Two Even Pigtails
Symmetry is the whole game.
Follow it step by step in the free app.
- Time
- About 6 minutes
- Steps
- 7
- Level
- Easy
- Hair type
- Every hair type
- Ages
- Babies to older children
- Hair length
- Any length, short hair included
You'll need wide-tooth comb, detangling brush, tail comb, snag-free hair elastic, detangler spray, sectioning clip. For curly and coily hair, also leave-in conditioner, fine-mist water bottle.
Hair divided down the middle and gathered into one ponytail on each side, level with the ears.
Her job
She checks they match in the mirror.
See the steps in 35 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 7
Detangle all the hair
Comb it all through before you touch the part.
Before you move on
Runs freely everywhere.
Why: Both sides need to start from smooth hair or the part will look uneven.
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 7
Draw the center part
Put the pointed end of the tail comb where her hair starts, in the middle above her nose. Draw it straight back to the middle of the back of her neck. Go slowly, lining it up with her nose from the front.
Before you move on
Roughly equal hair each side.
Technique: Making a part
Step 3 of 7
Move one side clear
Lay all the left-side hair over her left shoulder, out of the way for now.
Before you move on
The right side hangs separate.
Why: You are just keeping it out of the way while you work the right side first.
Step 4 of 7
Gather the right pigtail
Gather the right side and lift it level with the top of her right ear. Hold it firmly in your hand.
Before you move on
No loose strands on the right.
Step 5 of 7
Gather the left pigtail
Drop the left side off her shoulder. Gather it and lift it level with her left ear, holding both bundles at the same time to match.
Before you move on
Both bundles sit at the exact same height.
Step 6 of 7
Secure both pigtails
Wrap the first elastic round the right side at least three times. Then, repeat on the left side with a second elastic.
Before you move on
Neither side moves when she shakes her head.
Technique: Holding tension
Step 7 of 7
Check from the front
Stand in front and compare. Level, and about the same thickness.
Before you move on
Both pigtails are equal in thickness when viewed from the front.
If it goes wrong
What usually happens: One pigtail ends up higher or thicker than the other.
The fix: Check from the front before calling it done. A small height difference is easy to fix by removing the elastic from the lower pigtail and resecuring half a centimeter higher.
More in Fix It: It doesn't look right · She's crying or says it hurts · It won't stay in: falls out within an hour
Common questions
How long does Two Even Pigtails take?
About 6 minutes once you know it, in 7 steps. The first few times take longer; the steps tell you what to check before you move on, so you are never guessing.
Does Two Even Pigtails work on curly or coily hair?
Yes. Two Even Pigtails 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 Two Even Pigtails?
Wide-tooth comb, detangling brush, tail comb, snag-free hair elastic, detangler spray and sectioning clip. 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 Two Even Pigtails?
One pigtail ends up higher or thicker than the other. Check from the front before calling it done. A small height difference is easy to fix by removing the elastic from the lower pigtail and resecuring half a centimeter higher.
What if Two Even Pigtails 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.
