Curly hair and ponytails have a complicated history, mostly because too many of us were taught to smooth everything down before we ever pulled it up. But your curls are the whole point, and once you learn to work with the pattern instead of against it, a curly ponytail becomes one of the most flattering things you can do with your hair.
These twelve styles all lean into the curl rather than fighting it, so grab your leave-in conditioner and a satin scrunchie, because we’re doing this the right way.
Wash and Go Ponytail
Apply your leave-in and curl cream on soaking wet hair, gather into a pony while it’s still damp, and let it air dry or diffuse in place. This keeps your curl pattern intact from root to tip.
High Puff Ponytail
Gather your curls high with a scrunchie, then gently pull the crown up and out for volume instead of pressing it flat. This is the classic curly-girl high pony everyone recognizes.
Curly Ponytail With Gelled Edges
Smooth just the front edges with a light gel while leaving the rest of the ponytail free and full. It gives you a clean hairline without sacrificing volume everywhere else.
Curly Ponytail With a Deep Side Part
A deep part on curly hair creates gorgeous asymmetry and lets one side of your curls fall more dramatically than the other before everything gathers into the pony.
Pineapple Style Curly Ponytail
Loosely gather your curls at the very top of your head, letting them cascade down around the elastic. It protects your curl pattern overnight and doubles as a cute daytime look.
Curly Ponytail With Baby Hairs
Use a small amount of edge control and a toothbrush to shape your baby hairs into soft curls or swirls right along your hairline for a finished, styled effect.
Complete the Look: More Ponytail Hairstyle Ideas
If your curls are craving more inspiration, our high ponytail hairstyles for black women post has plenty of texture-friendly ideas too. Are you a wash and go girl or a puff pony girl?
