GirlsGuideTo | 5 Ways to Perk Up Your Ponytail

The tried and true standard for every girl is the ponytail. It’s always been there when you’re short on time or it’s just too darn hot to have your hair down. We’ve all fallen victim to the ponytail rut, so here at Girls Guide To, we’ve compiled 5 ways to beat ponytail boredom. Bookmark this for your new hairspiration.

1. Dress it Up
The easiest of all these tips is to add some flair to a basic pony with some accessories. You can go all out glam like Kim Kardashian and add a necklace-like chain or keep it sweet and simple with a bow. I often dress up my ponytails with headbands when working out for a little pop of color. This tip is as easy as styling your go-to pony and popping on an accessory, but makes a big and fun impact. You can even find a DIY hair necklace tutorial here.

2. Go Plural
If one ponytail is good, then two can only be better, right? Take some inspiration from your childhood and try out pigtails again. While I wouldn’t recommend this look for the office, it’s a fun way to mix up your weekend style. If your hair is longer, I suggest making two messy pony-buns to look casual, not childlike. If your hair is shorter just let the ends do their own thing.

3. Get all Tied Up
Make some knots in your hair. Seriously. This look has started gaining popularity recently and for good reason. It looks much more complicated than it really is. Simply pull hair into a low ponytail and split it into two sections. The section from the back should be pulled under and toward the front, then make a simple knot with the two sections. Use a small clear elastic to secure the knot and voila! The look is supposed to be messy, so don’t worry if it’s not perfect.

4. Braid Away
Add some braids to your pony for more texture and a little surprise. In my case, braiding all of my hair is time-consuming and if I make just one little mistake the entire thing looks off. So, it’s much easier to do a thin braid along my temple then pull it all back into my ponytail. Instead of using just a strand of hair to wrap around and hide a hair band, try braiding it first for a new look. To make a really strong statement, pull your hair into a high ponytail and braid the entire thing. Blake Lively has been rocking this look on the red carpet for months and the look is to die for.

5. Mess it Up
If you haven’t washed your hair for a day and you’re in a rush, the messy ponytail is your best friend. Add some gel or mousse to hair and scrunch it up with your hands. This looks best styled two ways: Either you pull back the hair tightly, high on the crown of your head and let the ends be crazy messy or make a low, loose pony-bun, with some side-swept bangs.

What's your go-to hairstyle? Have you been stuck in a ponytail rut with this crazy-hot weather lately? Share your tips to perk up a basic ponytail in the comments below.