Tying hair up - avoiding headaches/strain!

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As you can tell by my title I am really bad at doing my own hair up!

I have almost elbow length fine wavy (but not wavy enough to bother with curly girl) slightly greasy crap hair. It's in fairly good condition, all one length, can't be bothered with it!

That said, it usually blow dries well and 99% of the time I wear it down behind my ears. On a hot day like today I long to tie it up out of my way and wonder how people manage to wear buns/pony tails etc all day without issue.

However tightly or however I position it, whatever bands I use, when I tie it up in a bun or pony tail I always end up with a bit of strain and a headache from tying my hair up. I have to use hair bands as opposed to scrunches as my hair is too fine to stay up with just a scrunchie

Is this normal? Is anyone else like this?

I was never taught how to put my hair up by my mum or anyone really so have just cobbled along - badly - as suggested by my title!

I can do other people's hair well including my daughters, whose hair I do up for school every day. I always check she's comfortable and she has no issues wearing plaits/pony tails etc. all day.

Wise mumsnetters with basic skills - please help me achieve a bun/pony tail without giving myself a headache!

I use 4 or 5 of those miniature claw-clip things. No hair band - gather into highish ponytail, twist into bun and use clips horizontally around the base of the bun to clip it secure. You can sort of tuck them under so you can't see them too much. I also use ones that match hair colour. My hair is very long and thick but it works.
No idea whether that makes sense but it means bun is not too tight once it's done.

You've probably tried these already but I always had the same problem till a friend bought me some invisibobbles. They are brilliant, no more headaches, and they don't budge.

Ooh great idea thank you! I will look into these!

Thank you - I have not tried these before but will give them a go! I have seen them before but assumed they would work better on thick/curly hair, but will give them a try!

If it's 'slightly greasy and crap and you can't be bothered with it' have you considered taking it up to your shoulders? You can still tie it up but it may look and feel nicer for you

I used Slip silk ties to answer your question

My hair is very fine, definitely not for thick hair only!

Get a good haircut. It makes all the difference 😺

If it's 'slightly greasy and crap and you can't be bothered with it' have you considered taking it up to your shoulders? You can still tie it up but it may look and feel nicer for you

I thought that. Take it up to a length you can manage easily.

claw clips are great though.

That is a good point yes. I am going to go for a buzz cut at some point in future but could go a bit shorter first

My hair is like yours, now I also have a tiny person who loves grabbing it so my hair is tied up almost constantly.

I found some hair ties for £1 in primark, they look like an old school phone cord (☎️) and are brilliant! No headaches although they do still leave lines in my hair. Winner for me!

Elbow length hair is very long, what made you want to have it that long in the first place?

I'm not surprised it's driving you mad.

I like those spiral plastic hair bands, they feel more forgiving than normal ones. Was just about to link but see they are yeh same as those invsibobbles someone mentioned. They have them in Superdrug.

Agree with shortening it a good bit, it is so liberating. I did that and it is now shoulder length. Much easier to style, and I can still clip it up with hair claws on hot days (or if I can't be bothered faffing around) if needed.

I highly recommend it OP!

Thanks everyone. I will

Obtain some invisibobbles
Get my hair cut

I would try using two clips, so either space buns or one twist held with two clips one above the other.
https://tegenaccessories.co.uk/products/large-matte-pelican-clip