3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (2025)

Table of Contents
Creating a Full Ponytail Doing a Half Knot Ponytail Putting Your Hair into a High Ponytail Expert Q&A Tips Things You’ll Need You Might Also Like References About This Article Reader Success Stories Did this article help you?
  • Categories
  • Personal Care and Style
  • Hair Care
  • Hair Length
  • Short Hair

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methods

1Creating a Full Ponytail

2Doing a Half Knot Ponytail

3Putting Your Hair into a High Ponytail

Other Sections

Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

References

Article Summary

Co-authored byChristine George

Last Updated: January 20, 2024

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Ponytails are a cute way to style your hair and an easy way to get hair out of your face. Putting up a ponytail is not quite as easy when your hair is short though. There are several ponytail styles you can do that are simple and fast. All you need is a hairbrush, elastics, hairspray, and some bobby pins to achieve the look you desire. You can choose to do a full, half knot, or high ponytail.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Full Ponytail

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  1. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (4)

    1

    Divide your hair front to back into three sections. The sections should start at your forehead and end at the nape of your neck. The middle section should have the most hair, and the two other sections should be equal. Put the middle section into a low ponytail. Leave the two other sections down for now.[1]

    • For example, begin each side section at your temple, then create a part that goes over and behind your ear.

  2. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (5)

    2

    Tighten the base of the middle ponytail. Pull on each side of the ponytail to push the elastic band up the ponytail. Try using a fiber-wrapped elastic for the tightest hold.[2] The elastic band will get closer to your scalp, pushing the top of your hair up into a small bump. If the bump isn't big enough, you can use a comb to tease your hair more.[3]

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  3. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (6)

    3

    Secure with bobby pins. Pull the two other sections of your hair back towards the ponytail. Cover the elastic with the two sections. The elastic band should be hidden. Secure them with bobby pins at the base of the ponytail. Place the bobby pins vertically so that they are hidden, creating a polished look.[4]

    • The two other sections should be secured in a way that they make the ponytail look fuller. They should not appear separate from the ponytail.

  4. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (7)

    4

    Tease the ends of your hair. Use a hairbrush to tease the ends of your hair. This will contribute to a fuller looking ponytail by making it appear longer. You can use a teasing comb for extra volume if you’d like.[5]

    • After you tease your hair, you'll want to gently smooth the top of the hair using a light touch with a brush.

  5. 5

    Use hairspray. Spray the ponytail with a hairspray that provides a strong hold. Secure the ponytail, but don’t use so much hairspray that your hair loses its natural bounce. Once you’re finished, you can push back your bangs or put on a headband.[6]

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Doing a Half Knot Ponytail

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  1. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (10)

    1

    Put your hair in a low ponytail. Brush your hair behind your eyes. Divide it front to back into three sections. The sections should begin at your forehead and end at the nape of your neck. Pull the middle section into a low ponytail. Secure it with a clear elastic. Leave the other two sections down.[7]

    • Let the middle section be the thickest. It will be difficult to twist your hair if the other two sections are too thick.
    • For example, each side section should begin at your temple. Create a part that goes over and then behind your ear.
    • Brush your hair out first if it is straight or slightly wavy. Do not brush it if you have curly hair that you want to maintain.

  2. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (11)

    2

    Tie the two outside sections into a half knot. Put the left section over the right section. Leave a space in between the two section and pull the left section through the hole. Then pull the section into a knot. Pull them back over the top of the center ponytail. The knot should cover the clear elastic.[8]

  3. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (12)

    3

    Secure the knot. Wrap the ends of the two sections and pull them around and under the ponytail. Push the leftover ends into the bottom of the ponytail. Use bobby pins to secure the loose pieces at the bottom of the knot.[9]

  4. 4

    Hairspray the loose hairs. Smooth out the loose ends and flyaway hairs with your hands or with a brush. Lightly hairspray your hair.[10]

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Putting Your Hair into a High Ponytail

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  1. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (15)

    1

    Work gel into your hair. The gel will help secure the braid you’re going to do. You can use gel or texture spray. Run your fingers through your hair to work the gel or spray into it.

  2. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (16)

    2

    Braid the underside of your hair. Flip your hair over. Starting from the nape of your neck, begin to French braid your hair. Stop braiding when you’ve gone halfway up your head. Secure the braid with a small, clear elastic.

    • You may have a difficult time braiding your hair from this position. If so, ask someone to help you French braid your hair.

  3. 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (17)

    3

    Flip your hair over again. You should be in an upright position. Make sure that the braid is still intact.

