The ponytail is not only the most practical hairstyle on the planet, it's also a firm favorite for a lot of people. Well, what other 'do can take you from the gym to the office to the bar with little more than a headband and/or lipstick application? Exactly. However, it can be all too easy to stick to the same pony, especially during the summer which can become kind of boring.
To help you avoid wearing the same ponytail day in, day out, get inspired by some of our fave looks below!
1. Sleek, wavy low ponytail
Secured right at the nape of the neck, this wavy low ponytail is about as effortlessly chic as it gets. Seriously, all you need to do is tie back yesterday's waves, smooth down the sides, and you're good to go!
Styling tip
Spritz your pony with a brushable finishing spray such as Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray, then mist your hands with water and smooth them over the top and sides of your head. This will create an even sleeker, flyaway-proof finish that will last all day.
2. Sleek bubble ponytail
For a controlled, playful pony that's full of personality, try a sleek bubble look. As seen on the Valentino Fall 2014 runway, this style is really easy to replicate, and it does a stellar job of dealing with dirty roots.
Styling tip
Space the hair ties about an inch or so apart, then gently pull the 'bubbles' out a little before securing the next one.
3. High-volume side pony
With both a high placement and a high-volume finish, this side ponytail has a ton of movement and the perfect lazy girl silhouette. If you want a quick and easy way to deal with long hair, this is it: just throw it up and go!
Styling tip
Use a volumizing product like Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT High Lift Creation Spray on your roots to add volume before securing your pony for an even, full-bodied look. The last thing this hairstyle should be is uptight!
4. Mid-height ponytail with a headband
For a sporty look that has enough movement to keep it interesting, but not too much to get in your or anybody else's way, try a mid-height ponytail. Teamed with a headband, it'll keep sweat to a minimum during a workout, or keep your mane under control when the weather is conspiring against you!
Styling tip
To keep your pony perky, prop it up with a couple of bobby pins after securing it. Slide them over the bottom of the hair elastic at a steep angle, then arrange the pony on top.
5. Karlie Kloss's sleek night out ponytail
As a model, we would expect nothing less than the coolest, chicest ponytail from Karlie Kloss! Ever the professional gorgeous person she is, the L'Oréal Paris spokesperson rocked this low, sleek pony with a deep side part and long bangs for a recent red carpet event, and she absolutely nailed it! If you're looking for your next party hairstyle, this could be it...
Styling tip
Keep your pony free from frizz by applying a smoothing product like Advanced Hairstyle BLOW DRY IT Thermal Smoother Cream before blow drying. This will smooth the cuticle as the hair dries, leaving you with sleek, touchable locks.
6. Blake Lively's boho bubble pony
With a decidedly messier approach to the Valentino pony, Blake Lively's bubble ponytail has a playful, bohemian feel. It's airy and voluminous, but doesn't look too tight. It's the perfect look for a special occasion, or it can be worn as part of a more casual, off-duty ensemble.
Styling tip
Give your hair a head start by washing with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. The thickening agents will make the hair look and feel fuller, so creating those voluminous bubbles will be a breeze!
7. Voluminous low ponytail
If you want something with a retro vibe but don't particularly want a full-on beehive hairstyle, try a voluminous low pony instead. It's a more subtle, wearable way to showcase your love for all things vintage, and it only requires some light teasing at the back to get the silhouette just right.
Styling tip
To add volume, spritz the lower layers at the back with a volumizing spray, then gently backcomb the hair with a fine-tooth comb. Re-spray the hair as you go, then gently smooth it over when you're done. Then, as you secure the ponytail, bump it upwards to enhance the shape.
8. Messy bed head ponytails
For the perfect weekend look, try a messy, bed head ponytail. It's the perfect way to deal with your hair the morning after a party, and with a fresh faced makeup look, no one will know how much sleep you didn't get.
Styling tip
Use dry shampoo to revive your roots and eliminate any excess oil before tying your hair back.
9. Sleek, straight ponytail
For a polished, high fashion look, try a sleek, straight ponytail. It looks totally pulled together in any situation, and it works with most hair lengths. Just make sure you apply a heat protectant before straightening!
Styling tip
Add shine to your finished look with a finishing spray like Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Strand Smoother Serum Spray. It will tame any existing flyaways and prevent frizz from springing up when you least expect it.
