Dry Hair Problems?

Dry hair is a mood killer. For most of my life, I’ve dealt with having a dry scalp, which would then cause my hair to be excessively dry as well. I used to hate dealing with winter, or season changes because my hair was just so dehydrated and brittle.

At first, I thought that moisturizing my hair constantly was the solution to fixing my dry hair, but that didn’t work. I was frustrated and unsure of what to do next.

I decided to visit a professional. The dermatologist that I visited was able to get down to the root of my issues. However, what I learned for myself might be different from the reasons for everyone else. There are some general reasons why your hair might be dry despite your best efforts.

Although you’re taking care of your hair, there are some steps you might be missing from your regimen. For me, there were some key parts of my regimen that I forgot to include, such as deep conditioning. After a harsh shampoo, a deep condition will save your hair!

Let’s get into all the reasons your hair is lacking moisture.

Shampoo Too Often?

We don’t recommend using shampoo more than once a week. In fact, you should try only once a month. If your hair is consistently dry like mine has been tried lengthening the period of time between wash days. If your hair gets dirty, try using other cleansing treatments like baking soda, or apple cider vinegar.

Also, my favorite way to take care of my hair is by co-washing. Co-washing is a great way to keep your hair clean, without drying it out. If none of that works and your hair is still dry, it could be that you’re manipulating your hair too much. Excessive exposure to heat and styling tools will dry your hair out.

If you let your hair rest, you should see a difference in your hair in no time! Whenever I notice that my hair is too dry, I stop using styling products for about two weeks.

Hair Porosity

• Low porosity hair, has a tight cuticle layer and barely takes in moisture. To combat this, you’ll want to use heat when applying moisture. For example, try steam, or warm water. My favorite method is to use a shower cap when a deep conditioner is sitting in my hair. I typically use oils or moisturizing hair creams and let them sit in a heated condition for over 20 minutes. With low hair porosity, you’ll want to avoid protein treatments.

• Medium porosity hair means that protein treatments are okay for your dry hair. However, if your hair feels stiff after using a protein product, give your hair more time before the next treatment. Make use of leave-in conditioners and oils, and light-weighted creams to increase your moisture.

• Hair that is high porosity will need to seal in tons of moisture. With this porosity, use leave-ins often! Don’t be afraid to experiment with oils such as almond oil, avocado oils, or jojoba oil. This is a necessary process if you want to ensure your hair stays moisturized and strong. Use different products with protein so that your hair stays strong as well.                                                                                                                                                                       

Deep conditioning on wash day is essential to hair moisture. Deep conditioners penetrate the hair shaft in a way that other products can’t.

Many people that experience dry hair consistently might just need a deep conditioning treatment. When I deep condition my hair often, I notice that my hair isn’t as dry, and not as often. Deep conditioning is the best!

Clarify! Clarify! Clarify!

Sometimes, product piles onto our hair and causes it to look dull, and feel even duller. Washing often will help, but a regular shampoo won’t get the job done.

A clarifying shampoo will get rid of all the pollutants, dirt, and products that weigh on our hair. However, even though a clarifying shampoo will help you, it will dry out hair if overused.

Try new products

If nothing else works, then it might be time to try some new products. There are tons of new products out there for you to try. You might want to change around your wash day and see what kind of results you get.

When you try your new products, make sure you cleanse thoroughly and don’t be afraid to change the sequence of your wash day. For me, I love using deep conditioners, and leave-ins as well as oils.

New products might be the key thing to getting your hair the moisture it desperately needs!

Remember This!

Hair isn’t always the easiest to moisturize and sometimes, it’s difficult to get the right amount of longterm moisture. If you tried everything, try looking at these tips and see if you missed anything. Sometimes, the simplest change can be the solution to your problems!

Nobody wants to walk around with dry, brittle hair. Trying out these tips may be the rejuvenation you need! All in all, constant moisture is necessary for hair. Whether you need a quick condition, a leave-in, or a deep condition, you might need it all.

