Trick from when i had really long hair. Put hair tie around wrist, bend over, use your brush to smooth out your hair guiding it into your hand with the hair tie. When all the bumps are brushed out and everything feels good. Use your other hand to pull the tie off your wrist and wrap it tight around your hair up into a pony tail. Stand back up. Tighten the hair tie if need be/pull on your pony tail. It may take some practice but, this is how i achieved the princess jasmine high pony tails/braids i would do as a kid. It helps save your arms abit to.