5 Super Sleek Ponytail Styles You Can Do In 5 Minutes

Super sleek and slicked-back hair has been one of the top hairstyle trends as of late, and we're totally into it.

There's nothing quite like a polished ponytail or low bun to make it look like we put tons of effort into our look when, in fact, we've only spent a few minutes on it!

Thanks to the 'clean girl' aesthetic trending on TikTok and Instagram, sleek hairstyles have been everywhere. They help to frame your face for a more polished look and emphasise your natural beauty.

And we don't think this look is going anywhere any time soon.

Whether you're out running errands, going out with your friends, or relaxing at home and just want to get your hair out of your face, we think sleek ponytail hairstyles are a fab choice.

While sleek ponytail styles can look like they take a lot of time and effort, they're actually super easy to do and can be done in just a few minutes.

We've put together a list of our five favourite sleek ponytails that will have you looking polished and put together in no time!

best pony tail hairstyles

Middle Part Low-Ponytail Hairstyle

As seen on celebs all over social media, the middle-part low ponytail hairstyle is a great way to show off your face and give you an effortlessly elegant look.

Kim Kardashian is probably one of the most notable celebs to pull off this look, and it's no surprise – it's super simple and requires minimal effort, but it works to really put your natural features on show.

The tricky part about this ponytail style is to get the perfect, neat middle part. So start by taking a fine-tooth comb and lightly drag it from the tip of your nose and up your forehead to find where your perfect middle section is.

Drag the comb back through your hair to separate the two sides, and brush each side smoothly to create a neat line. Then gather your hair from the nape of your neck.

Before securing with a hair tie, take some hairspray, hair gel or hair oil and lightly run it over your hair to set the flyaways and make sure your ponytail is nice and sleek.

You can then take a hair tie and secure your low ponytail at the nape of your neck. And you've got that Kim K-inspired middle part low ponytail in no time!

For a super-long ponytail, we definitely recommend adding a clip-in ponytail extension to your natural hair. The Mini RiRi 16" Clip-in Wrap Around Ponytail will look gorg, giving you added length to your pony.

super long ponytail extensions

90's Inspired Ponytail Hairstyle

This year, we have welcomed back just about every fashion trend from the 90s – and, of course, hairstyles too.

The 90's inspired ponytail consists of a deep side part and slicked-down hair that frames the face nicely.

And while it might look like it takes a while to achieve this look, it's actually quite simple.

Start by taking a fine-tooth comb and lightly dragging it from the middle of your eyebrow and up your forehead to create a deep side part (it doesn't matter which side you choose).

From the larger of the two sections you have just created, separate a section of hair from the front of your face and temporarily tie it with a hair tie.

Then, gather the rest of your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie. Use a bit of hairspray or hair gel to smooth down the flyaways and give you that sleek finish.

Once your ponytail is secure, take that piece of hair you had separated from the front and slick it down. Take a clip or bobby pin and secure it at the nape of your neck.

You'll be embracing that 90s vibe in no time!

90s pony tail hairstyles

Textured High-Ponytail Hairstyle

If you're looking for a way to elevate your everyday ponytail, we recommend trying out the textured high-ponytail. We think this ponytail style is especially great for those days when you don't want to spend too much time on your hair.

Before you start adding in any texture, gather your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie.

Make sure you slick back any flyaways with some hairspray, gel or oil.

To create texture, take a hair crimper or curling wand and lightly crimp or curl your ponytail. Beachy waves work amazingly for this, so take a curling wand and wrap small sections around the wand for about 10 seconds each before releasing.

Once you're done with that, let the curls cool for a few minutes and then use your fingers to lightly brush out the waves, creating that textured look.

Finish off by hair spraying your ponytail for extra hold, and you'll be strutting around with that effortless textured messy ponytail!

If you want to make things even easier, you can grab yourself a clip-in curly ponytail extension! We recommend RiRi's 24" Synthetic Hollywood Clip-in Wave Ponytail for that perfect textured look. Just clip it in over your own ponytail and voila, you're ready to go!

Textured High-Ponytail Hairstyle

Braided Ponytail Hairstyle

Braids and ponytails are always a winning combo – they're the perfect mix of trendy and timeless, so you'll never go wrong with this ponytail hairstyle.

Simply slick your hair up into a high ponytail, using hair gel to keep flyaways at bay, and tie it off with a hair tie.

Simply braid the ponytail down to the ends, and use a clear elastic band to tie off the end of the braid. Pull at sections of the braid to make it look thicker and fluffier.

Looking for an Insta-worthy finish? Use RiRi's 30" Wrap Around Sleek Ponytail to give you length for days!

Simply pop it in over your own ponytail and braid it all the way down, and you're ready to go! You'll be swooshing your hair around in no time!

Wraparound High-Ponytail Hairstyle

This one's a classic ponytail style – the wraparound ponytail. Like we said, trendy ponytail styles don't have to be complex to look good, and this is a perfect example.

Take your hair into a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie, remembering to slick down any flyaways with some hairspray or hair gel.

Take a small piece of hair from your ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie, tucking it into the elastic or using a bobby pin to secure it when you have fully wrapped the piece of hair around.

The piece of hair covers your hair tie and gives the impression of a seamless ponytail.

For added drama and length, take your pick from one of RiRi's Clip-in Ponytails! We love the 26" Synthetic Wrap Around Straight Ponytail for this look – it'll take your everyday ponytail from basic to boss in no time!

Wraparound High-Ponytail Hairstyle

Finishing Touches: Insta-worthy Sleek Ponytail Styles

Some days, there's nothing better than having your hair up and out of your face, but you still want to look like you're ready for the day. The team at RiRi love chic and sleek ponytail styles for those days.

Grab yourself a good brush for seeking back those flyaways, and then use some hairspray or hair oil to slick your hair right down and create a beautiful shine.

Ponytail hair extensions are great for elevating your ponytail styles or for creating a sleek ponytail in minutes. Take a peek at RiRi's collection of synthetic ponytail extensions, and get ready to wow!

FAQs

Which face shape is best for a ponytail?

A ponytail is a great hairstyle for almost any face shape, as it can be tailored to suit the length or width of your face. Sleek, high ponytails are best for those with long faces, while those with rounder faces will look better in low, textured ponytails.

How do you style a simple ponytail?

Start by brushing or combing your hair back, using either hairspray or hair gel to keep flyaways at bay. Tie the hair off into a high, low or mid-level ponytail and use an elastic band to secure it in place. Take a piece of hair from your ponytail to wrap around the hair tie for a seamless finish.

Are ponytails in style?

Yes! Ponytails are always in style and can be easily adapted to fit any occasion. Whether you want a simple, sleek ponytail or something more creative and textured, there's a ponytail style that'll work for you.

How do you do a ponytail with extensions?

Pop your extensions in over your own ponytail and secure them with the clips provided. Comb through your hair to make sure everything is combined evenly, and then use the wraparound piece (if there is one) to wrap around the elastic band.


Written by our hair extension expert

Nancy Pinder


Nancy Pinder is our resident hair and beauty specialist at RiRi Hair Extensions. She advises customers daily in our Lakeside and Bluewater stores, helping them find the perfect look, length, and shade of hair extensions. Nancy also presents our TikTok live to thousands of viewers across the world. You can catch her on our TikTok every week here: @ririhairextensions_uk.

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