Ponytails work well with all hair types. However, if your hair is curly or wavy, you can straighten your hair before creating the ponytail for a sleeker look.

While ponytails are usually positioned at the back of your head, you can also create one that’s off to the side just behind your ear if you prefer.

You don’t necessarily have to use a hair elastic to secure the ponytail. A hair clip or ribbon can work well too.

Try to wrap the hair around the elastic so the end of the strand is on the underside of the ponytail to ensure the bobby pin isn’t visible. For an even fancier look, create a thin braid from the strand of hair that you lift from the ponytail before wrapping it around the base.

If you have fine or thin hair, you may want to use a sock or hair donut to shape the bun. It can help bulk up the bun.

If you have particularly thick or coarse hair, you’ll likely need more than 4 bobby pins to keep the bun in place.

If your hair is particularly thick, you may want to divide the top layer into 2 or 3 sections for teasing.

Once you’ve gathered the hair, comb through it with your fingers once more to ensure that it’s as smooth as possible.

If the teased section seems a little too messy, you may want to use a brush or comb to smooth it.