Ponytail With Braids On The Side: Ways To Show Your Personality

The best way to keep your hair protected while beating the scorching summer heat is styling ponytail with braids on the side. However, the perfect look makes girls think it’s hard to accomplish. As a result, this post will be launched by Jen Hair to introduce ladies with simple side braided ponytails and detailed instructions recommended by experts.

What is Ponytail with Braids on the Side?

The ponytail with braids on the side is a stylish and versatile hairstyle that combines simplicity with a touch of creativity. It transforms a classic ponytail into a trendy look by adding intricate braids, making it stand out while remaining practical for everyday wear.

This hairstyle is suitable for a wide range of occasions. It works well for casual outings, giving a neat and playful look, but can also be dressed up for parties or formal events when paired with sleek hair or elegant accessories. Its adaptability makes it a favorite among those who want a polished yet effortless style.

Side braids enhance a simple ponytail by adding texture and visual interest. They draw attention to the hairstyle’s details, frame the face beautifully, and create a more dynamic, stylish appearance without requiring complicated techniques. This combination allows anyone to elevate a basic ponytail into a chic, modern look.

Step by step guide to styling

Preparing Your Hair

Start by washing and conditioning your hair to ensure it is clean and smooth. Detangle thoroughly with a wide-tooth comb or brush to remove knots, which makes braiding and styling easier. For a sleeker finish, you can opt for optional heat styling such as blow-drying or straightening, but make sure to use a heat protectant to prevent damage.

Creating the Side Braids

Begin by sectioning your hair on one or both sides, depending on the braid style you want. Ensure the sections are even for a neat look. Use your preferred braiding technique classic three-strand, French, Dutch, or fishtail and braid tightly enough to hold but not so tight that it pulls on your scalp. Secure the braid ends with small, clear elastics to keep them in place.

Forming the Ponytail

Decide on the ponytail position: high for a youthful, energetic look, mid for everyday versatility, or low for a sophisticated style. Gather the rest of your hair along with the braids and secure it with a sturdy hair tie. Avoid tying too tightly to prevent breakage or discomfort.

Finishing Touches

Enhance the style by adding accessories such as scrunchies, decorative pins, or hair cuffs. To ensure longevity, lightly mist with hairspray or apply styling products like smoothing serum or texturizing spray, depending on your hair type and desired finish. This will keep your ponytail neat and maintain the braid’s definition throughout the day.

Styling tips for different hair types

Every hair type behaves differently, and knowing how to work with your natural texture can make styling easier. Here are practical tips to enhance straight, wavy, and curly hair for a perfect side-braided ponytail.

Straight Hair: Adding Volume and Texture

For straight hair, the main challenge is often achieving fullness. Use a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray before braiding to give the hair body. Tease the crown slightly if you want extra lift, and gently pull apart the braid loops to create a fuller, more dynamic look.

Wavy Hair: Enhancing Natural Flow

Wavy hair naturally adds movement and softness to the ponytail. Emphasize the waves by lightly scrunching the hair before styling or using a curl-enhancing cream. This will make the side braids blend seamlessly with the ponytail while maintaining a natural, effortless flow.

Curly Hair: Managing Frizz and Defining Braids

Curly hair can be prone to frizz, which may affect the braid’s definition. Apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to smooth the hair and define the curls. When braiding, work in small sections to keep the strands controlled, and finish with a light-hold gel or hairspray to maintain the shape and prevent flyaways.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Uneven Braids or Messy Sections

One of the most common issues is uneven or messy braids, which can make the hairstyle look sloppy. To avoid this, take your time to section hair carefully and ensure each braid is consistent in thickness. Use a fine-tooth comb for precision and secure each braid tightly enough to hold without pulling the scalp.

Ponytail Slipping or Sagging

A ponytail that slips or sags can ruin the overall look. Prevent this by using a strong hair tie and positioning the ponytail correctly based on your desired style. For extra security, insert a few bobby pins around the base to anchor the hair and maintain the ponytail’s shape throughout the day.

Overuse of Styling Products

Using too much gel, mousse, or hairspray can weigh hair down and make braids stiff or sticky. Apply styling products sparingly, focusing only on areas that need hold or frizz control. This keeps the hair looking natural while still maintaining the style’s structure.

Trendy ponytail with braids on the side today

Messy French Braid Side Ponytail

Although class French braids were created a long time ago, don’t underestimate its beauty when mixing with side ponytails. The harmony of  loose strands which can elongate the face and some waves help ladies achieve a romantic look. So be daring to give French braids a try on your next pony to see the difference!

