Hair length and how polished the day needs to look decide which of these 6 fits, since the range runs from a casual Top Knot to a Low Ponytail with the tie hidden under a strand of hair.
Every style here uses a single elastic, and in the basic versions the tie wraps around 2 or 3 times.
1. Twisted Low Bun
A twisted low bun is a coil of hair pinned or tied at the nape, and it takes one tie if you twist the ponytail on itself and wrap it around the base.
Pull everything low at the nape, twist the length until it tightens into a rope, then wind it around the tie. Tuck the end under the wrap so it holds.
I like it on dark, smooth hair, where the coil reads as a clean shape. It works for school, work or a dinner, and it sits flat enough to lean back against a chair.
2. Low Ponytail
Low ponytail is a good one to learn first, since it needs nothing more than a single tie and a smooth brush-through at the nape. Brush the hair back, gather it at the nape and wrap the tie 2 or 3 times.
A tie in a shade close to your hair color looks quieter than a bright one, and it disappears into the style.
You can leave it sleek, tug a few face-framing pieces loose, or flip the tail through the gap above the tie. I choose the sleek version for work and the loose one for weekends.
3. Ponytail with Volume
Volume comes from where you place the tie and how you loosen the hair around it. Gather a high ponytail, then pull gently at the crown with your fingertips to lift it away from the scalp.
Tug a few pieces out along the sides, not the front, so bangs stay neat.
A fuller tail also comes from pulling the tie slightly tighter, since a snug base makes the ponytail stand up instead of slumping. Skip heavy products; they flatten the lift you just built.
4. Gathered Twisted Bun
Short hair is where this bun earns its place, because it only asks for a high pull and a twist.
Hold the ponytail at the crown, twist the section, and wrap the tie around the base so the ends fold in.
Shorter lengths rarely coil neatly, so expect small pieces to escape. I think that looks better than forcing them flat, and it saves the bobby pins you would otherwise need.
Do it on dry hair for the most grip.
5. Top Knot
A top knot is the fastest way I know to clear hair off the face, and it works with bangs left out. Flip your head down, gather everything at the crown, and twist as you stand up.
Wrap the tie around the twisted hair 2 or 3 times, then loop the ends into a bun. Pull the loops slightly looser for a fuller shape.
It suits sweatshirt mornings and gym trips equally well. For a polished office look, pick something else; the shape is casual.
6. Hiding Hair Tie
Concealing the tie is a ten-second finish on a low ponytail. Take a thin strand from the underside of the tail, wrap it around the tie until the elastic disappears, and hold the end against the base.
If the strand is too thick, it looks bulky; I pick a section about as wide as a pencil.
Once you’ve hidden the hair tie, the style looks tidy with a white blouse or anything dressier, and you still used just the one tie.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to do a bun with one hair tie?
Pull the hair into a low ponytail at the nape, twist the length until it tightens into a rope, then wind it around the tie.
Slip the tip under the coil and the bun stays put. Clean, dry hair grips best, so skip the day-two silk-smooth finish if you can.
What are the cutest hair styles?
For one tie, I like the twisted low bun on dark, smooth hair, where the coil reads as a clean shape.
A low ponytail with a few face-framing pieces pulled loose is a close second, and a top knot is the fastest way to get hair off your face.
Cute depends on the occasion: sleek works for the office, loose and casual suits weekends.
How to make a ponytail look more interesting?
After tying a high ponytail, use your fingertips to lift the hair at the crown a little for height. A snug tie keeps the ponytail standing up instead of slumping.
How do you hide a hair tie with your own hair?
Take a thin strand from the underside of a low ponytail and wrap it around the tie until the elastic disappears.
Pin the end of the strand against the base with your fingers until it settles, and it will hold. Keep the strand near pencil width; anything thicker looks bulky around the elastic.
