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Search Search Close search 34 Ponytail Braids for Every Occasion By Bianca Lambert

Bianca Lambert Bianca is a contributing writer for Byrdie specializing in natural hair and skincare. You can find her work in xoNecole, The Everygirl, POPSUGAR, Travel Noire, and more. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 11, 2022 05:01PM Close

The sleek braided ponytail is everywhere, and for good reason. Ponytails offer what some call an instant facelift and look great with everything from athleisure to elegant ensembles. In the case of the braided ponytail, instead of letting the hair flow freely (which we also love), braiding the hair's length is an opportunity to play with texture and even color depending on the look you're going for. You may think the braided ponytail only has a few creative tricks, but we've rounded up 34 inspiring looks to recreate at home or show your stylist for reference at your next appointment. See below for some seriously unique ponytail braids.

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Butt-Length Braid

Beyonce wears a long, blonde ponytail braid and sheer adorned black dress — Getty Images

Beyoncé's butt-length braid deserves its own star on the Walk of Fame—the slicked ponytail is just that iconic. The best part about this pony is it's easy to recreate after watching a YouTube tutorial or two. We love this one from Mekaba, which breaks down how to feed in Kanekalon hair for a snatched braided look.

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Adorned Ponytail Braid

Back view of Ashley Graham's ponytail braid with bows, bedazzled clips, and brooches — Getty Images

Ashley Graham's sleek, side-parted Met Gala bubble ponytail isn't braided, but the creativity we see here can be applied to a braid as well. Instead of using the bubble ponytail method, once your hair is slicked back, braid the length and add as much bling as your heart desires.

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Braided Ponytail with Undercut

Undercuts always give hair of any length an element of surprise. Here, Selena Gomez's simple braided ponytail is taken up a notch thanks to the undercut and the extra hair wrapped around her ponytail's base.

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Slick Ponytail Braid with Baby Hairs

Janet Mock wears a slicked-back ponytail braid with laid baby hairs — @janetmock

Ponytails and baby hairs are a dynamic duo. Not only do they add flair, but they make it easy to tame those flyaway edges that don't always like to cooperate.

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Simple Ponytail Braid

Gigi Hadid wears a braided ponytail hairstyle in natural sunlight — @gigihadid

Here, Gigi Hadid keeps things sleek and simple with a ponytail that doesn't seem to have any extensions. If you want to lay down flyaways without the look being too done, put a little pomade in your hands and apply it as you build your base.

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Low Braided Ponytail

We love a good high ponytail, but there's something easygoing about a low braided ponytail. You can wear your hair straight back or with a middle part, depending on your face shape and preference. For those with naturally curlier hair types, a mousse—like The Doux's Mousse Def Texture Foam—and a gel, like Cantu's Moisture Retention Styling Gel, will help mold and hold your curls.

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Side-Parted Ponytail Braid

Julissa Calderon wears a side braided ponytail with ribbon — @lajulissa

We love a side-parted 'do. Not only do side parts frame your face, but this pulled-back look helps make your features the star of the show.

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Braided Side Ponytail

Yara Shahidi wears a short high ponytail in multiple braided sections — Getty Images

This braided side ponytail with burnt ends is bringing the beauty staples of the '90s to the present. If a long, single braid isn't your style, try this look.

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Low Side Braid

Sade wears a side braided ponytail and silver hoop earrings — Getty Images

Sade Adu is the queen of minimalistic beauty. Her simple braid, red lip, and hoop earring look from the '80s and '90s is still mimicked years after its iconic debut.

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Jumbo Braid Ponytail

Marsai Martin wears a high jumbo ponytail braid — @marsaimartin

Rocking a braided ponytail isn't one-size-fits-all. Go big and give a jumbo braid a try.

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Ribbon Adorned Braided Ponytail

Back view of model with two ribbon-wrapped ponytail braids — Getty Images

To add some spark to a classic, try braiding in or wrapping ribbon into your braid. If you're feeling especially creative, you can match your ribbon to your outfits or stick with a monochromatic aesthetic to ensure your accessories always match your outfits.

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Loose Ponytail Braid

Creator with long ponytail braid with curly ends — @freshlengths

To add some texture to your braid, leave the ends of your braid loose. To get a wavy look, apply mousse to the length of the hair as your braid, let it set overnight, unravel the ends once they're dry, and apply a band to seal the ends.

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Classic Braided Ponytail

Tracee Ellis Ross wears a slicked back, twisted ponytail braid — @traceeellisross

Tracee Ellis Ross shows us just how to keep it minimal with a braided ponytail. Accentuate your eyes and brows to bring your hairstyle full circle.

