High Ponytail
More height, same trick.
Follow it step by step in the free app.
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- Steps
- 6
- Level
- Easy
- Hair type
- Every hair type
- Ages
- Young children 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 at the very top of her head, giving more height and keeping the neck completely clear.
Her job
She counts the loops out loud. Stop at three.
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.
Before you move on
No catching from top to bottom.
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 upward to the very top of her head
Gather the hair. Place your hands flat against the sides of her head above her ears. Sweep all the hair upward to the very top of her head. Hold the bundle firmly in one hand.
Before you move on
The hair is gathered at the highest point of her head.
Curly and coily hair
Gather upward to the very top of her head
Gather the hair. Place your hands flat against the sides of her head above her ears. Gather it upward toward the crown, easing it up rather than dragging the hairline tight. Hold the bundle firmly in one hand.
Before you move on: The hair is gathered at the crown, with the hairline soft, not strained.
Step 3 of 6
Check the position
Position the ponytail. Ensure the bundle sits right at the top of her crown. Move your hand to correct it before reaching for the elastic.
Before you move on
Centred at the top, not sagging backward.
Curly and coily hair
Check the position
Position the ponytail at the crown, not dragged further forward or pulled tighter to get it there.
Before you move on: Sits at the crown with the hairline soft, not strained.
Step 4 of 6
Smooth the surface
Smooth the surface. Take the soft brush. Brush upward from her forehead and from above each ear straight toward your holding hand. Keep your grip firm.
Before you move on
Both sides and front are flat, running smoothly upward without any bumps.
Curly and coily hair
Smooth the surface
Smooth the surface. Use your fingertips, not a brush, from her forehead and above each ear toward your holding hand.
Before you move on: Both sides and front are smooth and flat, without any pulling at the hairline.
Step 5 of 6
Secure firmly
Secure the bundle. Loop the elastic round at least four times. Ask her after the third wrap whether it feels tight.
Before you move on
The fourth loop is snug, not sore.
Why: The extra height creates more pull than a mid-height ponytail and needs more holding.
Technique: Holding tension
Step 6 of 6
Final inspection
Ask her to nod, then shake her head, while you watch the ponytail from behind.
Before you move on
The ponytail points upward and doesn't droop or shift when she moves.
If it goes wrong
What usually happens: The ponytail leans to one side.
The fix: Undo and regather. Before securing, stand directly behind her and look down from above to check the bundle is centered. A mirror in front of her also lets you check from the front.
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 High Ponytail take?
About 4 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 High Ponytail work on curly or coily hair?
Yes. High 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 High 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 High Ponytail?
The ponytail leans to one side. Undo and regather. Before securing, stand directly behind her and look down from above to check the bundle is centered. A mirror in front of her also lets you check from the front.
What if High 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.
Free, with six everyday styles and all eight techniques. No account, no ads, no tracking.
