Add Four Inches to Your Ponytail--And Not with Extensions

by Catherine Q. O'Neill


David Cook
David Cook


I was out to dinner with my boyfriend's family when his sister-in-law showed up wearing a ponytail about four inches longer than her normal hair length. I politely grabbed her by the tail and demanded to know what kind of extensions she was wearing--but she lifted up her hair to reveal another ponytail hidden at the nape of her neck. "It's my little secret," she said. Not anymore: Here's why you need to steal this trick pronto.


Strikingly similar to the triple tail in Allure Hair: The Ultimate How-To Hair Guide (out now), this double tail is perfect for anyone looking to add length or body to their ponytail. And it's so, so easy!

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Step 1: Divide your hair horizontally and section it into two parts: One is all the hair above your ears and the other is all the hair below. Gather the bottom section into a small ponytail at the nape. Just make sure that your top section is bigger than your bottom section, so you have ample hair to hide the lower ponytail later.

Step 2: Brush the top section of hair straight back and secure it in place with an elastic about three to four inches above the first ponytail. This upper tail should cover the other ponytail at the nape, but if it doesn't, tease the top and undersides. That's what I did for added bulk--my version in the pictures below.

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And that's it! You can adjust the look by curling your ponytail, teasing the hair at the crown, or loosening a few pieces for a soft, beachy effect. But you don't need any other tools, glue, or extensions--as long as you're prepared to explain how your hair grew four inches in five minutes.

For tons more hair ideas and inspiration, check out Allure Hair: The Ultimate How-to Hair Guide, available on newsstands.

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