I've been growing my hair out, and I'm still happy with that plan.

But in the summer (which we have several months of) I can't stand having my hair heavy on my neck. I default to ponytails or messy pseudo-buns, because they're easy, quick and effective, but I don't like how I look with my hair pulled back so severely.

I recently started attempting some other up-dos, but so far I haven't found any that work with my hair length and/or moderately long layers.

I need a cut (it's been a number of months that I'm embarrassed to admit), but all the pictures I can find of hair roughly my current length or a bit longer that are either a) impossible for my hair b) would require tons of time making it happen every time or c) all look the same, assuming I don't spend hours applying heat and products in front of the mirror (which I don't).

My hair is coarse and very thick. Mostly straight with just a little unpredictable wave. I have TONS of it. Since late high school, when I discovered the magic of layers to help combat the weight of my hair (and Triangle Head), I've never been without.

So. Are there up-dos that will work with layered hair? Will it be more feasible when my hair's a few inches longer?

And are there medium-length cuts/styles that won't take me backwards in terms of growing it out, but that are still interesting? Also: No bangs.

#1: My hair now. (Oh yeah, I'm growing out color too, but I'm mostly fine with how that is at this point. Not eager to go chopping it off to get rid of the red; I'm enjoying the length too much.)
#2, #3, #4: My hair now (#4 is from March, so more in-between times).
#5: Right after my last cut.
#6: The photo I took in for my last cut. Could I stick with this inspiration, just longer?
#6: Another one that looks basically like #5, just longer, and modeled with thinner hair. And I probably wouldn't part in the middle.

Here's my pinterest board of hair.