33 Beautiful Braided Ponytails to Inspire Your Next Hairstyle
From sleek and chic to textured techniques, get inspired by these cute updos for Black women.
Ponytails are a perennially versatile hairstyle: You can casually throw your hair up into one on a hot summer day, or take your time to style a chic and sophisticated ponytail for a special occasion. And don't think that if you wear your hair in braids, whether jumbo braids that swing below your waist or tighter cornrow styles, you can't rock a ponytail, too — braided ponytails have been recently spotted all over the fashion runways, red carpets and the streets of cities both big and small. In fact, braided ponytails are an easy protective style that can last up to two weeks — but won't disrupt your day-to-day activities or workouts.
If you have fine hair, you may want to opt for a textured braid with staying power, like a fishtail braid. For curly hair up to type 4, take advantage of your texture and play with cornrows, feed-in-braids or even update your box braids by securing them into a high ponytail. If you want a bolder look, opt for three jumbo braids versus one, or accessorize your ponytail with barrettes, bubbles or gold thread. There are countless ways to style a braided ponytail — and we rounded up a few dozen our favorites to help inspire. Find your next hairstyle here!
Extra Long Cornrows
Cornrows make ponytail hairstyles look chic — actress Tracee Ellis Ross takes her look to the next level with extra long braids.
Braided Glory
Actress Issa Rae styles her natural hair in cornrows and an oversized twist for a royal ponytail.
Jumbo Ponytail Braid
Braided ponytails can make a statement: Case in point, actress Zendaya, who shows off a sleek jumbo braid on the red carpet.
Ponytail Braid with Bangs
Model Naomi Campbell wears a long jumbo braid and adds a romantic touch with long bangs.
Faux Bubble Ponytail
If your braid game needs work and you are looking for a ponytail with style but not too much volume, then this faux bubble ponytail may be for you. Actress Gabrielle Union rocked this short bubble ponytail, but instead of pulling out her hair to make more of a bubble between the elastics, she left it as is for definition sans size.
Side Style
Actress Yara Shahidi wears three jumbo Marley hair braids swiped to the side for an updated updo.
Colorful Cornrows
Colorful hair is trending and actress Amandla Stenberg leans into the look with oversized cornrows in pink and platinum hues.
High Jumbo Braided Ponytail
Short hair doesn't have to mean limited styling. Actress Keke Palmer adds a weave to create a jumbo ponytail with a fan finish.
Blue Braids
Make box braids your style with fun colors, as seeon on Amandla Stenberg.
Cornrow Cutie
Add some interesting details to your ponytail style with small cornrows like singer Rihanna.
Ponytail Perfection
Former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey revels in the versatility of box braids to rock a high ponytail.
Cool Cornrows
Actress Gabrielle Dennis strikes a pose with side cornrows cascading into a braided ponytail.
Darling Details
Accessorize your oversized ponytail braid with one cornrow directly down the middle and add some bling to the braid for interesting details like actress Storm Reid.
Braided Beauty
Actress Kerry Washington shows us how a messy braid can look effortlessly elegant.
Colossal Cornrow Crown
Lean into an oversized look like actress Issa Rae with her beautiful bronze braid, styled into a half crown starting at the top of the head.
Head-Turning Fishtail
Actress Halle Berry displays high style with a sky high fishtail ponytail.
Four Cornrows
When wearing a weave ponytail, keep it simple and easy with four cornrows that feed into one ponytail like Gabrielle Union's hairstyle.
Haute Hair
Blonde hair looks striking against dark skin tones, as seen with this high ponytail on actress Amandla Stenberg.
Professional Ponytail
Skai Jackson strikes a pose with her sophisticated ponytail and swept edges.
Pompadour Ponytail
Actress Simone Missick balances her braid with a subtle pompadour.
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