Low braided ponytail on the side

The low braided ponytail on the side is about elegance and fashion. At the end of the braided ponytail, you should use a thin ribbon to make this look softer. Let’s steal these stunning hair ideas for your special occasions right now!

Wavy low ponytail with braided side

If you have natural fine hair, don’t forget to style it wavy to add bouncy and dimension. The most convenient way to personalize your braided ponytail is placing it on the side. Not only does this wavy ponytail with braids on the side look classic but it also gives universal beauty. 

Side Cornrow Ponytails 

With thickness and sleekness, girls can easily achieve a natural elegant look with curly cornrow ponytail with braids on the side. It helps protect hair from being damaged as well as promoting growths. If you are busy all day and don’t have time to retouch, cornrows is the best choice because they keep hair secure and neat.

Dutch Braid Pigtail On the side

While the half-up braided ponytail adds movement and lift, the Dutch compliments face features. The softness achieved from subtle curls make it an ideal option for those whose hair is thin and are looking for dimensional hairstyles. Its elegant and trendy look is perfect for all occasions in your life.

Ladder braid side ponytail

Ladder braids make classic ponytail with braids on the side newer than ever before. Instead of braiding your hair following a boring way, why don’t you switch to a different option like a ladder. Due to the intricate beauty, the ladder one requires more time finishing than conventional one. As a result, you should spend a little time preparing before your party gets going. 

Butterfly Braid On The Side

If you ask what is the most polish, voluminous and fashionable one among various ponytail with braids on the side, the answer would definitely be butterfly. It is wholly suitable for glamorous and casual occasions due to the movement and dimension given by its tousled effect. Its versatility lies in the ability to go well with various face shapes.

How to do a ponytail with braids on the side?

Step 1: Brushing your hair and tying it

Before starting braiding, don’t forget to remove all knots and tangles by brushing hair gently. Then, you should decide which shoulder side you want to hang the braided ponytail over brush hair towards the chosen side. Using your fingers to gather all hair carefully and tie it into a tight low or high ponytail is the next step.

Step 2: Divide into three equal hair sections

When your high or low ponytail is tight and neat enough, let’s divide it into three equal sections. As usual, use your left and right hand to hold the first and second hair sections respectively. The remaining one should rest naturally. To achieve a consistent ponytail with braids on the side make sure each section is equal. 

Step 3: Crossing the left over the middle

Firstly, the left hair section has to cross over the middle one. As a result, the aforementioned left part has become the current middle one, while the original middle section has shifted to the left side. You need to hold the strands as firmly as possible to maintain a structured and smooth look without unwanted looseness or bumps.

Step 4: Crossing the right over the new middle

For step 4, the right section has to cross over the new middle one. As a consequence, the aforementioned right part has become the current middle one, while the original middle section has shifted to the right side. 

Step 5: Braiding whole hair

Last but not least, ladies braid as instruction says until the hair has no sections left. When braiding ponytails on the side, don’t forget to keep the suitable tightness to achieve the expected final look. 

FAQ

Can a braided ponytail damage natural hair?

Not all ponytail with braids on the side are recommended for every hair texture. As a consequence, to determine the most suitable braiding technique, let’s take the natural texture, weight of braids, thickness and length into consideration. If you are a newbie, feel free to ask Jen Hair salon!

How long will a ponytail with braids on the side last for?

• Boxer braids: This hairstyle often stays tight and neat for an average of 3 days.
• Cornrows: From 5 – 21 days for with or without extensions.
• Braided pony: Depending on the number of braids you created, this trendy hairstyle remains its beauty from 5 – 25 days.

How to maintain a ponytail with braids on the side for a long time?

The most useful tip which is recommended by hair experts is using a silk scarf when sleeping. This will help protect your braided ponytail from being brittle or loosened. You can easily find this item at hair salons or supermarkets.

How many hours does the ponytail with braids on the side process take?

Depending on your hair thickness and braided hairstyle, it ranges from 0.5 hours for simple braids to 8 hours for complicated ones such as micro braids. As a consequence, don’t forget to try and check the duration before important occasions when you use it. 

After reading experts’ sharing, have you changed your assumption that it takes a long time to finish ponytail with braids on the side? These aforementioned hairstyles are not only simple for newbies but also suitable for various occasions, ranging from daily work to special dates. Let’s take a look on Jen Hair vietnamese hair to find more stunning braided hairstyles for our ladies!