Winter hairstyles for women with a velvet scrunchie and a low ponytail chic start with the smallest change that makes the biggest difference: swap your plain elastic for a velvet scrunchie, and a plain low ponytail turns into a party hairstyle. It is the easiest upgrade in all of hair, and it costs less than a coffee. The velvet catches the light, the ponytail stays soft and full, and suddenly your everyday hair looks deliberate.
Winter is the velvet scrunchie’s season. The fabric looks rich against a wool coat, it does not snag or crease the hair the way a tight elastic does, and it holds a low ponytail gently enough that you can wear it all day without a headache. It is also the kindest hair tie for cold, dry hair, which is already fragile enough in January without a tight band pulling at it.
In this guide you will find seventeen velvet scrunchie looks, from the classic black low ponytail to the party version with curls, plus how to choose your colours, how to wear the style to work, and how to keep it in place all day. If you own one velvet scrunchie, this guide will show you seventeen ways to wear it.
Velvet Scrunchie Colours
The colour of your velvet scrunchie matters more than you think, and the rule is simple: the scrunchie should match the outfit, not the hair. A scrunchie that matches your hair disappears; a scrunchie that matches your coat or your dress becomes an accessory. Black velvet goes with everything and looks the most expensive, burgundy is the richest winter choice, emerald is the boldest, and blush pink softens a dark winter outfit beautifully.
If you buy only one, make it black. If you buy three, add burgundy and emerald, and you will have a scrunchie for every coat you own. Navy is the quiet choice for the office, and a deep forest green is the one that photographs best at a party. Keep the velvet clean by hand washing it in cold water and letting it air dry, and it will keep its pile and its colour all winter.
The Basic Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail
The basic velvet scrunchie ponytail is the foundation for everything in this guide, so it is worth doing properly. Brush your hair smooth, gather it low at the nape, and secure it loosely with the scrunchie, then gently tug at the crown for a little volume. Leave two soft pieces out at the front if you like, or pull everything back for a clean, polished line. The ponytail should sit low and relaxed, not high and tight.
The trick is not to pull the scrunchie too tight. A velvet scrunchie holds well on its own, and a looser wrap gives you a fuller, softer ponytail with no crease when you take it down. If your hair is slippery, a little texturizing spray before you gather it will give the scrunchie something to grip. Two wraps are usually enough; three if your hair is very thick.
The basic velvet scrunchie ponytail sits low and relaxed, with the scrunchie doing the work.
1. The Classic Black Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail and 2. The Burgundy Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail
Look one is the classic: a smooth low ponytail held with a black velvet scrunchie, the kind of style that works with a wool coat, a silk blouse, or a Christmas party dress. The black velvet reads as luxe rather than casual, and the low ponytail keeps the whole look grown-up. It is the version to wear when you want to look put together without trying very hard.
Look two swaps the black for burgundy, and the whole outfit changes with it. Burgundy velvet against dark hair is rich and warm, and it picks up the tones in a winter coat beautifully. Wear it with a burgundy lip or a burgundy coat and the scrunchie becomes part of the outfit rather than an afterthought. It is the most romantic of the seventeen looks, and the one that gets the most compliments.
Black velvet is the classic, and burgundy is the richest winter choice.
3. The Emerald Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail and 4. The Blush Pink Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail
Look three is the bold one: an emerald green velvet scrunchie on a low ponytail. Emerald is the colour that makes people ask where you got your scrunchie, and it looks especially good on dark hair and against a black coat. Keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the scrunchie be the statement. It is a party look that costs almost nothing.
Look four is the softest: a blush pink velvet scrunchie that lightens a dark winter outfit. Blush velvet looks beautiful on blonde and light brown hair, and it softens the whole face. Wear it with a cream jumper or a pale coat for a look that feels fresh in the middle of winter. It is the most feminine of the looks, and the easiest to wear every day.
Emerald velvet makes a statement, and blush pink softens a dark winter outfit.
5. The Navy Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail and 6. The Low Ponytail with a Velvet Scrunchie and Loose Waves
Look five is the office version: a navy velvet scrunchie on a smooth low ponytail. Navy reads as professional and polished, and it pairs with the dark tailoring most of us wear to work. The ponytail should be smooth at the crown and soft at the ends, with the scrunchie sitting neatly at the nape. It is the version that says you are in control of your morning.
Look six adds loose waves through the ponytail, which is the fastest way to make a velvet scrunchie look expensive. Curl the ponytail in two or three loose sections after you tie it, then brush the curls out with your fingers so they fall into soft waves. The scrunchie holds the shape at the nape while the waves give the ponytail movement. It is the look for a dinner out, a date, or any evening when you want your hair to look like you tried.
Navy velvet is the polished office choice, and loose waves make the ponytail look expensive.
7. The Sleek Low Ponytail with a Velvet Scrunchie and 8. The Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail with Face-Framing Pieces
Look seven is the sleek version: hair smoothed back with a serum, a low ponytail, and a velvet scrunchie as the only decoration. The sleekness is the point, so take the time to smooth the crown with a brush and a little product. This is the ponytail for a formal event, a job interview, or a winter wedding, and the velvet scrunchie keeps it from looking severe.