10. Blake Lively's braided ponytail
It probably comes as no surprise that Blake Lively has more than one covetable ponytail in her arsenal, and this braided beauty is absolutely worth stealing! It's a very pretty hairstyle that's fairly simple in terms of styling, but the end results are show stopping!
Styling tip
To add texture to the finished braid, use an old toothbrush that's been spritzed with strong hold hairspray. This will give you plenty of control, allowing you to texturize your hair exactly where you want.
11. French twist ponytail
To give a low ponytail that 'je ne sais quoi', try teaming it with a textured French twist. It's a modern take on two classics, and all that volume makes for a really memorable look.
Styling tip
For the best possible hold, do this hairstyle with unwashed hair, and spray both your pins and your hair with dry shampoo beforehand to add grip.
12. Voluminous, textured low ponytail
For an on trend alternative to a beehive or bouffant, try a textured low pony with just a hint of extra volume in the back. To get the look, all you need to do is create some loose waves all over, and tease the hair a little at the back before securing it. Then, use your fingers to pull the hair out a bit more.
Styling tip
To make sure your pony keeps its shape, finish with plenty of strong hold hairspray, especially if it's humid where you are.
13. Jennifer Lopez's high 90s ponytail
Before her recent bob haircut, Jennifer Lopez was queen of the high ponytail. This nineties-inspired look is definitely one of our favorites, mainly because it looks like a lot of fun to wear! The tousled waves and sky-high placement give this look loads of movement, which makes it perfect for some J.Lo-esque hair swishing.
Styling tip
To recreate Jen's waves, spritz dry hair with a texturizing product like Advanced Hairstyle TXT IT Tousle Waves Spray, then braid the lengths in three or four individual braids. Flat iron each one to set the waves, then shake your hair out.
14. French braided low ponytail
An easy way to add detail to any hairstyle is by adding some kind of braid to it. With a low ponytail, one of the most effective ways you can do just that is by French braiding the hair all the way to the nape, then securing the lengths into a pony.
Styling tip
This is another hairstyle that works best with unwashed hair because it has more grip, so don't be afraid to skip the shampoo before trying this look!
15. Doutzen Kroes' low wavy ponytail
This low, wavy ponytail is the perfect day to night hairstyle, as seen on Doutzen Kroes. It's polished enough for a formal event or a day at the office, but the tousled movement keeps it understated enough to work for a more relaxed, night out look.
Styling tip
Use a 1" curling iron to make loose, summer waves through the lengths of your hair. To make sure they won't fall flat, clip them up to cool when they come off the iron, then spritz your finished style generously with hairspray.
16. Low, curled pony
For a sweet, preppy look, you can't beat a low, curled ponytail. It's polished, it's elegant and it's very pretty, so you can wear it everywhere from a wedding to a job interview.
Styling tip
To make this ponytail as elegant as possible, disguise the hair tie with a piece of hair from the pony. Take small section from underneath the pony, wind it tightly around the base, then secure it underneath with a bobby pin.
17. Modern beehive pony
With plenty of volume on top and an easy, low ponytail at the back, this modern beehive is a really easy way to put a retro spin on your beauty look. It also does a great job of hiding any telltale greasiness at the root.
Styling tip
When teasing the hair on top, work in sections, and always backcomb the hair from behind to make smoothing it all over at the end as easy as possible.
18. Low braided ponytail
Placed right at the nape of the neck, this low braided ponytail is as easy to wear as it is to style. With the elastics out of sight and a smooth, glossy finish, it's a polished hairstyle that will take you everywhere.
Styling tip
Before styling this pony, straighten your hair after applying a thermal protectant like Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray for the smoothest possible look.
19. Sleek side pony
If it's minimalist chic you want from your ponytail, it's minimalist chic you'll get with this sleek, side parted look! With not one flyaway to be seen, this ultra-glossy hairstyle is perfect for a night out and it looks stunning with a bright lip color.
Styling tip
After securing your pony, spritz some hairspray onto your palms and firmly smooth them over any existing flyaways to tack them down once and for all.
20. Blake Lively's loose side ponytail
Although this super loose side ponytail from Blake Lively is barely a ponytail at all, it deserves some major props for being so effortlessly pretty! Is there anything this woman can't do with her hair?
Styling tip
Let your hair air dry naturally, then loosely curl the ends with a 1" iron to create tumbling, natural looking waves before tying the "pony".
