Oct 29, 2019

From J.Lo to Victoria Beckham, These Are the Best Ponytails to Copy Right Now

by Mica Ricketts

While I delight in taking my time with a good skincare routine at the end of a long day, I've made no secret of the fact that I consider dealing with my hair an altogether more boring chore. From washing it to styling it, I'll do everything in my power to reduce the amount of time that I spend on my strands each day to the bare minimum. (Hence my intense love of dry shampoo for extending the number of days I can go between washes.)

Similarly, whether it's getting ready for work or meeting friends at the weekend, I'm only interested in the quickest and easiest hairstyles for my hair. Sure, braids might look cool, but I just don't have have the patience for an updo that requires a YouTube tutorial and another pair of hands to re-create it at home. Luckily, though, there's one hairstyle having something of a renaissance recently—and it genuinely only takes two minutes to do at home. And with everyone from Sophie Turner to Thandie Newton stepping out in it recently, it's safe to say I've been converted to its classic charm.

The hairstyle in question is, of course, the humble ponytail. Worn high or low, straight or curly, it always looks good—and, best of all, requires basically no skill to do at home. All you need is a hairbrush and a hairband and you can be ready and out the door in moments. I'm sold. If you've yet to be converted, keep scrolling for 21 celebrities and fashion girls with the best ponytail hairstyles to copy right now.

ASOS Lesley

Photo:

@ASOS_LESLEY

Keeping her hair braided at the roots and loose at the ends lends Lesley's low ponytail plenty of volume and bounce.

Sophie Turner

Photo:

@CWOODHAIR

How cute is Sophie Turner's preppy ponytail? Backcomb yours at the roots to add '60s-inspired texture at the crown of your hair.

Megan Ellaby

Photo:

@MEGANELLABY

A full fringe looks so good with Megan's disheveled ponytail.

Hailey Bieber

Photo:

@HAILEYBIEBER

I'm into how Hailey's kept her ponytail really tight with beachy waves through the lengths.

Jessica Wu

Photo:

@JESSICAZWU

Pastel hair colours are going to be big news this autumn/winter, so Jessica's high ponytail is definitely ticking all the beauty boxes right now.

Victoria Beckham

Photo:

@VICTORIABECKHAM

A classic hair look for VB here as she secures her mid-length ponytail with a simple black ribbon.

ASOS Lotte

Photo:

@ASOS_LOTTE

Ponytails have a bit of a rep as a summer hairstyle, but Lotte proves that they work all year round with this layered look.

Thandie Newton

Photo:

@THANDIENEWTON

Don't just reserve your ponytail for in-between hair wash days or lazy Sundays. Make like Thandie and embrace the glamour of the pony for party season too.

Syana Laniyan

Photo:

@SYANALANIYAN

Take a leaf out of Syana's book and go for the higher, the better when it comes to your at-home ponytail styling.

Olivia Munn

Photo:

@BYKILEYFITZ

Experiment with your ponytail partings for different effects. I love Olivia Munn's sleek, centre-parted style here.

Nnenna Echem

Photo:

@NNENNAECHEM

Layer up the hair accessories on one side of your ponytail to shake up this simple style.

Jennifer Lopez

Photo:

@JLO

It's not just J.Lo's skin that looks damn amazing at 50 years old—it's her hair too.

Stephanie Broek

Photo:

@STEPHANIEBROEK

How low can you go? Stephanie's cool-girl ponytail would take more like 30 seconds to do at home—just scoop it all back and add a scrunchie.

Laura Harrier

Photo:

@LAURAHARRIER

Use a big-barrelled curling tong to add soft waves to your ponytail to replicate Laura Harrier's glamorous style.

Claire Most

Photo:

@CLAIRE_MOST

I love how Claire has wrapped one of her braids around her hairband to disguise the elastic and create a layered effect.

Beyoncé

Photo:

@BEYONCE

Bey is embracing a "more is more" approach for an anything but basic ponytail here. Braids and ringlet curls make for quite the statement.

Peony Lim

Photo:

@PEONYLIM

This slicked-back, side-parted style from Peony is a classic way to wear a mid-height ponytail.

Eva Longoria

Photo:

@EVALONGORIA

If you don't like your ponytail feeling too polished, then pull a few strands free around the front of your face like Eva to soften the look.

Linn Eklund

Photo:

@LINNEKLUND

Instead of securing your pony with a hairband, why not use a barette or hair clip like Linn has here?

Lily Aldridge

Photo:

@CWOODHAIR

There's literally not a hair out of place on Lily's high-shine ponytail. Use a shine spray or hair serum before brushing your hair into place for similar luminosity.

Betty Krag

Photo:

@BETTYKRAG

I love this cute, colourful layered hairband effect that Betty has created to keep her ponytail in place.