40 Fresh Ways to Amp Up Your Ponytail

When you want your hair to pancake at the sides of your head and flow rather than hanging in a tapered ponytail, pull the hair down below the hair tie as much as you can so that all the lengths of your hair fan out. It helps to have super long, thick hair, too, but extensions can help you create the same look. 

Rihanna's hair looks like a flowing waterfall of waves, and it's all thanks to the fact that she tied up only the top half, tugged at the crown for more volume, and waved the ends. 

For a dressy look that's less structured than your average ponytail (on purpose), very loosely wrap up your hair into a messy ponytail, pull the hair band down halfway, separate the strands into two sections, and flip the end of your hair into the space between them. And for some hair pizazz, disguise the tie with a silky ribbon. 

When you don't have bangs but want the same face-framing effect, center part the front half of your hair, leave out two thick tendrils of hair, and wave them with a curling iron. 

Ever the princess of the pony tail, Ariana Grande's signature look is pulled back and worn super high on her head. It's the perfect way to show off an ombre style, too. 

The side ponytail doesn't get enough love these days, but Jessica Alba's showing how to make it look super sleek and grown up. Super, super long hair adds to the drama. 

No one plays with color like Katy Perry, and here she's making the case for wearing a brighter dye job that starts at your temples. All the better to pull off a unicorn tail style like this one, right? 

We haven't touched a crimping iron since the '90s TBH, but when it adds cool dimension to the top of your ponytail, it's worth another whirl. 

So pretty, so glamorous. Round brush the ends of your hair when blow-drying, then after you have your ponytail, pull out a section underneath, smooth and hairspray it, then wrap it around the hair tie. Secure it in place with a clear rubber band.  

Beckinsale imitates the '50s puffy bang ponytail by pinning back her bangs at the top of her head and curling the ends of her ponytail.