How to Make a High Ponytail

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High ponytails are one of the most versatile styles available for long hair. They combine the sporty practicality of a traditional ponytail with the elegance of an updo. They're also a great, relatively quick style for when you're in a rush. To create your own high ponytail, you can do a basic one or one with more volume. You can also use a few tricks to make it fancier.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Simple Ponytail

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    While you can use this style anytime, it can actually work better on hair that's not freshly washed. If you did just wash your hair, it can help to add a little dry shampoo. You can also add hairspray, if that's your preference. These products will help make it easier to style. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Make sure you don't have any tangles or knots in your hair. Styling tangled hair can cause severe knots when you take down your hairdo. It's important to brush in the direction of the ponytail. That is, brush as if you are trying to sweep your hair into a ponytail, brushing towards the crown of your head. That means also flipping your head over to brush upwards toward the crown. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Lift a small section of your hair about midway to the crown. Backcomb towards the roots gently with a teasing comb. This teasing helps round your hair and give it volume at the top. [3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Hold the hair in place at the back of your crown with one hand. Smooth out with a brush or comb, but only do so lightly on the top of your head where you teased it. [4]
    • You may want to add just a little bit of product like serum or gel to your hair as you pull it up. This can help tame flyaways and give you a smoother overall look.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Pull the band around your ponytail onto the crown of your head. Twist the band into a figure 8 and pull the new loop back through your hair. Repeat this movement until the hair tie is tight enough that it stays put. [5]
    • Do not use a rubber band, as that will tangle your hair and could even break some strands. Always use a hair tie made for hair. You may need an extra thick one for a high ponytail. [6]
    • Consider a fiber-wrapped elastic band for a tighter ponytail. [7]
    • To look extra nice, take a small section of hair from the bottom of your ponytail and carefully wrap it around the elastic. Secure it with a bobby pin running along the bottom of the hair tie to completely disguise it.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Lightly spray hairspray over the part of your hair that is secure. This will help to keep your hair in place. [8]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Spray a dedicated toothbrush with some hairspray. Run the toothbrush along any stray hairs that you missed. This technique will help hold them down without flattening your crown.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Voluminous Ponytail

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Just like in the first ponytail, brush your hair so it is going the direction you want it to go, towards the crown of your head. That includes flipping your head over so that you are brushing up towards the ponytail in the back. This technique helps getting your hair going where it needs to go. [9]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Use a teasing brush or a rat tail comb to comb gently back towards your roots while holding a section of your hair up. The teasing will give your hair volume. [10]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    In this style, you're actually putting a ponytail on top of a ponytail. Pull the hair just from your ears back into a small ponytail at the crown of your head. Use your hands to smooth it out, and secure it with a hair tie.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Hold the hair in the ponytail up. Use a teasing comb to lightly comb back towards the holder. This process will help create volume.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Leaving the first ponytail in place, pull the other hair up around the first ponytail. Smooth out the hair with your hands, or if you need to, a brush. Secure it around the first ponytail with another holder.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Lightly spray the hair in place with hairspray. You can also use a dedicated toothbrush with hairspray on it to smooth out any loose hairs.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Styling Tips