For me, I love to add it to use natural ingredients especially when I make my deep conditioners. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and mix it up. It can be useful for just about anything, and an added benefit is that it’s cheap.

What To Do When On A Budget

Doing hair on a budget isn’t easy. Taking care of hair on a bidet is even harder. When I lived in New York, I had to live on a strict budget. Everything I bought was calculated into my budget list. Rent was high, and so was tuition. There was virtually no space for hair care. It's great that homemade recipes were available to save the day.

My biggest issue with my scalp and hair is dryness. My scalp gets extremely dry at times, and my hair typically follows after. Living in New York with dry hair was awful because of the weather, and the fact that I was on a tight budget. So, what did I do?

Well, I used homemade products to keep my dry hair under control. Typically, the best remedy for dry hair is deep conditioning. However, deep conditioning products can be expensive when you’re on a budget, especially if you were like me living in a ridiculously expensive city. Being on a budget is never fun, but there are always ways to take care of hair while saving money.

Let’s get into some of the best homemade hair conditioning treatments that’ll give your hair life!

3 Favorite Types

There are tons of homemade conditioner recipes out there, but which ones are effective? As previously mentioned, I have dehydrated hair. My scalp isn’t any better either.

I’ve tried all the homemade recipes possible, but I’ve finally narrowed it down to about three favorite ones.

The first one is the infamous mayonnaise mask.

The second is the coconut oil and honey, a lovely smelling and soft mix that’ll transform your hair.

The third is avocado, and aloe vera gel, a combination that’s sure to bring softness to your hair. I chose these three homemade recipes because of three factors. One, I found that my hair was softer after each of these conditioners.

So soft that I thought that I left some product in my hair! Second, not only was my hair soft, it was moisturized. My dry flakes were gone! Third, the best aspect that I was able to save money and most ingredients were already in my kitchen!

If you want to get like me, try these recipes out. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Let’s get into them!

Mayonnaise Mask

The homemade mayonnaise mask is easy to make. All you need is mayonnaise. However, if you want to add a little spunk to it, you can add some essential oils, egg yolk, or another healthy ingredient such as a banana. The processing time for a mayonnaise mask is about 20-30 minutes.

Because the consistent of mayonnaise is already so perfect, you won’t need to whip it before application. If you’ve already rinsed your hair, then you’ll apply the mayonnaise on right after. To use the mask, take about one cup of mayonnaise, and lather it onto your hair from root to ends. Make sure you massage it into your scalp and outwards.

Then, let it sit for about 20 to 25 minutes. After, you’ll use a gentle shampoo to cleanse the mask out of your hair. Make sure you don’t use a harsh shampoo as it will just dry out your hair. When I use this mask, I add about 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil to add more to the mask.

The oil helps with dry scalp patches. The mayonnaise mask is beneficial for anyone needing moisture, and frizz control! The mayonnaise mask also defines curly hair.

It’s also been said to remove hair lice!

Coconut Oil and Honey Mask

Coconut oil has been hailed as the most fantastic product for hair, especially when it comes to moisture. Honey has also been said to be amazing for anyone needing to soften their tresses. To make this homemade mask, you’ll need one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of coconut oil.

Pour both ingredients into a small bowl, and add any other ingredients you like. For this mixture, I like to add some rose water to make the mix soft. Also, before doing any of this, make sure your coconut oil is completely melted. Coconut oil hardens when stored at room temperature. To apply, you’ll need to part your hair into two sections.

Wet it, then use the mask by massaging it onto your scalp before lathering it from roots to ends. Leave the mask on for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, rinse off the mask using warm water.

Make sure you’ve gotten all the product out of your hair before shampooing with a mild shampoo. I loved this mask because it moisturized my hair. The honey was a nice touch since it smelt great, and helped soften my hair.

This mask is great because it doesn’t require much and you can purchase the ingredients anywhere for cheap!

Avocado, and Aloe Vera Gel

One of my favorite hair masks is the avocado and aloe vera gel. Avocado is rich in fatty acids that moisturize hair. So, this mask is created with avocado, but also with aloe vera.

