Fabulous Hair Fast: 5 Creative Ponytail Styles

It's not just a gym look! These celeb favorites and runway-inspired takes are super easy and give you instant glam.

A three-part pony is pretty and totally professional. Work it for work—it takes only minutes in the morning. How to Pony Up: Hit snooze! Our best-on-damp-hair triple pony saves you blow-dry time. Make three tight ponies: one level with the top of ears, one level with the bottom of ears and one at the nape of your neck, says Neil Moodie, an editorial stylist for Bumble and Bumble in London, who created this look for Hervè Lèger by Max Azria's spring 2012 show. Lay the top pony over the middle pony, and wrap a hair bungee around the elastic of the second pony to fasten them together. Next, take those two ponies and secure them to the third in the same way. Done!

RickyCare Bungee Invisipins, $5 for four, come in five shades that blend into any haircolor.

Pretty, preppy and a guaranteed parent pleaser, this sideswept style comes with everything but the polo shirt. Sorry, it won't help your posture! How to Pony Up: Fresh from a run or fresh out of bed, start by shampooing—squeaky-clean hair is key for this style. Next, work a volumizer through towel-dried hair and blow-dry with a round brush to build volume. When hair is dry, use a large curling iron to loosely curl your ends, says Sam McKnight, a global ambassador for Pantene in London, who created this sleek-on-top, soft-on-bottom look for Jaeger London's spring 2012 show. Then comb a part in line with the arch of one eyebrow, and tie hair into a low pony on the same side as your part. Now mimosas!

Lift your roots with Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Mousse, $3.

Got five minutes? Go from boardroom bland to cocktail cute in the office bathroom. Two skinny barrettes and an elastic are all it takes. How to Pony Up: Pull hair into a tight pony that sits halfway up your head, says Guido, a creative consultant in New York City for Redken who worked his magic at the Marc by Marc Jacobs spring 2012 show. Slick is the trick to nailing this style. Run justlotioned hands over any frizzy spots. Then flip the tail toward the top of your head and clip it in place with a skinny barrette about 1 inch above the elastic. Loosely flip the remaining portion of the tail back down, and pin it with a second clip about an inch below the elastic, creating a bunlike pouf.

Add a pop of color to your pouf with L. Erickson Boho Braid Long and Skinny Barrettes, $38 each.

Romantic and oh-so-sexy, this intentionally undone 'do is flirty without being fussy. It looks as if you tried...but not too hard. How to Pony Up: Shower, but don't even think of shampooing; a little extra grit helps this style stay put. Comb a deep side part and gather strands into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, covering your ears. Wind the elastic around the base of the ponytail, pulling the hair partway through to create a loop on the final twist, says Eugene Souleiman, global creative director of Wella Professionals, who created the look at Missoni's spring 2012 show. Spritz fingertips with a salt spray and rub your roots to boost body. Secure the top of the loop to your scalp with a playful hair comb or two.

Hair too silky for this look? Spritz Davines for Wizards No. 14 Sea Salt Primer, $26, to give it texture. Perk up your style with a bright L. Erickson USA French Twist Comb, $23.

Sweet, face-framing twists stay put while you hit the mall. Then sleep in the look to wake up with soft waves—it's like a free gift with purchase! How to Pony Up: Prep dry hair with a pea-sized amount of styling cream, then comb a slightly off-center part. Starting on the left side of your part, grab a 2-inch-thick section and roll it away from face, moving downward and gathering strands from your hairline as you go, says Nikki Ray, a senior stylist at Salon AKS in NYC, who showed us how to re-create the rolls from the Erickson Beamon spring 2012 show. Clip the coil at the base of your head, then repeat the roll on the right. After both sides are spiraled, pull out clips and secure pieces together with an elastic. Two days of cute hair? Check.

A squeeze of Phyto Professional Glossing Cream, $24, wards off frizz.