How To Create A Bouncy and Attractive Ponytail With Any Hair Type

If you’re envious of people who can toss their hair up and achieve an immaculately voluminous ponytail, you’re not alone. My ponytails are often flat or frizzy—the strands never seem to flow easily, like the perky ponytails I envisioned. As a result, I usually avoid the style entirely; a low bun or braid needs much less lifting—quite literally.

However, a recent TikTok may have swayed my decision. (All praise the app’s goldmine of beauty tips!) In the video, user Kirsty Hollick demonstrates how to master a raised ponytail with nothing more than a simple hair tie—no chemicals, no heated tools, and no prayers that the style won’t go limp as soon as you turn your head. This, my friends, is perhaps the simplest ponytail technique in the book.

Every time, a useful tip for A Bouncy and Attractive Ponytail

The greatest thing about this ponytail technique is that it works with any kind of hair and any style of hair tie. Hollick uses a scrunchie, but you could also use a silk elastic, a hair bungee, or any other tie you have on hand (see our best non-breakable ties here). As you can see, the trick is to divide your hair into two parts before fastening your last loop—which you can accomplish with any hair item.

While a scrunchie may offer the greatest lift due to the hair resting on thicker material, feel free to experiment with your favorite elastic by following the instructions below:

• Your hair should be pulled back into a ponytail at the appropriate height. To smooth out the roots, you may either use a brush or, if the idea of brushing dry strands makes you cringe, just rake the strands back with your fingertips.
• Take your preferred hair tie and begin securing your ponytail as normal.
• Split your hair into two pieces just before the last loop. Flip the top piece over your head to conceal it, then “knot the remaining portion of your [hair tie] around just the bottom half of your pony,” Hollick advises.
• Reverse the top part over the pony, allowing it to naturally sit on top.

That’s it: “Additional lift and volume!” Hollick explains, dressed in a huge pony. From there, you can dress up the look any way you want—you can keep it polished and tidy or, like Hollick, snag a few front wisps lose for a more lived-in appearance.

Again, the basic hair tie technique is applicable to all hair types: It gives the appearance of thicker hair on fine-haired individuals; on those with heavier locks, it resists gravity, maintaining the pony high at the crown without slipping down.

The gist

A basic ponytail is one of the simplest hairstyles there is. And yet, mastering it as A Bouncy and Attractive Ponytail may be challenging: If you’ve avoided ponytails in the past due to concerns about flat, weighed-down strands, try this simple hair tie technique to keep your ponytail appearing lifted and delicious.