You can add ingredients such as eggs to change the consistency of the mask. To make this mask, add all ingredients to a small bowl, and whip until it’s an even consistency. After creating the mixture, you’ll dampen your hair, and apply the homemade conditioner.

If you want the conditioner to penetrate deeply, leave it on for 20 minutes, and wear a shower cap while doing so.

This will trap the heat into your cap and cause the conditioner to penetrate deeply.

A Homemade Budget

All in all, these masks are great for anyone looking to treat their hair without breaking the bank. The three masks above worked great for me, especially since I have dry hair.

Homemade recipes are incredible because the ingredients are right in your kitchen, and if not, you can get them for cheap at the store!

Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, and try some ingredients you wouldn’t have thought of before!

It’s Time to Rejuvenate

When you first get your hair extensions, they are very soft and luscious.

But after a few weeks of having them in, you may start to realize they are becoming harder to brush through and more brittle. This change is due to your hair extensions drying out. But don't worry! Although your hair extensions may be drying out, you can bring them back to life.

This article will help you come up with ideas on how to rejuvenate your hair and get it back to its original state.

Ways Your Extensions Are Drying Out

The secret to making hair soft is down to a natural oil called sebum.

Sebum is a semi-fluid secreted by the sebaceous gland and is attached to our hair follicles. The sebum is brought to the skin surface and coats the hair shaft. What’s so great about a coating of sebum is that it keeps your growing locks hydrated and free from tangles.

Our natural, growing hair is continuously being coated by this substance, to help give it a soft touch in between washes. This reason is why some people find their hair very dry if shampooed every day and others find their hair oily if they don’t shampoo as frequently.

Unfortunately, hair extensions can’t produce the sebum that our natural tresses can create. With general wearing and washing of the extensions, the coating of sebum that they had when they first started to grow on someone’s head will wear away. Once that is gone, the extensions start to dry out quickly.

There are many different ways you may be drying out your extensions without even knowing it. Here are different ways that your hair extensions can dry out.

Overexposure to Heating Tools

Flatirons, curling irons, hot combs, blow dryers, etc. can cause your hair to dry out quickly.

This statement is not saying they are not okay to use because they are perfectly fine, but it is essential to use them in moderation. Using excessive heat will cause your hair to dry out and become brittle quickly.

So, it is imperative that you monitor your usage.

Overprocessing

Just like natural hair, repeatedly dyeing your extensions will cause them to dry out.

Hair dye uses very harsh chemicals such as ammonia that when used often, will damage your hair. You should treat your extensions with the utmost care. Remember that it is okay to dye your extensions, don’t overdo it.

Environmental Damage

You may not be the one actively doing anything to harm your hair, and it may just be mother nature against you.

Extensions are most susceptible to drying out during the summertime because of the sun. Just like natural hair, overexposure to the sun can cause your extensions to dry out.

Sadly, there is not much you can do to stop it from happening as it is nature.

Chlorine Exposure

During the hot months, many people love to go to the pool to cool off. But the pool water can play a massive role in drying out your extensions if you decide to go in. The chemicals from the chlorine in the pool will leave your extensions feeling brittle.

The list is ultimately endless. There are so many factors that can cause your extensions to dry out. In reality, your extensions most likely will eventually dry out if you are not taking the best care of them.

Ways to Prevent Your Hair Extensions From Drying Out

Synthetic extensions

We are all aware that there is a difference between human hair and synthetic extensions.

Synthetic extensions are more susceptible to drying out because of its properties. If you notice with synthetic extensions, they dry out much faster than human hair extensions will.

Here are some tips to help keep your extensions from drying out and keep that looking fresh for a more extended period. It is best to prevent your synthetic hair extensions from drying out and becoming brittle altogether because once that happens, it is challenging to restore it.

Washing

Many people think you are not able to wash synthetic hair but you most definitely can.

If you feel your hair is starting to become dry, conditioning it with a mild conditioner or a conditioner made explicitly for synthetic hair can bring it back to life. You want to wash the hair, brush it out and then hang it up to dry. You want to air dry your hair.

