Braided Ponytail: How Create A Perfect Braided Ponytail

by Julie Redfern Davis (Subscribe to Julie Redfern Davis's posts)
Posted May 21st 2010 at 7:00AM

Blake Lively and Fergie are fans of the braided ponytail hairstyle. Photos: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images | Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

The braided ponytail looks effortlessly chic in any setting -- whether on a big night out or a quick trip to the grocery store. Plus, it's a simple and stylish alternative to the everyday ponytail. And while it may seem more suited for a schoolgirl, worn higher on the head helps to give this playful look a more modern edge.

Hollywood beauties including Blake Lively, Fergie and Jennifer Lopez are proven plait fans. So is celebrity stylist and Hair Basics expert Ted Gibson. His take on the braided pony: "It's the modern, new way of thinking about how you wear braids."

Watch the video and click through the step-by-step gallery for Gibson's tips on how to create this stylish look at home.

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Hair Basics: Braided Ponytail

The braided ponytail is a classic style that's easy to achieve and gives the basic pony an updated edge. Celebrity stylist and Hair Basics expert Ted Gibson gives you the step-by-step on how to create this playful look.

Peter Buckingham

Hair Basics: Braided Ponytail

The braided ponytail is a classic style that's easy to achieve and gives the basic pony an updated edge.

Hair Basics: Braided Ponytail

Hair Extensions
To create the look, long hair is essential (below the shoulders is best). If you don't have long hair, consider clip-in hair extensions. They come in a variety of shades and are simple to secure-no professional needed.

Working two inches below the crown, part the hair horizontally. Lift the hair and clip to hold. Secure in the extensions by snapping them into the hairline.

Hair Basics: Braided Ponytail

Create a Ponytail
If you're wearing hair extensions, use your hands to gently pull the hair into a high ponytail. If not, you can use your hands or a brush to create the ponytail.

Tip: Tilting the head back when you're gathering your hair allows you to get the ponytail higher on the head.

Hair Basics: Braided Ponytail

Secure the Ponytail
Fasten your ponytail with an elastic (Gibson prefers a bungee elastic), and then pull a small strand of hair out from the bottom of the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic.

Hair Basics: Braided Ponytail

Braid
Divide the hair into three sections and braid. As you create the braid, try to smooth out each section for a more polished look.

Hair Basics: Braided Ponytail

The Finished Look
Sleek and stylish, the braided ponytail can take your from t-ball practice to date night, effortlessly.

Hair Basics: Braided Ponytail

And visit our Hair Basics section for more easy hair how-tos.

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READER COMMENTS

(101)Add A Comment

littlemissr17, 5-24-2010, 12:50AM

I don't think "effortlessly chic" is the word you're looking for. "Childish" comes to mind, though.

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tamson, 6-11-2010, 1:18PM

Seriously!! And that is the worst braid! The sections are uneven!!

bestwaytogetme, 5-21-2010, 3:26PM

What is so new about this style? The braid has been around since the beginning of human life, just about.

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Blair, 5-21-2010, 3:57PM

He didn't say how to secure the small strand of hair that's wrapped around the elastic. How do you?

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sally, 5-21-2010, 4:05PM

Yah I want to know to!, Maybe braid it in or something, or tuck it in the elastic rubber band?

Experience Doesn't Come From a Book, 5-21-2010, 4:04PM

I use either a small hairpin or a bobby pin. I prefer the hairpins and bend one end back to keep it from sliding out.

PsychedelicSpell, 6-11-2010, 6:32PM

To wrap hair around hair band. Just leave about 1/4 of an inch out before braiding than wrap around band use a hair pin to secure. Variation braid that strand before you wrap it. Or if your hair is not long enough to wrap around. Get one clip on hair extension put on near nape of neck than you can either wrap it or braid it. With the extension you really do not need to match your hair. Play around with color for a new look.

timeformusic, 5-21-2010, 4:02PM

My hair is almost long enough to sit on, and I've been wearing it like that for a long time. The big difference is that my braid looks neater than that even when I first wake up in the morning. What a sloppy mess!! And to think someone in a salon would get paid to do such a sloppy job. Pffft!!

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Marty, 5-21-2010, 5:01PM

Blair: I use a Topsy Tail (remember these from the 80s? lol) to actually pull it through the elastic. Just make sure you leave enough hair to pull through, and make sure you pull it through on the underside of the pony tail so that it doesn't poke out of the top! :o) I've tried a lot of different ways to secure the strand of hair, but this method works best.

I've had my TT for quite a few years, but you can still find them in stores. I think I spent about $10 for a large one and a small one (I use the small one for wrapping hair around the elastic), but I have super long hair and have it up all of the time -- definitely a cheap investment for something that is used almost every day.

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ennui, 5-21-2010, 5:03PM

whew!...thanks for the information...now the world can rest easy!

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NOBRAID, 5-21-2010, 5:35PM

I hate it. It looks ridiculous.

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lostfoxx126, 7-25-2010, 2:51PM

It is pretty ridiculous to say a braided ponytail is something new, and one major thing they forgot to mention is that to even pull off that strange look you would need really, really long hair to do it, otherwise your gonna have this stubby little braid poking out of your head! Just my opinion, i think braids look prettier when they are down low, not up high. Also, braiding a piece around your forehead (many stars do it) is also very pretty and goes well with any style.

MEL, 5-21-2010, 7:40PM

Oh, wow. Now I need to make an appointment at the beauty salon for this new style. Please! This article is a waste of time. I am near thirty and I've been braiding my own hair since I was nine; I can't believe that the moron who wrote this stupid article make braids sound like a brand new thing. It's hard to believe that people actually spend money to braid their hair especially for those sloppy ones posted here. An elementary school child could braid better than that.

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a, 6-11-2010, 5:01PM

would u like it if u were the man that braided the hair, u r all writing such mean comments!

Jenny, 6-01-2010, 12:51PM

Could we have some more information on extensions, where to get them, how to get the right shade of your hair color, and so on? My hair is very thin, and I need all the help I can get! Thanks.

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lewlew, 6-11-2010, 12:49PM

Running out of ideas for articles? I used to braid my daughters hair better than he did.

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Larry W. Bruce, 6-11-2010, 12:51PM

In my opinion, pony tails look like you just rolled out of bed, didn't want to bother with your hair, and decided to put a rubber band around your hair before leaving the house. Invest in a good haircut and style that is low maintenance and you will always look "put-together" Forget the pony tail----IT IS NOT FLATTERING ON ANYONE !

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:P, 7-25-2010, 4:20PM

Excuse me Larry, you must not be a girl because you know nothing about hair. Doing chores and errands is more productive if you are wearing a ponytail. It keeps your hair from getting in your face. Unless you are a girl, please don't share your opinion.

Lexy, 6-11-2010, 3:56PM

dude that braid is such a horrid mess >.> my cat can braid better than that. my hair is over 2 1/2 feet long if not plenty longer than that since i sit on it....
i've been braiding it on my own for over a year but i've had it braided by my parents for nearly 10 years. so why does the article writer make this sound like a "new" hair style for so many people?

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