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Breakup With Your Boring Ponytail & Try These 5 Trendy Pony Styles Instead

By Marissa DeSantis

At this point, we’ve lost count of what number lockdown we’re on. But regardless of the ever-changing quarantine rules, one thing that’s stayed the same is our pandemic approach to beauty. Just as skincare has trumped a full face of makeup, the ponytail has taken precedence over textured waves or sleek blowouts (basically anything that requires us to break out the curling wand, straightener, and/or hairdryer).

That doesn’t mean we can’t get creative with our go-to updo. When you need to look put together for yet another Zoom meeting and are short on time, we’ve rounded up five ways to amp up your quarantine ponytail—and they couldn’t be simpler to master.

Give It A Glossy Finish

 

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We’re not sure there’s ever been a better hairstyle to hide your greasy roots between washes. To get your sleekest ponytail possible, follow hairstylist Irinel de León‘s lead, and start by pulling your hair into a half ponytail at the top of your head and securing it with an elastic. Then, use a bristle brush like the Briogeo to brush the bottom section of the hair up towards the half ponytail you already created. Tilt your head back as you brush to eliminate any bumps, and secure the two sections of hair with a Hair Bungee Cord in the color that most closely resembles your hair (bungee cords ensure a tighter hold than traditional elastics).

For that polished, high-shine look like Kim Kardashian’s, apply a glossing serum-like Color Wow Pop + Lock. You can play around with the finish, hiding the bungee cord by wrapping a one-inch section of hair around the cord and using a bobby pin to keep it in place. Or, just throw a scrunchie on top if you want to add a pop of color (we like this leopard-print jacquard scrunchie from Ganni).

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Part It Down The Middle

 

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Take a note from model Sara Sampaio and swap out your high pony for an elegant lower style secured just above the nape of the neck and parted at the center (you can switch up the placement of the parting if you typically opt for something to the side). You can keep the ponytail styled more loosely and leave a few textured pieces out of the elastic to frame your face for a more effortless finish. Whether you go sleek or slightly undone, use a fine-tooth or rat tail comb to get a precise part.

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Throw In A Braid

 

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Sure, French and fishtail braided ponytails are cool, but they also require practice and a potentially time-sucking YouTube tutorial search. Instead, stick to a traditional three-strand braid, which works just as well with a high ponytail as it does with the low style model Jourdan Dunn sported. To keep it sleek, use a pomade like Bumble and bumble Semisumo to add shine and eliminate frizz. Or, you can create a more undone ponytail and braid combo by working in a texturizing spray like Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray through your hair first.

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Go a Bit Bubbly

 

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We’ve seen the bubble ponytail on red carpets, but it works just as well hanging out at home. Once you’ve got your main ponytail in place, add elastics through the length of the hair about every two inches. You can leave the sections as is, or gently tug them for a more exaggerated, textured bubble. To ensure a polished finish, hairstylist Jenny Cho shared that she uses the R+Co Dart Pomade Stick to swipe over any pesky flyaways.

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Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize

 

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A post shared by Founder/Hairstylist/DogMom (@jenatkinhair)

When in doubt (or a serious time crunch), add some embellishment. Whether you’ve gone low, high, or somewhere in between, you can choose from an array of accessories to perk up your ponytail. Copy Hailey Bieber‘s polished pony with a velvet bow scrunchie, or camouflage greasy roots with an elegant touch à la Ariana Grande and her headband.

If you’re not one to shy away from a bold statement, allow celebrity stylist Justine Marjan to inspire you with the addition of a few rhinestone clips (and maybe even a neon scrunchie). Marjan teamed up with Kitsch to create a mix of traditional sparkly clips and rhinestone-embellished sayings so that your hairstyle can quite literally reflect your mood. And for a serious splurge, we’re partial to this Gucci Crystal Hair Clip.

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