How to Make a Retro Ponytail

Co-authored by Ashley Adams

Last Updated: April 25, 2021

A vintage ponytail can be a fun day-to-day look. It can also be great for something like a '50s theme party. You can create a curled vintage ponytail, create bangs with a vintage ponytail, or do a '50s inspired look. With some time and patience, you can make a great ponytail that suits your sense of style.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Curled Vintage Ponytail

1
Part your hair. To start, brush out your hair and use a comb to make a neat side part. You can part your hair on whichever side most flatters your face type. The smaller side of the side part should be about one to two inches (2.5 to 3 centimeters).
2
Section off the side part. Once the side part is in place, use hair clips or hair ties to section off the smaller portion of your hair. Leave your hair sectioned off as you proceed to work with the bigger half of the side part.

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3
Back brush your hair. Use a comb to gently back brush your hair near the crown of your head. To back brush, you brush your hair from the tips to the roots to tease your hair. This adds volume and texture, giving you a retro style reflective of the big hair trends of the '80s. When you're done, spritz on some hairspray to set the style.
- A rat tail comb can work well for this.
- You may also want to use bobby pins to keep your teased hair in place.
4
Smooth out the front of your hair. Turn your brush upside down and use the back of your brush to work the front of your hair over your teased hair. This will make your hair look smoother and create a bouffant effect near the front.
5
Pull your hair into a ponytail. You can remove the side part from the hair clips. Gather all your hair into a single ponytail. Secure it with an elastic hair tie.
- Choose a hair tie that is wrapped in material.
6
Curl your ponytail. Take a curling iron. Curl your ponytail into one single strand. Hold it for a couple of seconds before releasing it. You should be left with a curly ponytail with puffy hair near the front.
- It's a good idea to mist your hair with hairspray to set your ponytail.
- If you have thick hair, you may not be able to fit all of your hair into the curling iron to curl it as one big curl. In this case, divide the ponytail into 2-4 sections and curl each in the same direction. Once all of the sections are curled, you can use your fingers to combine them into one curl.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Vintage Bangs

1
Get a hair rat. A hair rat is a clump of real or fake hair rolled into a cylinder shape. It's meant to be rolled into your hair to create things like bangs or a bump. You can buy fake hair rats online or at a beauty supply shop. You can also gather your own hair from your brush and ball it into a hair rat over time.
- A hair rat made of your own hair will blend easier into your hair.
2
Separate your hair to create bangs. To start, brush a portion of your hair over your forehead. Use about three quarters of your hair. Tie back the remainder of your hair.
- Mist your bangs with hairspray to create a smooth finish.
3
Roll your hair into bangs. Take a hair rat. Roll your bangs into the hair rat. If necessary, use bobby pins to keep the rat and bangs in place while you work on the rest of the ponytail.
4
Curl your remaining hair. Remove your back hair from the ponytail. Take a curling iron. Allow it to heat up and then curl your hair in individual strands. The number of strands is up to you. The higher the number of strands, the curlier your hair will be.
5
Gather your hair into a ponytail. Once your hair is curled, gather your hair into a ponytail. Use an elastic band to seal your ponytail.
6
Secure your ponytail with a bow. Take a large, thick ribbon. Tie it around the elastic band to conceal it. Tie it into a bow for a cute effect somewhat reminiscent of the '50s or '60s.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Doing a Fifties Inspired Ponytail

1
Make a side part. To start, brush out your hair. Then, use a comb and brush to make a side part. Make the side part at whichever angle is most flattering with your face.^{[1]
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- If you're unsure which side part works best, try taking a selfie with the part on one side and then the other and then compare.
2
Section off your hair. Take a fine-toothed comb and run it from your part to the front of your ear. Clip back the hair that falls in front of this diagonal line.^{[2]
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3
Tease your hair. Use a teasing brush or rat tail comb to gently back comb all of your loose hair. This will add some volume. After your hair gets a little frizzy from back combing, brush it out. This way, your hair will be a little bigger but not too ratty.^{[3]
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4
Pull the back part of your hair into a ponytail. Pull all your hair that's hanging down into a ponytail. Keep the ponytail fairly high on your neck for a '50s style.^{[4]
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5
Section off the front part of your hair. Remove the clips from the hair you sectioned off first. Part this hair in half.^{[5]
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6
Wrap one side of the hair around your ponytail. Take one side of the front part of your hair. Wrap it around whatever is holding your ponytail in place. If necessary, use bobby pins to secure your hair around the ponytail.^{[6]
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7
Repeat on the other side. Take the remaining hair that's hanging down. Wrap it around your ponytail as well. Secure with bobby pins if necessary.^{[7]
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8
Curl your ponytail. Take a heated hair curler. Use this to curl your ponytail one strand at a time. You can separate your hair into as many curls as you want. More strands will make for a curlier look. When you're done, you should have a neat, curly ponytail with a slight bob on the front of your head.^{[8]
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- It's a good idea to apply a heat protectant before curling your hair.

Community Q&A

Question

How could I learn how to do Ariana Grande's signature 60s inspired retro ponytail?

Community Answer

Buzzfeed has a video similar to the answer I think you are looking for. Check it out on YouTube!
Question

What is the point of this?

Community Answer

If you wanted to do a retro costume or just enjoy a retro look you could use this tutorial.