Easy twisted ponytail hairstyle tutorial – no hair ties needed!

Ever needed to pull your hair back but you don’t have a hair tie? If you have some bobby pins on hand then you can re-create this easy twisted ponytail.

This actually happened on the weekend. A friend asked if I had a hair tie but all I had were bobby pins. I have no idea where all my hair elastics go but my bobby pins always end up at the bottom of my handbag.

You can still create a ponytail and get your hair off your neck with a few pins. Twisting sections of your hair helps them stay in place and a small braid holds it all together.

I have to confess I forgot I had shot this hairstyle tutorial. I usually try to shoot a few hairstyle tutorials at once (to be more efficient). I was sorting through photos when I rediscovered this look. I love this easy kind of style that makes your everyday ponytail a little more beautiful.

These crazy colours in my hair are just from hair chalk. It’s a temporary colour that lets you experiment without risk. Normal chalk washes out easily. For this look I used L’Oreal liquid hair chalk and it was more like a semi-permanent colour in my hair as it lasted for several shampoos. The liquid chalk is easier to apply and lets you achieve a finer mix of colour.

These twists really show off the hair chalk, especially the braid detail. No matter your hair colour, this is a sweet look to try in your hair. It will work even better in second day hair.

Easy twisted ponytail hairstyle tutorial – no hair ties needed

What you need:

• Bobby pins

Step-by-step:

1. Make sure there’s some texture in your hair. These twists won’t hold well in really soft and clean hair. Use a sea salt spray or dry shampoo to add in texture.
2. Create the left twist. Take a section of hair on the left above your ear and twist it back away from your face. Place your bobby pin vertically through the twist to hold it in place.
3. Repeat on the right. Take a section above your ear and twist it back. Bring this twist across the back of your head to connect with your first twist. Place your bobby pin through the twist.
4. Twist the lower right section. Twist the hair across to sit underneath your top right twist, pinning along the twist to keep it in place.
5. Create your braid. Take a section of hair from below your left ear. Split it into three equal sections and do a basic braid (plait).
6. Tie your braid around your ponytail. Use your braid like a hair band and wind it around your ponytail. Pin it in place underneath your ponytail to hold it all in place.

Styling tips

• If your twists won’t stay in place, your hair may be too clean. Add some texture to your hair before you start to style. That’s why this hairstyle is great for second day hair.
• For added hold, spritz your finished style with hairspray.
• Try varying this style with smaller twists, and more twists. Or do a fishtail braid to wrap around your ponytail for extra detail.

Do you ever get caught without a hair band? Where do they all go??!

I’d love to see a photo of you wearing this hairstyle. Tag me on instagram using the hashtag #hairromance!