Stay away from the blowdryer. The blow dryer can cause unnecessary tangles, and because the hair is synthetic, it can ruin it. Once those extensions have dried and you put them back in, they will be looking as good as new.

Using heating tools

If your hair comes in a packet that says it is heat friendly, you can use heating tools but it is essential they are in low settings.

Too much heat can dry out the hair and maybe even cause the hair to melt depending on the brand of hair that you use. If you are not sure whether or not you can use heating tools, your best option is to stay away from them all together to avoid damaging your hair.

However, if you need to know, you want to take a very tiny section of hair and use the heating tool to see the effect it has.

Apply a hair serum

Hair serums and oils can help to soften up your hair. You want to take a small amount and apply it to your extensions.

You want to use your fingers to rake the serum through to make sure it gets all over your extensions. Adding a little bit 2-3 times a week can go a long way and stop your hair from drying out quickly.

Human Hair Extensions

Brush daily

You can feel freer to brush your human hair extensions because they do not shed nearly as much as synthetic hair does.

Keeping it from tangling and matting can help keep your hair from drying out. This practice is also just a good habit to start. Brushing your hair goes a long way when it comes to making your extensions looking fresh.

Apply hair oils

Like with synthetic hair, adding hair oils to human hair can leave it looking sleek and shiny.

It is good to apply hair serum or oil 2-3 times a week. This method will help to keep your hair from drying out. Coconut oil and black castor oil are prevalent and useful options to use on your hair.

Moisturize daily

Just like with your natural hair; you want to keep your extensions moisturized daily.

What I like to do is spritz water on my extensions and apply a leave-in conditioner. A small amount is exceptional it isn’t necessary to put a significant amount. This method personally always had my hair look fresh and new.

I recommend this to anyone who has human hair extensions.

How to Restore Your Extensions

Detangle

The first step to rejuvenating your extensions is to detangle them.

If your extensions are tangled, be patient with the hair because it may be frustrating to get all the tangles out. You want to use a wide-tooth comb to help you and start from the bottom and work your way up.

Once you have detangled your extensions successfully, you can then use a brush to get all of the small knots out.

Deep condition

Deep condition your extensions will moisturize your extensions so that they are no longer dried out.

You want to get a deep conditioner without added sulfites and chemicals so that it does not harm the hair. Fill a basin with lukewarm water, pour the conditioner in and place the extensions inside the bowl. You can let the hair sit in the pan for a little to make the conditioner soak through the hair.

Once you do that, gently scrub the hair with your fingers and wash the extensions out with fresh water. Make sure you get all of the conditioners adequately rinsed out.

Try an Apple cider vinegar rinse

An apple cider vinegar rinse (ACV) can help to restore your hair back to its original state in a literal sense.

When dealing with human hair, when you first buy it the hair cuticle is completely sealed off. But when you start to use products such as shampoos & conditioners, heating tools, etc. the hair cuticle will begin to strip away until it is no longer there slowly.

Because ACV is has a lower pH balance from your hair extensions, the rinse will help to lower the overall pH balance of your weave and help to reseal the cuticle.

Let the extensions air dry

Do not wring out your extensions! Wringing out your extensions causes more harm than good as it creates tangles.

Your best option is to brush through the hair with a wide-tooth comb and let it air dry. You want to put the extensions in a safe place so nothing can interfere with the drying process.

Add oils

Adding oils can help give your hair back its shine. It isn’t necessary, but it is a step to consider to help make your hair look as good as new.

Never Struggle With Dry Extensions Again

Many people think that once the extensions are dried out, they are of no use. That isn’t the case!

You have various opportunities and chances to help bring your hair back to life. Just remember to treat your extensions just as you would your natural hair.

Give it all the TLC you have to offer because it will need it. I challenge you to put at least 3 of the steps mentioned above in practice and see how much of a difference it makes on your extensions.

And don’t be afraid to try different products and methods this is all a learning process. Good luck!

Make It Last Forever, Forever

I know that we all have had that moment where our bundle's shipment is coming in late or we are running low on funds.

