No hair tie? No problem. A technique circulating on TikTok — validated by hairdresser Matt Newman, known as @mattloveshair to his 3 million+ followers — shows how to create a ponytail using nothing but your own hair. The trick works in seconds, though results vary depending on hair type.
Sometimes the simplest beauty hacks come from the most unexpected places. This one started with influencer Nichole Ciotti, who shared a method for tying hair without any accessories. The concept: use the hair itself to form a natural knot, no elastic required.
Matt Newman picked up the idea, tested it on his own thick hair, and posted the result on TikTok backed by ABBA's "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)." The video spread quickly, and for good reason — the technique is genuinely functional, at least under the right conditions.
The no-elastic ponytail technique, step by step
The method relies on a simple mechanical principle: creating a loop within the ponytail itself and passing the hair through it. No pins, no bobby pins, no accessories of any kind.
How to execute the knot
Here's exactly how it works:
- Gather all your hair into a low ponytail, centered at the nape of the neck.
- Hold it firmly with one hand.
- With the other hand, isolate a section of hair on one side of the ponytail.
- Slide your index finger under that section to open a gap.
- Push your thumb between the two sections to form a loop.
- Pass the entire ponytail through that loop.
- Release gently and adjust the tension to taste.
The result is a loose, slightly undone ponytail — what stylists often call a coiffé-décoiffé effect. Relaxed, effortless, and surprisingly wearable.
The tighter you pull the loop before passing the ponytail through, the more secure the hold. But pulling too hard collapses the knot — a light, controlled tension works best.
Why Matt Newman's validation matters
With more than 3 million followers on TikTok, Matt Newman isn't just another beauty creator. His audience follows him specifically for professional insight, and when he tests a trending hack, the verdict carries weight. His own hair — notably thick — held the style well, which he documented in real time. That transparency is part of what made the video resonate.
This trick has real limits
The no-elastic ponytail is not a universal solution, and Newman is honest about that. The technique works best on hair with natural texture, volume, or some degree of wave. But on very fine hair or ultra-smooth, straight hair, the knot lacks the friction it needs to hold. The strands simply slip through, and the whole structure loosens within minutes.
Even on hair that takes to the technique initially, the hold can be unpredictable over time. Movement, humidity, or just the weight of the hair can cause the knot to relax and eventually fall apart. This is not a hairstyle built for a full day at the office or an active afternoon.
- Hair is thick, wavy, or has natural texture
- You need a quick, temporary fix
- A relaxed, undone look is the goal
- Hair is very fine or ultra-smooth
- Long-lasting hold is needed
- Used as a daily go-to style
The technique is best understood as a quick fix — a backup when you reach into your bag and come up empty. It bridges the gap between a loose, messy situation and a presentable look, without requiring anything extra. Much like knowing how long nail polish takes to dry before you head out the door, it's the kind of practical knowledge that saves you in a pinch.
A TikTok-born trick with a real origin story
The technique didn't originate with Matt Newman — he's clear about that. Nichole Ciotti, an influencer, created and shared the method first. Newman's contribution was testing it with a professional eye and amplifying it to a much larger audience. That distinction matters: the hack has a traceable origin, not just a viral moment without context.
TikTok has become a genuine source of beauty technique discovery, and this is a good example of how the platform accelerates the spread of practical knowledge. A tip that might have stayed within a niche community reaches millions within days. And when a credentialed professional like Newman endorses it — rather than debunking it — the signal is clear: there's real technique here, even if it comes with caveats.
The no-elastic ponytail trick was originally created by influencer Nichole Ciotti. Matt Newman (@mattloveshair) tested and popularized it through his TikTok account, reaching an audience of over 3 million followers.
The broader beauty world on social media operates the same way. Whether it's a new nail finish technique — like the structured approach behind builder gel nails — or a no-tool hair trick, the logic is the same: accessible methods, tested visually, shared fast. What makes the best ones stick is exactly what this ponytail hack has going for it: a clear procedure, an honest set of limitations, and a result you can actually see. Not magic. Just a knot that holds — most of the time.
