how to know when your hairstyle is overdue

How to Know When Your Hairstyle is Overdue!

Don't Go Into OT

We've all been there. You're wearing a lit style. You saved up your money for it. You waited patiently for months for an opening with your city's hottest stylist. You've taken all the selfies in all of the angles that you possibly could. We're here for it! Like Drake said, "you're showing off… but it's your life!" Now, weeks have passed, and your style is looking a little dull. It's not popping as it should. Your hair has lost its sheen, and your curls are napping instead of bouncing. Does simply looking into the mirror at your hairstyle causes you to think, "what the-?" rather than drop into celebratory twerk? Girlfriend, it sounds like your hairstyle is overdue. We know that it's hard to say goodbye and sometimes your hair needs a little freshening instead of taking it down. That's why I'm here! In this article, we'll discuss how to tell when to pull out the dry shampoo and tighten up that weave and when to close the casket on your current hairstyle. I'm sure that when your hair was brand new, it was the talk of the town, but going into OT with your hairstyle is a fashion faux pas. If you can identify with any of these scenarios, then it's time to book another appointment.

The Overdue Flat Iron

Ah, yes! Your hair is silky straight and blowing in the wind. Hanging down your back and giving us major Aaliyah vibes. Who doesn't love a fresh flat-iron? I know I do! It doesn't matter if you're natural and just got your first silk press or if you had your relaxer touched up. There's just something about that fresh blowout that boosts your confidence and makes you hold on to the style for dear life. I hate to burst your bubble, but after a few weeks, it's time to say sayonara to your smooth hair and head back to the salon. If your hair is natural, then your roots will tell your styles expiration date. The magic of natural hair is that as straight as your hair can get, your roots will always return to their first love. If you find yourself trying to conceal puffy roots and wild edges, then it's time to wash out your press. If you're not quite ready to revert to your curly hair, you can quickly turn your press into a braid out. Here's how:

Step #1

Lightly spritz your hair with water. Don't saturate your hair. Wet it just enough so that sets in the braids.

Step #2

Put a small amount of moisturizer in your hair

Step #3

French braid your hair. Smaller hair braids make for crinkly hair, and larger braids create waves.

Step #4

Wrap your hair up and let it sit overnight.

Step #5

The next day, take your French braids down and enjoy your semi-textured hair. Transforming your press into a textured style is all fun and games, but even that will get old. Commit to wearing this style until your hair gets straggly or until you start seeing dandruff. Don't' get attached, wearing a braid out is just a transition style until your hair needs washing. If your hair is relaxed, then the body of your hair will tell you if it's time to refresh your flat iron style. Since relaxed hair doesn't entirely revert, you will need to pay close attention to how much movement you lose as your style gets old. Once your flowing hair starts to become stiff, then you know that it's overdue. Signs to look for with your relaxed hair is when it starts to look oily but feel dry to the touch. At that point, you know that it's time to whip out your shampoo and start all over again.

The Overdue Curls

What's better than fresh curls in your hair? It doesn't matter if it's your natural hair or extensions. If you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be Mariah Carey circa 1995, then get a curly style and come back and see me. Curly styles can not only transform your look but also give you a significant confidence boost. There's something about all those swirly hairs that perfectly frame your face and command all the attention in the vicinity. Your curls may have your ego flying high, but if you wear them past their prime, then you'll be headed for a crash landing. The best way to tell if your curls are expired are when they go limp. That's right, even the best of curls lose their zest. If you've noticed that your curls are matted and dry, then it's time to consider a new style. When your curls are old, there isn't enough twirling and restyling that you can do the revive them. If you're wearing your natural curls, it's time to wash and refresh them. If you're wearing extensions, you may need to clean your coils and perform a wet detangle to restore them. Another way to know that your curls are overdue is when they start to look wiry. Freshly done curls all go in the same direction. Even if you've managed to achieve perfect, messy curls it's still visible to see when it's time to close the case on your curls. Once your curls start falling apart and loose pieces begin to stand out, then it's time to give your style a rest.

The Overdue Sew-In

The glory of a sew-in weave is the hairstyles longevity. Most women get a sew-in so that their hair looks beautiful for months at a time. When a sew-in is done by a professional, it seems very natural, and it's hard to tell where your natural hair starts and your extensions begin. So, how do you know when a sew-in hairstyle is overdue? Well, when you start struggling to make your natural hair and extensions blend, it's probably time to uninstall your weave. A tell-tale sign that a sew-in is old is when your natural hair and your extensions begin to separate. Over time, your natural hair will start to revert, and the texture of your sewn-in extensions will collect the excess oils from your styling. If you find yourself using dry shampoo on a daily basis, then that sew-in is ready to be taken down. A loose sew-in is another visible sign that it had its day. If you can pull on the ends of your hair and your extensions move at the roots, honey it's time to take that hairstyle down! Wearing an old sew-in is not only unattractive, but it also poses a threat to your health. Your natural hair has been braided up underneath the sew-in, and as much as protective styles are great for your hair, it's necessary for them to come down every once in a while, to allow your scalp to breathe. If you're not washing your hair regularly, then it's collecting dust, debris, and bacteria. As much as you want to hold on to your inches, it's time to take that sew-in weave down and start afresh. One way to extend the life of your style is to start with the best extensions you can afford. If you're in the market for extensions that last for multiple installations, check out Private Label Extensions. PLE sells 100% human hair bundles of the highest quality at an affordable price. PLE extensions come in a variety of textures, lengths, and colors so that your ability to achieve any look that you desire.

