With the resurgence of men’s long hair, ponytail hairstyles for men have also become increasingly popular. A men’s ponytail is the perfect way to still rock the long hair while also keeping it out of your face. Learning how to style your long hair may feel overwhelming at first, but with the right inspiration, you’ll be rocking a ponytail in no time. We’ve compiled some of our favorite styles below.
1. Classic Ponytail
The best way to begin your journey towards perfecting your ponytail is to start with getting the hang of the classic ponytail. You really can’t go wrong with this look, think Chris Hemsworth circa 2012. All you need is a sturdy hair tie, preferably one that matches the color of your hair. Perfect for a casual or more elevated look, the classic ponytail never fails.
2. Half Ponytail
If your hair is on the shorter side, you may not be able to pull all of it up into a ponytail. Don’t sweat it, the half ponytail look is a great option for those with shorter hair. It’s also an optimal men’s hairstyle for the fashion-forward.
3. High Ponytail
One category of the men’s ponytail is the super popular man bun. When you’re wanting to go for a high ponytail, pulling your hair up into more of a loose bun is a good choice. The high ponytail or man bun creates more of a dressed-up look that can even be worn for formal occasions.
4. Braided Ponytail
Want to rock the braided ponytail? Step one: learn how to braid your hair. Or even better, get someone to braid it for you. A braided look may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a men’s ponytail, but once you try it out, you’ll love this distinctive style.
5. Ponytail for Curly Hair
If you have curly hair, it’s likely that it may get a little out of control sometimes. The curly ponytail is a classic way to get that pesky hair out of your face while still flaunting your amazing curls. Put a little bit of curl cream or hair gel into your hair first to give it extra control.
6. Ponytail for Long Hair
Long hair is ideal for pulling off ponytail hairstyles for men. With long hair, you can style your ponytail to be high, low, or anywhere in between. For a more formal event, opt for a high ponytail.
7. Ponytail for Short Hair
When you’re trying to grow out your hair, there’s nothing more exciting than discovering you can finally start putting your hair into a ponytail or bun. You may think your hair is in that awkward-length phase, but this is actually the ideal time to start putting your hair up into a ponytail. A clean, fresh look, a ponytail with short hair will never fade out of style.
8. Ponytail for Thick Curly Hair
For an easy look that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, a ponytail is a great option for men with thick hair. This is a terrific style choice for any occasion and is simple enough to style yourself.
9. Long Undercut with Ponytail
The undercut hairstyle continues to be a top desired hairstyle. One of the great things about the undercut is that it can be interpreted in many different ways. An undercut with a ponytail is perfect for those wanting to keep their long hair but still maintain a more polished, modern look.
10. Ponytail with Dreads
Dreadlocks are always in style. A great way to keep them out of your face is to put your dreads into a ponytail! An easy twist on a classic hairstyle, this one is easy enough to pull off in your bathroom.
11. Low Ponytail
Another classic ponytail hairstyle for men is the low ponytail. It’s simple to throw your hair up into a ponytail just at the nape of your neck. This look requires minimal effort, to enhance the ponytail, add some sea salt spray or men’s mousse to give your hair some texture and volume.
12. Small Ponytail
Don’t have super long hair yet? No problem. You can still rock a ponytail with short hair. . Simply gather as much loose hair as possible into a hair tie, don’t worry if you can’t gather it all, and voila, you have a small ponytail. The height of the ponytail will depend on how long your hair is, or how much you want to gather together.
13. Ponytail for Thick Hair
Thick hair can be both a blessing and a curse. Depending on how thick your hair is, it may be difficult to put your hair into a ponytail that really gets all the hair out of your face. Because of this, you may want to opt for one version of a men’s ponytail: the man bun.
14. Half Man Bun Ponytail
The man bun is versatile and flattering for everyone. To switch up the classic bun, try the half man bun ponytail. To achieve this look, gather half of your hair at the top of your ears and put it into a bun, leaving the bottom half of your hair down. The half man bun ponytail is perfect for casual events, but it also can really elevate your look for more formal events, just make sure you brush your hair first.
15. Ponytail with Bandana
Sometimes just putting your hair into a ponytail isn’t enough to keep all of the hair out of your face. Enter the bandana. It’s the best accessory to ensure that every strand of hair is out of your face. Perfect for playing sports or for a day at the beach.
