4 Cute Ponytail Hairstyles Which Are Perfect For Any Occasion

Ponytails are the go-to hairstyle for many of us, especially if we are in a rush or simply want to keep the locks off our face. They are chic, elegant, and the most important - extremely convenient if you don't want your hair to keep falling on your face.

But who said ponytails have to be basic and boring? Well, we would definitely disagree with that! With a little creativity and flair, this classic hairstyle can be transformed into a stunning and versatile look suitable for any occasion.

Whether you're heading to a formal event, a casual outing with friends, or a day at the office, these four cute ponytail hairstyles will elevate your style game and have you turning heads wherever you go.

Get ready to learn how to add a touch of charm, elegance, and playfulness to your ponytail repertoire and be ready to shine at every event, from the mundane to the magnificent!

And the best part is - these fun and cute ponytail hairstyles don't require any advanced hair styling skills. The essentials are hairspray, elastics and bobby pins.

You may also need a heat styling tool depending on the look that you are going for, this will depend on the natural texture and type of your hair when it's time to go up.

With these things in mind, let's jump into our cute ponytail hairstyles: 

1. Tight High Pony

 

The first one on our list of cute ponytail hairstyles is probably one that you are quite familiar with...Should we thank Ariana Grande for making the ultra high pony so popular in recent years?

Her staple (turned iconic) look, consists of a sleek, top-knot positioned pony, courtesy of extensions, that has become a hair inspo for women around the world.

And in her most recent single "7 Rings" she actually sings, "You like my hair? Gee, thanks, just bought it." So you can definitely thank her for permission to proudly rock a fun ponytail and faux hair.

If you are going to use Ariana as your pony inspo on your real hair, definitely prep with the NuMe Watch Me Werk - Thermal Heat Protectant and then get the hair ultra sleek with the award-winning flat iron NuMe Megastar X Hair Straightener.

Some say the tight, high pony also serves as an instant facelift. So why not try it right away?

2. Textured High Pony

Our list of cute ponytail hairstyles continues with this textured high pony style.

Usually smooth on the head and funky in the actual pony, we're seeing the textured high ponytail everywhere these days.

Busy Philipps probably needs to get some street cred for this one (she sports one on her E! show Busy Tonight quite a bit), and Gigi Hadid makes the textured high pony look pretty effortless too.

YouTuber and beauty influencer Amber Scholl released a tutorial on how to recreate the high textured ponytails inspired by Rihanna with our Classic Curling Wand with a 25 mm barrel.

Scholl uses extensions for her pony in the video, but you definitely don't have to own a faux pony to achieve the look for yourself. In order for it to stay put, hair that's maybe a little on the dirty side works well for this hairdo's vibe (mask any oil with our Dirty to Flirty Dry Shampoo), you can also use an elastic hair tie to make this cute ponytail style last longer and stay secure.

Use hairspray like the NuMe Freeze Please to set and lock the style in place and add shine.

3. Messy Low Pony

Of course, even though the high pony gets a lot more press, the low ponytail shouldn't be neglected. Taylor Swift owned a tousled one at the 2019 iHeart Radio Music Awards, so we couldn't help but adding this one of our cute ponytail hairstyles.

The weekend-ready messy low pony seems to be an especially great combo with bangs—we also love it on actress Bryce Dallas Howard.

For little to no effort (or heat, if you don't want it), you can create a messy low ponytail with a bump. You'll just need a teasing comb, a hair elastic and some setting spray like our NuMe Hottie Alert Shine Hairspray. Beauty tutorial guru Still GlamorUs has a great, simple how-to video for how to style this cute ponytail idea with fine, relatively short hair.

4. Elegant Low Pony

Pretty, simple and clean, the one of our cute ponytail hairstyles makes you look instantly put together. To get a vision of the ideal smooth lo-po, picture Kendall Jenner, who always makes a low pony look classy. We are digging it on singer and actress Jennifer Hudson lately too.

Prep hair with some NuMe Argan Oil Hair Serum and prior to straightening to eliminate frizz and use a bobby pin underneath the pony to wrap and secure a section of hair to cover the elastic. Then top it all off with the NuMe Hottie Alert Shine Hairspray to add shine and hold.

10 tips for awesomely cute ponytail hairstyles every time

1. Keep your hair hydrated

The key to any cute ponytail hairstyle, regardless of the occasion or the look you are going for, is to keep your hair moisturized and hydrated. Dull and dry hair may take away from the shine and beauty of your hairstyle.