And we need to make our hairstyle stretch for just a few more days. Sew-in weave can be a fantastic protective look and when you treat it with tender love and care it can last you for a long time.

But no matter how well you manage your tresses there will always come to a point where the strands begin to age new growth starts to show, and you must take your beautiful bundles out. Luckily if you need a little more time before you see your hairdresser, then there are a few methods you can choose to help your weave last for one more week.

Read on in this blog post, and we promise you will find age-old secrets to make those extensions last longer and longer.

Wrap Up Your Weave Before You Go to Bed

No matter what kind of hair texture you purchase or install on your head its best to wrap your extensions up when you're sleeping or about to go to bed.

Wrapping your bundles prevents things like frizz, wear, and tear, and slip tracks from happening. Using this method is foolproof and will be a fantastic help when it comes down to making your weave last for one more week.

Let's face it, we move so much in our sleep, and the rubbing of our hair on our sheets and pillows can be destructive to our curls, you want to make sure that by the end of the night that your extensions stay firmly in place. You want to be able to preserve the curl patterns or hairstyles that you work so hard to achieve, and it will save you time in the morning from restyling your hair.

This process is not only for when you're going to bed if you know that you won't be going out at all for the day you should wrap up your hair, but there is also no point in letting your curls hang free for no one to see. So, if you're getting ready to do daily household chores, then I would protect those bundles until you decide to leave the house.

This process may seem like something small, but trust me, this could be a significant help in making that weave last an extra week.

Stay Away from Putting Heat on Your Weave

Putting heat on your weave is possibly the worst thing that you could do when you are trying to make your hairstyle last for one week longer.

Try to avoid excessive straightening or blow-drying your extensions every time you wash or style your hair. If you practice good habits in the beginning stages of the sew-in, then it will be able to last a lot longer than it usually would if you treat it unhealthy.

Think of your weave as your natural curls, you wouldn't blow dry your hair every five seconds, and you surely would not flat iron it every chance you get. Take advantage of the day to day accessories like turbans and headbands to give the extensions a break from the damaging heat of your curling iron.

A weave is prone to the same damage as your real hair so too many harmful chemicals will decrease its lifespan. So, to help you out overall try to choose a bundle with a texture that you already like and save the extra curling or blow-drying for special occasions only.

Find different ways to style your weave without adding excessive heat, and I promise your lovely hairstyle will last you for one more week if not longer.

Buy Quality Extensions

Buying quality extensions from the jump can increase the duration of hair life, making your weave last longer than others.

If you are dealing with cheap or synthetic quality hair, then you can expect it to lose its shine, volume, and strength a lot faster than the human tresses. So even though this step is something that takes place in the beginning stages, it will help you out in the future.

Next time you decide to get a sew-in takes the time to invest in high-quality extensions before doing the install. Need help buying some great weave at affordable prices? Check out our bundle deals on Brazilian and Malaysian hair.

Wear Cute Hair Accessories

If you're trying to make your hair extensions last one more week, try investing in some cute hair accessories, anything to try, and the cover-up that new growth.

Sometimes when your weave begins to get old, it's easy to tell or spot it from a mile away. Wearing anything from cute decorative headscarves, turbans, or hats can help hide the tell-tale signs of an aging sew-in.

Remember that our goal is to stretch out our hairstyle for one more week until we can get it re-done, so this option is probably the cheapest and easiest one to try. I feel that we all might have a hat or headband laying around the house somewhere, but if you don't, there are some cheap options at thrift stores or your local drug or beauty supply store.

So, the next time you are trying to find a way to make that hairstyle last a few days longer pull out some of your favorite cute hair accessories and slay the rest of your week effortlessly.

Use Leave-in Conditioner

Leave-in conditioner is ideal for helping your weave last a little while longer.

These products are great when dealing with curly texture hair, just because they help restore brittle, dry, or old hair by adding an enormous amount of moisture that can last you for days to come. Other products you use on your extensions can have an adverse effect and dry out your curls.

