Extension Care Guide
CLEANSING
I suggest washing your hair 1 to 2 times a week with a professional moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I LOVE Goldie Locks Ultra Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner.
Don’t wash your hair everyday, as it will shorten the life of your extension hair.
Before washing, you have to brush all of the tangles out. I mean ALLLL. If you have multiple rows, section the rows half up, half down so that you’re able to cleanse between the rows.
Gently wash as normal and be sure to avoid rubbing the ends of your hair together.
When conditioning, only apply conditioner from the ears down, and around the face framing pieces. Avoid conditioner at the scalp and where the extensions are tied in to avoid build up and slipping.
If you simply cannot go without washing daily, do the “half wash” to preserve the extension hair. Start by sectioning off the top section of your hair, then braid or ponytail your extensions so they stay out of the way.
Once you have your hair sectioned and ready to wash, put your head directly under the faucet/sink/shower and shampoo & condition the top section of your natural hair. This will allow you to wash more often if you feel the need to, and is super time saving!!
DRYING
Gently squeeze the water out of your hair, do not rub! You should moisturize your hair daily, with a leave in conditioner & serum/oil.
Follow with brushing through with your extension brush. Before drying make sure each row is completely brushed out from the top of the weft, to the bottom. I don’t recommend letting your extensions air dry, but if you wish make sure the top of the row (where is is attached to your head) is completely dry to prevent matting and molding.
YOUR HAIR MUST BE COMPLETELY DRY BEFORE GOING TO BED.
SLEEPING
I recommend to braid your hair or put in a bun for sleep. It’s also best to sleep on a silk pillowcase (this is great for your face AND hair). Cotton pillowcases can cause frizz and split ends over time. Silk pillowcases are much more gentle on your hair. I highly recommend the “Slip” brand from Sephora or the “Kitsch” brand from Ulta. Do not sleep on your extensions while they’re wet, it will damage your natural hair and can cause matting.
I also love wrapping mu hair on heatless curlers to sleep and hold the curls!
STYLING
As far as tools go, you can straighten and curl your hair like normal! When using hot tools, don’t forget to apply a heat protectant before you use heat and turn your heat down to 350-375. Obviously, the less hot tools you use, the better, as it drys out your hair. I’ve actually had to style my hair WAY less with extensions because it holds the style SO well. My natural hair won't hold curl as well. With extensions, I curl my hair after I wash and dry it, and then I just touch up the curls as the week goes on until I wash my hair again. This honestly saves me so much time!
You can totally put your hair up in a high-pony or bun (IBE is the best for this! You don’t have to worry about seeing beads or tape!). This is what I was most excited about, because I loooove throwing my hair up in a “messy bun” and I really wanted a massive one!
Brushing
Brush your hair a few times a day (to avoid excessive tangles/matting). Always add a little oil/ serum beforehand to prevent breakage.
It is very important that you brush all the way up to the seam of your extensions to prevent matting at the root or "top" of the wefts. It is ALSO very important that you are careful as you are brushing near the top of wefts or where the extensions are sewn in. Place your hand on the stitching to minimize pulling and protect the base.
I suggest washing your hair 1 to 2 times a week with a professional moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I LOVE Goldie Locks Ultra Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner.
Don’t wash your hair everyday, as it will shorten the life of your extension hair.
Before washing, you have to brush all of the tangles out. I mean ALLLL. If you have multiple rows, section the rows half up, half down so that you’re able to cleanse between the rows.
Gently wash as normal and be sure to avoid rubbing the ends of your hair together.
When conditioning, only apply conditioner from the ears down, and around the face framing pieces. Avoid conditioner at the scalp and where the extensions are tied in to avoid build up and slipping.
If you simply cannot go without washing daily, do the “half wash” to preserve the extension hair. Start by sectioning off the top section of your hair, then braid or ponytail your extensions so they stay out of the way.
Once you have your hair sectioned and ready to wash, put your head directly under the faucet/sink/shower and shampoo & condition the top section of your natural hair. This will allow you to wash more often if you feel the need to, and is super time saving!!
DRYING
Gently squeeze the water out of your hair, do not rub! You should moisturize your hair daily, with a leave in conditioner & serum/oil.
