I just found this site and I'm enthusiastic that I can find some good ideas.  My hair is brown, wavy/curly and about 12" long.  In the back it hangs past my shoulders, in the front past my chin a bit.  I never really tried to grow it, just got sick of cutting it and after a while I realized I liked it long, so I never cut it again, except the trim every few months.  I never do anything to it except brush and shampoo it; I like it natural and I want it healthy.  
    It is getting long and I want it longer, but I'm having trouble with how to fix it and it's harder to maintain as it gets longer.  So I searched the internet looking for ideas and found this site.  
   
I'll be searching the board for answers to my questions, maybe I'll list the big ones here and you all can help?
   
I don't like leaving my hair loose at night because it gets messy, but I don't like rubberbands; what can I do with it?

    I'm looking for styles too.  I like to pull the top half of my hair back and leave the bottom down, but I often get some hair caught in the rubberband.  Rubberbands are supposed to damage your hair, so what can I use?

One more: I'm thinking of getting some ChapStix, but (this may sound silly)  I'm not sure how to use them.  What styles can you use them for?

I do have female family members who might be able to help with these things, but they don't like my hair long so I don't like talking to them about it much. I think I found a good place here for people who appreciate long hair!

Welcome! 

Making a bun takes some practice, but once you get it you can create one in seconds.  Here is a site where I learned to make the basic bun (the video at the bottom of the page is very helpful):
http://www.haarkram.e-something.de/bun_instructions.html

Cynde

Welcome to the boards and Goodluck!

Hi.  I like to use mini scrunchies to hold my braided hair at night.  They're just like regular soft fabric scrunchies, just smaller which makes them perfect for the smaller ends of braids.  I also like 'em 'cause they're really soft when you lay on them.

Good Luck & Welcome!

Welcome to LL BC! 

Welcome!   So when do we get to see a picture of your hair?

You can get ponytail holders without any metal exposed -- mine are covered all the way around. That little bit of metal might be enough to grab some of the hair and pull it.  Also, I find that the fatter ones are gentler.  It might help prevent damage to use the fewest wraps of the ponytail holder that you can and still hold the hair.

As for holding braids, during the day I often use the little tiny rubber bands -- I wish I knew what they were called.  They come in packs of about 30 or 50 and they come in black and clear.  They are very tiny, like 1 cm in diameter.  I would never use them to hold hair up, but to hold the end of a braid they are very gentle because I leave them quite loose.  I like the way they look for work because they are simple and unnoticed.  I often need to freshen the braid during the day, but I do not want to clamp my ends too hard.  I don't know if this would hold up at night though -- I use scrunchies at night for braids or for ponytails.

Good luck with your hair, and I hope to see pics!

If you don't know how to braid, I'd start with braiding 3 strands of rope.  Once you are comfortable with braiding in front of yourself, then try braiding behind your back.  [I know this sounds stupid, but believe me it helps!] 

Another "trick" to braiding your own hair - DON'T look in the mirror.  That will tend to confuse you.  Just try to visualize what your hands/fingers are doing behind your head. 

If your hair tends to be "fly away", try running damp hands down the sections of hair.  This will help control the loose hair and actually enhance the braid waves!

Practice makes braiding easier.  The braid doesn't have to be perfect - especially if you are braiding for sleeping.  But after practicing a few times, you will find you get better and faster.

Good luck and let us know how you do!