Tutorial: A Speedy Braid Ponytail: How to Achieve the Look with a Step-by-Step Guide
You Will Need
Are you looking for an eye-catching yet simple do’? We’ve got you covered! This ponytail with braids is truly a piece of art and, luckily for you, it only takes a couple of minutes to recreate.
As these braids need to be close to the scalp, some key products are required to keep the baseline perfectly neat. Don’t be afraid to play up with your ends by defining your curls, braiding some more pieces, or even adding accessories for a touch of glam.
What do we love about it? A braid ponytail makes a statement wherever you go. It’s easy, quick, versatile, and a masterpiece of its own!
Prep your hair.
Start by prepping your hair with a curl-enhancing cream like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. Make sure you’re evenly applying it! Focus on mid-ends to hydrate hair and smooth frizz, while adding some moisture and texture.
Smooth on the roots.
It’s important to smooth your roots before starting braiding, especially at the front of your hairline and along the center part. To do so, and of course, to prevent frizz throughout the day, a good hair gel such as SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Defining Styling Gel is necessary. Want to know the best thing about it? No alcohol-based formulas here, just the sleekest canvas for your perfect braided ponytail!
Section and braid.
Time to dust off your braiding skills! Make a clean middle part and section your hair right at the front, separating out two thick strands close to your hairline for braiding. To make sure everything is smooth and sleek, you can apply more gel as you’re braiding. Make sure to braid your hair as close to the scalp as possible.
Braid all the way to the ends.
Braid each section up until the end of it, then secure with a hair tie. Though the classic 3-strand braid is the most recommended technique for this style, feel free to do 2-strand twists if that’s easier! As long as you keep it close to your head, the technique is yours to improvise!
Tie back.
Once your braids are tied in, we move onto the final curve – your ponytail! For a fun hairstyle, go for a high do’. If you’re looking for a chic, romantic vibe, place the ponytail closer to the cape of your neck, as you would with a bun. Secure it with hair ties and fluff the ends.
Define your curls.
Though your braids will be the one stealing the show, don’t forget about the rest of your hair. Give those curls a standing ovation! Define your curls by twisting the ends using a curl-enhancing cream, like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
Smooth into place.
Your braided ponytail is almost done! Now, onto the final details. If needed, you can apply more gel on the sides of each braid and around your edges to smooth baby hairs out. We love SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Edge Gel for this kind of job, as its gentle formula offers all-day hold with no crunching, flaking or greasy residue. Bye, bye flyaways!
All done!
Easy, right? The magic of this braided out ponytail is in the details, so adding your own personal touches will take your do’ to another level. Get creative and define each section by using a rat tail comb, for example. Glam it up with gold beads, crystal bobby pins in bright colors, or let your makeup do its part with a killer eyeliner.
While the basic ponytail is our go-to style for home and work, it’s always fun to reinvent a classic every now and then with a chic twist! That’s where this ponytail with braids comes in. Quick, simple, and incredibly cool, it’s a heavenly combination for any Naturalista.
Share your looks with us on Instagram at @AllThingsHairUs!