  4. 4

    Gather your hair into a ponytail. Begin gathering your hair into a high ponytail. You can use a brush for the top part of your hair, but do not brush the part where the braid is. Secure the ponytail at the crown of your head with an elastic.

    • You can use a comb to tease your hair for more volume.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question

    Why is it not a good idea to put up your hair when it is wet?

    Christine George
    Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

    Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

    Christine George

    Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

    Expert Answer

    See Also
    17 Ponytail Hairstyles That Are Anything But Basic

    If you put your hair up wet, even if you are using a scrunchie, hair is a lot more elastic and can break.

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    Not Helpful 1Helpful 7

  • Question

    How do I do a two step ponytail?

    3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (21)

    Community Answer

    First, put your hair in a normal ponytail and then wrap a section around it to kinda cover your hair tie.

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    Not Helpful 21Helpful 10

  • Question

    How can I tie my hair ponytail with only a rubber band?

    3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (22)

    Community Answer

    Tie the hair as normal, but be warned that the hair will be ripped if the band is truly rubber.

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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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    Not Helpful 11Helpful 15

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      Tips

      • You can put your hair into a ponytail while it’s dry, but it’s easier to manage when it’s slightly damp. Be careful putting up your hair when it is still wet, though, as that can lead to breakage and damage to your hair.[11]

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      • Scrunchies are a good alternative to elastic bands, as they have a looser hold and are easier on your hair.[12]

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      • If your hair is very short, use small elastics so that you won’t have to wrap the elastic several times.

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      Things You’ll Need

      • Elastic band
      • Brush
      • Hairspray
      • Gel
      • Bobby pins

      You Might Also Like

      How toDo a Basic PonytailHow toUse a Banana Clip
      How toMake Half Ponytail HairstylesHow toMake a Retro PonytailHow toMake High Ponytail with No BumpsHow toCreate a High Ponytail Using Clip in Hair ExtensionsHow toMake a PonytailHow toMake a Curly Ponytail

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.more.com/standalonepages/systempages/404/?aspxerrorpath=/beauty/hair/hair-tutorials/pony-how-make-short-hair-look-full-ponytail/
      2. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.more.com/standalonepages/systempages/404/?aspxerrorpath=/beauty/hair/hair-tutorials/pony-how-make-short-hair-look-full-ponytail/
      4. ↑ https://www.more.com/standalonepages/systempages/404/?aspxerrorpath=/beauty/hair/hair-tutorials/pony-how-make-short-hair-look-full-ponytail/
      5. ↑ https://www.more.com/standalonepages/systempages/404/?aspxerrorpath=/beauty/hair/hair-tutorials/pony-how-make-short-hair-look-full-ponytail/
      6. ↑ https://www.more.com/standalonepages/systempages/404/?aspxerrorpath=/beauty/hair/hair-tutorials/pony-how-make-short-hair-look-full-ponytail/
      7. ↑ https://thebeautydepartment.com/2014/08/short-hair-ponytail-idea/
      8. ↑ https://thebeautydepartment.com/2014/08/short-hair-ponytail-idea/
      9. ↑ https://thebeautydepartment.com/2014/08/short-hair-ponytail-idea/

      More References (3)

      1. ↑ https://thebeautydepartment.com/2014/08/short-hair-ponytail-idea/
      2. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
      3. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.

      About This Article

      3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (25)

      Co-authored by:

      Christine George

      Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

      This article was co-authored by Christine George. Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty. This article has been viewed 112,031 times.

      26 votes - 34%

      Co-authors: 7

      Updated: January 20, 2024

      Views:112,031

      Categories: Short Hair | Ponytails

      Article SummaryX

      Doing a ponytail with short hair is a bit trickier, but there are still a few styles that should work for you. To do a full ponytail, first divide your hair into 3 sections at the top, middle, and bottom. Tie only the middle section back into a ponytail. Then, wrap the other sections around the elastic and secure them with bobby pins and a quick blast of hairspray. Alternatively, do a half-knot ponytail. For a half-knot, divide your hair into 3 sections at the middle and sides and tie the middle section in a low ponytail. Then, tie the 2 outside sections in a single knot above your ponytail and secure it with bobby pins and hairspray. For more tips from our Beauty co-author, including how to put your hair into a high pony tail, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • 3 Ways to Do a Ponytail with Short Hair - wikiHow (26)

        Joellen Nickelson

        Apr 17, 2019

        "It showed me that even with shorter hair, I still have some options for a ponytail."

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