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With the warmer months in full swing, we’re all seeking ways to cool off. But not all of us are willing to chop off our hard-earned length just for a moment of reprieve. Enter ponytails. The tried and true hairstyle is something anyone can achieve on their own no matter their length, hair type, or skill set. When working with longer strands specifically, ponytails are a great fallback for getting all those tresses off the face and shoulders. Forget any updo that requires an excess of pins or scrunchies only to give you a headache hours later. Ponytails are your new superpower for beating the heat and still looking chic. Below, we’ve found 27 stylish ponytail ideas for long hair.
01 of 27
Over the Shoulder
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If you feel most comfortable with your hair down, this low, over-the-shoulder ponytail is for you. A side-swept look like Serena William’s puts your ponytail on full display while keeping strands away from your face. If you have face-framing layers, get ready to pin and hairspray that hair over for a smooth sleek finish.
02 of 27
Snatched With a Bow
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We can’t deny the perks of a snatched high ponytail. That taut, angular elongation flatters us all. To soften your snatch from being too severe, try putting a feminine accessory up top, or adding some soft movement to your ends. Or, in Marina Ruy Barbosa’s case, do all of the above.
03 of 27
Tons of Texture
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We love a textured ponytail like Tika Sumpter's. A few micro braids, an imperfect curl, and a few straighter strands all shaken up together make for the perfect pony concoction. This is the type of thrown-together texture that's fuss-free and loaded with character.
04 of 27
Framed by Fringe
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Camila Cabello’s Met Gala hairstyle convinced us that nothing sets the stage for an extra-long ponytail like some extra-long fringe. Here, Cabello strategically slicked back the base of her hair, leaving her bangs on full display. This dynamic duo gives the look a sophisticated feel.
05 of 27
Simple in Satin
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Pairing your high pony with a bow has been done thousands of times. What we love about Zendaya’s look is how accessible it is. A three-strand braid takes a matter of seconds and her bow is a simple piece of satin. To give your ribbon some shape and structure, use hair spray to stiffen the material.
06 of 27
Retro Volume
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Blake Lively’s retro volume makes her low ponytail red carpet-worthy. Her fluffed-up roots and single stray strand keep this look from looking lacquered and overdone. To get a similar result, use a volumizing powder at your roots and lightly tease before gently brushing your hair into place.
07 of 27
High Neck High Pony
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Pairing your hair to your wardrobe is an easy way to elevate your look. Adwoa Aboah's high neckline pairs seamlessly with her snatched ponytail. To keep your roots tight, use a flat brush with lots of tension and your preferred product for hold.
08 of 27
Bubble Wrap
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Katy Perry’s bubble ponytail is low and sleek. But the accessorized silver rings that wrap around this simple style take it up a notch with a futuristic feel. A slicked-back appearance is great on third-day hair. Add a bit of nourishing oil for a sharp, smooth finish, and don’t forget to match your elastics to your hair color for a camouflaged effect.
09 of 27
Flirty Flip
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When you put effort into adding body to your tresses, it always pays off. A good blowout on extra long hair like Kim Kardashian’s can offer fullness, bounce, and that subtle flip at the ends. After blow drying your hair with a round brush, pin each section into large, hand-rolled curls as the hair cools to get that bouncy body finish.
10 of 27
Natural Waves
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Extension pieces have made the extra-long ponytail even more accessible. Karidja Toure’s beautiful texture is the perfect example. Pull your natural hair into a small bun at your desired height and slip a ponytail hairpiece around your natural hair. This will give the illusion of textured contrast and body without heat damage. Easy to put in, and easy to remove.
11 of 27
Slender Center
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Complementing her high neckline, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley pulled her long tresses back into a perfectly sculpted slender ponytail. This classic hairstyle and trendy center part are the epitome of chic. Put that against a black turtleneck and the whole look creates a slender profile, allowing every detail to shine.
12 of 27
High Side
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When Candiace Dillard-Bassett sports a high ponytail, she tests her limits to see how high she can go. This fun, side ponytail has added height that can be seen from a mile away. If you want to let your ponytail kiss the sky, try adding a foam piece beneath the body of your hair and securing it with two or three bobby pins. Then, brush the hair down and around the piece to hide the secret weapon behind that added lift.
