How to Do a Braided Base Ponytail

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There are many different ways to dress up a ponytail, and one of the best is to combine it with a braid. Braided base ponytails are a simple, creative way to add some spice to your daily hair routine. These ponytails come in a number of forms, including the popular braid wrapped and cornrow styles.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making a Braid Wrapped Ponytail

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    This style looks best with a mid-height ponytail, but you can do a high ponytail or a low one as well. Brush back your hair with a flat oval brush. [1]
    • If you want to fluff out your ponytail, do so now.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    Gather a section of hair from underside of your ponytail, right next to the hair tie. It should be about the thickness of your finger. [2]
    • Consider coloring the strand with hair chalk. Be sure to set the color with a flat iron!
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    For most hair types, you do not need to tie it off, because you will eventually be pinning it in place. That said, if your hair has a tendency to fall out of place or develop flyaways, use a small, clear elastic band to secure it. [3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    Wrap the braid so that it covers the hair tie completely. Try to finish you wrapping with the end of the braid underneath the ponytail. [4]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    Pry open a bobby pin, and slide it up through the base of your ponytail, catching the end of the braid as you do so. If you need to, secure the braid with more bobby pins on the top and both sides of the ponytail. [5]
    • Make sure that the bumpy side of the bobby pin is facing down towards your scalp.
    • Be sure to use bobby pins that match your hair color.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making Cornrow-Base Ponytail

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    In this method, you will be cornrowing your hair into a ponytail. You can add extensions to your braids once you reach the ponytail part to make them longer, if you wish.
    • This style works best with dry, curly hair. If you have straight or wavy hair, spray a lightweight conditioning spray in your hair before you begin.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    This style works best with high ponytails. You can have them centered on the back of you crown, or just off to the side. Keep this point in mind; you will be braiding towards it.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    If you plan on having your ponytail off-centered, then part your hair to the side. Your part will go right through the ponytail.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    Take the hair on the left side of your head, and split it in half horizontally. The horizontal part should start just behind your ear. Make it level with where you want your ponytail to be. Tie or clip each section off. Repeat the step for the right side. When you are done, you should have a "+" shaped part, with the center being where your ponytail will be. [6]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    Undo the top left part. Run a rattail comb from your hairline towards the center of the "+" part, sectioning off some of the hair into a triangle. Start cornrowing start section, angling it towards the "+". [7]
    • Consider adding real or synthetic hair to your cornrows to make your braid longer. You can match the hair to your natural color or use a bright color, such as red or purple. [8]
    • Consider adding a moisturizing cream (or even coconut oil) to each section before cornrowing it. [9]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    When you reach the center of the "+", stop cornrowing. Finish off doing a regular braid. You can braid all the way down to the end of the hair strand, or you can braid down halfway. [10]
    • You should not have to tie off the braids—they should be able to hold on their own. If they do come undone, secure them with clear hair elastics.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    Each cornrow should be angled back towards the center of the "+." When you reach the bottom of your head, you should cornrow upwards.
    • If you used kanekalon, the ends may be crinkly. If you want them to be smoother, dip the ends in hot water and let them dry, this will straighten them a bit. [11]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    If you have a dry, curly hair type, add some hair oil all over your scalp. This will prevent itchiness and dryness. Be careful not to mess up your cornrows, however! [12]
    • If you have straight or wavy hair, you will not need to do this.
    • Focus moisturizer on your hairline. [13]
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Braided Base Ponytail
    When you are con cornrowing and braiding, all of your braids should come together at the same point. Gather those braids together, like making a ponytail, and secure them with a hair tie. [14] You can then wrap an interesting scrunchy or ribbon around the hair tie to cover it.
    • Alternatively, you can take a few braids from under the ponytail, and wrap them around the ponytail's base to secure it. [15]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you keep your ponytail in place?
    Christine George
    Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
    Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.
    Christine George
    Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
    Expert Answer
    If your ponytails tend to slip or fall, avoid brushing your hair beforehand. Instead, spray your hair with dry shampoo and pull it back with your fingers. Using a fiber wrapped elastic can help your ponytail stay in place.
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      Warnings


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      Things You'll Need

      Making a Wrapped Ponytail

      • Hair tie
      • Bobby pins

      Making Cornrow-Base Ponytail

      • Rattail comb or hair pick
      • Hair moisturizer
      • Hair clips
      • Hair tie
      • Scrunchy (optional)
      • Real or synthetic hair extensions

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdHDsYv7Oq4
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdHDsYv7Oq4
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdHDsYv7Oq4
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdHDsYv7Oq4
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdHDsYv7Oq4
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU40JJM7MBg
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU40JJM7MBg
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU40JJM7MBg
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdXn9tAwm1I
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU40JJM7MBg
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdXn9tAwm1I
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcpZ40zHlaU
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdXn9tAwm1I
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU40JJM7MBg
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcpZ40zHlaU
      7. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      8. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get a perfect braid wrapped ponytail, start with loose, combed hair. Pull your hair into a ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Then, pull a thin, finger-sized strand of hair from underneath the ponytail. Braid the strand, then wrap the braid around your hair tie. Keep it in place with a bobby pin. To learn how to do a cornrow-base ponytail, scroll down!

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