The Overdue Braids

Braids have been a staple style within the black hair community for most of our lives. Many of us started wearing them as children, and the hairstyle has become a go-to protective style in our adult life. It doesn't matter if you're wearing box braids, freestyle braids, or French braids, all hairstyles have an expiration date. Newsflash; Beyoncé let go her of Lemonade braids a while ago and you should too, girl. Don't get us wrong, we love that style, but, if the roots of your braids are hanging too low, it's time to take down those braids and move on. The number one sign that your braid hairstyle is overdue is all in your roots. The beauty of braids is that the glorious geometric shapes that adorn your scalp. When you first get a fresh set of braids, you can't stop looking at how snatched your roots are. With time, your hair will begin to grow, and your new growth will start to show. Another sign that it's time to bid adieu to your braids is if they begin to take on an odor. It sounds gross, but braids are sections of hair that are wadded neatly together. At some point, there is no amount of dry (or regular) shampoo that can get into the cracks and crevices of your braids. After you've worn your braids for a few weeks, they would have collected enough oils and dandruff that they start to produce even the slightest odor. Take the hint, don't go a day longer. Take your braids down and start new.

The Overdue Wig

Wigs are everything. It seems like everyone is wearing them and keeping up with the latest style is more difficult than Keeping up with the Kardashians. Long, straight, short, and curly, wigs allow you to switch up your style with the snap of a finger. Did you get a last-minute invite? Throw on your Kim Zolciak-Bierman inspired wig and you won't be Tardy for the Party. Did you get called for an interview? Perhaps that butt-length Blac Chyna inspired wig isn't quite the look you need. Change up your style and wear a sophisticated bob. The style possibilities for wigs are seemingly endless, and you'll have so much fun wearing them. But like all good things, wearing wigs do have an end. First, you shouldn't be sleeping in your wigs. Wigs are not permanent they are meant to be removed. You should be taking your wig off every evening and moisturizing your hair with light hair oil. Properly removing your wig at night and caring for your natural hair will save you from losing your edges and your inches. While wigs can transform you into a whole new person, sometimes they need some transforming themselves. With frequent wearing, wigs become dry, tangled and matted. You need to make sure that you are restoring your wigs at least twice a year. If the hair on your wig is looking limp and lifeless, it's time to pamper it and give it a little break. Send your wig off to a professional to get restored. Your wig will go through an extensive process that will revive its shine and body. When you get your wig back, make sure that you leave it on a mannequin head or store it in a satin bag for safekeeping until you're ready to wear it again. If you can't manage to go wigless while your overdue wig is getting restored, then visit our website and check out the PLE line of wigs. PLE wigs are made of 100% human hair and can withstand heat styling and color treatments. All PLE wigs come on a medium sized lace fronts cap and can be modified to fit your hairline.

Ponytails and Buns

Yup, that's right. No one is off the hook. Ponytails and buns are typically the styles we use to conceal our overdue hair, but if these styles are looking janky, then it's time to throw the whole hairstyle away! While ponytails are super easy to install by yourself and a bun is a great way to pull your look together if the ends of your hair look a little straggly, wearing a ponytail beyond its due date is a no-no! An obvious way to know if your style is overdue is by paying attention to your natural hair. If your natural hair is starting to fall or look a little dry, it's time to say bye-bye. Wearing an old ponytail or bun is looks downright lazy. Don't let the clock run out on this style, give it a little TLC then, move on! If your confident that your ponytail or bun needs a little sprucing, grab some PLE edge control and pull your look together. PLE's edge control has a firm hold but is also flake free. Here's how to use it to refresh your ponytail:

Step #1

Uninstall your ponytail

Step #2

Lightly spritz your hair with water

Step #3

Spread PLE edge control on your hands and gently smooth it over your hair

Step #4

Gently pull your hair back into a ponytail and secure it with an elastic band

Step #5

Reinstall your ponytail.

Step #6

Use a little extra of the edge control to add some fun designs to your edges

Step #7

Wrap your head with a silk or satin scarf to help the edge control set

Step #8

After your hair has set, remove your wrap and slay Refreshing your overdue ponytail is quick and easy, but it shouldn't get revived on a daily basis. It most certainly should never replace weekly cleansing and deep conditioning. Once your ponytail starts looking old, don't press the issue. Leave your style with dignity and take it down.

Just Let it Go!

It's the circle of life. It happens to all of us. At some point, we all have to say goodbye to our hairstyle and start fresh. But starting over doesn't mean you have to ditch your favorite look. Take it from Ariana Grande, if you love your look, then wear it as much as your little heart desires. The central point to remember is that keeping your natural hair and extensions clean and healthy is what's most important. The best way to keep your style looking fresh is to take breaks and switch it up from time to time. If you're looking for some hairstyle inspiration, follow us on Instagram @privatelabelextensions. Leave a comment below and share how you know it's time for a new style!
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