Hair extensions appear gorgeous. However, they can be expensive as well. Regardless of how many types you have tried, with these expert hair extension tips in mind, you will surely get the most out of your new one.
Hair extensions are a terrific alternative, whether you want to add length or volume or change your look for a new season. They provide you flexibility, but if you don’t, you risk developing matted hair, dull strands, or, worse yet, permanent damage to your natural hair. We want you to keep your edges, not lose them.
Since you paid for it, sis, you must treat extension hair as though it were your own hair, even though it doesn’t grow from your scalp. “The top way to maintain your hair extensions is to look after them like your natural hair. Use products you would use on your natural hair and [avoid] using too many harsh chemicals,” advised hairstylist Sabrina Porsche, who once worked on Black Is King and gave Beyoncé the golden beaded braids for the famous “OTR II” tour book.
Only a few extensions are created equally. The ideal extensions for you will depend on the aesthetic you want to create and the texture of your hair. One type of hair extension is called sew-ins. They are applied on your hair-made cornrows by physically sewing them on (plus added braiding hair for durability). While black women are frequently used as examples of this technique, anyone can use it. The advantage of sew-ins, according to Porsche, is that you may have a very long wear time and a protective style, and it encourages hair development.
Tape-ins are another innovative way to volumize and lengthen your hair. As the name suggests, the hair extensions are put on small tape wefts and stuck between your natural hair. Porsche also raves about clip-ins for women with little time or experience with extensions. She says that one of the best things about them is that they “look very natural and can’t be seen.” They are also great for quickly and temporarily adding volume.
Other alternatives include micro links, a type of hair extension that Porsche says is also excellent for length and volume and is applied to your hair by taking little strands and fastening the extensions with tiny silicone beads. These require slightly more upkeep and hair appointments at least once each month. Keratin extensions https://www.newtimeshair.com/human-hair-extensions/fusion-hair-extensions/ are the following stage after micro links. They combine tiny strands of your hair with extensions, similar to micro links. Still, unlike micro links, they do it using heated keratin protein. Celebrities frequently choose them since they are costly yet virtually unnoticeable.
No matter what kind of extension you choose, they all need maintenance. We consulted some of the top hairstylists in the industry to get their advice on how to manage your hair extensions so that the installation continues to look perfect.
Replace Hair Extensions Regularly
You can’t wear the same extensions indefinitely, not even with the best upkeep. According to Porsche, a sew-in can last up to two to three months with correct maintenance and frequent visits to your hairstylist. According to renowned hairstylist Kim Kimble, who worked on “Black is King,” whose artistic hands have also worked on the crowns of Brandy, Zendaya, Tyra Banks, and many other celebrities, “you will know it’s time for your to stand out when your hair extension is completely showing as your hair has all of a sudden grown out so much. Also, if it’s been several months and the style starts to look completely different from which you started — and not in a good way — it To prevent matting and tangling, she advises replacing extensions every six to nine weeks, depending on how quickly your natural hair grows, for all extensions at all lengths and textures.”
Strand-by-strand extensions are some of the best products. According to hairstylist David Lopez, renowned for adding elegant lengths to some world model’s hair, like Ashley Graham and Hailey Baldwin Bieber, they can be worn for up to six months. However, they will only last that long if your hairstylist provides the necessary care and upkeep. Schedule a monthly appointment. Try clip-ins if you need more time to decide whether you can commit to this much upkeep. According to Porsche, if you leave micro links in your hair for too long, the beads will tend to bend out of wack, and when you try to pull them out, they become deformed and can rip out your hair. According to Lopez, clip-ins are excellent since you can remove them at the end of each day.
If you have curls and are keen on playing with your length, try UQueen Hair, which includes the kinky curl and kinky coil options encompassing the 3B to 4C hair range. Try Indique Hair if you’re looking for non-curly clip-in solutions but need help figuring out where to look. They offer wigs, clip-ins, and bundles in a variety of textures. Each package of Hidden Crown Hair features a volumizer and two side pieces to help add to your hair and blend smoothly. Hidden Crown Hair is a red-carpet favorite recognized for its variety of hues and thicknesses.
Additionally, Luxy Hair offers halo, seamless, and classic extensions. Keep in mind to wash and condition your clip-ins to maintain their quality. Apply a leave-in conditioner to them and preserve them in a silk or satin bag for more extended durability.
Install Your Extensions Correctly
Lopez says the first step to keeping your hair extensions in good shape is to put them on the right way. He says a bad installation can hurt your natural hair and force you to take off the style sooner than planned. “Always ensure that your extensions are put in by a professional trained in that extension process.”
Try New Times Hair if you need to learn more about extensions or have yet to find a go-to stylist near you. With the purchase of your hair, the black-owned business provides a qualified installation free of charge.
Keep Washing Your Hair
According to Porsche, most people are unaware that they may wash their hair even with hair extensions in place. You can and should, in fact. Even when wearing extensions, you still need to take care of the natural scalp and hair on your head. Porsche advises against washing the hair as regularly as your own because this could loosen the installation and prevent you from getting long wear. She advises cleaning and conditioning the extensions at least once each month and at least every other week.