Follow with brushing through with your extension brush. Before drying make sure each row is completely brushed out from the top of the weft, to the bottom. I don’t recommend letting your extensions air dry, but if you wish make sure the top of the row (where is is attached to your head) is completely dry to prevent matting and molding.
YOUR HAIR MUST BE COMPLETELY DRY BEFORE GOING TO BED.
SLEEPING
I recommend to braid your hair or put in a bun for sleep. It’s also best to sleep on a silk pillowcase (this is great for your face AND hair). Cotton pillowcases can cause frizz and split ends over time. Silk pillowcases are much more gentle on your hair. I highly recommend the “Slip” brand from Sephora or the “Kitsch” brand from Ulta. Do not sleep on your extensions while they’re wet, it will damage your natural hair and can cause matting.
I also love wrapping mu hair on heatless curlers to sleep and hold the curls!
STYLING
As far as tools go, you can straighten and curl your hair like normal! When using hot tools, don’t forget to apply a heat protectant before you use heat and turn your heat down to 350-375. Obviously, the less hot tools you use, the better, as it drys out your hair. I’ve actually had to style my hair WAY less with extensions because it holds the style SO well. My natural hair won't hold curl as well. With extensions, I curl my hair after I wash and dry it, and then I just touch up the curls as the week goes on until I wash my hair again. This honestly saves me so much time!
You can totally put your hair up in a high-pony or bun (IBE is the best for this! You don’t have to worry about seeing beads or tape!). This is what I was most excited about, because I loooove throwing my hair up in a “messy bun” and I really wanted a massive one!
Brushing
Brush your hair a few times a day (to avoid excessive tangles/matting). Always add a little oil/ serum beforehand to prevent breakage.
It is very important that you brush all the way up to the seam of your extensions to prevent matting at the root or "top" of the wefts. It is ALSO very important that you are careful as you are brushing near the top of wefts or where the extensions are sewn in. Place your hand on the stitching to minimize pulling and protect the base.
If you brush over the stitching too vigorously, you may end up destroying the wefts (as seen above) which will then need to be replaced at your maintenance appointment.
SWIMMING
The big question – Can you swim with extensions?
Yes – BUT there are minerals found in some water that can react poorly with your extensions and can cause discoloration or dry them out.
When it comes to the ocean, things do change a bit. The salt water can be extremely drying and cause severe matting.
I recommend having your extensions removed before vacation if you plan on swimming in the ocean a lot and submerging your head.
To avoid this, I advise to do the following:
* Wet your hair before getting into the pool/lake, etc. After wetting, apply a leave in conditioner or hair mask.
* Comb your conditioner or mask through your hair, then braid it or put it in a tight bun or pony.
* Brush & wash your hair immediately after swimming.
* Beware of sunscreen, most brands contain ingredients that will turn your extensions a brassy orange or peach color. I recommend the “bare republic” brand, it is sold at Ulta or Target. Stay away from any sunscreen that includes "Avobenzone" as an ingredient.
MUST HAVES
*Goldie Locks Shampoo, Conditioner, leave-in & Serum
* Extension Brush
* Paul Mitchell- Hot Off The Press
* Dry shampoo
* Soft Scrunchies
* Silk Pillowcase
* Bare Republic sunscreen
You will find some of the products below:
SWIMMING
The big question – Can you swim with extensions?
Yes – BUT there are minerals found in some water that can react poorly with your extensions and can cause discoloration or dry them out.
When it comes to the ocean, things do change a bit. The salt water can be extremely drying and cause severe matting.
I recommend having your extensions removed before vacation if you plan on swimming in the ocean a lot and submerging your head.
To avoid this, I advise to do the following:
* Wet your hair before getting into the pool/lake, etc. After wetting, apply a leave in conditioner or hair mask.
* Comb your conditioner or mask through your hair, then braid it or put it in a tight bun or pony.
* Brush & wash your hair immediately after swimming.
* Beware of sunscreen, most brands contain ingredients that will turn your extensions a brassy orange or peach color. I recommend the “bare republic” brand, it is sold at Ulta or Target. Stay away from any sunscreen that includes "Avobenzone" as an ingredient.
MUST HAVES
*Goldie Locks Shampoo, Conditioner, leave-in & Serum
* Extension Brush
* Paul Mitchell- Hot Off The Press
* Dry shampoo
* Soft Scrunchies
* Silk Pillowcase
* Bare Republic sunscreen
You will find some of the products below: