Sleek Ponytail On 4c Natural Hair: How To (2024)

Sleek ponytail on 4c natural hair

There is no other 4c hairstyle that screams elegance like a sleek, long ponytail.

It’s clean, it’s chic, and most importantly, it looks great on every hair type. So after writing my post on the many different ponytail hairstyles, I’m diving deep into the sleek ponytail on 4c natural hair.

As I’ve mentioned before, this hairstyle is not one of the protective styles that will grow your hair and keep it tucked away for weeks.

It actually requires quite a bit of hair texture manipulation if you want to achieve that sleek look. But a sleek ponytail style will last you a few days to a whole week if you look after it properly.

And in order to help you achieve the best results possible, I’m sharing with you how to do a sleek ponytail on 4c natural hair.

How to do a sleek ponytail on 4c natural hair?

1) Wash your hair

Like with most 4c hairstyles, you want to start on freshly cleaned hair. Washing your 4c hair will remove any product residue from prior protective hairstyles, as well as make sure it is fully moisturized and hydrated.

This will ensure that the style looks good and doesn’t damage your natural curls.

Moreover, it is easier to style and prevent tangles or knots as you work. Feel free to give your hair some extra love by doing a deep conditioning treatment, if needed.

2) Detangle your hair

Once your hair is clean, section it off in four parts. If you have short hair, feel free to do more than four sections.

Apply a generous amount of leave-in conditioner to each section of your hair and use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to gently comb through your hair. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots.

Once your hair is detangled, it’s time to add some coconut oil and shea butter to help keep your 4c hair moisturized. If you don’t make use of the LOC method, then a small amount of oil should be enough.

3) Stretch your hair by blow-drying it (optional)

Step 3 is optional, but recommended if you want a very sleek natural ponytail.

Simply use a blow dryer to stretch your hair and loosen up the tight coils / kinky hair texture. To protect your hair from heat damage, make sure to use a heat protectant.

4) Create the ponytail

Once your hair is detangled and straight, it’s time to start styling your ponytail.

This step will depend on whether you want to create a high ponytail or a low ponytail. For the high ponytail, you’ll stick to the front of your head, while for the low ponytail, you will gather your natural hair at the nape of your neck.

The trick is to gather a small amount of hair at a time. Grab a small section of hair where you want your slick ponytail, and add eco-styler gel to it. Secure it in place and then section by section add more hair.

Every time you add more hair, make sure to cover it in gel and use a boar bristle brush to distribute it evenly.

Keep in mind that if you have short natural hair it might not reach the ponytail. That’s fine. As long as you use a good gel to lay down the hair it will be fine.

5) Secure the hair

Once you have gathered all the hair in one place with an elastic band or hair tie, apply one last coat of the best edge control for your natural 4c hair.

That’s when I personally either go in with gorilla snot gel or my new personal favorite the Gummy edge control. Both products will slick back your hair nicely and give you some extra hold.

Finally, use an edge brush to style your edges to your liking, and then wrap your hair nicely and tight with a satin scarf. This will set the sleek hairstyle in place and ensure longevity.

6) Choose a ponytail style

Now that your 4c natural hair is slicked back you can choose the type of ponytail hairstyle you want. The best high ponytail hairstyle in my opinion is the straight-hair one. Here you simply apply some weave or a kinky straight drawstring ponytail.

But you can also choose different options, such as a high puff, kinky coarse clip-ins, and so on.

How long does a sleek ponytail last on 4c hair?

Honestly, I’m probably the worst person to answer this, because I take out hairstyles pretty quickly. Especially, if I used a lot of products.

But, in general, a sleek ponytail on 4c hair should last for at least a few days, depending on the type of product you use, the weather, and your activities.

For example, if you are very active and sweat a lot, your ponytail may start to loosen or frizz as the days go on. That’s when you will also see your natural hair revert back to its curly hair textures.

How do you maintain a sleek ponytail?

To help your sleek ponytail last as long as possible, it’s important to use the right products.

First things first, you want to use a strong hold gel or edge control that can help keep your hair in place and prevent flyaways. Here you want to avoid using products with a lot of alcohol, as these can dry out your hair and make it more prone to frizz.

Next, you want to protect your hair from the elements, if possible.

Cover it up if it’s raining or windy, and make sure to cover it accordingly. At night, you want to make sure to sleep with your hair wrapped in silk or satin to avoid friction with cotton sheets.

Lastly, be gentle with your hair.

Avoid brushing or tugging at your ponytail, as this can cause it to loosen or frizz. If you need to refresh your ponytail during the day, use a boar bristle brush to gently smooth it out and add a small amount of product if needed.

What can I use to sleek my 4c hair?

I already mentioned a few of my favorite products for a sleek look above, but there are many more products that you can use to achieve sleek styles. Some options include:

• Hair gel: Gel is a great option because it offers a strong hold, which will keep your hair in place. Look for a non-flaky, alcohol-free gel that is formulated for curly or natural hair. I like to use eco-styler gel.

• Edge control: Edge control is a thick, creamy product that is specifically designed to smooth down and define your hairline and edges. I find that it is best used on either thin hair or softer hair textures. However, the yummy edge control is the perfect product to create a sleek finish and even tame thick 4c hair.

• Curl-defining cream: Now you only want to use a curl-defining cream if you have very soft and thin hair. Which most 4c naturals do not. The benefit of a curl-defining cream is that it will help define and shape your curls, which is perfect if you are opting for a curly natural hair bun.

Either way, I suggest you experiment with different products to see what works best for your natural 4c hair. Keep in mind that everyone’s hair is different, so what works for me may not work for you.

What kind of hair to use for a sleek ponytail?

Okay, that’s the part I love about our hair; it is so versatile!

For a sleek ponytail, you can use the ends of your hair if it is long enough, or you can choose to add extensions to it. Different hair extensions will add different lengths and volumes and styles.

When choosing your 4c hair extensions, it’s important to consider the texture and type of your own hair.

Meaning that if you are not going for the super sleek look where you blow dry your own hair, then you want to look for extensions that are similar in texture and curl pattern. This will help ensure that the ponytail looks as natural as possible.

It’s also a good idea to choose extensions that are of good quality.

Cheap, low-quality extensions, such as synthetic weaves are more likely to tangle, shed, and break. That’s when you end up buying new extensions more frequently and spending more money.

Instead, opt for extensions that are made with high quality or are even human hair extensions. That is when your sleek ponytail will last longer and look the best.

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• 10 Medium Length 4c Hairstyles That You Will LOVE
• Space Buns On 4c Hair
• Halo Braid With Weave On 4c Hair
• Natural 4c Hair Clip-Ins