Bigger Better Ponytail

, , , , , , , , , | Heidi Garrett | July 14, 2016 | 770 Comments

Ever wonder how celebs go from having short hair to having a luxurious ponytail? Answer: Hair Extensions!

Although there are lots of options out on the market for actual clip-on ponytails, I like to use my regular clip in hair extensions to take my ponytail from gym to glam. Looking at the photo below you would never guess that my hair is just barely past my shoulders, right?!

Side view of girl with lavender modeling a high ponytail in front of a white background

Although it’s a bit of a tricky process, bare with me! It will be worth it. Just look at the before and after. What a difference!

Side-by-side image showing the difference between regular ponytail and a styled ponytail

Let’s get down to business. The first step in the process is to section out a tiny ponytail in the middle of your crown area. If you want a higher ponytail, a side ponytail, or a lower ponytail, adjust the placement of your first smaller ponytail (see photo below) to the area you wish your final ponytail to be located.

Girl holding her hair apart, displaying a smaller ponytail at her crown.

Next, add a smaller clip in extension to the top and underneath side of this first ponytail.

Girl placing a clip-in extension into her hair

After you’ve secured your first layer of clip in extensions, section off a perimeter of hair from around the first ponytail, add it to the original ponytail, and secure it with a new hair tie. Side note: I like to use smaller plastic hair ties for the inner ponytails, and then secure the final ponytail with a stronger hair tie.

Girl standing in front of white background hold up a small ponytail in her hair.

Add another layer of clip-in extensions to this new ponytail.

Back view of girl wrapping her hair into a hair tie to make a small ponytail while showing clip-in extension

Then section off another perimeter, add it to the previous ponytail, and secure it with another hair tie.

Girl standing in front of white background hold up a bigger ponytail in her hair.

Because my hair is rather thick, I chose to add another layer of clip in extension (see photo below). However, if you have thinner hair, it is important that you not add too many layers of hair extensions in case they show through your outer layer of hair. You will need to be your own judge on how much hair to add, but since you are doing this in layers it is easy to go back to the previous step and remove a layer of clip in extensions if need be, then proceed forward.

Back view of a girl with lavender curly hair in front of a white background

After you’ve added in the desired amount of clip in hair extensions, gather the rest of your hair, and secure it with a final, stronger hair tie.

Side view of a girl putting hair into a nude hair tie to make a ponytail.

The final step to this process is to find some of the more obvious shorter pieces of your natural hair and wrap them around the ponytail. In my case, I have a thicker sections to wrap around, but if your hair is fine or thin you may not need to “hide” so much hair. Again, this is totally up to your discretion and how you want the final ponytail to look! Once you’ve wrapped the shorter sections around the ponytail you will need to secure them with bobby pins, making sure to aim the bobby pins directly into the rubber band.

Side view of a girl holding to short pieces of her hair on each side of her ponytail

Once you’ve mastered this layering process you can also use it for other hairstyles, such as a big beautiful bun! The possibilities are endless.

Profile Side view of girl with lavender modeling a high ponytail in front of a white background
Back view of girl with lavender modeling her hair in a "bun" in front of a white background

I hope you have fun playing with your new, thick, longer ponytail and bun!

For more great hair tips and tricks, check out The Hair & Makeup Girl

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Comments

  95. There’s going to be a day when I will dye my hair purple. I think it’s absolutely gorgeous!

    Reply

  98. I have short hair so I don’t if it will work the same ???? Which will only motivate me to grow it out!!

    Reply

  148. I tried this and it worked very well because my natural hair is as short as hers. Your hair is very beautiful.

    Reply

  203. OMG your website is litterally a lifesaver with all your diys to hairstyles!! I love this so much!!

    Reply

  208. This helped so much my hair is pretty thin and I really need it to look thicker so it doesn’t look super streaky thanks

    Reply

  223. This is so cool I personly liked the last one as it was my favourite. BUt I like the others its so cute!x

    Reply

  239. I’ve always wondered how to get such a beautiful and perfect ponytail and now I do! Thanks!❤️

    Reply

  240. The steps are so clear! When I started reading this article I was already so excited to start trying it. I did it to all my friends because they all loved the hairstyle! Thanks so much for this awesome hairstyle ❤️
    McKenna

    Reply

  334. I’ll definitely be using this technique to get my ponytail to have more volume and bigger and better !!!

    Reply

  351. My sister has really thin hair and she’s always talked about how she wants a bigger thicker ponytail! This will help!

    Reply

  352. I love to hairstyles you guys do because it helps my mom learn how to do these hairstyles on my niece.

    Reply

  439. Gonna try this one, my drab ponytails really need a fix XD PS I am so in love with that purple hair!! ????????

    Reply

  452. i think this is a neat idea because my hair is always in a bun and i really enjoy this hairstyle also love the ponytail idea! especially with colored hair bands ! thanks <3

    Reply

  487. Love the look of the hairstyle and I will try it out. Super cute as always. Xx also the hair colour is super cute love everything.

    Reply

  519. Hi guys! I was wondering if you could possibly make a video on how to wrangle your hair into a bun if you have hard to manage hair?

    Reply

  521. I’ve always wondered how to make my pony tail look bigger! This is awesome, I’m definitely going to try it out!

    Reply

  523. I’m contemplating getting extensions cause my hair hasn’t grown among since last December… I don’t know why but yeah this would definitely help me!

    Reply

  556. This looks cute and easy! Also is great for hot summer days! And the hair color makes it pop! 10/10 ????

    Reply

  588. in my entire life I have only tried one hairstyle and it is the typical ponytail, but here onwards I am definitely going to try the hairstyles you guys have done.

    Reply

  648. I personally have really thick hair so my ponytail is too thick… any thoughts? It looks really unproportional to the length because my hair is really short, It looks shot and stubby????. Also, Amazing work!! I feel like I wouldn’t have the time to do this either.

    Thanks!!

    Reply

  654. this is honesty very helpful! I have really thin hair so I need to try extensions! and maybe I might try out the hair color as well!

    Reply

  680. I’m so excited to try this out!!! And I’m so glad I found out you have a blog!! I just bookmarked this!

    Reply

  758. I entered the giveaway first because I love you guys and second I need a laptop but please don’t think that I am trying to ask you guys to give me the gifts because I know the choosing of the winner is fair btw love this idea.

    Reply

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