It’s no secret that we love a good afro puff, but wearing them too often can wreak havoc on your natural hair. Thankfully, these protective ponytail hairstyles enable you to tuck your ends away, and enjoy longer lengths and creative looks, oftentimes in a matter of minutes.
One of the easiest natural hairstyles ever, there’s no simpler, quicker or more chic fix for a bad hair day. And we haven’t met a person yet who couldn’t pull off a ponytail. So what are you waiting for? Keep scrolling for all of the innovation and inspiration you could possibly need.
40 Perfect Ponytail Styles for Natural Hair from Short to Sleek
Whether you want to rock it straight and silky, or explore more natural textures, experiment with a drawstring or clip-ins, with braids, twists or slicked back, your ponytail possibilities are truly endless.
1. Rope Twist Ponytail
Ponytail hairstyles, don’t come simpler or silkier than this.
Just slick your natural hair back into a high bun and attach your preferred lush, long straight ponytail. Set aside a small section to wrap around the base to conceal your hair. Then, twist the remaining length and voilá, ponytail perfection in under five minutes.
2. Flat Twists into Kinky Curly Ponytail
This hairstyle features a diagonally flat-twisted front, along with a middle row of rubber band twists, all finished with a kinky curly drawstring ponytail.
Already gorgeous on their own, adding gold jewelry to the flat twists, truly made this look a gem.
3. Low Kinky Curly Ponytail with Middle Part
Part your natural hair in the middle and slick it back at the base of your head, ideally with a strong hold botanical gel. Then, if your length isn’t quite lengthening yet, attach a kinky curly drawstring ponytail or clip-ins for the win.
4. High Braided Ponytail on Stretched Natural Hair
This style was started on stretched natural hair, gathered into a high ponytail and secured with a hair hook. One bundle of pre-stretched braiding hair was then attached to the base of her ponytail, plaited about halfway down and held with a rubber band.
Her natural hair was then wrapped around the base and pinned into place, and later concealed with a small section of braiding hair. As a finishing touch the loose ends were teased to give the style more character and turn up the playfulness of this ponytail look.
5. Low Kinky Straight Ponytail
Both full and fluffy, we are feeling the texture of this low kinky straight ponytail.
6. Flat Twist with Blown Out Ponytail
Adding a single flat twist, is an easy way to elevate a basic, but still beautiful, ponytail hairstyle.
7. Ghana Braids Ponytail with Gold Cuffs
Although your styling options are pretty limited given the direction of these Ghana braids, there’s no occasion or place that this gold-cuffed ponytail wouldn’t be perfect.
8. Cornrows and Criss-Cross Braided Ponytail
Edgy and unexpected, this combo of cornrows with a criss-cross rubber band style is everything.
9. Ponytail Updo Hairstyle
Instead of leaving it down and dangling, try pinning up your drawstring ponytail to create a similar jumbo bun hairstyle.
10. Senegalese Twists Ponytail with Twisted Bang
Whether you’re rocking twists or box braids, you can still play around with putting your protective styles into a ponytail. Experiment with braiding hair colors, ponytail placement, even adding a bang until you find the looks you love.
11. Ginger Box Braids High Side Ponytail
12. Greyish Blonde Box Braids Ponytail
13. Jumbo Braided Mohawk Ponytail
Heads are sure to turn when this style steps into any room. Featuring a wrapped bun front and center and a jumbo braided ponytail, this frohawk is super-sized sophistication.
14. Side-Swept Bobby Pinned Ponytail
Your bobby pins don’t always have to be hidden in your hairstyle. Feel free to create a design or choose colored clips, that can be showcased like the ones in this side-swept ponytail look.
15. Floor Length Ponytail with Middle Part
There is nothing understated about this uber long ponytail and we are HAIR. FOR. IT!
16. Long Low Curly Braided Ponytail
Serving Rapunzel realness, this curly braided look is the ponytail of our dreams.
17. Soft Faux Locs High Side Ponytail
Sexy and striking, we are in awe of this fierce faux locs ponytail.
18. Braided Ombre Ponytail
This gorgeous ombre ponytail is unbelievable. Or should we say ombre-lievable? Created with just two packs of braiding hair, an elastic band and some hair gel, it’s basically just one jumbo box braid.
Needless to say, simplicity can be stunning. Check out the tutorial for step-by-step instructions.
