Keeping Extensions Beautiful & Long Lasting
I have had my Great Lengths extensions now for almost two months now dears. I wanted to do a follow up post with you all and let you know how incredibly happy I still am. Great Lengths has won my heart over truth be told.
The long hair love is all to real in my world. Do I wish my hair would grow faster? Yes. Have I tried everything under the sun to make my hair grow faster? Yes. Am I going to stop wearing extensions? Probably not. For now, my hair is a cloak of armor. It’s part of my style. And honestly..I am an extension addict. The hair just moves differently. You can curl this hair and it will last for a whole week, especially if you have a great stylist curling it. And I cannot tell you enough how light and airy these feel. I almost forget I have them which is a good thing, especially if it's your first set. My head was always so heavy with past extension products giving me the worst headaches and forget getting a good night's sleep. It just downright hurt. And when I would wash them, OMG...the weight literally wanted to pull me down to the ground. I can literally do everything with Great Lengths just as normal.
Also so happy to report I went on my first moto adventure yesterday since getting the service and I was kinda dreading putting that helmet on...
Loves...no issues. No pain. Just when I thought I could not be more impressed...
I plan on getting a full 6 months out of this set and am happy to report I have only lost 10 of them. (this is actually wonderful) But I do realize my aftercare routine plays a vital role in their longevity. So with all the conflicting information out there, I wanted to share my routine for keeping my extensions in great condition. Maintenance is critical. I got a lot of these great tips and tricks from the bloggers behind Simply Hair.
Wash Your Hair Extensions Correctly
Washing your hair extensions correctly is essential to appropriate hair extensions care. If you stick with your regular routine which you use for your natural hair you may encounter some issues.
Firstly, you must ensure you are always using the recommended aftercare for your hair gorgeous extensions. This will ensure that the shampoo and conditioner does not affect the hair extension bonds, causing them to slip or come loose (this would be the saddest day ever), and does not affect the quality of the hair. Products must be sulfate free. I am really loving R + Co. right now and Davines is always a fave too. They both smell amazing and provide the volume I need. And talk to your stylist too. Always best to confirm with the experts. ( I have linked my faves though at the end of this post for you)
Now that you have the appropriate aftercare, you will be able to wash your hair extensions without worrying about how this may affect the hair quality, but there are still some additional tips to take note of. You will need to ensure that you only wash the scalp with shampoo, and the conditioner is restricted to the mid lengths and ends only. Try to wash your hair in warm, not hot water, as temperature can have a negative effect on both your natural hair and the hair extensions, especially if you enjoy a scorching hot shower. Make sure that the water is flowing down your back in an upright position, as flipping your hair over can cause tangling issues.
Brush Your Hair Extensions Gently
Whether you have just washed your hair, or are brushing it dry in the morning, you must take great care to do this gently. Take your time to slowly brush your hair, removing any tangles patiently without pulling on the hair extensions. Always use a hair extension hair brush to ensure that you do not disturb the binds in any way. This will create a mess.
Once you wake up in the morning, it is very important that you brush you hair before starting your day. This may seem like a very obvious comment to make, however it is not uncommon for those without naturally long hair to simply run their fingers through their hair to tame their tresses, especially if they are a fan of a messier style. (Hello me)
Hair Extensions Need To Be Brushed Before You Wash Them
It is very important that you always brush before washing your hair extensions. Again, this may seem obvious to those of us with naturally long hair, however if you have had your hair extensions fitted into short hair, you may be used to hopping straight in and never considering doing this. By brushing your hair extensions before showering you are preventing your hair from becoming tangled as you wash it, making it much easier to brush when your hair is wet.
How Do I Brush My Hair Extensions When They Are Wet?
When your hair is wet it is at its weakest, therefore it is very important to be patient and gentle when brushing your wet hair extensions. Using your hair extension hair brush, slowly work your way from the tips of the hair up to the roots, slowly detangling as you go. If you try to brush from roots to tips you will be pulling the tangles into your hair, tightening them and making them more difficult to remove, therefore brushing tip to root prevents this, and makes brushing your hair a much gentler process.
Hair Extensions Need To Be Brushed Before Bed
At the end of the day, it is very important to give you hair one final brush through before getting into bed. This ensures that there are no tangles from the day lingering in your hair that you will have to remove in the morning, and will make the process much quicker and easier. I also sleep in a loose braid every night. This really prevents tangles.
Never Sleep With Your Hair Extensions Wet
Wet hair can promote tangling and matting, therefore it is very important that you never sleep with your hair wet or damp. It is very tempting to fall into bed with semi dry hair, but your hair extensions will be very difficult to brush in the morning if you do choose to do this, putting pressure on the bonds and the cuticles of the hair. When washing your hair you must always ensure you have enough time to dry them full before getting into bed. Trust me on this one. I have done this a few times and it was so not worth it! Ask Lin.
I promise things tips will get you the most out of that extension set. You have paid great money so invest in the aftercare!
And local dears dears, my extension stylist Casey is honoring a 20% off to my readers if you book your consultation and complete the service through the end of March. (this would be for the full bombshell look) So generous! And just in time for Spring wedding season loves. 20% off is huge. She will also continue to extend a 10% discount to my readers through December 2017 as we know sometimes extensions are not an impulse purchase for some and you need some time (a year) to really make a decision around this. You all are soooo lucky!!! Take full advantage!!
Check out Casey's website and blog here. It's one of my favorites and call her directly at 918-855-3577 to book your consultation and extension service. Mention this blog post for the discount!! And tag me in your before and after pics. I just cannot wait to see!!
What are your favorite products to use on your extensions?
XO
SAM