How can I easily put my hair up other than a pony tail?

[Decaffstilltastesweird]

I have fine, wavy, shoulder length hair and it just looks silly and a bit scruffy in a pony tail as I have a smallish tuft poking out of the hair tie. It looks nice from the front when it's up, so would like to be able to do it without it looking scruffy. Anything involving braids is a bit beyond me!

Any ideas?

Red, I went very slowly and had to say 'right over left, now left over right' the whole time I was doing it I'm going to keep trying everyday until I get it neat enough to wear out.
I'll definitely try those beads;looks like a good way to jazz up a simple style.

NC4, how do you do a low side bun? Would you use a donut?

NC4

I do the quiff and pony tail thing a lot and the front looks great, but the back does not.

I have managed a passable messy bun today. I still can't seem to be able to photograph it though!

I too am very impressed with jaim's french plait thing!

I could have typed your first post OP. I've got one of these for buns and find it really easy:
m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-Magic-Sponge-Foam-Donut-Hair-Styling-Bun-Curler-Maker-Ring-Twist-Tool-DIY-/192205976112?epid=873557516&hash=item2cc05e7230%3Ag%3Abl4AAOSwrhBZMinf&_trkparms=pageci%253A5e95c7a9-7dbb-11e7-afb6-74dbd18010a3%257Cparentrq%253Acbcf219815d0a9cac7bc2479ffffd0c7%257Ciid%253A24

Jaim that looks awesome! Especially with the different colours. Which tutorial did you watch?

It was this one - m.youtube.com/watch?v=7yDEqP6FsQs She made it look so simple. I've practised again today and got my time down to 6 minutes

Thank you I'm going to give it a go.