Congratulations on your first hair extensions purchase! While clip-in hair extensions are fairly low-maintenance, you’ll still need to care for them like you would your own hair.
To get the most out of your hair clips investment, here are some tips to keep in mind for maintaining those extensions:
Brushing
Brush your hair extensions before and after every use. Use a hair extensions brush or a fine tooth comb, and start brushing from tips to roots. By starting from the bottom, you’ll remove the tangles one inch at a time instead of just pulling them all the way down. Be gentle while brushing and don’t pull too hard, as this could lead to hair breakage.
Also, avoid brushing your extensions when they’re newly-washed because they are at their weakest when wet. If you need to use the extensions and can’t wait for them to dry, use your own fingers to untangle any knots.
Shampooing
Your real hair gets natural oils from your scalp. Since extensions don’t get to receive this kind of nourishment, they tend to be dry and lifeless.
Overwashing can dry them out even further, so wash the extensions only when necessary — maybe every four weeks. If you’re not comfortable going without shampoo for that long, you can spritz on dry shampoo in between washes.
For the shampoo, choose a product that’s sulfate-, silicone-, and alcohol-free. This is because ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, silicone, and alcohol affect the quality and shorten the lifespan of your extensions. Once you’ve found the holy grail shampoo, make sure to alternate it with a clarifying shampoo to treat product buildup.
Conditioning
After shampooing, use a nourishing conditioner to prevent extensions from becoming dry and brittle. Apply the conditioner at the middle and bottom part of your hair, not at the roots. Doing so may cause the emollients in the conditioner to interfere with the wefts and weigh down the rest of your hair.
Air Drying
Once you’re done washing the extensions, place them over a dry, clean towel and let them sit for about an hour. If possible, use a microfiber towel, as it will remove moisture quicker and is gentler on the hair.
Styling
Avoid using curling iron, flat iron, and blow dryer on your extensions as much as possible. Just
like your own natural hair, Remy hair extensions can get damaged using these heating appliances. If styling can’t be avoided, use a low heat setting and a heat protectant spray.
Coloring/Dyeing/Toning
Clip-in extensions can be colored any way you want. However, most of these extensions already have a built-in multi-tonal coloring system that allows you to achieve the highlights and lowlights you want.
You can also use a purple shampoo to tone the color of your hair and achieve your desired shade. But if you want any major color changes done, consider visiting a professional stylist.
Don’t attempt to bleach the extensions. Since they’re chemically processed, you could potentially ruin their color and might end up having to replace them.
Storing
After removing the extensions from your hair, make sure all the clips are closed. Give them a quick brush then store them in a clean, dry place that’s away from direct sunlight.
You can use the box they came in or an airtight container. Make sure the clips don’t snag on the rest of the extensions, and wrap each weft against each other for easier storage.
Trimming
You might feel like it would be a waste to cut your extensions. After all, the main goal of extensions is to achieve greater length! With that being said, trimming and layering will help create a believable, natural look for your hair.
To get the most out of your purchase, wear your extensions and go to a salon to have them trimmed. Your stylist can remove any split-ends and will make them blend seamlessly with the rest of your hair.
Ultimately, clip-in hair extensions are transformative products which can give you an extra boost of confidence. They allow you to change your look and experiment with color as you see fit.
And, while they’re the most convenient to wear and easiest to maintain out of all the hair extensions, you’lll still need to care for them to extend their lifespan and preserve their quality.
