7 Stunning Braided Ponytail Styles You Need to Try Today

Ponytails – the ultimate in easy, go-to hairstyles. But sometimes, a simple ponytail can feel a bit, well, simple. That’s where the braided ponytail comes in! By incorporating braids into your ponytail, you can elevate this classic hairstyle into something stylish and unique.

This blog will be your one-stop shop for all things braided ponytails. We’ll walk you through seven different braided ponytail styles, from beginner-friendly to slightly more advanced. So, grab your brush and a hair tie, and get ready to rock a brand-new look!

What You’ll Need:

• Brush or comb
• Hair ties (clear or matching your hair color)
• Bobby pins (optional for some styles)
• Hair elastics (optional for some styles)
• Hairspray (optional for finishing touches)

Now, let’s braid some ponytails!

The Classic Half-Up Braided Ponytail (Beginner)

This is a great option for those new to braided ponytails. It’s easy to do and adds a touch of interest to your basic ponytail.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Brush your hair back into a high ponytail. Secure it with a hair tie.
2. Take a section of hair from one side of your head, just above your ear.
3. Divide this section into three strands and begin a basic braid.
4. As you braid, incorporate a small section of hair from the top of your head into each new stitch. This will keep the braid feeding in towards the ponytail.
5. Continue braiding down the side of your head until you reach the base of your ponytail.
6. Tie the hair braid with a hair tie and combine it with the rest of your ponytail. You can wrap the hair tie around the base of the ponytail a few times to hide it.
7. (Optional) Repeat steps 2-6 on the other side of your head for a double-braided ponytail.
8. (Optional) Finish with a light mist of hairspray for hold.

The Fishtail Braided Ponytail (Intermediate)

The fishtail braid adds a more intricate touch to your ponytail. While it may look complicated, it’s actually quite simple once you get the hang of it.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Brush your hair back into a high ponytail. Secure it with a hair tie.
2. Divide your hair into two equal sections.
3. Take a small, thin strand of hair from the outside of the right section and cross it over to the inside of the left section.
4. Repeat step 3, taking a small strand from the outside of the left section and crossing it over to the inside of the right section.
5. Continue this “fishtailing” motion, taking small sections from the outside of each section and adding them to the opposite section.
6. As you braid, make sure to keep the sections loose for a more voluminous braid.
7. Continue braiding until you reach the end of your ponytail. Secure with a hair tie.
8. (Optional) Gently drag on the sides of the braid hair to loosen it up and form a more voluminous look.
9. (Optional) Finish with a light mist of hairspray for hold.

The Waterfall Braid Ponytail (Intermediate)

This stunning braid creates a cascading waterfall effect down the side of your head.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Brush your hair back to one side. Secure it loosely with a hair tie at the nape of your neck (you can tighten it later).
2. Starting near your hairline, take a small section of hair and divide it into three strands. Begin a basic braid.
3. After completing the first stitch of the braid, take the bottom strand and incorporate it into the rest of your hair.
4. Take a new, small section of hair from above the section you just released and add it to the strand that was originally the bottom strand.
5. Continue braiding, incorporating a new section of hair from above with each stitch and releasing the bottom strand each time.
6. As you braid, keep the braid slightly loose for a more cascading effect.
7. Continue braiding diagonally down the side of your head, adding new sections of hair and releasing the bottom strand with each stitch.
8. When you reach the base of your ponytail, tie the braid with a hair tie and combine it with the rest of your hair. Tighten the ponytail hair tie if needed.
9. (Optional) You can gently pull on the hair braid to loosen it up for a more voluminous look.

The Dutch Braided Ponytail (Advanced)

This braid offers a more intricate look compared to a classic braid.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Brush your hair back into a high ponytail. Secure it with a hair tie.
2. At the front of your ponytail, split your hair into three sections.
3. Begin a Dutch braid. To do a Dutch braid, instead of crossing a strand underneath like a regular braid, cross it over the middle strand as if you’re incorporating it into the braid.
4. As you braid, take a small section of hair from the top of your head and add it to the section you’re crossing over each time. This will create the “Dutch” effect, where the braid sits higher on your head.
5. Continue braiding with the Dutch braid technique, incorporating hair from the top of your head with each stitch until you reach the base of your ponytail.
6. Tie the hair braid with a hair tie and tighten the ponytail hair tie if needed.
7. (Optional) Finish with a light mist of hairspray for hold.

The Braided Headband Ponytail (Intermediate)

This style incorporates a chic braid along the hairline, creating a headband effect.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Brush your hair back smoothly.
2. Starting near your temple, take a small section of hair and divide it into three strands. Begin a basic braid.
3. As you braid, continuously add small sections of hair from the hairline to the top strand of your braid. This will keep the braid feeding in towards your head.
4. Continue braiding along your hairline, adding hair and following the curve of your head.
5. When you reach the other side of your head, secure the hair braid with a bobby pin behind your ear or tie it to the rest of your long hair using a hair elastic.
6. Pick the remaining hair into a ponytail at the preferred height and secure it with a hair tie.
7. (Optional) You can wrap a section of hair around the base of the braided ponytail to conceal it with a hair tie and secure it with a bobby pin.
8. (Optional) Finish with a light mist of hairspray for hold.

The Boxer Braided Ponytail (Advanced)

This style features two dutch braids on either side of the head that meet in a ponytail.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Brush your hair back and part it down the middle.
2. On one side of your head, take a section of hair at the front and divide it into three strands. Begin a Dutch braid, incorporating hair from the top of your head with each stitch as described in style #4.
3. Continue braiding with the Dutch braid technique, adding hair from the top of your head until you reach the nape of your neck.
4. Replicate steps 2 and 3 on the other side of your head to create two Dutch braids.
5. Secure the ends of both braids with hair ties.
6. Gather the two braids and the remaining hair together and secure them into a ponytail at the desired height with a hair tie.
7. (Optional) You can wrap a section of hair around the base of the ponytail hair extension to hide the hair tie and attach it with a bobby pin.
8. (Optional) Finish with a light mist of hairspray for hold.

The Braided Ponytail with Extensions (All Levels)

This braided ponytail hairstyle is perfect for adding length and volume to your braided ponytail and can be done with clip-in or braid-in extensions.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Brush your long hair back into a high ponytail and attach it with a hair tie.
2. (For clip-in extensions) Clip the extensions in close to the base of your ponytail, ensuring your hair hides them.
3. (For braid-in extensions) Begin braiding your hair and the extensions together using your preferred braid style (e.g., fishtail, Dutch braid). Secure the end of the hair braid with a hair tie.
4. (Optional) You can add a hair cuff or ribbon around the base of the hair braid for an extra touch.
5. (Optional) End with a light mist of hairspray for hold.

Conclusion

Braided ponytails are a fun and stylish way to elevate your everyday hairstyle. With so many braid variations and styles to choose from, there’s sure to be a look that suits your hair type and skill level. If you’re looking for a quick and easy hairstyle with a touch of something special, reach for a braided ponytail! With a little practice, you’ll be braiding your way to gorgeous hair in no time.