When it comes down to your last few days of the sew-in add a dime-size amount of product on your hands and massage it into your curls with your fingers coating it evenly throughout the extensions.

Since your bundles cannot get any nutrients from your body, this method is perfect for adding life to your flat weave. So, if you are running low on funds need to stretch that hairstyle out for a few more days invest in this product.

If you are on the fence on which cream to get, you should check out our blog post on the best leave-in conditioner for your hair extensions.

Try Not to Do Vigorous Workouts

If you want to make your weave last for one more week, then I would suggest you try your best to stay away from any vigorous workout routines for the next couple of days.

Sweating your edges out is an understatement, but if you have a sew-in, you should know better than anyone that sweating it out makes things worst. When an increase of sweat builds up around the corners of your extensions or even in the middle, the tracks will begin to rise and give you the appearance of wearing a wig.

If your hairstyle is already starting to get old, then we don't want to push it overboard by running long laps for the whole world to see the tangled mess on your head. Don't get me wrong you can still try to get a good workout in.

But I would suggest staying away from 5k runs, the sauna, or the swimming pool for the following days to come. Investing in dry shampoo could be a massive help in drying up the sweat that comes from your hair when you work out. So, before you leave the house spray a few drops of the dry shampoo product and this could save you from dealing with a sweaty catastrophe on your extensions when you get home.

As soon as you get your new hairstyle in then, you can continue with your regular gym regimen.

Invest in Satin Pillow Case and Satin Scarves

If you think that investing in a satin pillowcase or scarf is a myth that doesn't work, well we are here to tell you please believe in all the hype.

Buying this product is probably the last thing that comes to your mind when you think about keeping your weave healthy and beautiful but trust us it will be a huge lifesaver for all your future hair looks.

If you don't want to ruin your expensive bundles, then we suggest you stay far away from regular cotton pillowcases. The roughness of the cloth creates friction between your weave and the surface of the pillow which creates damage all over the head. Satin is very smooth, so that means the style will not tangle up while you are sleeping.

The extensions will merely slide across the pillow and will more likely create minimum to no damage. Say goodbye to your ugly bed head every morning, because these satin beauties will have you looking like a fallen angel every time you wake up.

If the pillowcases are not your style, the silk headscarves can be a huge help as well. One big plus that these scarves can do is retain the natural moisture that your weave has, anything that is cotton material can suck your hair dry of healthy oils that can be very helpful, in the process, it will make your strands brittle and dry something that no one wants.

With all these marvelous benefits I don't know why you aren't on your way to the store right now picking up these lovely satin products!

Twist or Braid Down Extensions

If you are someone who has curly or wavy extensions that lost their volume and bounce over the weeks, there is one way to bring them back to life.

Dividing your hair into small sections and twisting or braiding them down can help bring the curls back to life in your weave. You can either wet the hair or add small amounts of hair product to improve the waves to keep its form throughout the night.

When you wake up in the morning make sure that the sections are arid, then begin to undo the braids or twists in the parts. You can now keep the curls as they are or get a soft bristle brush and brush them out for a looser curl pattern. 

Another way to maintain the hairstyle is to try placing mini Bantu knots within the hair; this provides more of a spiral pattern that is sure to catch anyone's attention. Doing tricks like these will help your weave last well over a week if not longer. Remember that it is only necessary to try this method when the sew-in begins to look old, and the style of the texture of the hair starts to look dry or matted.

You don't want to ruin the natural pattern of your waves by doing this routine too early in the weaving stage. If you still are not sure on how to execute any of the techniques above, try Bantu knots or other braiding techniques on YouTube for step by step demonstration.

How Do You Make Your Weave Last One More Week?

We hope that you find these tips on making your weave last a little longer helpful.

I know that we all have our moments where we might be running low on cash or don't have the time to redo our hair at the moment. Any methods that can help stretch the life your hair is behind you 100 percent of the way.

Always remember that when your weave does start to get old know when enough is enough, leaving a style in for a more extended time than it is supposed to be in can lead to more damage.

If you have any techniques that you use to help, make your extensions last one more week we are dying to know. Please fill us in, in the comments down below.

