I just took out my crochet braids and I had pigtails in because I had no idea what to do next. The only thing I knew was that I had to do something because my hair could not stay in pigtails.
Has anyone experienced the “Now what syndrome” with hair? You just don’t know what to do next, especially after a long-term protective style.
The now what syndrome happens all the time actually. When you are at work and you have done all that your boss has asked you to do, you can sit there and twiddle your thumbs or you can ask for the next assignment.
Although work may be different than hair, this now what concept is virtually the same. While you may look fly in your box braids, you cannot possibly wear them forever.
The first point I would have to say is to plan when you will take out your hair. In my last article about length retention, you can see that one of the tips was to document your hair journey.
Documenting your hair journey does include protective hairstyles’ dates and times. You can plan way in advance when you will take your hair out of the style. If you want to have your box braids in for three months, you must look at the calendar to see what is going in three months and then set a date nearest to the three-month mark.
This is a very simple method that saves a lot of time.
Now that you know when you are taking down your hair, you can plan what your next hairstyle will be. Setting dates to do things helps us remember things we need to do.
Choosing your next style
Things to ask:
- How long do I need this hairstyle?
- Where am I going for the duration of this style period?
- Do I want to try something new?
- Am I willing to try something new?
I personally leave my hairstyles for two weeks at a time and I am going to be shopping and running around to get new stuff for college because school is starting again soon!
I am always willing to try something new so I usually start the new style search by observing when I am out and about and asking people how they got the hairstyle.
If you are not willing to try anything new, think of how you can upgrade or revamp a style that you have already done. Let’s say you like wearing buns, now try to give that bun some accessories and maybe add a french braid going across the front to add some style.
I like to wear updos so I find most of my hairstyles on social media.
Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram will be your best friends for finding a hairstyle because they have so many ideas. Just search what you are looking for to get started! This way you will know about a week in advance what you will do to your hair when you take it out.
Never feel like you are stuck in a rut over a hairstyle just think about what inspires you and do not hesitate to go to a few shows and meetups to seek even more inspiration. There is nothing wrong with doing some braids to hold you over until you can do that ever elusive hairstyle that you saw once in a hair magazine. Finding a hairstyle can be tricky, but It is planning that makes all the difference! How do you handle style ruts?