13 of 27
Duck Billed Back
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Dove Cameron clearly knows the versatility of duck bill clips. Not only can they help a curl set in place, but they're also a simple solution for keeping hair off your face. Whether this style came together with intention or as more of a happy accident, we applaud a pragmatic ponytail any day.
14 of 27
Studded Base
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Issa Rae's bedazzled ponytail makes her look like a golden goddess. The bronzed-tinted makeup and low bubble ponytail alone was a look to be served, but the little bronzed sparkles at her roots are what took the crown. To attach gems like these throughout your tresses, place small pieces of double-sided extension tape on their backs to adhere. Any alcohol-based spray will help remove them at the end of the night with ease.
15 of 27
Teased and Tousled
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The teased and tousled ponytail style was made for naturally wavy textures like Jennifer Lopez’s. The combination of air-dried waves and refined curls creates an unrefined perfection that can’t be replicated. This half-up ponytail is all about enhancing what you already have.
16 of 27
Box Braided
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Jourdan Dunn’s high box braided ponytail has so many things working for it. The elevated snatch shows off her zig zagged root pattern. The box braids give her hair dimension and protection. And wrapping a single braid around the base of that ponytail offers even more lift to her style. A clear winner in our books.
17 of 27
Cuff Lift
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Anya Taylor-Joy's pony cuff adds a glorious, chic lift. Extra height can elongate your face shape and make those long tresses falling down your back appear even longer.
18 of 27
Mid Height
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If you have long hair that's also thick, opt for a mid-height ponytail style like Kerry Washington's. This will prevent all the weight from sitting high at the crown of your head and causing a headache from the tension.
19 of 27
Keep it Simple
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Put the extensions and accessories aside. The Duchess of Sussex may be the queen of simplicity when it comes to ponytail styles. Sometimes it's less about the frivolous details and more about how long the style lasts. Use your favorite strong-hold hairspray on a small toothbrush to keep those baby hairs tightly back around the hairline.
20 of 27
Bubble Bows
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If you're a big bow fan and looking for long ponytail inspo, look no further than Nell Diamond. The founder of Hill House Home had a reputation for her lengthy strands well before she created the nap dress. One of her signature looks is a simple sleek ponytail topped off with a bow to show off her impressive hair length.
21 of 27
Brushed Back
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The best long ponytail styles work with what they have. Length is the obvious upper hand here, but natural texture is the close second. Tina Kunakey gave her low ponytail added body and shape simply by brushing out her natural texture. The approach is simple and protective from heat and other stressors.
22 of 27
Signature Style
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Ariana Grande's signature look has been a super high ponytail since the beginning of her musical career. And it's easy to see why she'd build a whole rep around a solid ponytail. Ponytail extension pieces keep the natural hair protected, are super lightweight, and let's be real—they're just fun.
23 of 27
Fishbraid Pony
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When your calendar gets full of events, beauty routines can be tossed to the side. A long, low braid is a nice style option when you have more than one box to check off. Coat your strands in a good conditioning treatment, and hit the town. When you come back home, your strands will be so soft and buttery that you won't be able to stop running your fingers through them.
24 of 27
Flat Iron Waves
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The high-contrast ponytail is great for elevating this simple hairstyle. It keeps the roots and hairline tight and secure while saving all the fun and movement for the ponytail itself. To get Gigi Hadid's flat iron waves, exaggerate the snap of your wrist as you shimmy down your sections back and forth.
25 of 27
Triple Threat
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Some of us have hair naturally thick enough to braid three times, and some of us will resort to adding even more hair to get the look. Regardless of the approach, Yara Shahidi’s triple braid is a triple threat. To place your braids securely over to one side like Shahidi’s, use two hairpins in an X to connect each braid to the head.
26 of 27
Undercut Fishtail
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Halle Berry’s fishtail comes together in one fell swoop, and we think her undercut has everything to do with it. Thicker hair types find more manageability with undercuts like Berry’s. This makes a high fishtail reach its height with more ease. Once you get the hang of doing this simple two-strand braid, you won’t be able to stop.
27 of 27
Basic but Better
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Yes, a three-strand braid is basic, but Beyonce just made it even better. The tiny detail of a smaller braid wrapped around the base of her ponytail took it to the next level. Her mini braid wrap adds a smidge of height and visibility, proving that no detail is a missed opportunity in Bey's world, ponytail or otherwise.
