7 Cool Ponytail Upgrades for Curly Hair

Ponytails mask our bad hair days, keep our tresses out of the way at the gym, and serve as a go-to style for days when we're running late. But as much as we love them, they can begin to feel a little "been there, done that." Well, that's where these hairstyles come in. These cool ponytails designed for curly hair range from tousled and sexy to soft and romantic, and will make you rethink this default hairstyle. Keep scrolling to see seven ways to style your curly ponytail.

Glamazon Ponytail

Wrap a section of your hair around the base of your ponytail, like Jennifer Lopez did here, to hide your elastic and keep your tousled ponytail looking polished.

Va-Va-Voom Volume

Actress Selita Ebanks shows how to rock a ponytail with volume at the crown (without looking like Snooki circa 2009). Lightly tease the hair at the crown of your head before smoothing it into a mid-height ponytail to keep it from falling flat.

Low Ponytail and Middle Part

Thandie Newton's low ponytail is a quick and easy way to keep your hair out of your face (and also showcases her delicate hoop earrings).

Side Ponytail

This vintage Taylor Swift look showcases her naturally curly hair texture. To get a similar look, use a curl-defining spray before you blow your hair dry. Then gather your hair at the nape of your neck, slightly off center. Tie it off with a hair tie, and secure any stray pieces with bobby pins.

Mega-High Ponytail

To get a high, messy ponytail like Rihanna's, flip your head upside down and gather your hair into a ponytail at the crown of your head. Flip your head up and secure it with a ponytail holder.

Piled-Up Ponytail

Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw's textured ponytail is a perfect style for shorter curly hair. To keep your curls looking glossy, rub hair oil into your hands before you start styling.

Bedhead Ponytail

If you want an #IWokeUpLikeThis take on the classic ponytail, draw inspiration from the Rachel Zoe runway. Loosely gather your hair at the base of your head and secure with an elastic. Run your fingers through your hair to pull some pieces out and create lived-in texture, then finish off with a light misting of hairspray.

FYI: Don't forget to check out more hacks for curly hair.