This is especially crucial when wearing keratin bonds or micro links since you don’t want the beads or bonds to get loose. Hairstylist Marcus Francis advises us not to “over shampoo or conditions the roots of your natural hair,” as this will result in “short-lived adhesion to your head.” When cleansing the hair for these styles, be gentle with the roots; if you are too rough, the styles will not last. Go as long as you can without hair washing, and when you do, be gentle with your roots.
According to Kimble, “Hair extensions need specific care because no oil is flowing down the hair shaft, causing the hair to dry.” Mind what is in the shampoo or conditioner you are using, and always use products that are moisturizing and gentle on the hair. “Choose products devoid of sulfates, use gentle detergents, and offer loads of moisture and hydration.”
You should take good care of your scalp when wearing hair extensions. The largest organ in your body, the skin, is something we frequently forget. Your product choices are just as crucial as your application. Girl + hair comprises a hydrating leave-in hair conditioner with tea tree and neem oil, a foaming sulfate-free shampoo, and a hair balm with castor and Abyssinian oil. All of the products include an easy-to-use applicator tip that makes it simple to give your scalp nutrients.
You should wait a while wearing extensions if you often use dry shampoo on your natural hair. Limit dry shampoo on extensions to keep them looking fantastic for longer, advises Kimble. Let the hair air dry after washing and conditioning. Your natural roots will be less stressed as a result. If you must use a blow-dryer, put it to the lowest setting, and use a diffuser if you are blow-drying curly extensions.
Sleep on Silk or Satin
Kimble advises covering your hair extensions in silk or sleeping on a silk pillowcase to combat dryness. With your extensions, you may quickly discover how to be ready for a restful night’s sleep. “Using a soft bristle brush, carefully brush the area where the extensions are joined to your hair (near the roots).” “Tie a silk scarf around your head’s circle, tie it from the back, and knot it close to your forehead area — it’ll keep the hair running in the same direction.”
Kimble advises against using some of the most popular bedtime hairstyles, saying that they will result in a matted, knotted mess: “Do not tie your hair up in a topknot, low bun, or [leave it to flow freely].” If you want a wavy look the next day, Kimble recommends putting your hair in “two loose pigtail braids. That will give you texture for styling.”
Brush Your Hair Daily, and Each Time You Take out Your Extensions
Wearing your straight extensions curly? Francis advises you to “brush all tangles out after each use.” Speaking of matting and knots, Before beginning a new style, make sure to brush out the curls. Use a paddle brush when working with straight extensions. Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling hairbrush while the hair is damp and conditioned when working with curly hair. Felicia Leatherwood, Issa Rae’s hairstylist, developed a detangler brush that won Best of Beauty. It has flexible bristles that gently slide through your hair and gently remove knots.
Use Only a Few Products
If you are a product hoarder, this one’s for you because, more often than not does not equal better. Porsche comments, “Product is good… if you know how to utilize them,” with gentle caution. She advises “not to use much product throughout the styling process, because the hair is already straight and straight hair usually stays quite good.”
“If your hair extensions are straight or silky and not synthetic,” she added, “I recommend using just a heat protectant, shine spray, or dry shampoo. And remember, dry shampoos need to be used sparingly. To keep your hair sleek, use a defrizzer together with your preferred paddle brush.”
Try Mielle Organics Brazilian Curly Cocktail Mousse if you have wavy extensions. Porsche advises using a wave spray, depending on the texture, a curling mousse. It contains babassu oil, which conditions and adds hydration to your hair. You may achieve carefree, mermaid-like waves with a light application and minimum manipulation.
Using extensions, are you going for a substantial curly look? According to Porsche, if you have curly or kinky-curly hair and want to define the curls, you should use a curl mousse or even a curl-defining gel, depending on your preference. Porsche adds that the product you use is less important than the curl definition you want. Gel defines your hair better with a solid hold for extended periods. If the hair extensions have looser curls, use mousse so as not to weigh down the hair. The mousse gives your curls less of a crunch than gels, and when you comb or brush through the extensions when they are dry, the curls have more luster. We choose the Rucker Roots Texture Styling Mousse or the Best of Beauty Award-winning Authentic Beauty Concept Amplify Mousse. The gel will let you move your hair more efficiently and give tighter curls more definition. The So So Def Vitamin C Curl Defining Jelly from Curls is a wonderful definer that smells fantastic and isn’t gritty.
Save a creamy-textured definer for your natural hair and twist-outs instead of using it on your extensions. In contrast to mousses and gels, which coat the hair shaft and sync the hair strands for a clearly defined curl pattern, Porsche’s experience with curl creams, as she said, “wasn’t the best when it came to Virgin hair extensions since [the cream can’t reach the hair shaft like it can your own hair].” Some curl-defining cream gels might be a fantastic option if you feel the need for both. It keeps a strong curl pattern without flaking and is heavier than a gel but lighter than a cream. Kimble agrees, saying, “Try to avoid products that contain alcohol, as this will dry out the hair extensions.” She assures, “These hair products can be well used on most hair extension types and installs. But take caution, if you are wearing tape-in or any other type of adhesive, such as bonding glues, I will avoid using products that contain alcohol, as alcohol can loosen the adhesive and not stick.”
Final Words
Go ahead and add those inches. Honey, now that you know how to take care of your hair extensions why not shop for some of the world’s top-notch hair extensions, take good care of them, and see how long they will last on your hair?
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” he is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
