@ciara / Instagram
Beauty trends can come from practically anywhere and everywhere, but one unexpected place is our childhood memories. Yet, from popsicle lips to bow hairstyles, a new kind of nostalgia has recently taken center stage in our routines. Pigtails are the latest to get the trend treatment, but this isn’t the first time they’ve made the leap from playgrounds to parties, as Brigitte Bardot famously sported them in the ’60s.
But it’s easy to see why the style is making a comeback: They’re a delightful alternative to ponytails on a casual hair day, whether you’re heading to the gym, running errands, or enjoying a laid-back brunch. There’s no age limit on the trend, but if you’re looking to give pigtails a more sophisticated or elevated feel, it’s all about how you style them—and there are so many ways to do so. Read on for 18 pigtail hairstyles we love, as worn by celebrities.
01 of 18
Grande Gestures
@arianagrande / Instagram
For the 2020 VMAs, Ariana Grande traded her signature high ponytail for ombré pigtails, proving how perfectly playful the style can be for one of music’s most fun events. We love the flipped ends, which give the look a sleek retro vibe.
02 of 18
Bold and Beautiful
@lacyredway / Instagram
Celeb stylist Lacy Redway has earned a reputation for creating incredible braids, as she did here with Tessa Thompson. The sleek style only enhances the powerful vibes when paired with a silky blazer and warm-toned makeup look.
03 of 18
Seeing Red
@billieeilish/Instagram
Even Billie Eilish, who usually rocks grunge styles, gave ultra-girly pigtails a go. Of course, she added her own spin to the look, opting for space buns and a bright red dye job at the roots to toughen things up.
04 of 18
Blonde Ambition
@instylerhair / Instagram
Always one to spark a beauty trend, Hailey Bieber turned heads when she styled her then-blonde hair into high pigtails. She elevated the look with subtle wavy texture.
05 of 18
Courtside Style
@teyanataylor/Instagram
To recreate Teyana Taylor’s courtside braids, hairstylist Sarah Potempa suggests prepping hair with Beachwaver’s Braid Balm ($11.20), which adds grip for longer-lasting styles while keeping braids shiny and frizz-free.
06 of 18
Great Lengths
@khloekardashian / Instagram
Leave it to a Kardashian to make pigtails super sultry. Here, Khloé makes the style worthy of your after-dark plans with dramatic length and big, bouncy volume.
07 of 18
Slick With It
Udo Salters/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Dove Cameron makes a compelling case for pigtails-as-event-hair with her face-framing pieces and sleek braids. A more stylized look—whether ultra slick or full of body—lends an elevated flair to the style.
08 of 18
Plaits Please
Getty Images
Get two childhood hair staples in one grown-up look, as Lilly Singh does here, by French-braiding your pigtails. Paired with a tailored neutral outfit, the style feels chic and sophisticated.
09 of 18
She's Come Undone
@SZA/Instagram
We can’t stop thinking about SZA’s lived-in, messy space-bun pigtails. To recreate, start with a texture spray like the Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Texture Craft ($20) before crafting your piece-y buns—this will help create a more undone feel while adding a natural-looking shine to strands.
10 of 18
All Curled Up
@emilychengmakeup / Instagram
Another thing to love about pigtails is they look great on any hair texture, as Yara Shahidi proves here by showing off her curls. All about the details, the look features stunningly styled edges, too.
11 of 18
Halfway There
@latto777 / Instagram
Singer and rapper Latto put her own spin on the half-up, half-down hairstyle by opting for pigtails with wrapped bases, giving her look a playful touch.
12 of 18
Hot Streak
@ciara / Instagram
Ciara works these voluminous, stylized pigtails so well that she may just inspire you to run out and get chunky highlights—and style them exactly like hers.
13 of 18
Little Bo Chic
@sabrinacarpenter/Instagram
“To elevate pigtail hairstyles for 2023, I would add ribbon, specifically a thin ribbon,” says celebrity hairstylist Barb Thompson. “In past years, thicker ribbon has been trendy, but now [we’re] seeing the slim ribbon making a comeback.” It’s no surprise Sabrina Carpenter already got the memo—she rocked tiny ribbon ties on the ends of months ago. And we have to mention how cool the interspersed pink strands look.
14 of 18
Braid Parade
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Leave it to Bella Hadid to know her way around any beauty trend. A deep middle part and low placement make these braided pigtails anything but childish.
15 of 18
Gut Decision
@oliviarodrigo / Instagram
We already knew Olivia Rodrigo had guts, but by pairing braided pigtails with brightly colored clips, her beauty choices bring the bold energy to match.
16 of 18
Baby Braids
@traceeellisross / Instagram
Tracee Ellis Ross flaunts the fact that you don’t need long hair to rock braided pigtails. Her neutral blazer keeps the style firmly in adulthood.
17 of 18
Mix and Match
@dimitrishair / Instagram
As celeb stylist Dimitris Giannetos says on this Instagram post, “Why not do it all, huh?” In the case of Camila Cabello’s style here, we’re talking two pigtails, six braids, two front pieces, and half the hair free and ultra-sleek.
18 of 18
Long Story
@ciara / Twitter
Another example of Ciara truly owning pigtails, the Rapunzel-esque length has us wanting to steal her style.
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