Look eight leaves two face-framing pieces out at the front, which softens the whole style. Pull the pieces out before you tie the ponytail, curl them lightly, and let them fall beside your cheeks. It is the most flattering version of the velvet scrunchie ponytail, because the pieces frame the face the way curtain bangs do. If you have a rounder face, this is the version to choose.
A sleek ponytail is formal and polished, and face-framing pieces soften the whole style.
9. The Party Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail with Curls and 10. The Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail with a Sparkly Clip
Look nine is the party version: a low ponytail with the lengths curled into soft, bouncy curls and a velvet scrunchie at the base. The curls give the ponytail volume and movement, and the velvet scrunchie anchors it so it does not look too sweet. It is the hairstyle for a Christmas party, a New Year gathering, or any night when you want your hair to look celebratory without an updo.
Look ten adds a sparkly clip just above the scrunchie, which is the easiest party trick there is. The clip catches the light, the velvet adds texture, and the ponytail does the rest. Place the clip at one side of the scrunchie rather than in the centre, so it looks deliberate rather than symmetrical. It takes ten seconds and it transforms the whole look.
Curls make the velvet scrunchie party-ready, and a sparkly clip adds instant glamour.
11. The Office Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail and 12. The Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail with a Middle Part
Look eleven is the office ponytail, and it is all about control. The hair is smooth, the part is neat, the ponytail is low and tidy, and the scrunchie is a dark, quiet colour. It looks professional without looking stiff, and it stays in place through a long day. If your office is formal, this is the velvet scrunchie look to wear, and it will still look good at five in the afternoon.
Look twelve parts the hair in the middle, which changes the whole feeling of the ponytail. A middle part with a low velvet scrunchie ponytail is calm and symmetrical, and it suits oval and heart-shaped faces best. Keep the roots smooth and let the face-framing pieces fall naturally. It is the most modern of the seventeen looks, and the one that photographs best.
The office version is neat and controlled, and a middle part makes it modern and symmetrical.
13. The Curly Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail and 14. The Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail with a Ribbon
Look thirteen is for natural curls: gather the curls low, secure them loosely with a velvet scrunchie, and let the curls do the rest. The velvet is gentle on curls and does not crush the pattern the way a tight elastic does, and the low placement keeps the volume at the nape rather than at the crown. It is the most comfortable way to wear curly hair in winter, and it looks beautiful.
Look fourteen ties a ribbon around the scrunchie, which is the prettiest detail on this list. Choose a ribbon that matches your outfit, tie it in a small bow at the base of the ponytail, and let the ends fall down the ponytail. Velvet and ribbon together are unashamedly romantic, and this is the look for a winter date, a party, or a day when you want to feel dressed up.
Velvet is gentle on natural curls, and a ribbon tied at the scrunchie is purely romantic.
15. The Voluminous Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail and 16. The Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail for a Winter Wedding
Look fifteen is the voluminous version: tease the crown lightly, gather the hair low, and let the ponytail fall full and soft. The velvet scrunchie hides the teasing at the base and adds its own fullness, so the ponytail looks thick even if your hair is fine. A little texturizing spray through the lengths will keep the volume from falling flat in damp winter air.
Look sixteen is the wedding-guest version, and it is the most elegant of the seventeen. The ponytail is smooth and low, the ends are curled into soft waves, and the scrunchie is black or burgundy velvet. Add a pair of statement earrings and you are ready for a winter ceremony. It is the updo alternative for the guest who does not want an updo, and it lasts all night.
A voluminous ponytail looks thick even on fine hair, and the wedding version is pure elegance.
17. The Everyday Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail
Look seventeen is the everyday version, and it is the one you will actually wear most. Gather your hair low, secure it with whatever velvet scrunchie is on your wrist, and go. No mirror, no heat, no fuss. The velvet makes it look intentional, the low ponytail keeps it comfortable, and the whole thing takes thirty seconds. If you buy a velvet scrunchie for one reason, it is for this: the ponytail that looks like you tried, on the morning you did not.
The everyday ponytail is also the kindest to your hair. A velvet scrunchie does not leave a crease, does not pull, and does not break the hair the way a tight elastic can. Wear it to the gym, to the shops, to school pickup, and your hair will thank you. Keep a spare scrunchie in your coat pocket and one on your wrist, and you are ready for anything winter throws at you.
The everyday velvet scrunchie ponytail takes thirty seconds and looks like you tried.
Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail for Parties
For a party, the velvet scrunchie ponytail needs a little more drama. Curl the lengths, add volume at the crown, and choose a scrunchie in a rich colour like burgundy or emerald. The ponytail should sit low but not flat, with the curls falling over one shoulder. A sparkly clip or a ribbon will finish it, and a shine spray on the lengths will catch the light in photographs.
The party version also needs to last. Set the curls with a light hairspray before you tie the ponytail, and carry a spare scrunchie in your bag in case the first one loosens after dancing. The beauty of this style is that it looks better as the night goes on and the curls relax into soft waves, so you can stop worrying about your hair and enjoy the party.
For a party, add curls, volume and a rich colour, and the ponytail will last all night.
Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail for Work
For work, the velvet scrunchie ponytail should be smooth, neat and quiet. Choose a dark colour, keep the crown smooth, and make sure the ponytail sits low and tidy at the nape. A middle part or a neat side part will keep it professional, and a little serum on the lengths will stop flyaways. It is the hairstyle that says you are organised, even on the morning you were not.
The work version is also the most practical. It keeps your hair out of your face, it survives a long day at a desk, and it still looks good at the end of it. If you have a meeting, smooth the crown with a brush and a drop of serum before you go in. If you have a long day, the velvet scrunchie will not give you a headache the way a tight elastic does, which is reason enough to make the switch.
For work, keep the ponytail smooth, neat and low, in a dark velvet colour.
Velvet Scrunchie with Curls
Velvet scrunchies and curls are a perfect match, because the velvet holds the curls gently without crushing them. If your hair is naturally curly, gather it low and let the curls fall where they want to. If your hair is straight, curl the ponytail after you tie it, using a curling iron on the lengths only, and brush the curls out with your fingers for soft waves.
The key is to curl after you tie, not before. Curling the ponytail once it is secured gives you even, bouncy curls that fall in the same direction, and the scrunchie hides the base so the style looks seamless. A light hairspray will hold the curls without making them stiff, and the velvet scrunchie will keep the whole style comfortable for hours.
Curl the ponytail after you tie it, and the velvet scrunchie will hold the curls gently.
Keeping Your Velvet Scrunchie Ponytail in Place All Day
A velvet scrunchie ponytail stays in place if you set it up right. Start with a little texturizing spray or dry shampoo at the roots, which gives the scrunchie grip. Gather the hair low, wrap the scrunchie twice, and then gently tug at the crown for volume. If your hair is very slippery, a couple of bobby pins crossed at the base of the ponytail will anchor it invisibly.
For a long day, carry a spare scrunchie and a few pins. If the ponytail loosens, take it down, shake your hair out, and re-tie it — the velvet will not leave a crease, so the second ponytail will look as good as the first. And at the end of the day, the ponytail will come down without a mark, which is the real luxury of a velvet scrunchie. If you love low ponytails, our winter ponytail hairstyles for women have twenty-one more ideas, and our low bun hairstyles for winter wedding guests are the elegant next step when you want your hair up.
Texturizing spray and a loose wrap keep a velvet scrunchie ponytail in place all day.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Velvet Scrunchie Low Ponytail
Here are the questions we hear most about winter hairstyles for women with a velvet scrunchie and a low ponytail chic, answered honestly.
Will a velvet scrunchie leave a crease in my hair?
No, and that is one of the best things about it. A velvet scrunchie is soft and wide, so it distributes the pressure instead of concentrating it in one line the way a thin elastic does. You can wear a velvet scrunchie ponytail all day, take it down, and your hair will fall back into place with almost no mark. If you do see a faint line, a quick brush through will remove it.
Can I wear a velvet scrunchie ponytail to a formal event?
Yes, if you choose the right colour and keep the ponytail polished. A black or burgundy velvet scrunchie on a smooth, low ponytail with curled ends looks elegant and intentional, and it is a perfectly acceptable choice for a winter wedding or a formal dinner. Keep the crown smooth, the ends curled, and the scrunchie dark, and no one will think it is casual.
How do I wash a velvet scrunchie?
Hand wash it in cold water with a little mild detergent, press out the water gently without wringing, and let it air dry. Do not put a velvet scrunchie in the washing machine or the dryer, because the heat and the agitation will flatten the pile and fade the colour. A clean velvet scrunchie keeps its softness and its rich colour, and it will last you all winter.
Save This Velvet Scrunchie Guide on Pinterest
Save this pin:
Love this look? Save this velvet scrunchie guide on Pinterest.
Want a caption for your own pin? Try our free Pinterest Caption & Pin Generator to create a caption for your velvet scrunchie look in seconds.
For more ponytail inspiration, our braided low ponytail hairstyles are the romantic next step. And when you are ready for an easy party hairstyle, save this guide and try the velvet scrunchie tonight. Follow Nova Fashion on Pinterest for more winter hair ideas.
One last thing worth knowing: a velvet scrunchie is the rare hair accessory that actually gets better with use. The pile softens, the elastic relaxes to the perfect tension, and the colour deepens a little. Buy the good one, not the three-pack of thin imitations, and it will last you the whole winter and beyond. Keep it on your wrist when your hair is down, so it is always there when you need it, and keep a second one in your coat pocket for the days you forget. The best hair accessory is the one you actually use, and a velvet scrunchie is the one you will reach for every single day.
And if you are building a small collection, start with black, add burgundy, and then choose one fun colour that makes you smile every time you see it. Emerald, forest green, or a deep plum are all good choices, and they will each change the way the same low ponytail looks. The scrunchie is small, but it is the detail that makes the ponytail feel finished. Winter hair does not have to be complicated to look chic. Sometimes it just needs a piece of velvet and a low ponytail.
Pingback: Braided Headband Hairstyles for Women: 17 Elegant Winter Looks Nova Fashion