40 Ponytail Hairstyles for Black Women (Braided & Natural)

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What Are The Best Ponytail Hairstyles for Black Women?

I don’t think there is any hairstyle more timeless than a ponytail. So many creative ways to have fun and modernize this simple classic have been born and the old has become new in such a chic way. A ponytail is a beautiful, fun, and practical way for black women to change up and love their locks. Have an office-appropriate ponytail that can go straight from clock out to a night out on the town. High or low, curly or sleek, the variety is endless and there is something for every personality!

We have searched the feeds of social media to help inspire you and find the best ponytails for black women. Indulge on to find the best one for you!

1. Thick Afrocentric Ponytail

When you are not afraid of the level of puff and bigger is better, then this gorgeous afro chic ponytail is for you. You can rock it with confidence and attitude and on-point lashes of course!

2. Braided Ombre Ponytail

Braids are so fashionable right now, along with ombre style coloring. This ponytail showcases both of those things beautifully and looks super chic and elegant. The higher the better and the longer your ponytail.

3. High Cornrow Ponytail

A beautiful protective style and a ponytail with amazing texture. Coil the braids around the ponytail a few times to create a thick band. This will give your ponytail height and length at the base to really show off its cascading beauty.

4. High Curly Ponytail with Braids

This is a fun texture for a ponytail, especially with the addition of cornrows in the front. Perfect for a casual day out, but throw on some hoops to elevate this ponytail to elegance.

5. High and Sleek Ponytail with Braids

A ponytail on its own is a classic and flawless look, perfect for both casual and formal occasions, but you can level it up a notch by incorporating some braids contrasted with sleek sections of hair to create a beautiful base. Wrap your elastic with a section of the ponytail for a perfect finish.

6. Puff Buns

If cute and casual is your vibe then double up the ponytail love with some sweet and stylish puff buns. A great way to flaunt and embrace your natural texture while rocking some awesome ponytails.

7. Afro Fauxhawk Ponytail

Use your gorgeous afro curls to create an edgy and chic fauxhawk that falls softly onto the forehead. It creates beautiful elongation in the neck that is elegant and ideal for a formal do but is fun and edgy enough for a night out with girlfriends.

8. Afro Puff Ponytail

Big and beautiful! Afro locks should be showcased wherever they can. You can still experience the beauty of big and kinky hair with a puff ponytail like this one. Slick down the top for textural contrast and rock that afro ponytail.

9. Braided Ponytail with Cornrows and Curls

Flaunt a combination of beautiful textures by leaving some curly ribbons to cascade through your braided ponytail. It adds an element of softness and fills the spaces between the braids. Don’t forget to keep those edges looking fresh and on point.

10. Curls from Above the Crown

Height in a ponytail is what is responsible for the cascading beauty of locks. This ponytail starts at the highest possible point of the head so the mass of curls drapes down the back and over the shoulders.

11. High Curly Ponytail and Heavy Bang

Bouncy and cute! Finish your ponytail off with some bouncy curls that will create movement and softness. You will feel the gorgeous bounce with every step! A heavy bang can add some contrast to the look and soften the face for a more casual and carefree style.

12. Long Sleek Ponytail with A Side Sweep Bang

Create a beautiful sway in your step with a super long and sleek ponytail. A deep side sweep fringe can add some softness and asymmetry and wrapping up the base of the ponytail with a wide section of hair, will give it that extra elegant sway.

13. Long Tight Curly Ponytail

Maximum level of bounce with this big and beautiful ponytail! Show off your spiraled locks by bunching them up in a low ponytail that starts at the nape and rests on your back. Scrunch them with a moisturizing and defining curling cream for extra shine and definition.

14. Pompadour Ponytail with Curls

Express your inner punk rocker with this fauxhawk-style ponytail. You will have so much fun rocking this pompadour and ponytail while feeling beautiful. The pompadour creates volume and height and flows into a low, long ponytail that is adorned with curls for extra movement and texture.

