31 Easy Ways To Put Your Hair Up (Beyond A Basic Ponytail)

For the first time in pretty much my whole life, I have long hair. And, you guys, it is hard work. With short hair, as long as you have a good cut, you can give it a quick blow-dry, throw in some product, and you’re good to go. But with long hair you have to actually do it. And since most days I simply don’t have time to straighten it or curl it, I end up throwing it into the—you guessed it—dreaded ponytail, and then feeling meh all day.

Well, no more! It turns out there are a bunch of ways to wear your hair that take just a few moments longer than the traditional ponytail and are adorable. Like the kind of adorable where people are convinced you must have a full-time staff in order to be leaving the house looking so put together and polished. I promise, though, none of them will take longer than five minutes, and even a long-hair newbie like me can make them happen.

Click through the slideshow for easy ways to put your hair up that don’t require hiring a sitter.

Easy Ways to Put Your Hair Up That Aren't a Ponytail

The Quick Half Top Knot

Turns out you can do all kinds of cool and quirky things with your hair and still come off looking like a total pro. In this case, a top knot gets a little update courtesy of a few bobby pins. It's an effortless look that keeps your hair away from your face while adding a stylish twist to your day.

Full tutorial: Fresh Mommy Blog

Image: Fresh Mommy Blog
Messy Crown Headband

This boho style is totally on trend, and you can pull it off in less than five minutes (even if a toddler is hanging on your leg).

Full tutorial: Momtastic on Facebook

Image: Momtastic
Braided Bangs

If your bangs are of the “What should I do with these today?” variety, this look may be just what you've been waiting for. A simple braid pulled and tied to the side gives you a chic alternative to a headband or ponytail.

Full tutorial: A Beautiful Mess

Image: A Beautiful Mess
The Curly Updo

Summer + curls = the biggest pouf ever. With a few clips and styling products, you can tame that mane and refresh your style in just a couple of quick moves. As a curly girl myself, I'm loving this fresh take on the casual updo.

Full tutorial: OnceWed

Image: OnceWed
Textured French Twist

Want a quick up-do that doesn't look too done? This fresh, not-at-all-stuffy version of the French twist is the way to go.

Full tutorial: Momtastic on Facebook

Image: Momtastic
The Tied Up Topknot (Done Wet!)

Let's be realistic here. If you have time to shower then you probably don't have time to also dry your hair, which means, if you're like me, you end walking around with weirdly kinky hair all day that, eventually, you throw back into a ponytail. No more! The Beauty Department has three hair tutorials designed especially for wet hair that look cute enough you may never blow-dry again.

Full Tutorial: The Beauty Department

Image: The Beauty Department
Twist Side Pony

Okay, so you're still not convinced a ponytail isn't the best thing since Ryan Gosling? How about a twist on the traditional pony with this easygoing version that looks a lot harder than it is? (Their instructions are for a side pony, but you can achieve the straight-down-your-back look by simply keeping the pony centered.)

Full tutorial here

Image: Irrelephant Blog
Flower Crown Updo

If you're like me, your closet resembles a botanical garden and you can't get enough of anything bright and colorful. Even if you aren't quite a flower child, though, you have to show some love for this downright charming updo. The star of the show is an elastic flower headband (although you could use any stretchy band to achieve the look).

Full tutorial: ...love Maegan

Image: ...love Maegan
Lateral Messy Braid with Head Scarf

You know when you're having one of those days when you really need to get your roots done, but you still can't get in for a week? This is your 'do. It's an easy, over-the-shoulder braid jazzed up with a colorful hair scarf that works especially well for those of us with bangs.

Full tutorial: Join the Mood

Image: Join the Mood
Milkmaid Braids

One of the reasons I wanted to grow my hair out was to hop on the braid train. While my hair still isn't long enough for the over-the-shoulder fishtail, I think I can finally rock the quirky milkmaid braid look. It takes just a couple of minutes to do and adds an element of fun to your outfit that you just don't get from, I don't know, a ponytail.

Full tutorial: A Beautiful Mess

Image: A Beautiful Mess
Put a Bow on It

Ever wish you could just be a kid again? You can be allll about that life just by adding a cutesy bow to your hair. Put a bright and playful twist on the traditional top knot bun by adding a headwrap to the look. An adorable bow is the perfect finishing touch to this sassy look.

By: Bee Mine Sunshine

Image: Bee Mine Sunshine
Fishtail Bun Updo

You look at this and think, Hmmm. Not Easy. Turns out it actually is—it just looks complex thanks to the fishtails. If you prefer, you can make simple braids to achieve this look, too. Options. We like options.

Full tutorial: Brit + Co

Image: Brit + Co
Twisted Pony Updo

Have you ever seen anything more posh? I fell for this gorgeous look the moment I laid eyes on it. The sleek ponytail undergoes an elegant transformation thanks to a couple of deft moves. The result is a look that's minimally chic and appropriate for just about every occasion.

Full tutorial: Camille Styles

Image: Camille Styles
Braided Head Wrap

Or if you really want to give your hair a rest, how about an oh-so-cool head wrap? Latonya makes it look easy to do in her video tutorial and even cooler to wear.

