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Topsy Tail Pigtails Hair Tutorial

Feb 10, 2021 ·

Print

Topsy Tail Pigtails

This Hair Tutorial is so easy to follow,  if you can put your hair in pigtails, you can do these topsy tail pigtails. It's a fun, cute style!
Keyword easy hair tutorial, hair tutorial, pigtails, topsy tail
Prep Time 2 minutes minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 7 minutes minutes
Author Jen Pinkston

Equipment

  • comb

Ingredients

  • small elastic hair bands

Instructions

  • Separate the hair into two sections as if you were creating simple low pig tails and secure with an elastic.
  • Beginning on one side, add an additional elastic about two inches down.
  • Separate the hair between the two elastics to create a hole in the center with hair one either side, then tuck the pony tail through the hole and tighten the topsy tail by pulling up on the remaining hair in the ponytail.
  • To add texture, fullness and give it more of a messy, undone look, pinch and pull the hair that is secured between the two elastics before continuing.
  • Add a third elastic below your first topsy tail and repeat above to create your second topsy tail and continue depending on the length of your hair and how many fit.
  • Repeat on the other side.
  • Using a comb, back comb the ends to create more texture.

This Hair Tutorial is so easy to follow,  if you can put your hair in pigtails, you can do these topsy tail pigtails. It's a fun, cute style that takes me back to my school days. If you’re feeling advanced, stick some flowers in it in the end!

topsy tail pigtails on model

Do you remember the topsy tail?  It was quite the craze during my middle school years and a mother's dream since all you had to do was simply separate the hair immediately above a simple ponytail and tuck the ponytail up and through it creating a roll of hair on either side.  I thought I'd do a a bit of nostalgic topsy tail pigtails tutorial. (Speaking of middle school trends, did anyone else go through a silk boxer shorts as an acceptable form of pants on girls phase?)

I swear this was a thing at my middle school and no one believes me!)  Anyways, since some of you have worried that the past two hair tutorials look too complicated to do on yourself (which I promise you can!), I thought we would keep today's tutorial super simple and fun with these modern topsy tail pigtails that Mel created for us!

Perfect for enjoying these final weeks of summer, right?  Keep reading for the full tutorial...

holding hair for topsy tail pigtails

How To Make Topsy Tail Pigtails - Step By Step

1. Separate the hair into two sections as if you were creating simple low pig tails and secure with an elastic.

2. Beginning on one side, add an additional elastic about two inches down.

3. Separate the hair between the two elastics to create a hole in the center with hair one either side, then tuck the pony tail through the hole and tighten the topsy tail by pulling up on the remaining hair in the ponytail.

4. To add texture, fullness and give it more of a messy, undone look, pinch and pull the hair that is secured between the two elastics before continuing. 

step by step collage for topsy tail pigtails hands holding one of the pigtails

5. Add a third elastic below your first topsy tail and repeat above to create your second topsy tail and continue depending on the length of your hair and how many fit.

6. Repeat on the other side.

7. Using a comb, back comb the ends to create more texture.

bunching up sections between the bands combing topsy tail pigtail

Topsy Tail Pigtails

The loops create a texture similar to a fishtail braid with half the effort of a real fishtail. If you have longer hair, you can do loads more loops, or with shorter hair just do one less. You can messy them up and make them as full as you like and add a few bits of wildflowers to hold on to that summer vibe!

Topsy Tail Pigtails - A Fun And Easy Hairstyle

Topsy tail pigtails are also called faux fishtail. They give a braided look but with very little effort. Perfect for a quick do on a fun night out or summer party. If you are having a particularly uncoordinated day (we've all been there!), this is particularly good, its so simple and gives a fuller look to your hair.

Pigtails - On Trend For 2020!

Pigtails are on trend for 2020 but for me they never go out of fashion! They picked up steam at the end of 2018 and have been rising up the hair ranks since then. Everyone from Beyonce to Jason Mamoa has been rocking those piggy locks!

pigtails

Top Tips For Topsy Tail Pigtails

  • As with any procedure, the first step is to gather all the supplies you will need so that they are at arm’s reach. You will need tiny elastic bands and a comb.
  • Depending on the humidity and texture of your toddler’s hair, you may also want a spritzer bottle of water.
  • As you go, you can pinch and pull the hair that is secured between the two elastics for a more undone look.
  • Trim early and often. Dry and dead ends will become even more unruly-and unsightly-when exposed to sun and chlorine.

model smiling with pigtails

Check Out These Other Easy Hairstyles

  • Effortless Up Do Hair Tutorial for Summer
  • 2 Floral Hair Tutorials that are Perfect for Summer!
  • Hair Tutorial || The Hair Scarf, Two Ways
  • Hair Tutorial || 5 Minute Curls

Have you tried these topsy tail pigtails? What's your favorite easy style? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

 

Print

Topsy Tail Pigtails

This Hair Tutorial is so easy to follow,  if you can put your hair in pigtails, you can do these topsy tail pigtails. It's a fun, cute style!
Prep Time2 minutes mins
Active Time5 minutes mins
Total Time7 minutes mins
Keyword: easy hair tutorial, hair tutorial, pigtails, topsy tail
Author: Jen Pinkston

Equipment

  • comb

Materials

  • small elastic hair bands

Instructions

  • Separate the hair into two sections as if you were creating simple low pig tails and secure with an elastic.
  • Beginning on one side, add an additional elastic about two inches down.
  • Separate the hair between the two elastics to create a hole in the center with hair one either side, then tuck the pony tail through the hole and tighten the topsy tail by pulling up on the remaining hair in the ponytail.
  • To add texture, fullness and give it more of a messy, undone look, pinch and pull the hair that is secured between the two elastics before continuing.
  • Add a third elastic below your first topsy tail and repeat above to create your second topsy tail and continue depending on the length of your hair and how many fit.
  • Repeat on the other side.
  • Using a comb, back comb the ends to create more texture.

Photography by Katie Jameson

Tutorial by Mel Dominguez  (To book an appointment with Mel, email [email protected])

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. N. Ellis says

    August 23, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    Hey, Jen! 🙂

    Thanks for sharing this simple but really chic hairstyle! I think this is perfect whenever I want to keep my hair in place. 🙂

  2. Jennifer says

    August 21, 2017 at 11:17 am

    Those pigtails are so cute!

    JennIfer
    Effortlessly Sophisticated

    • Jen Pinkston says

      August 22, 2017 at 8:59 am

      Thanks, Jennifer! I actually did a mini version on Parker's hair and it was pretty cute!

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