When you look back at picture day photos from your childhood, we’re sure they’re filled with absolutely adorable hairstyles. Pigtails with bows, tight ringlet curls, and locks decorated with beads are style staples from everyone's childhood, but you probably wouldn’t be caught wearing those hairstyles now.
As we grow up, our personal style evolves and changes. While not all of our favorite childhood hairstyles matured along with us, others (like the half ponytail) are perfect for adulthood—as long as you know how to style them. With a few simple tweaks and styling tricks, you can easily elevate your half ponytail from a third-grade staple to a sophisticated and grown-up look, perfect for a date night or any other special occasion. Whether you have dark brown hair, red locks, or any other hair color, these three styling tips will help you achieve a half ponytail that looks just as grown-up and polished as you feel.
Accessories
The fastest and easiest way to elevate your half ponytail is to add a killer accessory. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect accessory to complement your style. While bows and beads may have been your go-to accessories in grade school, there are plenty of more grown-up options available now. The hair accessories that are popular now are all about glitter, glamour, and edge. Think gold hair clips, crystal bedazzled bobby pins, statement headbands, and colorful hair scarves.
You can also experiment with different hair ties, such as a sleek leather hair tie or a decorative scrunchie, to complete your look.
If you're looking for a more subtle way to add some flair to your half ponytail, try adding a small braid or twist to the hair before you tie it up. This will give your half ponytail a more polished and put-together look. You could also add a few beads or flowers to the braid or twist for a more bohemian vibe.
The great thing about half up ponytails is that they're so versatile, you'll love how they look with any accessory. No matter what your style is, you can find an accessory that will take your half ponytail to the next level.
Volume
Nothing feels more grown up than big, sexy hair. Take your half ponytail to the next level by adding lots of volume and get ready to turn heads. To achieve sky-high volume that will last all day long, all you’ll need is a fine-tooth comb and a medium hold hair spray.
For this look, you’ll want to begin by washing your hair with a volumizing shampoo to ensure lots of volume at the roots. Volumizing shampoos are formulated to add body and lift to the hair, making it appear thicker and fuller. Once you've blown out your locks, section off the hair at your crown and flip it over so it hangs in front of your face. Then, lightly spray the sectioned-off hair with a medium hold hairspray and backcomb your locks to create volume at your roots. Backcombing is a technique that involves brushing the hair in the opposite direction to create lift and texture.
Once you’ve backcombed the entire section of hair, flip it back over and gently comb the top so it looks smooth. This will help to blend the backcombed section with the rest of your hair and create a polished look. Then, gather the backcombed section of hair at the center of the back of your head, and secure it with a hair elastic. This will create the half ponytail and keep the volume in place. Set your look with a medium hold hairspray to ensure that your half ponytail stays in place all day long.
By following these steps, you can easily create a half ponytail with lots of volume that will turn heads wherever you go. This is a great hairstyle for special occasions or for when you want to feel extra glamorous. So go ahead and give it a try!
Half ponytails are also a great way to show off your hair color or highlights. If you have ombre or balayage, a half ponytail can help to create a more dramatic effect. And if you have natural curls, a half ponytail can help to define your curls and give you a more voluminous look.
Texture
Adding texture to your ‘do is a great way to take your go-to childhood styles right into adulthood. If you have naturally straight hair, you can add some texture and volume to your half ponytail by using a curling iron or wand to create loose waves or curls. This will help to give your hair more body and make the half ponytail look more intentional and styled.
If you’re looking for an on-trend style, consider crimping your hair before styling your half ponytail. In case you hadn’t heard, crimped hair has officially made its comeback and it’s better than ever. To put a modern spin on this ‘80s style, opt for a jumbo crimped style that you can create using just your flat iron.
Start at the back of your head, working with 2-inch sections of clean, dry hair. Spray each one with a heat protectant before clamping the base of the section with your flat iron. Once clamped, flip the flat iron down and hold it there for about 15 seconds. Then, move your flat iron down the section of hair, flip the flat iron up, and hold it in place. Continue twisting the flat iron up and down until you reach the bottom of the section. Once you’ve crimped your whole head, style your half ponytail and set your look with a flexible hold hair spray.
Crimping is a great way to add volume and texture to your hair, and it's perfect for a half ponytail. To create a half ponytail, simply gather the top half of your hair and secure it with a hair tie. Then, let the rest of your hair down and style it as desired.
If you already have naturally curly or wavy hair, you can simply use your fingers to scrunch and define your curls, adding a bit of mousse or curl cream to enhance their shape.
Next, let's consider the height of your half ponytail. For a more playful look, position the half ponytail higher up on your head, near the crown. This can create a fun and flirty vibe, perfect for a casual day out or a night out with friends. For a more sophisticated and elegant look, opt for a lower-half ponytail, positioned at the nape of your neck.
Whether you're looking to add a touch of nostalgia to your everyday style or simply want to try something new, don't be afraid to give the half ponytail a try. With a little bit of styling know-how, you can easily transform this childhood hairstyle into a grown-up and glamorous look that's perfect for any occasion.