Full tutorial: Latonya Yvette

Image: Latonya Yvette
The Updated Ballerina Bun

Sleek and elegant, this bun puts a fresh spin on the classic look sported by ballerinas. You don't have to be nimble on your feet to make this a possibility, either—elastic bands, a hair stick, and a headband are all you need.

Full tutorial: The Fashionable Housewife

Image: The Fashionable Housewife
Easy Twisty Bun

Full disclosure? I'm wearing this bun right now. I started this post early this morning and looked up about fifteen minutes before I had to leave for a birthday party and realized I hadn't showered or wrapped the present, so I thought I'd give it a try. Verdict? Just as easy as it looks, it's lasted all day, and someone asked me at the party how to do it. #win

Full tutorial: A Little Slice Of

Image: A Little Slice Of
The Half Top Knot

This summer, I am all about the half top knot. It takes about 14 seconds to do, yet looks totally chic. I like to think it elevates my yoga pants from mom-who-forgot-to-shower to Gwen-Stefani-lookalike-who-forgot-to-shower.

By: The Beauty Mark Girls

Image: The Beauty Mark Girls
Messy Bun

There's something so laid-back about a messy bun done right, don't you think? It reminds me of beaches and summer and the girl at school who always looked pulled together yet effortless in a way I will never be able to replicate. Maybe now I can at least have her hair...

Full Tutorial: Autumn Grey

Image: Autumn Grey
The Twisty Half

The creative streak is really strong here. Twisting your hair is a fairly easy feat, but look how simple it also is to make this look work for day or nighttime. Wear it up or down and look the picture of posh either way.

Full tutorial: Lilith Moon

Image: Lilith Moon on YouTube
Head Scarf Tutorial

Take your messy bun one step further by adding a head scarf. I'm not sure why I always thought this was hard to do, but Keiko Lynn shows you how to get this classic look in just a couple super-easy steps.

Full Tutorial: Keiko Lynn

Image: Keiko Lynn
Ethereal Braid

There's something so fresh and girlish about a braid, especially when it frames your face the way this ethereal look does. It's a little offbeat, yet not so quirky that you'll look out of place. It's just a fun way to keep your hair in check while you chase after the kids.

Full tutorial: A Beautiful Mess

Image: A Beautiful Mess
Half Up Faux Hawk

I promise, you guys, this tutorial looks way harder than it actually is. It's awesome because it gives you major height in the front for a vaguely rock star 'do, but is really just a low ponytail under a braid. Who knew these things were so deceptively easy?

Full Tutorial: Twist Me Pretty

Image: Twist Me Pretty
The Curly Updo

Most of us have our signature updos—the ones that look a little unkempt and aren't quite the most thought-out looks in the world. But here's one that is just plain lovely. This look might begin with a ponytail, but it ends up being one of the most chic updos you'll ever sport.

Full tutorial: Sara Lynn Paige

Image: Sara Lynn Paige
Half Clipped Back

A more grown-up take on a style we probably all loved wearing when we were younger, this pretty 'do involves pulling back half of your hair and allowing it to cascade down your back. The effect is at once pretty and polished.

Full tutorial: Simmworks Family Blog

Image: Simmworks Family Blog
Half-up Boho Braid

You don't have to head to Coachella to rock this fun look. More than just cute, it's also pretty darn easy—and we all know how valuable an effortless hairstyle is to our already busy lifestyles.

Full tutorial: Glamrs

Image: Glamrs on YouTube
The Braid Wrap Bun

Who knew there were so many variations on the classic bun? This look incorporates the timeless style with another timeless ingredient: the playful braid. The result is a look that's pulled together without taking itself too seriously.

Full tutorial: The Small Things Blog

Image: The Small Things Blog on YouTube
The Hidden Clip Updo

The hair claw is one of beauty-kind's best inventions, no doubt, but it's not exactly pretty, is it? That's where this genius tutorial comes in handy. It employs the functional accessory but also conceals it, so you're left with a 'do that is a definite do.

Full tutorial: Zarbeauty

Image: Zarbeauty on YouTube
Messy Side Braid

The thing with braids is that they typically require some level of precision. The beauty of this look is that it simply does not. You can braid with a bit of carelessness and actually end up fine because that's the look you want in this case. And who doesn't love making a bit of a mess?

Full tutorial: Kayleigh Noelle

Image: Kayleigh Noelle on YouTube
Easy Messy Bun

Are there two words we love more than “easy” and “messy”? Well, messy is a relative term. This look shows how “messy” can actually be beautiful and surprisingly pulled together. And, hey, it takes all of five minutes.

Full tutorial: Girl Loves Glam

Image: Girl Loves Glam
Spring Twist

The twists, the turns, the drama! It's not a soap opera, it's...your hair. And truly, this is just what we imagine when we think of royalty showing up at a glamorous gala all dressed to the nines. This is the hair you wear for a special occasion—and it's surprisingly unfussy.

Full tutorial: CinthiaTruong

Image: CinthiaTruong on YouTube
The Tousled Updo

For this low-key yet luxe look, you'll need a curling iron (or naturally wavy hair). With a few simple moves, you'll achieve a gorgeous updo that is just as appropriate for a beach wedding bride as a beach-goer on the boardwalk.

Full tutorial: Chloe Morello

Image: Chloe Morello on YouTube