16 Slick Ponytail Hair Ideas That Will Instantly Elevate Any Look

olivia culpo wearing sleek ponytail — @justinemarjan / instagram

There's a lot to love about a slicked-back ponytail. The sleek hairstyle is easy to achieve, works with every hair type, and instantly adds an elevated appeal to any look. Not to mention, the style lends itself to many creative possibilities. You can play around with parting, add cool twists or braids, or adorn your ponytail with chic hair accessories. Your options are truly endless with this 'do.

Need some inspiration? We've rounded up 16 slicked-back ponytail ideas below.

Meet the Expert

Sarah Potempa is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver Co.
Joey Figueiredo is a professional hairstylist and owner of Daicy//Figueiredo Salon in Sola Salons.

01 of 16

Water-Effect Slick Ponytail

Gal Gadot on the red carpet with a wet-looking, slicked back ponytail. — Michael Tran / Getty Images

Sleek, wet looks—like this chic ponytail on Gal Gadot—are rarely actually done with wet hair. After all, tight updos can wreak serious havoc on wet hair, causing breakage and tension. Instead, Potempa suggests using pre-wash hair treatments to create that ultra-sleek, slicked-back moment. Not only will the products rehydrate and treat hair before wash day, but they'll also emulate that hard-to-achieve wet look.

02 of 16

Curly Slick Ponytail

slick ponytail with voluminous curls — @aureefabienne /Instagram

You don't have to pick between a sleek look and embracing your natural curls. To achieve the look, start by parting freshly-detangled dry hair into sections and applying a strong-hold pomade or gel, focusing the product on the roots. Use a boar bristle brush to smooth out your hair in the front. Then, secure your hair into a tight ponytail with a durable hair elastic. For an extra sleek finish, smooth the front of your hair with a fine-tooth comb and spritz it with some hairspray.

03 of 16

Sleek and Straight Ponytail

Khloe Kardashian in a slicked back ponytail and straight hair. — @ash_kholm / instagram

Pair a slicked-back ponytail with straightened ends for an even sleeker look, as seen on Khloe Kardashian. Figueiredo suggests spraying hairspray directly onto a boar bristle brush to smooth away any flyaways.

04 of 16

Wavy Slick Ponytail

Gwen Stefani in a slicked back ponytail and cascading waves. — @justinemarjan /Instagram

We love pairing a sleek, tight pony with cascading loose waves. For foolproof styling, use the Beachwaver Pro 1.25 ($229) to create effortless waves before creating your ponytail. Potempa suggests tilting your chin up slightly while gathering the hair into a ponytail with a brush. This will help keep the hair near the nape of the neck tight to the head and give you a polished, chic look.

05 of 16

Side Part Slick Ponytail

slicked back ponytail with a deep side part. — @felicerosee/Instagram

Switch up your usual slicked-back pony with a deep side part, which feels reminiscent of the '90s. The key to nailing the style is an ultra-precise part—we suggest using a fine-tooth, rat-tail comb like The Hair Edit's Section & Style Comb ($5) for expert sectioning and smoothing.

06 of 16

Sky High Slick Ponytail

Super high slicked back pony. — @justinemarjan/Instagram

For an anything-but-boring style, opt for an ultra-high slicked pony with tons of body. We love the hint of the hair part popping through at the top of the head—it adds a casualness that's often lost with sky-high ponytails. To recreate, gather your hair at the nape of your neck before slowly brushing it up until your base is just below the top of the head.

07 of 16

Fluffy and Flippy Slick Ponytail

slicked-back ponytail with flicked out ends. — @felicerosee/Instagram

To further elevate your high ponytail, go for fluffy, curled ends. Complete the look with precisely styled edges.

08 of 16

Low with Bows Slick Ponytail

low slicked back ponytail with a bow. — @justinemarjan/Instagram

Spice up a low, slicked-back ponytail with an on-trend accessory like a bow. Simply secure your ponytail at the nape of the neck and tie a bow over the ponytail for a sophisticated touch that's sure to impress.

09 of 16

Face-Framing Slick Ponytail

woman wearing sleek ponytail with face framing piece — @justinemarjan / instagram

If you don't want to wear all your hair in a ponytail, you have options. Pulling out face-framing pieces is one way to instantly jazz up the slicked-back style.

10 of 16

Perfectly Slicked Ponytail

olivia culpo wearing a sleek ponytail — @justinemarjan / instagram

Olivia Culpo's mid-height slicked ponytail is one of the sleekest takes we've seen. To achieve this glossy, frizz-free look, make sure you have a strong hold hairspray, gel, and shine serum on hand.

11 of 16

Sophisticated Slick Ponytail

ariana grande wearing high ponytail — Steve Granitz / Getty Images

This inspiration gallery would be complete without a look from Ariana Grande—the ponytail queen. Here, she sported a gorgeous super-high ponytail. The small details—like the hair-wrapped ponytail base and subtle side bang—complete this look perfectly.

12 of 16

Chic and Curly Slick Ponytail

lala wearing slick curly ponytail — @lala / instagram

Lala is always sporting a chic hairstyle—and this curly ponytail is one of our recent favorites. You can recreate this look with a curling wand with a smaller barrel (this will help you achieve tighter, defined curls). You can find the 10 best curling wands here.

13 of 16

Braided Slick Ponytail

model with a slick ponytail and braids on the side — @justinemarjan / instagram

This bone-straight, slick ponytail is so pretty and polished. The braids adorning the top and sides of the model's head are the perfect finishing touches.

14 of 16

Voluminous Slick Ponytail

KENDALL JENNER AT the met gala wearing a bouncy ponytail — Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty images

Talk about volume. Kendall Jenner's slicked-back ponytail is incredibly full and voluminous. Her flipped ends give the look additional flair.

15 of 16

Burgundy Slick Ponytail

normani wearing long burgundy ponytail — Swan Gallet / Getty Images

Normani's burgundy ponytail is stunning. The small braids on the side add a fun twist to the slick style. To ensure the look lasts and that there are no flyaways, use a strong hold spray like Got 2b Glued Blasting Freezing Spray ($8).

16 of 16

Swept Away Slick Ponytail

ashley graham wearing sleek ponytail — @ashleygraham / instagram

Ashley Graham's slick ponytail is full of body and bounce. However, we especially love the front of her hair. You can achieve the same look by pulling out two sections in the front, parting them down the middle, and securing each section at the back of your head with bobby pins.

20 Slicked-Back Hairstyles That Look Effortlessly Sleek