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Colorful Ponytail Braid

Back of woman's head with rainbow clips at roots and long ponytail braid with yellow extensions — @byladyadelaide

Adding color can take any look up a notch. Colorful clips and braided hair let you wear your bright personality on your sleeve, so to speak.

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Banded Ponytail

Back view of blonde banded double ponytail hairstyle — @viola_pyak

Trying something new with your hair is always fun, and this banded ponytail creates the illusion of a twisted, braided style.

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Red Braided Ponytail

Woman with burgundy red box braids ponytail with dark roots — @braidsgang

Adding a bright hair color with dark hair at your roots can make a style pop. The box braids, laid edges, and stunning burgundy shade makes this version of a braided ponytail a showstopper.

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Meta Braided Ponytail

If you look closely, you can see that Dascha Polanco's braid is braided with a small braid intertwined to add texture along with the blunt ends.

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Sleek Braided High Ponytail

Justine Skye wears a slicked back high ponytail braid, silver eyeliner, and hoop earrings — @justineskye

Simple hair offers an opportunity to play up your favorite features. Here, we see a winged eyeliner look with lashes to bring the look full circle.

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Ponytail Braid with Puffed End

Gabrielle Union wears a braided ponytail with puffed end, sunglasses, and white crochet crop top — @gabunion

When adding extensions to a braid, Kanekalon is the top choice. However, if you have natural hair, seek out extensions that mimic or complement your natural texture.

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Jeweled Braided Ponytail

Creator wears a radiant makeup look and a high braided ponytail with highlights and gold accents — @littleblackb00k

Adding jewelry to your natural hair braided into a ponytail is a small touch that can make a big impact.

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Floor Length Ponytail

Megan Thee Stallion wears an ultra-long, winding ponytail braid — @theestallion

Ponytails have no length limit, and this style on Megan Thee Stallion proves just that. Adding braiding string created a curl-like look that's likely easy to recreate with a bit of patience.

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Multi-Look Ponytail Braid

This look merges a few beauty 'dos, which we love to see. Here, Amore used her creativity to craft a one-of-a-kind look.

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Fishtail Braided Ponytail

Back view of fishtail ponytail braid with "Dommie Cole Hair" bedazzled pins — @dommiecole

Try a fishtail braid to switch up your go-to braiding technique, and add some bling to the braid or crown of your head to make the look really pop.

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Jeweled Braided Ponytail

The bejeweled clips and bobby pins in this look are a reminder that a seemingly simple accessory adds glam in seconds.

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Whimsical Ponytail Braid

Creator with ponytail braid with teal extensions and matching eyeshadow — @byladyadelaide

This whimsical ponytail is a must-try if you love to incorporate color into your looks. It may take a few tries to get the right mix of the ombré, but it will be worth the experimentation.

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Side Halo Braided Ponytail

If you want a more relaxed look, try a halo braid with the length braided to the side.

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Braided Bun

Back of Jennifer Lopez's head with braided architectural bun hairstyle — @jlo

Jennifer Lopez knows how to do an updo. The middle part and interesting bun style make this ponytail braid variation a hybrid we can't wait to recreate.

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Braid Wrap Ponytail

Kylie Jenner wears a braided, wrapped ponytail with horseshoe earrings and cutout dress — @kyliejenner

This long ponytail braid has a detail that we love—a twisted, wrapped style that makes it feel totally unique.

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Ponytail Braid with Volume

Shay Mitchell wears a volumized ponytail braid and gold earrings — @shaymitchell

Shay Mitchell's ponytail has a detail that isn't always common with a braided ponytail: volume.

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Jumbo Waist-Length Ponytail Braid

Nicole Scherzinger wears a high jumbo ponytail braid with chrome nails and pearl sunglasses — @nicolescherzinger

Creating a jumbo ponytail braid requires a sleek, firm base. Once your hair is secure, be sure to keep a piece of loose hair available to wrap around the base.

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Box Braids Bow

Skai Jackson wears box braids in a bow ponytail updo — @skaijackson

If you want to try something a little different than the typical ponytail, try a bow. Skai Jackon's bow updo shows the versatility of both ponytails and box braids.

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Highlighted Jumbo Braid

Aja Naomi King wears a jumbo ponytail braid with highlights and bejeweled dangle earrings — @ajanaomi_king

Even if your hair isn't highlighted, that doesn't mean you can't add color with braiding hair. Intertwine chocolate braiding hair with your natural shade (or adjust based on your own color or desired look) to add definition without permanent color commitment.

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Multi-Braid Ponytail

Lupita Nyong'o wears a braided ponytail hairstyle with gold rings and all-red makeup — Getty Images

Placing several small braids into a high ponytail gives this beloved style new life. Take things a step further by adding gold or metallic braiding string to your look.

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