Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Winter Shoe Trends
    • Perfume Necklaces
    • Kathy Hochul and Adrienne Adams
    • Bouclé
    • Statement Red Socks
    • Angel Reese
    1. Beauty
    2. Hair

    A Slicked-Back Ponytail Is Tracee Ellis Ross’s Go-To Spring Hairstyle, Outshining Her $1,150 Shoes

    I’ve never seen her hair look so…rich.

    Ariel Wilson's avatar
    By Ariel Wilson
    Published 7 April 2025 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Tracee Ellis Ross in finger coils, a tan jacket and graphic eyeliner
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    When Tracee Ellis Ross so much as breathes, I immediately perk up. On April 7, the actress was spotted in New York City as she promoted the new season of Black Mirror. While her segment is called “Common People,” Ross looked anything but for her press appointment. Her statement orange dress and Bottega Veneta pumps came second to her sleek long ponytail that complemented her very spring-appropriate makeup look.

    Ross’s hair was pulled into a high updo at the crown of her head. Given her naturally curly texture, a generous amount of gel was likely used to slick back the front for that sleek, glossy finish. The statement-making extra-long ponytail swished just above her hips with every step into the venue.

    Tracee Ellis Riss wearing a long ponytail hairstyle.

    Tracee Ellis Riss wearing her glossy ponytail in New York City.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    A milky white manicure, warm-toned makeup, a monochromatic orange outfit, and brown heels completed Ross’s look, and I have to say—the actress has done it again with her statement-making look. Ross has long been well-known for her whimsical sense of style, but it wasn’t until she launched Pattern Beauty that people finally started to see her for the beauty icon that she is. That being said, she has a long history of playing around with everything from her hair to her makeup, having been seen in cornrows, braids, afros, on the red carpet and in casual settings alike.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    I’ve been having a ton of fun experimenting with celebrity-inspired hairstyles (I still can’t get the hair accessory that Millie Bobby Brown was recently spotted wearing out of my head), so you can bet that I’ll be taking Ross’s new ‘do for a spin as well. Below, I’ve shared my plan of action to achieve the star’s gorgeous hairstyle, so keep reading for all the tips to recreate this style at home.

    Wetline Xtreme Pro-Expert Styling Gel 15.87 Ounce (450g) (pack of 1)

    Wetline
    Wetline Xtreme Pro-Expert Styling Gel
    $8$7
    $7.39 AT AMAZON

    Unless this gel from Wetline is being used, my curly hair can't achieve a slicked-back style. It offers extreme hold so that your ponytail will stay put, and the tub is massive (for under $10!) so expect it to last you a while.

    Darling Kinky Straight Ponytail Hair Extension 1x (1 Pack, 1x Per Pack), Wrap-Around Pony, Natural Black Soft Texture, Drawstring Wrap Around Clip in Yaki, 26 Inch, #1

    Darling
    Kinky Straight Ponytail Hair Extension
    $15
    $14.97 AT AMAZON

    The most important part of using extensions is getting a great texture match. This ponytail from Darling hair mimics my blowout closely, so I'll keep it on hand for this recreation.

    Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long Diffuse for Curly and Coily Hair

    Dyson
    Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long Diffuse for Curly and Coily Hair
    $600
    $599.99 AT BLUEMERCURY

    There's a reason I can't stop raving about this hair tool. I use it as a blow dryer just as much, if not more, than I do as a styler. Simply using the brush attachment on my own hair, the fresh, just-blown-out look that Ross is sporting is easy for me to recreate.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Ariel Wilson
    Ariel Wilson
    Social Links Navigation
    Beauty Writer

    Ariel Wilson is the Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. Previously the associate beauty editor at PS, she also has bylines in InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women's Health, and more.

    Shaped by her experience in research, social sciences, and the non-profit sector, Ariel enjoys looking at beauty from a sociocultural lens, looking to avenues like politics, culture, and the arts, to inform her views on the space. That being said, as a true beauty-product obsessive, testing the latest items to hit the market, keeping up with trends, and meeting industry icons, will always be her favorite part of working in the beauty space.

    When she's not working, Ariel can be found hanging out with her husband and loving on their two cat daughters: Cow and Chicken.

    Read more
    hannah baxter in a red skirt with a slick-back bun
    Hair My Slick-Back Bun Routine Is Elite—Here's Everything I Use Flyaways? Never heard of them.
    By Hannah Baxter
    The Clever Way Princess Kate Uses Beauty and Hair Styling Tricks to "Make a Statement" and Invoke "A Fresh Start," Per Celebrity Stylist
    Royals The Clever Way Princess Kate Uses Beauty and Hair Styling Tricks
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    a collage of three women with mocha balayage hair at the salon with blown our brunette hair
    Hair I Found the Rich Brunette Shade Every It Girl Is Requesting for Winter With intel from top hair colorists in NYC.
    By Katherine Louie
    collage of women with different shades of red hair
    Hair At Long Last, I Found the Perfect Shade of Red Hair for Every Skin Tone You deserve a fiery makeover.
    By Sophia Vilensky
     
     
    Latest in Hair
    a collage of three women with mocha balayage hair at the salon with blown our brunette hair
    Hair I Found the Rich Brunette Shade Every It Girl Is Requesting for Winter
    a collage of french bob hairstyles feature choppy bobs, textured bobs, short bobs, sleek bobs
    Hair Everyone Is Trading In Their Long Layers For a French Bob
     
     
    short choppy curtain bangs and shaggy layers on different hair lengths, dark tousled bob with pieces falling across the face, soft wispy fringe and flipped out ends, effortless messy hair inspo
    Hair These Cool-Girl Bangs Never Go Out of Style
    a collage featuring the Emi Jay x DedCool collaboration for holiday gifting of hair and body mist and sweet fragrance notes
    Hair DedCool and Emi Jay Just Released the $59 Holiday Gift Set I'll Be Giving Everyone
     
     
    Latest in News
    Jennifer Lawrence wore red pants, a plaid button-down, a graphic tee, Vans sneakers, and the barn jacket trend while delivering the Hunger Games salute
    Celebrity Style The Barn Jacket Trend Gets the 'Hunger Games' Treatment From Jennifer Lawrence
    Queen Camilla riding in a car and smiling with King Charles
    Royals Queen Camilla Reveals Her Favorite "Pure and Wholesome" Car Snack
     
     
    celebrities carrying the Coach Tabby Bag at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards
    Celebrity Style The Coach Tabby Bag Is Red-Carpet Worthy, According to the CFDA Fashion Awards
    Harriet Sperling in her wedding dress and veil
    Royals Harriet Sperling Shares the Inspiration Behind Her "Dream" Wedding Dress
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.