Classic Ponytail
The one that always works.
Follow it step by step in the free app.
- Time
- About 3 minutes
- Steps
- 6
- Level
- Easy
- Hair type
- Every hair type
- Ages
- Toddlers to pre-teens
- Hair length
- Any length, short hair included
You'll need wide-tooth comb, detangling brush, snag-free hair elastic, soft-bristle brush, detangler spray. For curly and coily hair, also leave-in conditioner, fine-mist water bottle.
All hair gathered and secured at the back of the head, level with the tops of the ears.
Her job
She wears the elastic on her wrist until you need it.
See the steps in 37 seconds
The steps
Where the method changes for curly and coily hair, the step says so underneath. In the app, choose Curly or Coily under “her hair today” and you only see the steps for her hair.
Step 1 of 6
Detangle first
Comb through from the ends up, holding the hair halfway down with your free hand so you don't tug. Don't move on until it runs clean.
Before you move on
No catching from top to bottom.
Why: This stops any pulling reaching her scalp.
Technique: Detangling without tears
Curly and coily hair
Detangle it damp
Mist her hair until it's damp, not dripping, and smooth a little leave-in through with your fingers. Work in sections, ends first, fingers then the wide-tooth comb.
Before you move on: Your fingers slide through each section, root to tip.
Technique: Detangling curly and coily hair
Step 2 of 6
Gather the hair
Gather the hair. Put both hands flat against the sides of her head above her ears. Sweep all the hair straight back until your hands meet. Hold the bundle firmly in one hand.
Before you move on
One clean bundle at the back. No loose strands in front of her ears.
Curly and coily hair
Gather the hair
Gather the hair. Put both hands flat against the sides of her head above her ears. Gather it back loosely, without dragging at the hairline, until your hands meet. Hold the bundle firmly in one hand.
Before you move on: One clean bundle at the back, with the hairline soft, not pulled tight.
Step 3 of 6
Set the height
Position the height. A classic ponytail sits level with the tops of her ears. Adjust your gathering hand up or down to find that exact sweet spot.
Before you move on
The bundle is centered and level with the tops of her ears.
Step 4 of 6
Smooth the surface
Smooth the surface. Use a soft brush to stroke from her forehead and above each ear straight back toward your holding hand. Keep your grip firm so you don't lose the hair.
Before you move on
Flat and bump-free all the way around her head.
Curly and coily hair
Smooth the surface
Smooth the surface. Use your fingertips, not a brush, to smooth the hair above her forehead and each ear back toward your holding hand. Mist lightly again if a section is frizzing, rather than brushing it flatter.
Before you move on: Flat and bump-free all the way round her head, with the curl pattern still intact.
Step 5 of 6
Secure with the elastic
Secure the ponytail. Loop the elastic over the bundle, twist it into a figure-eight, and loop it again. Aim for three loops minimum.
Before you move on
It doesn't move when she shakes her head.
Step 6 of 6
Double check the tension
Slide two fingers under the elastic at the back of her head.
Before you move on
Two fingers can slide under the elastic without forcing it.
Technique: Holding tension
If it goes wrong
What usually happens: A ridge or bump across the top of the head where the two hand-sweeps met.
The fix: Undo the elastic. Regather by starting from the hairline at the forehead with both hands and sweeping all the way back in one continuous motion before your hands meet.
More in Fix It: She's crying or says it hurts · It won't stay in: falls out within an hour · It doesn't look right
Common questions
How long does Classic Ponytail take?
About 3 minutes once you know it, in 6 steps. The first few times take longer; the steps tell you what to check before you move on, so you are never guessing.
Does Classic Ponytail work on curly or coily hair?
Yes. Classic Ponytail suits every hair type. Where the method changes for curly and coily hair, the step above gives that version: detangle it damp, work in sections and keep the hairline soft. In the app, choosing Curly or Coily shows only the steps for her hair.
What do I need for Classic Ponytail?
Wide-tooth comb, detangling brush, snag-free hair elastic, soft-bristle brush and detangler spray. For curly and coily hair, add leave-in conditioner and fine-mist water bottle. Each one is on the Kit page with what it is for and what to avoid.
What usually goes wrong with Classic Ponytail?
A ridge or bump across the top of the head where the two hand-sweeps met. Undo the elastic. Regather by starting from the hairline at the forehead with both hands and sweeping all the way back in one continuous motion before your hands meet.
What if Classic Ponytail won't stay in?
Fine or smooth hair doesn't grip a single elastic. Wrap it one more time than feels right. It should be firm. Then take a second elastic and wrap it 3cm below the first. Two anchor points hold far better than one through a school day, especially on fine hair. Fix It has the full set of checks for a style that falls out.
Do this in the app
The page tells you how. The app does four things a page cannot:
- Her hair, not hair in general. Choose Straight, Wavy, Thick, Curly or Coily under "her hair today" and the steps and pictures change to the method for her hair.
- A check before every step. Each step ends with what it should look and feel like, so you know it is right before you move on.
- Fix It, mid-style. When something is not right, "Something's not right" opens the fix for it without leaving the step.
- The diary. Add a photo and a note when you finish, and see what you have done and what to try next.
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