40 Ponytail Braids for Every Occasion

The sleek braided ponytail is everywhere, and for good reason. Ponytails offer what some call an instant facelift and look great with everything from athleisure-wear to elegant ensembles. In the case of the braided ponytail, instead of letting the hair flow freely (which we love too), braiding the hair's length is an opportunity to play with texture and even color depending on the look you're going for. You may think the braided ponytail only has a few creative tricks, but we've rounded up 40 inspiring looks. You can recreate them at home or show your stylist for reference at your next appointment. See below for some seriously unique ponytail braids.

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Butt-Length Braid

Beyoncé's butt-length braid deserves its own star on the Walk of Fame—the slicked ponytail is just that iconic. The best part about this pony is it's easy to recreate after watching a YouTube tutorial or two. We love this one from Mekaba, which breaks down how to feed-in Kanekalon hair for a snatched braided look.

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Side-Parted Ponytail

Ashley Graham's sleek, side-parted Met Gala bubble ponytail isn't braided, but the creativity we see here can be applied to a braid as well. Instead of using the bubble ponytail method, once your hair slicked back, braid the length of the hair and add as much bling as your heart desires.

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Braided Ponytail with an Undercut

Undercuts always give hair of any length an element of surprise. Here, Selena Gomez's simple braided ponytail is taken up a notch thanks to the undercut and the extra hair wrapped around her ponytail's base.

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A Braided Quad

The base of a ponytail is typically pretty standard. However, getting creative with the lengths makes the style your own. Don't be afraid to play with the number of braids in your ponytail to add texture and your unique spin on a classic style.

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Slick Ponytail with Baby Hairs

Ponytails and baby hairs are a dynamic duo. Not only do they add flair, but they make it easy to tame those flyaway edges that don't always like to cooperate.

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Braided Bun-Ponytail

Issa Rae knows how to have fun with her hair. With this look from SNL, there is texture, sleekness, and even an undone bun happening all in one style.

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Braid Ponytail

Here, Gigi Hadid keeps things sleek and simple with a ponytail that doesn't seem to have any additional length added. If you want to lay down flyaways without the look being too done, apply a little pomade to your hands and apply as you build your base.

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A Low Braided Ponytail

We love a good high ponytail, but there is something easy-going about a low-braided ponytail. You can wear your hair straight back or even with a middle part, depending on your face shape. For those with curly-to-natural hair types, a mousse-like The Doux's Mousse Def Texture Foam ($15) and a gel-like Cantu's Moisture Retention Styling Gel ($5) will help mold and hold your curls.

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Side-Parted Braided Ponytail

We love a side-parted do. Not only do side parts frame your face, but this pulled-back look helps make your features the star of the show.

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Braided Side Ponytail

This braided side ponytail with burnt ends is bringing the beauty staples of the '90s to the present. If a long, single braid isn't your style, try this look.

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Low Side Braid

Sade Adu is the queen of minimalistic beauty. Her simple braid, red lip, and hoop earring look from the '80s is still mimicked years after its iconic debut.

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Jumbo Braid Ponytail

Rocking a braided ponytail isn't one-size-fits-all. Go big and give a jumbo braid a try.

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Low Side Braid

Alissa Ashley's braided look pays homage to Sade. To add your spin, try what Ashley did here and subtly style your edges.

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Ribbon Adorned Braided Ponytail

To add some spark to a classic, try braiding in or wrapping ribbon into your braid. If you're feeling especially creative, you can match your ribbon to your outfits or stick with a monochromatic aesthetic to ensure your accessories always match your outfits.

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Loose Ponytail Braid

To add some texture to your braid, leave the ends of your braid loose. To get a wavy look, apply mousse to the length of the hair as your braid, let it set overnight, unravel the ends once they're dry, and apply a band seal the ends.

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Classic Braided Ponytail

You keep it minimal with a braided ponytail, and Tracee Ellis Ross shows us how. Accentuate your eyes and brows to bring your hairstyle full circle.

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Colorful Ponytail Braid

Adding color can take any look up a notch. Colorful clips and braided hair lets you wear your bright personality on your sleeve, so to speak.

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Banded Ponytail

Trying something new with your hair is always fun, and this banded ponytail creates the illusion of a twisted-braided style.

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Red Braided Ponytail

Adding a bright hair color with dark hair at your roots can make a style pop. The styled baby hair, wrapped braided hair, and jumbo braid makes this version of a braided ponytail a showstopper.

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Low Braided Ponytail

If you look closely, you can see that Dascha Polanco's braid is braided with a small braid intertwined to add texture along with the blunt ends.

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A Classic Braided Ponytail

Simple hair offers an opportunity to play up your favorite features. Here we see a winged eyeliner look with lashes to bring the look full circle.

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Curly Braided Ponytail

When adding extensions to a braid, Kanekalon is the top choice. However, if you have natural hair, seek out extensions that mimic your natural curl, as shown here.

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Jeweled Braided Ponytail

Adding jewels to your natural hair braided into a ponytail is a small touch that can make a big impact.

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Floor Length Ponytail

Ponytails have no length limit, and this ponytail proves just that. Adding braiding string created a curl-like look that is likely easy to recreate after some trial and error.

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Multi-Look Ponytail

This look merges a few beauty dos, which is what we love to see. Here, Amore used her creativity to craft a look that is one-of-a-kind.

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Fishtail Braided Ponytail

Try a fishtail braid to switch up your go-to braiding technique, and add some bling to the braid or crown of your head.

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Mystical Adorned Braided Ponytail

Hair is personal, and accessories offer an opportunity to light up your look and share who you are at the same time.

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Jeweled Braided Ponytail

The bejeweled clips and bobby pins in this look are a reminder that a seemingly simple accessory adds glam in seconds.

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Scarf Braided Ponytail

Adding color with scarfs is an innovative way to style a style the feels like it is one note. For tips and tricks, YouTube is your beauty best friend.

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Whimsical Braided Ponytail

This whimsical ponytail is a must-try if you love to incorporate color into your looks. It may take a few tries to get the right mix of the ombré, but it will be worth the experimentation.

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Side Halo Braided Ponytail

If you want a more relaxed look, try a halo braid with the length braided into a side braid.

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Braided Ponytail

Welcome to the '90s. We love a good throwback with a mix of textures. Since this is a protective style, be sure to keep your edges and scalp hydrated.

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Braided Ponytail Bun

Jennifer Lopez knows how to do an updo. The middle part and braided bun-like length make this ponytail a hybrid we can't wait to recreate.

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Braid Wrap Braided Ponytail

This long braid has a detail that we love—twisted hair around the ponytail holder a couple of shades lighter than the ponytail. These little details make this style your own.

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Braided Ponytail with Volume

Shay Mitchell's ponytail has a detail that isn't always seen with a braided ponytail: volume.

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Jumbo Waist-Length Ponytail

Creating a jumbo ponytail requires a sleek, firm base. Once your hair is secured, be sure to keep a piece of loose hair available to wrap around the base of your ponytail.

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Bow Ponytail

If you want to try something a little different than the typical ponytail, try a bow. Skai Jackon's bow shows the versatility of ponytail and box braids.

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Highlighted Jumbo Braid

Even if your hair isn't highlighted, that doesn't mean you can't add color with braiding hair. Intertwine chocolate braiding hair with hair in your natural color to add definition without permanent color commitment.

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Multi-Braid Ponytail

Placing several small braids into a high ponytail gives this beloved style new life. Take things a step further by adding gold or metallic braiding string to your braids.

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