Don’t you just love how amazing extensions make your hair look? Thick, glorious waves of hair cascading around your shoulders and down your back.
But what happens when you want to go to the gym or tie your hair up in the mid-summer heat? Or even rock a high ponytail at a rock concert?
Is it a case of sweaty tresses or unsightly bonds sticking out?
Not on my watch! I have a few ways to help you have your cake and eat it too!
My name is Bianca, and I have been wearing various types of extensions for fifteen years and counting. I love to work out and I also enjoy wearing my hair in different styles. I know that extensions can be versatile if you know how to style them, and I want to share that knowledge with you.
In this article, I want to share my two best methods of wearing extensions in a high ponytail, a list of tools needed, and answers to commonly asked questions.
Excited much? Read on to find out more!
3 Best Ways to Wear Hair Extensions in a Ponytail
For every method listed below, you will need the same basic setup.
I like to do these hairstyles a day or two after washing my hair as they help the hair band grip, but if you prefer to have freshly washed locks, you might want to add a little dry shampoo to your roots before you begin.
Tools Needed
Prepare these tools before wearing your beautiful hair.
- A tail comb
- Hair Bands
- Section clips
- Hairspray
- Bobby pins
Let’s start with the more difficult option, high ponytail. These are my favorite ways to make this lovely hairstyle.
Method 1: Wearing Semi-Permanent Hair Extensions in a High Ponytail
This method is appropriate for tape-ins, fusion tips, micro rings, or I-Tips extension systems.
The first step of this method technically happens in the salon. A good extensionist will install your hair with about an inch gap between your hairline and the first row of hair installed.
Important tips: Regardless of which extension method you use, the first week to 10 days is going to be a no-go in terms of high ponytails as the bonds will still be too close to your scalp and it WILL pull and be uncomfortable.
So be kind to your scalp and your hair! Go for that high ponytail at least a week after your new do is installed.
Step 1: Brush your hair from the ends down, and work your way up to the roots. Make sure your hair is silky and tangle-free. If the ends feel a little dry, now is the time to add a good serum from mid to ends of the hair only.
Step 2: Section your hair as you would if you were going to do a half-up, half-down hairstyle. Take the hair from above the ears and clip it up safely out of the way.
Step 3: Gather the lower part of your hair into as high a ponytail as you want. Put a hairband around and check to see if this is the right spot. You may need to take it out the first few times and readjust Steps 1 and 2 until you get the positioning just right.
Step 4: With your tail comb, backcomb the top of your hair to give it a bit of volume and add it to your ponytail with a second hairband.
Step 5: Take a section of the hair added to the ponytail and wrap it around your hairband, fixing it in place with a bobby pin. Top tip: spray a little hairspray on your bobby pin and blow on it for 2 seconds to give it extra grip.
Step 6: Take the end of your tail comb and adjust any hair around your bonds to make it as smooth and sleek as possible.
Step 7: This isn’t strictly required, but I highly recommend it if your hair isn’t curled already. Take your straightening iron or tongs and curl small sections of your ponytail to add glamor and volume.
Step 8: Once you’re happy with the look, don’t forget to use a touch of hairspray to tame any flyaways and hold your pony in place!
There you go! You’re ready to rock with a high ponytail!
Method 2: Wearing Clip-In Hair Extensions in a High Ponytail
The great thing about using clip-in hair extensions for your updo is that you have more control over placement and you don’t have to worry about covering the bonds further down toward your hairline.
Step 1: Brush out your hair well and make sure there are no tangles.
Step 2: Brush out your extensions and lay them on a flat surface in size order.
Step 3: Section your hair as you would if you were going to do a half-up, half-down hairstyle. Take the top section of your hair from above the ears and clip it up safely out of the way.
Step 4: Take a handful of the remaining hair in the middle of your head and make a tight bun just under the sectioned line. Make sure to leave a good 1/2 inch or so of hair along your hairline from your ears and round along your neck.
This bun is now your anchor point so make sure that it is positioned exactly where you want your ponytail. You may need to readjust your anchor point the first few times until you get the positioning just right.
Once you are happy, give the little bun a blast of hairspray to help your extension clips grip.
Step 5: Taking the longest clip-in extension, clip the end to the bun by the hairband. Wrap the clip-in around the bun, clipping the extension as you go. Once you are happy that the first extension is secure, repeat the process, making the ponytail as thick as you desire.
Step 6: Once your ponytail is looking thick and luscious, move onto the top section. Using your tail comb, backcomb the top a bit to add the desired volume. Add this hair into your ponytail with a second hairband.
Step 7: Flip your head forward, gather the lower section of hair into the ponytail, and secure it with a third hairband.
Step 8: Take a section of the hair added to the ponytail and wrap it around your hairband, fixing it in place with a bobby pin. Top tip – spray a little hairspray on your bobby pin and blow on it for 2 seconds to give it extra grip.
Step 9: I highly recommend it if your hair isn’t curled already, taking your straightening iron or tongs and curling small sections of your ponytail to add glamor and volume.
Step 10: Once you’re happy with the look, don’t forget to use a touch of hairspray to tame any flyaways and hold your pony in place!
Voila! One super secure high ponytail that will take you from day to night!
Method 3: Wearing Hair Extensions in Low Ponytails
If it’s a low ponytail you are after, nothing could be easier in the world! Simply brush through your hair. Gather and secure your hair at the nape of your neck with a hair tie.
Some Top Tips For Low Ponytails:
Tip 1: I usually pull strands from my fringe area out of a low ponytail, to frame my face before wrapping a piece of hair around the hairband.
Tip 2: When curling the hair around your face, remember to curl away from your face. If you have shorter bangs, pull the hair directly in front of your face and curl in towards your upper lip.
NEVER curl from the side in, always away from your face. This gives your face a gorgeous frame.
Tip 3: Before bed, I suggest brushing your hair out and gathering your hair into a low ponytail as above, then twisting the ponytail so it makes a soft bun at the nape of your neck. If you curled your hair, this will prolong the curls for the next day.
If you wear your extensions straight, this will add a soft wave for the following day. However, the most important thing this will do is stop your extensions from getting tangled in the night.
FAQs
How Do You Keep A Ponytail Secure?
The best advice I can give you for keeping a high ponytail secure is to do this style on your hair a couple of days after washing it. If your hair is freshly washed, I highly recommend getting your hands on some dry shampoo or baby powder to use in your roots.
If you have darker hair, use the baby powder sparingly or you’ll go grey before your time!
How Do You Do A High Ponytail Without Bumps?
The best method for a bump-free ponytail is parting the hair from ear to ear and working with the top half first, then adding the bottom half with a second hairband after. Another thing to consider for a bump-free high ponytail is your tools.
A paddle brush is good but a boar-bristle brush is even better.
Wrapping Up
Using your extensions to take your high ponytail from OK to out of this world shouldn’t be a chore. What’s your favorite look to wear your high ponytail with? Tell us in the comments below!