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    You can add a front poof fairly easily. Start with brushed hair. Section out the front part of your hair just on the top. Twist the hair together near the roots at the back of the section. Push the hair towards the front, causing it to rise up in to a poof in the front. Secure it with bobby pins or a small hair clip, then proceed with putting your hair up in a ponytail.
    • Use your eyebrows to gauge how much hair you should pull back. The section shouldn't be wider than your eyebrows.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    You can also try adding a poof by teasing the top section more than normal. Section away the top of your hair. Pull the bottom half of your hair into a ponytail. Hold the top section up, and brush the bottom few inches back towards your head, creating volume. Brush it more than you would in a normal ponytail. You can also use a volumizing spray to help the poof along. Try not too smooth it too much when you pull the top section back into a ponytail on top of the other ponytail. [11]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    Visually separate the length of your ponytail into four sections. Use three different ponytail holders to separate your hair into those sections, starting with the top one. [12]
    • Move a couple inches down from your main ponytail holder, and add in another holder, winding it back and forth until it's tight. [13]
    • Pull the hair a little bit in that section to poof it out. Move on to the next holder, adding it in like the last one but moving a few inches down. [14]
    • Finally, put the last holder in. You can also wear a headband with this look. [15]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    After you comb your hair and before you put it up, add a few waves to your hair with a curling iron. Simply wrap your hair around it in small sections, turning it in the opposite direction from your face. Hold it for a few seconds to set it, then let it go. Move on to the next small section. [16]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a High Ponytail
    If you want your ponytail to look softer, pull a few strands of hair out of the ponytail on each side of your face. Brush them so that they fall around your face. You can also use a curling iron here to add a bit of wave. [18]
    • Another way to get a softer look is to do a messy ponytail. Don't add products like serum or hairspray, and don't secure the ponytail too tight. This gives the style a more casual feel.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What does a high ponytail mean?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    A high ponytail is one that sits near the top or crown of your head. This type of ponytail looks dressier and more youthful than a low ponytail.
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 12
  • Question
    How do you make a simple ponytail?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Use a brush to gather and smooth your hair together into the hand not holding the brush. Then, slide the gathered hair through an elastic band, folding the band over and pulling the hair through until the base feels snug.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 12
  • Question
    How do you do a slicked-back ponytail?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Mist your roots with a little water before brushing your hair back to create a sleek ponytail. You can also finish the roots with hair spray or shine spray.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 8
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      Tips

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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Run one hand back over your hair until you reach the ponytail. Grab the ponytail while pressing down on your hair, then use the other hand to pull on the ponytail. This can help remove bumps.
      • Lie on your back on a bed and brush your hair straight up from your head. Gather the hair into a ponytail while smoothing back the front of your hair, then tie it with an elastic.
      • Pull the back part of your hair up first, and leave out the front. Use a separate elastic to tie the back, then join the front section to the back using another elastic.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty/high-ponytail-how-to/
      2. ↑ http://www.bustle.com/articles/95636-7-steps-to-creating-the-perfect-ponytail-because-the-struggle-is-always-real
      3. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/How-to-Make-a-Perfect-Chic-Ponytail-Ponytail-Hairstyle_1/4
      4. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/How-to-Make-a-Perfect-Chic-Ponytail-Ponytail-Hairstyle_1/5
      5. ↑ http://www.bustle.com/articles/95636-7-steps-to-creating-the-perfect-ponytail-because-the-struggle-is-always-real
      6. ↑ http://www.bustle.com/articles/95636-7-steps-to-creating-the-perfect-ponytail-because-the-struggle-is-always-real
      7. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      8. ↑ https://tonyshamas.ca/6-best-hairstyles-that-wont-damage-hairline/
      9. ↑ http://www.bustle.com/articles/95636-7-steps-to-creating-the-perfect-ponytail-because-the-struggle-is-always-real
      1. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/How-to-Make-a-Perfect-Chic-Ponytail-Ponytail-Hairstyle_1/4
      2. ↑ http://www.instyle.com/hair/9-new-ways-wear-ponytail#257503
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=78&v=ld_JewjJmb0
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=78&v=ld_JewjJmb0
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=78&v=ld_JewjJmb0
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=78&v=ld_JewjJmb0
      7. ↑ http://www.oprah.com/style/How-to-Make-a-Perfect-Chic-Ponytail-Ponytail-Hairstyle_1/3
      8. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      9. ↑ http://www.instyle.com/hair/9-new-ways-wear-ponytail#257530
      10. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      11. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      12. Videos provided by Casey Holmes

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a high ponytail, brush your hair up toward the crown of your head, making sure to brush out any tangles that might be in your hair. Lift a small section of your hair near your crown and gently comb backward to give your hair more volume, then gather all of your hair at the back of your crown. Smooth out your hair with a brush or comb, then secure the ponytail in place with an elastic band. Set the style with hairspray to keep it in place. Keep reading for tips from our cosmetology reviewer on how to dress up your ponytail, like adding waves to it!

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