Undoubtedly, getting volume in your ponytail is the hardest part of an updo–second only to the arm workout of more complicated styles). Especially for those of us with fine hair, thick ponytail hairstyles aren’t as easy to hack if you’re not using a volumising tool like celebs do.
Yep, it’s true: all your fave celebs don’t naturally have waist length, volumised ponytails. They get a little help from hair extensions plus some expert styling products. Aside from va-va-volume, getting some assistance from these ponytail volume tools can actually prevent further damage and breakage too!
To get that lush pony volume, here are some things that you should know about how to make your ponytail fuller.
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Prepping for a High Ponytail Volume
Volumising hair products will be your BFFs for a lifted and thicker-looking ponytail, but make sure to get the proper elastic and brush too! Your volumising tool box should include:
Hair that’s a little dirty; freshly washed hair has no staying power when it comes to updos. Day two or onward is best for build and hold.
A densely bristled brush like a teasing comb; great for slicking back baby hairs AND building out volume in your tail.
A thick hair elastic; this’ll give you a bigger base so your ponytail stands a bit taller.
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Ponytail Volume Tools
Some styling methods and ponytail volume tools you can use to add even more oomph to your high ponytail:
Sitting Pretty Halo Hair Extensions
If you’re trying to have your Ariana Grande moment and get lots of volume in your ponytail, you’ll want to add halo hair extensions to your ponytail volume tool box. What makes these the ultimate hack is how thick your pony will get while still looking natural. Because halo hair extensions don’t use pulling clips or glues, you won’t have to worry about anything showing through.
Don’t believe the hype? Here’s how we do it:
Texture Spray
Available in sprays, powders, and balms, these give hair that bit of done-yet-undone grit that helps keep hair looking volumised, especially if your hair is still pretty clean from a conditioner-heavy wash day. To use, spray on dry hair starting at the roots. Respray the ends of your hair once you’ve secured your ponytail.
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A Teasing Comb
Teasing your hair is an amazing height building method to add volume to your hair, with or without a ponytail. But, beware: this is one of the more damaging volumising ponytail tools out there so reserve for events or occasional use.
To best build height to your ponytail, divide your hair into sections. It doesn’t matter how many sections you have, but the more sections to split, the more volume you can build. Then, using a densely bristled comb (a teasing comb), gently brush along the hair in an downward motion starting an inch away from the root. Repeat with as many sections of hair as your volume-loving heart desires.
Volumising Powders
Thickening powders are amazing and can act like a dry shampoo too too. Apply the powder at the root and massage the product until it is fully absorbed, like you would a dry shampoo. You can also add thickening powder to the ends of your ponytail by lightly sprinkling in until you get the perfect height. The ones we love are:
UNITE, ExpandaDust sold HERE; IGK, 30,000 Feet Volume Powder Spray sold HERE; Kevin Murphy, POWDER.PUFF Texturizing Powder sold HERE; Frank Body, Dry Clean Volume Powder sold HERE.
Sea Salt Sprays
Just washed your hair? Use this beach inspired spray to add some waves into your hair to give it a natural lift at the roots.
To add extra texture, scrunch your hair while wet with a microfibre towel or t-shirt (to help prevent frizz). If you’re blow-drying your hair, make sure you continue to scrunch your hair upwards under the heat for a fuller and tousled look with heat protectant too, of course.
Jordan shows us how she creates a high volumised ponytail with her halo and some sea salt spray.
Ponytail Hairstyles To Create With Your Halo
If you only have a few minutes to get ready, there are a few quick tricks you can do with just some hair ties and a brush:
A Hidden Bobby Pin Pony
For this look, all you need is an elastic hair tie and two bobby pins.
First, take your hair tie and thread the two bobby pins to have one at each end. Next, tie your hair into a ponytail as you typically would, stopping after the first elastic wraps around. Then, secure one bobby pin at the top of your ponytail. Next, pull the second bobby pin into the hair tie around your ponytail as you wrap the elastic band the second time. Lastly, tightly wrap the elastic around and secure your second bobby pin under your ponytail.
A Two-Trick Pony
Think of it as two ponies in one. First, divide your hair into two even parts on the top and bottom. Then, tie them both separately to make a mid-ponytail and a bottom-ponytail. Make sure they’re close together so you can easily disguise your secret ponytail. This look works best with wavy and curly hair.
What to read next:
The Best Hair Extensions For Fine Hair
How To Hydrate Hair After Bleaching