Medusa Ponytails Will Be Everywhere This Summer

Summer StylesMedusa Ponytails Will Be Everywhere This SummerThe braided look is already a favorite of Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner.

By Bella Cacciatore

May 4, 2022

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Bella Hadid is always one step ahead when it comes to beauty — so much so that people are slow to understand the look. Back in February, she debuted a braided ponytail — which we’ve dubbed the Medusa pony — and the look immediately became a style to watch. 

Not everyone was a fan of the Medusa pony, but the girls that got it, got it, and mentally filed it away as the next big hairdo. Fast-forward to spring, and Hadid has made the look one of her signature styles. Kendall Jenner has cosigned the trend, posting a pic of herself in the hairstyle and the perfect psychedelic minidress (all the deets on that here, BTW). Since then, influencer after influencer has followed suit, and tutorials for braided ponytails are slowly but surely taking over my For You page.

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We’re calling it now: The Medusa ponytails are going to be the hairstyle of the summer. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s easy, it’s a fun twist on basic braids — which have also been trending like crazy — and it will keep you cool when the temps are too hot to deal with. Celebrity hairstylist Annagjid Kee Taylor agrees: "This style is a great because it works on every type of natural hair and is fairly simple to recreate since it’s similar to wearing [a full head of] braids without the full commitment."

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To get the look, Taylor says to "start by slicking your hair back into a ponytail, using a ponytail holder with no metal clasp to avoid breakage." To get the sleekest pony possible, split your hair into two sections, slicking each back and then joining them at the crown. 

"Then, separate the tail into three or more sections depending on your hair density and how many braids you want," says Taylor. "The smaller the sections, the more braids you'll have, and the larger the section, the less braids you have. Braid each section down and secure with a thin ponytail holder or elastic — which are better for your hair than rubber bands." If you already have a whole head of braids, you can easily get the look by pulling your hair into a high pony.

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The beauty of the braided ponytail is that there’s plenty of room to play and make it your own. Two larger braids will give you a sleeker, sporty look, while tons of tiny ones like Hadid’s give off a quirky vibe. Keep things streamlined, or add ribbons, clips, or colorful elastics for some extra punch.  

No matter what your style, get ready to take your own internet-breaking selfie with everything you need, below. 

Courtesy of brand

Cricket Static-Free Ponytail Pro Brush$14

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Sexy Hair Style Hard Up Hard Holding Gel$19Scunci No Damage Gentle Hold Elastics$5

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Pureology Style + Protect Shine Bright Taming Serum$29

This story originally appeared on glamour.com.

More on hair trends:

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Keywordsponytailbraidscelebrity hairstylesbella hadidkendall jennersummer hairstylessummer hair ideasNewshair trend