updos for short hair

ok,
Here was the deal. I got this haircut and I didn't want anyone to know because I didn't like the way it looks on me, but needed it done for maintenance, and I have this claw clip ponytail I use from time to time so I wanted to wear it to church. I figured out I can get my hair up with help. I wet my hair down, but a good bit of gel in it (maybe a bit too much) I side parted the front and put several pins in all the way around the front so I had a band of hair all the way around my head. . I was then able to get a low ponytail that I lifted up and cliped my false hair over. It turned out super and no one had a clue it wasn't real, I just felt the front looked a bit too sculpted, so I am going to try less gel next time.

Thanks for the advice!

Wendy

hi, I recently got a haircut that looks similar to this one

Except I have cheeklength bangs growing out, it also seems like the nape area is slightly shorter than the rest...Anyway, does anyone have any advice for getting an updo out of short hair? I am not after elaborate, even a really short ponytail will do, I can get half of it up but something always falls down, either at the side or back. I have tried gel and hair spray, clips and bobby pins, and I just can't seem to get it like I want it without looking really tacky. I may simply have to keep the fringy stuff at the nape down until it grows some more.

Thanks,

Wendy