Ariana Grande’s hair extensions and the signature look of an icon

Image of Ariana Grande with blonde hair extensions.

Glinda meets the ponytail queen? It’s a match made in heaven. 

Ariana Grande has always been that girl. Serving vocals, vibes, and, let’s be real, HAIR goals. No matter if she’s been giving us the iconic high ponytail that defied both gravity and bad hair days or stepping into her Glinda era with dreamy blonde slick-back, Ariana’s hair extensions have been the real MVP of her glow-ups. And honestly? We’re obsessed.


Let’s rewind for a sec. Remember when we were all bopping to The Way and trying (failing) to recreate her sleek, mile-high ponytail? It was the blueprint for pop star chic. Fast forward to now, and our girl’s in full-on blonde bombshell mode for Wicked—and she’s slaying harder than ever.


Ari’s hair has always been a mood and a whole movement in itself, and it’s grown with us, glowed with us, and we can’t lie—who didn’t want to try a ponytail that could double as a weapon? So, explore her hair extension evolution, break down the magic of her extensions, and relive every iconic moment. Buckle up, babes—it’s time to spill the tea on Ari’s legendary locks.

From Nickelodeon darling to pop princess

Let’s take it back to the Victorious days when Ariana Grande was rocking her signature red hair as Cat Valentine. Cute? Absolutely. Iconic? Not yet. It wasn’t until her post-Nickelodeon glow-up that the world was introduced to the ponytail—yes, the one that practically became her trademark.


This wasn’t your average ponytail. It was sky-high, sleek to perfection, and paired with a vibe that screamed “I run this world.” It doesn’t matter if she was performing on stage, gracing red carpets, or casually serving looks in her music videos, Ariana’s hair was ALWAYS doing the most—and we loved every second of it.


What made the ponytail so legendary? Extensions, of course! Ari embraced the magic of hair extensions to add length, volume, and that undeniable wow factor. And we can’t lie, us angsty teenagers were all Googling how to get Ariana Grande’s ponytail faster than you could say “thank u, next.”


This era wasn’t both a hairstyle and a cultural reset. Ariana’s ponytail became a serious symbol of power, sass, and GLAM, that’s for sure. It inspired memes, Halloween costumes, and countless trips to the salon (admit it—you tried it at least once). And while we all joked about how her scalp had to be in pain, Ariana proved that beauty is, in fact, pain—especially when you’re setting trends left and right.


But, just like us, Ari grew and evolved, and so did her hair. From the signature ponytail to softer, more experimental styles, her extensions became the statement of her creativity—and the rest is history.

Blonde ambition and Ariana’s ‘Wicked’ hair transformation

Fast forward to 2024, and we’re witnessing Ariana’s most jaw-dropping hair glow-up yet. Enter: Glinda the Good Witch. Yes, Ariana’s stepped into the world of Wicked, and with that comes a whole new look. Bye-bye, long, dark ponytail. Hello, blonde bombshell with effortless curls and volume that’s giving fairy-tale magic.


This is Ariana Grande 2.0, and she’s serving us the kind of blonde energy we didn’t even know we needed. From dark, glossy locks to this sun-kissed, honey blonde, Ariana’s hair evolution has us all doing a double-take. Like, how does she just keep getting better?


The move to blonde isn’t just for the role—it’s a whole new chapter for Ariana. This change even has us rethinking our own hair goals, and we’re not mad about it. Oh, and we’re not thinking about going into a subtle ombré here, we’re talking full-on Glinda magic. Extensions? You bet. Those perfectly tousled locks? They’re enhanced with some premium human hair extensions, giving her that effortless volume and length that no natural hair (no matter how enviable) can achieve on its own.


If you’re wondering how Ariana achieved this soft, blonde perfection, we’ve got the tea. Extensions like these are the unsung heroes behind her hair journey—adding length, fullness, and that celebrity-status cult hair ‘do. Honestly, how could anyone resist? Ariana’s latest look is an entire vibe. And who could blame us for wanting to capture a little bit of that magic for ourselves?

How to copy the look

We all remember the moment—Ariana Grande, her ponytail so high, it might as well have had its own zip code. Legendary. While Ariana may have ditched the long, dark locks for a lighter, glossier blonde, she still clips in those extensions for that gravity-defying ponytail. It’s in her DNA, and honestly, she can’t hide from it! No matter how much she glows in her Glinda era, that ponytail has always been her ride-or-die.


While her blonde moments are giving us major Wicked energy, that iconic high pony is all about extensions. So, how can you bring this iconic look to life, Ariana-style? Here’s how to channel her signature ponytail without sacrificing your hair health!

Step-by-step guide to nail the high ponytail with extensions

1. Start with fresh, clean hair

Start with freshly washed hair for a clean, fresh base. This guarantees that the extensions will blend in perfectly. Bonus: Use a lightweight leave-in conditioner to add volume and texture before you even begin!

2. Use clip-in extensions for instant length

If you’ve been wondering how to get that super long ponytail, clip-in extensions are your best friend. These are easy to apply, instantly adding thickness and length. Go for human hair extensions to match Ariana’s silky smooth texture and allow them to blend seamlessly with your natural hair.

3. Tease and backcomb for volume

Ariana’s ponytail wasn’t flat—it had big energy. Use a fine-tooth comb to tease the hair at the crown of your head before pulling it into a ponytail. This will add the height and drama we all know and love. For extra volume, you can also backcomb your extensions to make them look even fuller.

4. Secure with a strong elastic

No Ariana ponytail is complete without the right base. Secure your hair and extensions with a strong, elastic hair tie. Tip: Use a coated elastic to prevent damage and breakage. For extra hold, try a hair tie specifically designed for creating a secure high ponytail.

5. Wrap the base for extra glam

For that final touch of Ariana glam, take a small section of your hair (or extension) and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to hide the hair tie. Secure it with a bobby pin. This adds clean-girl energy to your look, making it extra sultry, just like Ariana’s.

6. Finish with hairspray

Ariana’s ponytail is known for being as sleek as it is high. Lock in the look with a strong-hold hairspray to tame any flyaways and ensure that ponytail stays put all day long. If you’re after the same shiny, polished look, try a shine spray to give it that extra Ariana glow.

7. Add extensions to the base for extra lift

For even more lift (and a little extra drama), consider adding a set of mini clip-in extensions just underneath the base of your ponytail. This gives the illusion of a pumped-up ponytail and ensures that the volume stays all day long!

We’ll love Ariana’s ponytail forever, and ever... and ever

So, why did Ariana fall head over heels for extensions? Simple—they gave her the perfect length and volume for that immortal ponytail, all while protecting her natural hair from the endless tension of tight updos. Everybody knows that constant heat and tugging can only take so much before your hair starts to protest. Extensions? They're the answer to keeping things fresh and healthy, all while flaunting that signature shine and bounce.


Ariana’s hair journey proves it—extensions are a styling tool AND a life strategy. They’re the secret weapon to the bounce, the swish, and the flawless locks she’s known for. They’ll forever be a part of her beauty routine, and honestly, who can blame her?


Right, what are you waiting for? Grab your clip-ins, tease those roots, and slay all day with a ponytail that's as bouncy and kick ass as hers. Because why not have a high pony and healthy hair? It’s the best of both worlds, darling.

 

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