The Best Tips on Preparing For A Great Sew-in Experience

The first time I was truly compelled to get a sew-in weave was my freshman year in college. I witnessed nearly every woman had a weave.

Their hair ranged from mid-back length to mid-thigh length in a variety of colors. It was mesmerizing and intriguing. Upon returning to school for my sophomore year, I decided to join the league of beautiful women on my campus donned with glorious hair. I installed my first sew-in.

Needless to say, as a novice, I did not know what to expect and made a few mistakes. I was unaware of the particular type of hair to purchase considering there are hundreds of forms, textures, and blends of extensions! And I also was not sure the length of hair that would suit me best nor the which salon to get my hair installed. I Googled a few locations near me and checked reviews.

After my weave installation, I had to learn to maintain my hair. Fortunately, since that time, I have not only learned from mistakes, but I have also mastered how to have a great sew-in experience every time.

Now I can share with you eight things you definitely should not do before getting a weave.

You Should Not...

1. Pick Out The Cheapest Hair

Perhaps you are in college with minimal funds or merely wanting to protect your hair with the cheapest style.

But you should not forgo cost when it comes to your extensions. I have made this mistake and paid for it, so you can bypass this issue. With cheaper extensions, you are typically sacrificing quality. More inexpensive extensions are usually synthetic hair, which is plastics and looks unnatural with its excessive shine.

Additionally, synthetic hair can irritate your scalp and cause redness and itching during your install. Wearing extensions are a great protective style, but cheap, irritating hair can quickly change your lovely new hairstyle into a terrible nightmare.

The best hair to use for your extensions is 100% human hair. Although more expensive, the quality and overall look of the hair will make this hair type worth the few extra dollars. Purchasing extensions does not have to break the bank. There are plenty of affordable human hair extensions that save you in cost and bless your scalp with soft strands. Check out PLE’s selection of human hair extensions and clip-ins.

Depending on your lifestyle, personal fashion preference as well as your face structure you want to decide on the curl pattern and texture of your hair. Although curly hair can seem like more work, it can sometimes require less maintenance since you do not have to heat style it often.

In the same breath, straight hair extensions look great on almost everyone. I love to curly extensions or ones that give me a lot of volume for the colder months, and I like to keep it straight and short in the summertime.

2. Get A Color That Does Not Match Your Hair

The real beauty of installing extensions is not noticing where the wearer’s natural hair ends and where the extensions begin.

Understanding color is crucial. Even the slightest difference in color will be a dead giveaway that you are wearing extensions. Since our hair is not made up of a single color, but rather a blend of a variety of color, it is best to purchase extensions that match your hair as best as possible.

One way to do this is by undergoing a complete hair transformation with color treatment. You can buy your extensions as close to your current hair color as possible and take your extensions to a professional colorist and hopefully extension installer. In this way, you will be able to ensure that the extensions match your hair perfectly since your professional partner will dye both your hair and the extensions similarly.

If you are not looking to dye your own hair, you could either eyeball the best looking extensions or get advice and extensions from your local salon. A stylist will be able to best match your hair to extensions in their collection.

Even if you decide to install extensions and cover all of your hair, I still recommend choosing extensions that have a small variety of colors within the hair. It is more natural-looking. Also when it comes to color, take into consideration your skin tone. Some people have warm undertones to their skin, some have cool undertones to their skin, and some are neutral. The same rules apply to hair.

For example, there is not one color of blonde hair but rather blonde hair that looks cool and gray-toned and blonde that is warm and yellow-toned. Match your undertone with the undertone of your hair (warm goes with warm and cool goes with cool).

With this knowledge in mind, you will always make a great color decision when it comes to your extensions.

3. Skip Shampooing

Would you skip a shower for three to four weeks? Not only would you run the risk of public ridicule, but it would also be a very uncomfortable experience.

Treat your scalp the same way. Before you get your weave, cleanse your hair and your scalp thoroughly. With a weave, a stylist braids your hair in a particular pattern and then sews the extensions on top of the braids. Primarily, the weave covers your hair and scalp.

