Getting the Most Out of Your Extensions
My favorite thing about wearing extensions?
They hold styles well!
In fact, when properly taken care of, their style-holding powers can get you through an extra day or three without washing or additional heat styling.
Granted, achieving a long-lasting style with your hair and extensions that looks as good on day four as it did on day one can take a bit of extra time. Ideally, your hair wash and styling day should account for washing, deep conditioning, blowing out and straightening or curling your hair. And because extensions hold style so well and keep hair looking full, bouncy and fresh, that one big wash and styling day can and should take you through the rest of your week!
A dream, right?
So, let’s chat about hair extension routines, care tips and products to use that’ll help to extend the life of your extension styling, so you can wash your hair once per week, instead of once per day.
*Please note that the links shared in this blog are affiliate links, meaning that I make a small commission when you click and purchase through them.
Hair Wash Day
When it comes to hair wash day, you can pretty much skip your arm workout and count on the fact that it’ll take a good hour for you to wash and style your hair, from start to finish.
If you live an active lifestyle, I recommend throwing a deep conditioner in your hair the day of washing it, while you workout! You can braid your hair or throw it in a bun, and let the deep conditioner do its work while you do yours.🏋️♀️
By doing so, you’ll be able to cut down on the time you spend waiting for your conditioner to soak in while you’re in the shower!
Once it’s time to wash your hair, I recommend using a good clarifying shampoo in addition to your regular shampoo. Since you’re washing your hair less, you’ll want to remove any product build up, and give your roots a gentle scrub.
From there, rinse your hair out, spritz in a good leave-in conditioner, and get to blowing out and styling your hair!
Once you’ve finished your styling routine, I recommend using a light amount of dry shampoo at the roots of your hair. This’ll help to prevent oil from even starting to build up! Think of dry shampoo as a preventative, instead of a cure.
For the purposes of this blog, I’m keeping the styling tips down to a minimum. But make sure to read my Hair Extension FAQs, must-have hair extension products, and a list of my favorite styling tools!
Your Evening Routine
At the end of your washing and styling day, I recommend using a serum through your hair from the ears down. I love the Unite Blonda Oil!
Then, use a Wetbrush to gently brush your hair from the ends up to help remove any tangles. Make sure you’re supporting the base of your extensions with your free hand, so you don’t experience any damage from pulling!
My favorite extension-safe hairbrush: https://amzn.to/3wYLuPE
If you have the time, it’s a great idea to section out your extensions and make sure to brush between them so as to prevent matting. And if you’re prone to oily roots like myself, reapply a bit of dry shampoo to the roots of your hair, and leave it be while you sleep. You can brush out any excess in the morning!
Finally, loosely braid your hair or wear a silk sleep bonnet to protect your style while sleeping. (And feel like Sleeping Beauty while you’re at it - you deserve it. ✨)
Your Morning Routine
The beauty is that once your extensions have been styled for the week ahead, the only thing you need to worry about is maintaining them!
Always, always use a shower cap when taking a shower. If you forego a shower cap and opt for a bun instead, the humidity and moisture will add frizz to and loosen the beautiful style you worked so hard on.
The shower cap I use at home: https://amzn.to/3wZr6xZ
Every morning, I recommend following the same brushing routine that you used the night before, and following that up with a bit of hairspray to revamp your curls. If needed, you can always retouch your style a bit - just make sure to use an aerosol heat protectant like U:dry fresh before using any heat!
A Few Things to Remember:
Try to treat your extensions even better than you would your natural hair - this’ll help you get the most use out of them, so they don’t have to be replaced soon.
Keep the base of your extensions as dry as possible. If you need to, blow dry the base of your roots after a sweaty workout to help them last longer.
Use a heat protectant and moisturizer, always!
In a perfect world, no one would swim with extensions, because swimming causes severe tangles and damage. To be honest, I swim with mine sometimes! I’m just careful to tie back my hair and brush through it carefully and thoroughly, while also knowing I’ll have to replace my extensions earlier than planned due to their exposure to chlorine and salt water. If I can, I’ll try to plan a vacation near the end of the life of the extensions, or have just a few installed for fullness if I know I’ll be in the water!
Brush carefully. Yes, it’s a lot of hair to work through, but brushing carefully from the ends and working your way up with a serum will prevent damage!
Oh, and a final tip? Don’t neglect your own hair while pampering your extensions. Request a “dusting” along with your extension move up appointments to help prevent tangling, matting and breakage.
Loving all things extensions? Make sure to check out these blog posts 👇
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