How to Do a Braided Base Ponytail

Co-authored by Christine George

There are many different ways to dress up a ponytail, and one of the best is to combine it with a braid. Braided base ponytails are a simple, creative way to add some spice to your daily hair routine. These ponytails come in a number of forms, including the popular braid wrapped and cornrow styles.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Braid Wrapped Ponytail

1
Pull your hair back into a ponytail. This style looks best with a mid-height ponytail, but you can do a high ponytail or a low one as well. Brush back your hair with a flat oval brush.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you want to fluff out your ponytail, do so now.
2
Take a thin section of hair from your ponytail. Gather a section of hair from underside of your ponytail, right next to the hair tie. It should be about the thickness of your finger.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Consider coloring the strand with hair chalk. Be sure to set the color with a flat iron!
Advertisement
3
Braid the thin section of hair. For most hair types, you do not need to tie it off, because you will eventually be pinning it in place. That said, if your hair has a tendency to fall out of place or develop flyaways, use a small, clear elastic band to secure it.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Wrap the braid around the base of your ponytail. Wrap the braid so that it covers the hair tie completely. Try to finish you wrapping with the end of the braid underneath the ponytail.^{[4]
X
Research source}
5
Pin the braid in place. Pry open a bobby pin, and slide it up through the base of your ponytail, catching the end of the braid as you do so. If you need to, secure the braid with more bobby pins on the top and both sides of the ponytail.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Make sure that the bumpy side of the bobby pin is facing down towards your scalp.
- Be sure to use bobby pins that match your hair color.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Cornrow-Base Ponytail

1
Start with unbraided hair. In this method, you will be cornrowing your hair into a ponytail. You can add extensions to your braids once you reach the ponytail part to make them longer, if you wish.
- This style works best with dry, curly hair. If you have straight or wavy hair, spray a lightweight conditioning spray in your hair before you begin.
2
Decide where you want your ponytail to start. This style works best with high ponytails. You can have them centered on the back of you crown, or just off to the side. Keep this point in mind; you will be braiding towards it.
3
Part your hair down the middle using a rattail comb. If you plan on having your ponytail off-centered, then part your hair to the side. Your part will go right through the ponytail.
4
Divide your hair into four sections. Take the hair on the left side of your head, and split it in half horizontally. The horizontal part should start just behind your ear. Make it level with where you want your ponytail to be. Tie or clip each section off. Repeat the step for the right side. When you are done, you should have a "+" shaped part, with the center being where your ponytail will be.^{[6]
X
Research source}
5
Start cornrowing your hair, section by section. Undo the top left part. Run a rattail comb from your hairline towards the center of the "+" part, sectioning off some of the hair into a triangle. Start cornrowing start section, angling it towards the "+".^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Consider adding real or synthetic hair to your cornrows to make your braid longer. You can match the hair to your natural color or use a bright color, such as red or purple.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- Consider adding a moisturizing cream (or even coconut oil) to each section before cornrowing it.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
6
Finish the cornrow with a regular braid. When you reach the center of the "+", stop cornrowing. Finish off doing a regular braid. You can braid all the way down to the end of the hair strand, or you can braid down halfway.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- You should not have to tie off the braids—they should be able to hold on their own. If they do come undone, secure them with clear hair elastics.
7
Continue cornrowing your hair. Each cornrow should be angled back towards the center of the "+." When you reach the bottom of your head, you should cornrow upwards.
- If you used kanekalon, the ends may be crinkly. If you want them to be smoother, dip the ends in hot water and let them dry, this will straighten them a bit.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
8
Moisturize dry hair and scalp once everything is braided. If you have a dry, curly hair type, add some hair oil all over your scalp. This will prevent itchiness and dryness. Be careful not to mess up your cornrows, however!^{[12]
X
Research source}
- If you have straight or wavy hair, you will not need to do this.
- Focus moisturizer on your hairline.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
9
Tie the braids off into a ponytail. When you are con cornrowing and braiding, all of your braids should come together at the same point. Gather those braids together, like making a ponytail, and secure them with a hair tie.^{[14]
X
Research source} You can then wrap an interesting scrunchy or ribbon around the hair tie to cover it.
- Alternatively, you can take a few braids from under the ponytail, and wrap them around the ponytail's base to secure it.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you keep your ponytail in place?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

If your ponytails tend to slip or fall, avoid brushing your hair beforehand. Instead, spray your hair with dry shampoo and pull it back with your fingers. Using a fiber wrapped elastic can help your ponytail stay in place.

Warnings

Styling your hair into a tight ponytail everyday can lead to breakage. Opt for a loose ponytail with a scrunchie if you are looking for an every day style.^{[17]
X
Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0