Extensions are an excellent option when it comes to lengthening hair and giving it a lot of volumes while still looking natural for a long time. There are different types of extensions on the market and each one requires specific care. That’s why it’s important to take care of them in order to preserve them and prolong their durability and the glamour of having them on. For this reason, we will give you 8 essential tips to keep them in excellent condition.
With these recommendations, your extensions will look like the first day every day. Surely you already want to know all these tips that we bring for you and continue conquering looks and reaching the sky. But before you start, you should know that having all these benefits brings with it an effort that if you take the time to comply with it, will be totally worth it.
That’s why we present 8 golden rules to keep your extensions shiny, beautiful, and strong for much longer. Let’s get started!
Tips for extensions
Dye
One of the advantages of using natural hair extensions is that they can be dyed, which is great if you want to change the color of your hair, but there is an important consequence to this type of procedure and that is their durability. By dyeing the hair we reduce the life of the extensions, so it is possible that they will not last as long as you want and this is due to the damage that occurs in the hair by applying chemicals that can often be very harmful. That is why if you want to extend the time of your natural extensions and keep them like new, avoid applying bleach. What we recommend is to buy them in a lighter shade and then darken them with color baths.
To do this you can apply one of those color shampoos that are less toxic and quite popular. Purple shades are perfect for toning down colored blonde hair.
Washing
You should only wash your hair extensions when you feel that they are dirty. Now, there are two variants which are the “removable” extensions and the fixed extensions, the removable extensions should be washed at least once a week, while the fixed extensions should be washed every 2 to 3 days. It is important that before you start washing your extensions you first untangle them and above all, that you do it without tugging.
In the washing process, it is important that you do not rub the hair in a very aggressive way, to avoid tangling and use water at room temperature. The shampoo for the extensions should be neutral so that it is less aggressive with the hair.
Moisturizing
We must remember that hydration is an important factor if you want your extensions and hair to look impeccable. That is why to keep them well cared for you should moisturize them from the mid-lengths to the ends, either with masks or conditioners. You should avoid applying the product at the root of the hair or where they are attached, to prevent damage over time.
Once the hair is dry, you can apply some natural oils to help the hair and ends look much silkier.
IMPORTANT: it is not recommended to use any type of keratin straightening or similar treatment under any circumstances as this can only cause damage to the grip of the extension or the adhesive.
Rinsing
Once you have washed your extensions, it is important to rinse them so that they do not look cakey. This also allows you to remove any impurities or residue that may have stuck to them. Remember that the water temperature is also an important factor in the care of natural hair extensions, which is why it is recommended to use cold or lukewarm water when washing. This gives the hair a better shine.
Drying
Once you have finished the whole washing process, care must be taken in the drying process. To dry your extensions properly, you should roll all your hair in a towel but without squeezing it, just allow the towel to remove excess water. You shouldn’t overdo it with the towel either, as this can dry out the extensions and open the ends. After this, you can dry the extensions with a blow dryer, but avoid getting too close.
In the same way that we talked about the water temperature, we will emphasize the drying, and that is that when using the dryer, you should not apply a very hot temperature. A combination of heat and cold can be used. Another important point to mention is that you should not try to dry your hair upside down. Doing this procedure in this position can only result in the hair getting tangled and this can be a big problem if you use extensions.
Brushing
The brushing process should be very gentle. This is why hair pulling should be avoided at all costs. That is why it has always been recommended to start brushing the hair from the ends and then work your way up to the roots. The brush should be soft and soft cells.
IMPORTANT: Do not untangle the extensions when the hair is wet, this is because the hair can break and this is not only bad for the extensions, but also for the natural hair.
Ironing
You can apply a flat iron if you want to curl the extension. You can do this as often as you want. But it is important to keep in mind that the more you do these procedures, either a flat iron or blow-dry, the shorter the lifespan of your extensions will be. That is why we recommend using them 2 or 3 times a week.
IMPORTANT: never iron your hair when it is wet or damp, it is a harmful procedure for both the natural hair and the extensions and the reason for this is because it can burn both parts.
Sleep
When it’s time to sleep, you should not go to bed with wet extensions. Remember that humidity is one of the deadly enemies of hair extensions. In addition, it is important that you go to bed with your hair well detangled, because otherwise, this can cause you to wake up with a spider web on your head.
For this, it is important to make a high bun or you can also apply a braid, these are the recommended ways to take the best care of the extensions.
Steps To Wash Synthetic Extensions
The procedure for this type of extension is a little easier, which will allow you to continue taking advantage of the benefits we have already mentioned. The first thing you should know is:
When you take them out of the package for the first time, the first thing you will notice is that they are usually folded in half, held by an elastic band both at the top and at the bottom. At the bottom the garter is usually much looser, so the first thing to do is to fasten the garter better, you can apply two or three more turns. This is to make sure that the extensions are securely fastened and to prevent the water from loosening them. This is to prevent the hair from getting tangled if it comes loose.
The method used to wash this type of hair extension is different from the one we already presented when we talked about natural hair extensions. So we will explain in detail the step-by-step.