16. Box Lock Men’s Ponytail
Box braids are a standout look for men with a strong sense of style. Elevate this look by taking the longer strands of braids and pulling them into a ponytail. It’s a timeless look, just make sure you get a hair elastic strong enough.
17. Textured Ponytail
When you’re going for a messy, unkempt ponytail, a textured ponytail is the way to go. This look is a more interesting and unique take on the classic ponytail, easily achievable with a light pomade. Time to embrace this mess.
18. Half Up Braided Ponytail
Incorporating braids into your ponytail is a great hairstyle for men with long hair, it’s easy to make it your own with small braids incorporated throughout your hair. This one may take a little more work and would be helpful to have someone to help you. Alternatively, try gathering the top part of your hair and braiding it together, leaving the hair below your ears down.
19. Loose Braided Ponytail
Even if you don’t know how to braid your own hair very well, you can still rock the loose braid. This look is great for the beach, hiking, or any other outdoor activity. Once your friends see your loose braid ponytail, they’ll be begging you to teach them how to braid hair.
20. Men’s Ponytail with Shaved Sides
A modern twist on a classic look, a ponytail with shaved sides is a great hairstyle option for men with long hair who are worried about overheating with a lot of hair. This ponytail for men will have you turning heads.
21. Face Framing Ponytail
While it may be important to you to keep your long hair out of your face, pulling a few strands of hair out from the ponytail to frame your face will help further define your features.
22. Beach Ponytail
What better place to throw your hair up into a ponytail than at the beach? Not only does it look good, but it’s practical. If you’ve been swimming in the ocean, the last thing you want is messy saltwater hair in your face all day. An unkempt ponytail should definitely be your go-to hairstyle for a beach day.
23. Half Ponytail with Beard
To avoid looking like a wild animal, be sure to keep your beard neat and trim by shaving, at minimum, weekly. A great way to accentuate your facial hair is with a long hairstyle like the half ponytail.
24. Ponytail for Straight Hair
Although straight hair may not look as voluminous in a ponytail as more curly hair, it’s still an awesome ponytail hairstyle for men, and still just as good at keeping hair out of your face.
25. Bubble Ponytail
Have a couple of extra hair ties lying around? Tie them around your long ponytail to create the bubble ponytail hairstyle. Simply put your hair in a ponytail as you normally would and tie another hair tie a few inches below the first one. Continue these steps until you reach the end of your hair.
26. Top Knot Ponytail
The samurai or top knot ponytail is a Japanese hairstyle worn by men. Traditionally, this hairstyle was worn by Japanese warriors to keep their helmets in place. Today the Samurai ponytail has been transformed into a more modern look for those wanting to embrace their inner warrior.
27. Ponytail with High Fade
Want to spice up your traditional fade? A ponytail with a high fade (fade ending above the temples) is a unique version of a men’s ponytail. Both sleek and messy, it is definitely an awesome option if you have long hair.
28. Ponytail for Receding Hairline
Those with a receding hairline can show off a men’s ponytail too! A ponytail for men with receding hairlines is an awesome way to show off your long locks, it’s best worn low on the head.
29. Messy Ponytail
The messy style looks great on everyone; it really can be worn for any occasion. Whether you want to dress down a more formal look or be casual for the day, throwing your hair up into a messy ponytail looks cool and effortless, achieve the look by throwing your hair up quickly without looking in a mirror.
30. Preppy Ponytail
If you’re wanting a more sleek hairstyle for your long hair, you can certainly opt for the preppy ponytail. This style is great for the workday, an interview, or even a wedding.
Men’s Ponytail FAQ:
What is a men’s ponytail called?
A men’s ponytail is simply called just that: a men’s ponytail. Other terms used can be a man pony, a male pony, or a man bun.
How long does it take to get a ponytail?
Hair growth is different for everyone and depends on your individual hair health. It typically takes about 12-15 months for the average person to grow their hair long enough to put into a ponytail.
How to tie a men’s ponytail
To tie a men’s ponytail, all you need is a sturdy hair tie, which you can find at most grocery and convenience stores. Begin with the hair tie on your dominant wrist. Gather your hair into a ponytail at your desired position. Pull the tie to the side and pull the hair through. With the tie around your fingers, twist it and pull to the other side and pull the hair through again. Repeat these steps until the hair tie is tight around the ponytail.
How to do a half ponytail for men
To style a half ponytail, do the same thing you would do for a normal ponytail, but leave half of your hair out of it. Section your hair into two parts: the top part will be the ponytail and the bottom part will be what is left out of the ponytail.