To achieve that, we recommend the NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Hair Care set - made with tourmaline powder, hydrolyzed quinoa, parkii butter and 11 amino acids, this powerful trio of shampoo, conditioner and hair mask will smooth and hydrate your hair, leaving it looking healthy.

2. Do your ponytail on clean and dry hair

Unless you are going for an easy and convenient look in-between washes, start with clean and dry hair to avoid a greasy or unkempt appearance. If your hair is too smooth or slippery, consider using a texturizing spray to add some grip.

Dirty hair is more difficult to manage and style, which may create challenges when creating your cute ponytail hairstyles. Always use a shampoo and conditioner without harsh chemicals and parabens to avoid damaging your hair.

3. Choose the right hair tie

Opt for a hair tie that holds your hair securely without causing damage. Avoid using rubber bands or hair ties with metal clasps, as they can lead to breakage and snagging.

It's best to use soft fabric-covered elastic bands or scrunchies to minimize hair damage and breakage.

4. Consider the right position

The ponytail's position on your head can change your overall look. Experiment with high, mid, and low ponytails to find what suits your face shape and style best. You may be surprised by the results!

5. Detangle carefully with a wide-toothed comb

Before pulling your hair up in cute ponytail hairstyles, make sure that you detangle it carefully with a wide-toothed comb. This will smooth out any bumps or lumps in your hair for a neat and polished appearance. 

Pulling a hair tie through tangled hair can lead to breakage and damage. Detangling first reduces the risk of hair breakage when securing the ponytail.

6. Create a fuller appearance with a volumizing product

To create a fuller-looking ponytail, consider teasing the crown of your head slightly, or using a volumizing product. This will add height and volume to your overall look.

We recommend the NuMe Ready, Set, Volume! Styling Trio, which uses a proprietary blend of proteins to enhance the texture and appeal of your hair while adding shine and helping you create a more polished look. 

7. Hide the hair tie

Conceal the hair tie by taking a small section of hair from the bottom of the ponytail and wrapping it around the base, securing it with a bobby pin.

8. Avoid tight hairstyles

While a secure ponytail is essential, avoid pulling the hair too tightly, as it can cause discomfort and lead to breakage - especially if you are doing tight ponytail hairstyles frequently, or you are wearing them like that all day.

Constant tension on the hair follicles from tight ponytails can lead to traction alopecia, a condition where hair is pulled from the roots, resulting in hair thinning and even permanent hair loss.

9. Don't be afraid to experiment

Don't be afraid to try different ponytail variations, such as high ponytails, low ponytails, side ponytails, or braided ponytails, to keep your look fresh and exciting.

10. Take care of your hair at night

Before going to bed, loosen your ponytail to minimize strain on your hair while sleeping. If possible, sleep on a silk or a satin pillowcase as this will reduce the friction between your hair and the pillowcase (cotton cases create a lot more friction), and minimize damage as well. 

FAQ

Are high ponytails suitable for everyday wear?

High ponytails can be suitable for everyday wear, but avoid excessive tightness to prevent damage. Vary hairstyles to distribute tension and give your hair a break. Opt for comfort while maintaining a polished look for everyday activities.

What types of hair ties are best for ponytails?

The best hair ties for ponytails are soft, fabric-covered elastic bands or scrunchies. They provide a secure hold without causing damage or breakage. Avoid rubber bands or metal clasps as they can pull and snag the hair, leading to potential harm.

Are ponytails damaging to the hair?

Ponytails can be damaging if worn too tight or frequently. Tension on the hair can lead to breakage and traction alopecia. Opt for looser styles, use soft hair ties, and vary hairstyles to minimize potential damage. Prioritize hair health and give your locks breaks from tight styles.

Can I wear a ponytail with short hair?

Yes, you can wear a ponytail with short hair! Use bobby pins or hair clips to create a mini ponytail at the crown or opt for a half-up, half-down style. Embrace creative variations to style your short hair into a chic and charming ponytail.

We hope a classic ponytail never goes out of style. To pony up on more hair care secrets, styles and how-to guides, subscribe to our NuMe newsletter, share your thoughts with us on IG
@NuMeHair, and check out our YouTube channel.

Looking for more hair inspo? Check out this article on the Nume Hair Car Line, or this article on some charming hairstyles. 

Author: Mary Patterson Broome