the ponytail looking a little dense at the base of the hair, and sometimes a little messy. I love using a mini hair claw clip in the interior of the ponytail to spread out the hair, add volume, and keep the swing and shine of my original (but wimpy) ponytail. Find a mini hair clip that matches your hair color, and get ready for a voluminous hairstyle! For those of you that are lucky enough to have thick hair, you might even fit two mini hair clips into your ponytail. Just make sure you have enough hair around the outside edges to conceal the hair clip completely.

Step-by-Step Side Ponytail

Step 1: Section the hair from ear to ear over the top of the head, and hold the front section of your hair out of the way with a large hair clip. Pull the back section of your hair into a low ponytail at one side of the nape of the neck. Secure with a hairelastic close to your hair color.

Step 2: Brush remaining hair down to meet the first ponytail, releasing tension slightly for a fuller front hair section. Secure with a second hair elastic band. Insert a large hair pin, closed end first, into the ponytail hair elastic. Wrap a small strand of hair around the base of the ponytail, and pull through the loop of the hair pin. Pull the hair pin ends down to pull the last hair section into the ponytail.

Step 3: For extra hair volume, use a mini hair claw clip close to your natural hair color. Split your ponytail in half, insert the hair clip claw-end first toward the base of your ponytail, and cover with the top half of the ponytail. Adjust your hair strands until the hair clip is completely hidden.

Note: This technique works great for a high ponytail hairstyle too. 

4. High Ponytail Hairstyle

1. Crowd favorite hairstyle, perfect for an effortless look

2. Create the appearance of extra volume and height to your hair

3. Classic hairstyle that can go from fierce and posh to fun and playful

4. #HairHacks – Hair Pin Prop-Up

Sometimes a high ponytail just isn’t enough. Even a ponytail at the highest point of the crown can sag at the hair elastic, leaving your ponytail looking a little droopy. Maximize your hair height by using two large bobby pins that match your hair color and inserting them over your hair elastic on the underside of your ponytail. This holds your hair at attention, giving that extra boost that will give your high ponytail that extra bit of lift and spirit. Talk about a perky ponytail!

Step-by-Step High Ponytail

Step 1: Brush hair to the top of the crown, keeping the chin straight forward or slightly raised. A lowered chin will cause the back of your ponytail to droop. Secure hair with a hair elastic that closely matches your hair color.

Step 2: Flip your ponytail up, and insert 2 jumbo bobby pins side by side straight down over the hair elastic band.

Step 3: Insert a large hairpin, closed side first into the hair elastic band. Wrap the base of the ponytail with a small strand of hair, and pull the strand through the hairpin. Pull the open end of the hairpin to tuck the ends of your hair inside the ponytail.

Split the ponytail in half and insert a mini hair claw clip at the base of the ponytail with the claws facing the hair elastic. Cover the hair clip with the top half of the ponytail and arrange to cover the hair clip completely. Lightly spray with a finishing hairspray

5. Half Ponytail Hairstyle

1. Perfect hairstyle at work to get your hair out of your face

2. Beautiful way to wear second-day hair curls

3. Sophisticated look to take your hairstyle from day to night

4. #HairHacks - Braided Wrap Ponytail

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Now that you’ve seen the wrapped base ponytail in action a few times, you’re ready to add some delicate details to your next wrap. Take a slightly larger strand of hair from the underside of your ponytail than before, then separate it into three strands and braid hair to the ends. The rest is just like before: wrap the base of the hair elastic, then secure your hair ends. Don’t worry if your braid loosens up some or is a little fuzzy. This just adds extra detail to your otherwise sleek hairstyle.

Step-by-Step Half Ponytail

Step 1: Section hair from ear to ear, across the front of the crown. Brush the front section of hair into a high ponytail. Drop the ponytail back slightly, hiding the part line. Secure with a hair elastic that matches your hair color.

