The Braided Ponytail Is a Staple For a Reason

• Braided ponytails are a super-popular hairstyle trend.
• The updo works on all hair types and looks great with existing box braids and locs.
• Stars like Yara Shahidi, Zendaya, Millie Bobby Brown, Marsai Martin, Bella Hadid, and more have worn the look recently.

If you follow celebrity beauty trends, you may have noticed one particular hairstyle popping up again and again: braided ponytails. As of late, the staple style is proving to be a go-to for many stars on and off the red carpet.

Over the last few months, we’ve seen a variety of updo trends, from “balletcore” buns to the ’90s updo. In keeping with many of the recent fads, the braided ponytail is a sleek, no-fuss hairstyle that looks fierce while keeping your hair out of your face. This is by no means a new look – in fact, it’s a classic – but Gen Z stars like Yara Shahidi, Zendaya, Millie Bobby Brown, Marsai Martin, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid have all worn it recently, further bolstering its popularity. It works on all hair types and looks stunning on existing box braids and locs.

One way that stars are taking the braided ponytail up a notch is by adding a double or triple braid. “The double-braided ponytail is fun because it gives the basic ponytail hairstyle a lot more dimension and movement,” Devin Toth, a hairstylist at Salon SCK, tells POPSUGAR.

If you have thin or short hair, you may need a little extra help creating one or more braids in your ponytail. “Most people don’t have enough hair two create two statement braids that are both long and thick,” says Toth. “If you want to elevate this hairstyle, plump up the braids by adding hair extension to your original ponytail before braiding.” We love the Bellami Hair Silk Seam Volumizing Weft ($70) and the Luxy Hair Ponytail Extension ($169).

“You can upgrade your ponytails by accessorizing them with rhinestones, pearls, bedazzled hair pins, bows, or even tiny flowers,” Toth says. “You can also thread fabric trimming through the braids.” Using colored elastics or scrunchies at the end of each braid is a great way to bring some Y2K beauty touches into the look.

Keep scrolling to get inspiration for your own braided-ponytail hairstyle ahead.