Need to get your hair ready quickly? Sleek ponytails are easy, go-to hairstyles that you can wear high or low for any occasion. Whether you’re aiming to look elegant or trendy for a night out, this style suits it all if you perfect its sleekness. Best of all, you don’t have to go to a salon or stylist to make one.
How to Style Sleek Ponytails
While some people prefer styling their ponytails by making side braids, molding them into elaborate shapes, or giving them wavy layers, a sleek ponytail is ideal for people looking to wear a smooth, minimalist look. Here are a few pointers for you if you want to know how to do a sleek ponytail the right way.
Step 1: Start with Clean Hair
Ideally, you’ll want to wash your hair before you start to make a sleek ponytail. To make this process quicker, lightly dampen your hair. For the best results, use shampoo and conditioner that leaves your hair smooth and tangle-free. Doing this should make it easier to reduce hair bumps.
Afterward, be sure to blowdry your hair to ensure that your hair will be smooth enough to make it into a sleek ponytail.
Step 2: Brush Your Hair Into Place
After washing your hair and blowing it dry, you can now brush it into position. Depending on how high you want to make your sleek ponytail, take your hair and brush it from the bottom up. If you want a more stylized look, try brushing your bangs back where you’re positioning your hair. Most people prefer wearing it high and keeping it centered.
Which Brushes You Should Use
If you want to keep your hair strands smooth and prevent matting, you should use a nylon bristle brush, wooden paddle brush, or a boar bristle brush.
Step 3: Smooth Out Your Hair
Next, you’ll need to smooth out the side of your hair with a small amount of hair gel to hold your hair in place and give it a sleek appearance. For additional hold, you can use some hairspray around it.
Step 4: Tying Up Your Sleek Ponytail
Once your section of hair is smooth and held into place, you can begin tying your sleek ponytail. If you think your hair has a smooth texture and no bumps, take an elastic hair tie or hair bungee and secure it around. We recommend using a hair tie that blends in with your hair color.
Once your hair is securely tied, you can still add a few more touches to keep it tight and sleek. For example, you can tie a strand of your hair around the elastic tie to hold your sleek ponytail in place and add a bobby pin for additional holding strength.
Watch the following video tutorial to learn how to do a sleek ponytail.
How Do I Make a Sleek Ponytail with Curly Hair
If you have curly hair, you can still pull off a sleek ponytail. If you want to create a slick ponytail with curly hair, here are a few steps for you to follow.
- After washing your hair, leave it damp and add conditioner to treat your kinks.
- Comb out your hair to flatten your hair. You can also choose where to part your hair.
- Add hair gel to smooth out and hold your hair.
- Slick your hair down with your hairbrush.
- After pulling it into the desired position on your head, tie your sleek ponytail with an elastic hair tie.
Lovely Sleek Ponytail Styles
1. Keep It High
This high ponytail can’t get any higher! Detangle the hair and position it on the top of the head. Secure it in place with a hair tie and wrap a chunky strand of hair around it. Use a lot of hairspray for a neat and sleek look.
2. Simple and Elegant
Women over 50 can also flaunt a sleek ponytail with elegance. With a middle parting, style the salt and pepper strands into a low ponytail with a thick chunk of hair wrapped around the hair tie. The smooth ponytail falls on one shoulder. Top it off with oversized hairpins.
3. Slicked-Back Curls
Here is how to do a sleek ponytail the right way for curly locks. Use hair gel to slick back the strands and position them in a high ponytail behind the head using a head bandana. Don’t forget to settle down the baby hairs with hairspray and a toothbrush.
4. Braided Top
Those who want an edgy appeal can go for this look. The top part is braided into dual Dutch braids while the remaining blonde tresses are styled up in a high ponytail. Add waves at the back to complete the look.
5. Middle Part + Ombre
Have a glance at this sleek hairstyle that features a three-toned hair look. The long hair has a dark brown shade transitioning into a lighter brown one which subsequently melts into a blonde hue. Style the hair into a middle part and low ponytail.
6. Carefree Appeal
Referring to the girls who find it difficult to create a perfectly smooth hairstyle, opt for this effortless look that is defined by a high ponytail at the back. Don’t worry about the flyaways as they add up to this carefree style that is ideal for fine hair.
7. Jumbo Twist
Wear your shiny long hair in a sleek low ponytail with a twist. Slick back the strands and divide them into two sections that are warped around each other creating a single jumbo twist. This look is easy to achieve and keeps the hair in place the entire day.
8. Top Knot Look
This hairstyle goes with any outfit. The long hair is pulled back to sit on the crown of the head. A chunk of hair is wrapped around it for a top knot look. Use hairspray to set the ponytail which is left to dangle at the back.
9. Puffy Afro Ponytail
Kinky afro curls can be styled in a sleek ponytail too. Detangle the coils and pull them up away from the face using the drawstring method. This look is fun and is ideal for young girls with a curly hair texture.
10. Side-Swept
Keep all the eyes on you by showing your wild side and styling the hair in a distinctively high ponytail. Brush up the strands to the top of the head and instead of wearing the ponytail in the middle, sweep it towards one side for a goofy finish.
Creating a sleek ponytail takes patience and dexterity. If you’re in the mood for feeling fresh, this is the ideal hairstyle to do at home or on the go. If you have free time on your hands, why not dedicate it to embodying your inner fashion icon?