Step 2: Take a small section of hair from the bottom of the ponytail, and three-strand braid your hairdown to the ends of the hair section.

Step 3: Insert a large hair pin closed-end first into the hair elastic. Wrap the braid around the base of the hair elastic, then pull the ends of the braid through the loop of the hair pin. Pull the ends of the pin to secure the braid ends in the ponytail.

6. Double Ponytail Hairstyle

1. Make your ponytail look longer without hair extensions

2. Create height and volume without sacrificing your hair length

3. Works wonders for short hair that can’t reach into a high ponytail

#HairHacks - Double Stack Drop

Creating multiple section ponytails leaves us with one tricky problem: exposed hair part lines. If you have fine hair, you’re even more likely to struggle with this problem if you’ve ever tried to do a half-up or double ponytail. The trick is to part hair slightly above where you plan for your ponytail to sit, and then smooth hair slightly off-base until it covers the part lines.

Step-by-Step Double Ponytail

Step 1: Section hair from behind each ear to the crown of the head. Secure front section of your hair forward with a large hair clip. Pull back hair section into a ponytail above the nape and secure with a hair elastic. Insert a large hair pin, bent-end first, upwards into the ponytail hair elastic. Using a small section of hair from the ponytail, wrap the base and pull the ends of your hair through the hair pin loop. Pull the hair pin ends down through the hair elastic to secure the hair section in the ponytail.

Step 2: Brush back the top section of your hair, drop the section just below the part line, and secure with a second hair elastic. Wrap the second ponytail and arrange it to blend into the bottom ponytail.

7. Faux Hawk Ponytail Hairstyle

1. Advanced quick and easy ponytail hairstyle that takes just a few minutes to complete

2. Edgy look that can go from day to night

3. Adds volume to hair and extends hair length

4. #HairHacks - Pinned Pomp

A pompadour takes a ponytail to a whole new level of hair styling. Whether you’re backcombing a bump and incorporating it into your regular ponytail, or you’re going for a slightly more complex look, a pomp gives your hair volume and extra style. Who doesn’t love being extra stylish? Using a separated pompadour section will give you more control and creative options. Secure by wrapping or draping the hair, and sliding hair pins into the side edge of the pompadour. Cross hair pins from either side under the hair in an X pattern for extra stability.

Step-by-Step Double Ponytail

Step 1: Section a horseshoe shaped hair section from the front corners of the hairline to the high point of the crown. Secure with a large sectioning hair clip. Create 2 more horseshoe shaped sections through the bottom section of your hair and secure all but the bottom out of the way. Brush the bottom section of your hair back and center, and secure it with a hair elastic. Wrap the bases of hair if desired, but if your hair elastic bands match closely, it’s not a requirement.

Step 2: Moving up the head, create 2 more ponytails directly above the bottom section of your hair. Split each ponytail in half horizontally and lightly backcomb the interior of hair. Smooth the ponytails down into each other.

Step 3: Starting at the back of the top section of hair, take small subsections from side to side. Hold the hair straight up and backcomb 3 to 5 times at the base of the hair. For extra grip while backcombing, use a volumizing hair powder at the base of the hair. Lay the hair back towards the ponytails and continue forward until you’ve completed the hair section.

Step 4: Brushing only the surface of the hair, bring all the hair together toward the back of the top section. Split the hair section diagonally, and cross one hair section over the other.

Step 5: Drape each hair section lightly over the base of the ponytails. Use bobby pins to secure either side at each ponytail. Lift and smooth to conceal and to blend the top hair section in.

Now that you have new tools for your ponytail toolbox and a week’s worth of hairstyles, it’s time to do a little DIY! We’d love to see your ponytails in action. Show me how you’ve incorporated your new ponytail hair hacks! Tag @matrix and @meganlacore or @matrix on Instagram to share how you’ve recreated one of these hairstyles, or how you’ve created your own unique ponytail hairstyle. Looking forward to seeing your perky ponytails!