19. Romantic Fishtail Braided Ponytail
This style lets you skip the slicked back approach, for an intentionally loose look. And needless to say we’re feeling this fishtail braided ponytail’s effortless slay.
20. Passion Twists Ponytail
Passion twists in a high side ponytail screams classy but carefree.
21. Butterfly Braided Ponytail
A butterfly braid takes a basic, but still beautiful, ponytail to a whole other level.
22. Frohawk-Inspired Pompadour Ponytail
Texture takes center stage in this must-try twist on the traditional. Both, elegant and eclectic, this frohawk ponytail with a pompadour has Janelle Monae written all over it, but is clearly fit for any queen.
23. Sleek Chestnut Wavy Ponytail
The juxtaposition of the sleek front against the wavy ponytail at the back is…chef’s kiss.
24. Faux Blonde Ponytail over Real Locs
This lovely look combines real locs with a faux blonde ponytail for an unexpected texture twist.
25. Bun Hawk with Low Ponytail
Why stick to one look, when you can combine curly buns with a faux pony to create this couture fashion-forward frohawk?
26. Shuku Braided Ponytail with Beads
Clearly fit for a queen, ponytails don’t come more regal than this tribal braided and beaded look.
27. Pinned Updo Ponytail Hairstyle
We’ve already proven that you can’t go wrong with a high side pony, but wrapping it around the perimeter of your head and pinning it into place is pure perfection.
28. Two Cornrows into a Single Ponytail
Equally cute and creative, two cornrows are tied together to give the appearance of one seamless braided ponytail.
29. Stitch Cornrows in Fishtail Braided Ponytail
Multi-sized stitch cornrows are combined with a fab fishtail braid to create this stunning ponytail hairstyle.
30. Peek-a-Boo Ponytail with a Cornrow
A braid up the back is a simple way to switch this style up. They might not notice your peek-a-boo cornrow ponytail until you walk away, but they will remember it.
31. Three-Color Knotless Box Braids High Ponytail
Long knotless box braids wow in a high ponytail, thanks to this daring and dazzling three-color combo.
32. Two Water Wave Fro Twist Ponytails
When one ponytail just won’t do, why not go for two? Then add texture, like this Water Wave Twist to take your slay up another notch.
33. Afro Kinky-Curly Ponytail with Cornrows
While technically this look is comprised of just three cornrows and a ponytail, the appeal comes from the unique way her hair is parted. Various sized cornrows braided on a slant, give this style the visual interest to wow despite its simplicity.
34. Bubble Ponytail
We’re suckers for a protective ponytail hairstyle that you can pull off in a snap. So this bubble ponytail, also known as a pom pom ponytail, is a great go-to look.
After gathering your natural hair into a low bun, attach your braiding hair, pinning it into place at the base.
Then add elastic bands evenly spaced along the length of the ponytail, fluffing out as you go.
35. Space Buns with Bubble Ponytail
Now this look combines a bubble ponytail and space buns in an unexpected way. And while we get that it might not be for everyone, we absolutely love the creativity, and respect anyone who’s confident enough to pull it off. May the fierce be with you.
36. Low Kinky-Curly Ponytail on Two Cornrows
Part your hair in the center and cornrow two braids toward the back of your head. Instead of leaving the ends to dangle, simply wrap them into a small bun and cover with a kinky curly ponytail to create a pretty, protective style in a matter of minutes.
37. Fulani Braids Low Side Ponytail with Beads
Typically left to hang loose, Fulani braids are gathered into a low side ponytail, for a reserved regal look.
38. Cornrow Rubber Band Braided Ponytail
Don’t be fooled by this pretty, protective ponytail. While it may appear complex at first glance, alternating cornrows and connected rubber bands comprise the majority of this look. Once you’ve mastered the front, the back is simply a braided ponytail, decorated with gold string to complete the style.
Check out the tutorial for step-by-step instructions.
39. Twisted Edge Fishtail Braid Ponytail
In a literal twist on a fishtail braided ponytail, this twisted edge version is a sexy finish to this sleek style.
40. Jasmine Ponytail
While we love a good slicked-back look as much as the next natural, it’s refreshing to see a ponytail style that’s still serving sans gel or baby hair.
Regardless of your preferences, one thing’s for sure, as you can see from the plethora of ponytail possibilities for naturals, there’s no reason to ever have a bad hair day again.