Styling My Hair

Lately, this has been my hair. I have naturally curly long hair. Our weather can get pretty hot and if I put in a bun, it topples over and is always side ways. I have it in a pony tail now but it gets really hot. Any ideas on what I can do with it to get it out of my way and to where it isn't so hot? I cut it last year and hated the growing out process so that's a no no