- The first thing to do is to take a large pot and put half full of warm water in it, the water should not be too hot. To the water, you must add a cup or a cup and a half of apple cider vinegar, then stir to mix the ingredients and then introduce the extensions and let them soak for about 15 minutes.
- It is advisable that the water is not at a hot temperature because when dealing with a synthetic material, a very high temperature can damage the material and even burn it.
- After this period of time, the extensions are removed from the water and discarded. In the same pot we used, we will add a small amount of shampoo, another little bit of warm water and once again we introduce the extensions, but this time for only 5 minutes.
- After this time, remove the extensions from the water and wash them with plenty of water to remove the possible smell of vinegar and shampoo. Remember to be careful not to peel or remove the rubber bands while washing the extensions.
- To dry these extensions you will need a hanger where you can hang them and let them dry naturally. It is very important that it is a natural way.
Things to consider before buying extensions.
Human hair vs synthetic hair
When it comes to hair extensions both types do their job, however, there is a greater inclination among women to buy natural hair extensions. This is due to the impracticality of using synthetic extensions and they are not entirely safe.
Synthetic extensions have many limitations, when you use this type of extension you must be aware that you can not swim in pools or beaches while you have them on and much less you can use tools such as curling irons, hairdryers, irons because the heat would produce damage quickly. In addition to not being aesthetically natural and its duration is very short.
You must take into account the color of the extensions so that they can not be differentiated from natural hair and look really good. On the other hand, human hair extensions look more natural and are very easy to style. With this type, if you can have a regular lifestyle without the constant worry of having to limit yourself to many things.
Extensions for different types of hairstyles
There is a great diversity in the types of extensions depending on the type of hairstyle you want to use. If you don’t have the ability to buy all types of extensions, you should consider the hairstyles that you will usually wear so that you can choose the right option.
If, for example, you are a girl who loves to style her hair and have it very long and free, you may need to buy a lot of extensions. You should consider whether you will buy extensions for ponytails or buns, whether you prefer to wear your hair straight or curly, and the same goes for colors. The world of hair extensions is infinite, as long as it is possible for you to get the right extensions.
Ways to attach extensions
The ways to put in extensions are diverse. We have the semi-permanent ones and the clip-in ones that are easier to put in and take out.
Semi-permanent extensions
It is very common that this type of extension is of curtain-type, this means that they go from one side to the other, these are usually braided with the same hair and this allows to create a better volume. Sometimes fragments of slightly smaller hair are used using the same technique.
With adhesive
This technique is not the best for the hair, especially if they are glued. You may experience some discomfort the first few days when applying the braid, this is due to the pressure exerted on the hair to hold the extension. Fortunately, this technique does not cost a lot of money.
Clip-in
The mechanism for this type is similar to the previous one, but with the variant of applying hairpins instead of braiding or gluing. The advantages of this type are due to their ease of removal, allowing you to wash your hair, dry it or even sleep without having to wear them. This is why they are in the group of the most popular ones. You can also own different types or sizes to create different styles. If you are new and do not understand the mechanism very well, you can go to a hairdresser where they will explain the procedure to you. Another advantage is that their durability is much better since you don’t have to wear them all the time, making the maintenance process much easier.
Keratin
This is undoubtedly one of the most expensive and at the same time, the most natural hair extensions you can find. The effect you get with these extensions is very natural and because they come in small clumps, they adapt better to the movement of the hair, creating a much more natural feel. With this type of extension, the hair will not look or feel heavy, but unlike other models, these should be applied by a professional.
The color
This is probably the most difficult task when choosing extensions, especially if you have had your hair bleached for a long time. Choosing the right color will prevent people from noticing that you are wearing extensions and in the end, that is the intention, to make it look natural.
Nowadays there is a wide range of colors to choose from, but it is no less important to pay full attention to choosing the right color to make it look like natural hair.
The texture
As with the hair tones and as we were discussing earlier, the extensions vary in texture, which is why you can find curly, wavy, or straight hair extensions. It is important that you know how to choose the type of texture you want so that it can match the type of hair you have.
Length and thickness
When buying extensions you should always go for quality, so that they will last for years. But you should also pay attention to other factors such as length, and the size you want to have, these are important factors so you can achieve the style you want.
The same goes for other factors such as thickness and thickness, which should match the thickness of your hair so that it looks uniform. When you decide to buy extensions make a comparison with your hair so you can see if they are the best fit for you.
Try before you buy
It is important to make tests when buying extensions, to verify that when applying or removing the extension is not a problem and you end up being dissatisfied. That is why it is recommended to test before buying the extensions, this will help you to know if they are the best for you, if they hook well, if you like them, if they are loose or firm, and above all, if you feel comfortable.
When it comes to extensions, if you want a quality product, you will have to pay the price, but this will not be anything exaggerated.
With all the information we have provided you, surely you have already noticed that wearing extensions requires special care, but if you are willing to comply with the letter with all the recommendations to acquire that desired style, then go ahead. On the other hand, if you don’t have the time to comply with all these demands, it’s best to think twice before splurging. We hope this information has been very useful for you.