15. Ponytail Braid

Level up your ponytail with some tiny ponytail braids weaved together to create some artistic flair into your overall look. It’s different from the norm of slicking it back,  transforming your classic ponytail into something more fun and interesting.

16. Sleek Side Part with Low Curly Ponytail

The textural contrast in this hairstyle is beautiful! From sleek and flat and with no hair out of place to a voluminous ponytail of big and bouncy curls. The deep and far back parting adds some shape and asymmetry to the style.

17. Voluminous Blonde Ponytail with Sweeping Bang

Have some fun with some color in your locks and showcase it with a long and high voluminous ponytail. The contrast from the root color makes it stand out and a sweeping bang can soften the face and add some movement.

18. Cornrows and Copper Puff

Flawless and fun cornrows fed into a high bun of beautiful copper coils is a stunning contrast in texture and color. It has a combination of both girl next year and edgy punk rocker and when they come together, you get this unique chic and stylish ponytail to show off.

19. High and Long Bubble Ponytail

Stand out and move away from sleek or curly. Create a fun bubble ponytail by incrementally placing an elastic along the length of the ponytail and tugging and loosening the strands so they bubble out. It is practical too, as it keeps all your strands together in a fun and creative way.

20. Kinky Coils

When it comes to volume, you got to love a kink in your locks. This gorgeous mane of coils provides the perfect texture for a wonderfully wild ponytail. Let your hair do all the talking.

21. Long Sleek Ponytail with Thick Bang

Sleek locks ooze with sophistication, and that is definitely the case here with this gorgeous long and sleek ponytail. Adorned with a baby curl on the end and a thick sweeping bang, the edges have been incorporated beautifully by elegantly sweeping into the hairline.

22. Low and Sleek

Classic, sophisticated and sleek. A ponytail for any occasion, and a ponytail lovers go to. You can’t go wrong with this one, so when in doubt, low and sleek will never disappoint.

23. Soft Cascading Curls

This is a lovely casual do that is perfect for any event. It has a perfect balance of elegance and everyday wear for you to enjoy this ponytail whenever you want. You will feel like Rapunzel when that ponytail of tousled curls drapes over your shoulder and you are reminded of how gorgeous your hair looks.

24. Afro Bun

An afro bun never disappoints! Feed-in some cornrows for some protective hairstyle action and enjoy the benefits of this on the go, casually elegant, and practical hairstyle.

25. Curls in Copper

Want to make a statement, then don’t be shy with your hair color choices. This whole look of big bouncy waves coated in a rich copper hue just oozes sass and confidence. The money piece is also a perfect highlight and accent piece to bring this whole look together.

26. Dreadlocks Ponytail with Undercut

The choice to rock dreadlocks can be both for aesthetics and cultural or religious beliefs, whatever your reason, they can be fun and versatile. Dreadlocks can benefit from an undercut to remove some bulk and showcased with a high ponytail.

27. Edgy Bubble Ponytail with Undercut

Ponytails don’t always have to be pretty and cute. You can still express your uniqueness and quirks with a high bubble ponytail, interlaced with some blue accents. An undercut adds to the edge and assists in giving your ponytail extra height.

28. Fishtail Pony

A little on the punk rocker side, this fishtail detail in the front is braided with some height to create a fauxhawk of sorts. It is bordered with two micro braids on either side that then wrap around the ponytail for some extra detail. With edges on fleek, this ponytail can be the perfect do for a formal event.

29. Freestyle Stitch Ponytail

Get creative with some braiding techniques to elevate your ponytail. This is also a great protective style for those natural locks, so after your long date with your stylist, this ponytail will be low maintenance and ready to go at any point.

30. Golden Girl

Play with some contrasting colors to level up your ponytail. Adding some ribbons of gold that peep through the curls adds some dimension and texture. Apply the same hue to your bangs to bounce off each other and have an accent piece that draws attention.

31. High Bun with Ribbon Bangs

Turn your ponytail into a knotted bun to change things up a bit. What’s really great about this hairstyle is that it is two in one. Once you have trawled the mall and are ready to dance the night away, you can simply release the bun for a ponytail of cascading curls to match your curly ribbon bangs.

32. Long Voluminous Ponytail

Length, volume, and shine are three key elements of a girl’s hair dream. They also make for a flawless and gorgeous ponytail that will induce the envy of Rapunzel herself.

33. Low Curly Ponytail with Spiralled Sideburns

A ponytail of big and pleasingly frizzy curls cascading down your back is simply gorgeous. When in doubt, let the curls out. Break the harshness of a perfectly polished hairline by styling your sideburns into delicate spirals.

34. Sleek Firey Ponytail

Color can work magic and add so much more personality to a hairstyle. A simple ponytail like this one is so much more extra with a hot hue. This fire engine red is sassy and gives your locks incredible shine. But let’s also give a shout-out to those cute and perfect spiraled edges.

35. Sleek Fountain Ponytail

Show some charisma and personality with a fountain of golden sleek locks. By securing your ponytail at the very top of your head, and wrapping the base with a wide section of hair, you create a fountain effect where the hair spreads out and drapes down the back and shoulders.

36. Sleek Half Ponytail

Half a ponytail is still a ponytail right! If having all your locks pulled back feels too exposing, then halve it and let some hair drape over your shoulders as a perfect backdrop for a sleek ponytail.

37. Sleek Wrapped Ponytail with Chunky Braids

This ponytail has a whole new level of chic and elegance. Beautiful contrast in textures is created by feeding chunky cornrows into a high and sleek ponytail. The ponytail is wrapped almost halfway which gives it height and allows it to fall away from the head, giving it a gorgeous, regal feel.

38. Spiral Curl Ponytail

This high ponytail is cute and sweet and is a perfect look for a dressy night out with girlfriends. Both the bangs and the ponytail are curled into a perfect spiral ribbon that catches the light and adds some bounce and movement. Don’t forget to make sure your edges are just as cute.

39. Thick and Sleek with Feed-In Braid

Make your ponytail more interesting by adding detail as simple as a french braid. Feed it into your ponytail to add some texture and contrast and bridge the gap from your bangs.

Final Thoughts

The drab and sad ponytail is out with all these awesome ideas to choose from! What is so great about a ponytail is that you can be creative and take inspiration from different ideas to create your own, unique style for you. I am sure by now you are ready to rock your ponytail sway and on-point edges, but let’s touch on a few more details and thoughts to get you fully ponytail ready!

  • Every ponytail should be wrapped with a section of hair when using a basic elastic. This adds some details but also secures it in place while adding height.
  • Cover your locks with a silk scarf at night to protect both your natural hair and/ or weave.
  • Be mindful of using oil-based products as they can loosen the glue.
  • Be gentle with your locks and change up your style often so that it is not always pulled back tightly. Doing this for a long period of time can break your strands, causing your hairline to recede.
  • Nourish your hair and scalp regularly, at least once a week.
  • Have fun with accessories like headbands, headscarves, fun elastics, beads, and clips.

There you have it! You will be turning heads with your ponytail game this strong!

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Author - Lauren Holland

Lauren always knew she needed to work in an industry that would nurture her creative and eccentric personality. She has run her own business for 7 years. After 2 years attending college, Lauren found herself an apprenticeship with one of the top salons in her province. This salon was popular for their more alternative and creative hairstyle ideas, taking part in many international competitions, photoshoots and shows where bright colors and Avant Garde styling were always the theme. She fine-tuned her skills throughout her 5 years there, achieving many awards including national finalist of the Goldwell Color Zoom competition. After qualifying, Lauren stayed on and grew in leaps and bounds in her art, training new apprentices and meeting some local fame and influencers. She got to experience various facets of the industry and built up a strong clientele. Lauren eventually found her way to owning her own salon and, in this time, she specialized in bridal and formal hair. Living in the Midlands meant she was in the hub of the wedding industry and was involved with collaborative shoots and bridal shows.