6 Ponytail Hairstyles You Need to Try

Add a faux hawk and—bam!—a pony is anything but innocent. Section off a 4-inch-wide area from your forehead back to the crown. Blow-dry everything else, then scoop it into a tight low tail. Now spray the top section with a root lifter (try Suave Professionals Volumizing Root Boost Spray, $3, Amazon.com), scrunch, and let it air-dry until tousled, says Rolando Beauchamp, who created this look for the Alexandre Herchcovitch show. Last, join the faux hawk to the pony with an elastic, and wrap it with some hair.

Introducing the perfect a.m.-after style. "It looks super-shiny and sexy with second-day hair," says stylist Oliver de Almeida Waqued, who was responsible for this look at the Charlie May show. Spray strands with a heat protector (like Dove Style+Care Thermal Replenishment Spray, $7.99, Amazon.com) before curling your entire head in 2-inch sections then pulling strands into a low pony. If hair is mid- back length or longer, knot your pony (as if tying a piece of string), and secure it in place with pins. If not, just wrap a 2-inch section around the elastic, and pin.

The hair equivalent of sky-high stilettos, this slick pony shows everyone who's boss. The key: securing it right at the bump behind your head. "That way, it sticks out farther than a regular pony and makes a bolder statement," says stylist Neil Moodie, who did this on the models at the Hervé Léger show. For extra shine and sleekness, flatiron the length of the tail, and apply a dime-size drop of serum (try L'Oréal Paris EverStyle Smooth and Shine Serum, $7, Amazon.com). And if your pony's puny or short, try using a fake one (like Hairdo by HairUWear 18-Inch Simply Straight Pony, $49, Hairuwear.com)—the model here did.

This '70s-inspired style puts a foxy spin on frizz. Apply a tennis ball–size dollop of mousse (pump it up with Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Silky Moisture Whip, $7, Pantene.com) to damp hair, and blow-dry upside down. Tilt your neck back, so you're looking upward—the angle gives you a tight-to-the-scalp ponytail (this juxtaposed with the puffy ponytail creates the illusion of even more fullness)—and secure hair at the crown, says Beauchamp, the mastermind behind this look at Nanette Lepore. Clamp small sections with a crimper (don't have one? Beauchamp teased the hair in sections then sealed the texture with a flatiron), brush, and mist with an aerosol spray (try Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode, $27) so volume doesn't deflate.

Pigtails instantly go from elementary to edgy with this cool new take, says Alex Brownsell, who styled these at Craig Lawrence. Smooth strands by applying a straightening cream (we like Tresemmé Smooth and Silky Anti-Frizz Secret Crème, $4.49, Amazon.com) then blow-drying with a paddle brush. Gather the hair between your temples, and make a minipony that sits at the peak of your crown. Part hanging hair directly down the middle of your head, forming two low pigtails. Last, divide the top pony in two, twist the halves, and connect each to the nearest pigtail with an elastic.

Consider this the triple play of hairstyles: It's equal parts bouffant (on the top), French twist (in the middle), and pony (on the bottom), says James Pecis, who created this look at the Véronique Leroy show. Spritz dry strands with salt spray (we love Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, $24) to create a sexy-messy texture, then back-comb the crown area for height, smoothing the top layer with a brush. Gather hair into a high ponytail, then twist it down toward the nape into an upside-down French twist (secure with hairpins as you go), letting the bottom free-fall into a flirty pony.