However, your hair continues to shed and produce sebum, or natural oils. Do not start off your beautiful new style with a hidden buildup of dirt, grime, and oil. Skipping shampoo and conditioner before your install will not only irritate during the time that you have in your style, but you will also contribute to buildup on your scalp, which could hinder the growth of your hair.

No one wants to take down her sew-in only to realize that her hair is falling out and a tangled mess. Healthy and well-cared for hair begins before you get a weave. A day or two before your appointment, complete a thorough cleansing of your hair.

Rub your scalp free of any product buildup or environmental debris and wash your hair until it is squeaky clean. When you treat your hair to a spa day, it will grow and look healthy after you remove your weave. A word of caution, do not neglect to show your scalp love during your installation.

You will have a better extension experience as you take care of your scalp and hair underneath your weave.

4. Neglect Deep Conditioning

This tip falls in line with the last one. Shampooing and conditioning your hair is essential to have a great start before you get a weave.

I would take this hair spa day another step further by strongly encouraging you to deep condition your hair before installing your extensions. Look for deep conditioners that are protein-rich as well as moisturizing.

With the added stress of being braided and sewed on, your hair will need the extra strength to withstand the initial install as well as the strength to endure the next four to six weeks of wear. As I hope you will continue to wash your hair once you have your weave installed, a moisture-rich deep conditioner will aid your hair with an extra boost of water and hydration.

Remember that your hair is going to be covered for the most part and will not be able to take the moisture out of the air as usual. The humid air provides your hair with water, but contained inside a weave, it does not get this opportunity.

Treat your hair with a water-based deep conditioner or try a steam treatment. The heat of a steam treatment opens the cuticles of the hair strands, and the water is deposited inside to ensure that your hair gets the maximum amount of moisture.

With these steps, your hair will not only look healthy before your install but will radiate and promote hair growth during and after you take your weave out.

5. Ditch the Trim

Regularly trimming your hair has fantastic benefits for your hair.

As the ends are the oldest part of our hair, they tend to weigh the rest of our strands down and hindering new growth. However, when we get our ends professionally trimmed, we can remove the damaged ends and make room for healthy new hair.

A trim is proper for your hair before you get a weave because you are allowing your hair the opportunity to let go of dead weight before concealing it within your extensions. Receiving a good trim before a weave ensures that your damaged ends will not tangle with the shed hair as you wear your install. Our hair sheds daily approximately 100 strands. Imagine the amount of hair shed during the time you keep in your sew-in.

Typically, the reason many people may experience an excessive amount of tangling after they remove their extensions is because of the shed hair forming knots with the damaged parts of their hair.

By trimming off the excess hair, you will eliminate broken or split ends as well as alleviate the possibility of a significant amount of tangles after you take down your weave. The goal is healthy and beautiful hair.

Trim your hair before your next weave, and you will notice the difference in your hair.

6. Have A Friend Install Your Extensions

This last tip may seem controversial and unnecessary.

I may also be biased in that I allowed a friend to install my weave and I ended up with a lion’s mane attached with a fishing line instead of a hair thread. Yeah, it was pretty bad. If you want a professional look, then book your appointment with a professional stylist, preferably in a salon.

I do acknowledge that there are lovely professionals that may work out of their homes or other locations, but it is worth getting your hair done by a professional. A professional can expertly recommend hair color, braid style, and the like that will best fit your physical makeup as well as compliment your current lifestyle.

With a friend, you may talk about the latest news or guy drama, and although these conversations may be entertaining, they do not necessarily help with the look, style more health of your hair. Yes, you and your girlfriend are cool, and she watches a ton of YouTube videos, but keep your girlfriends your girlfriends and book an appointment with your stylist.

She may be well versed in today’s political talk as well.

You Are On Your Way To The Best Weave Experience!

Hopefully, these tips helped you see that a great weave begins before you sit down in the salon chair.

When you take the time to research and carefully choose your extensions, you make sure that your hair will not irritate your scalp and damage your hair, but that it will also blend flawlessly to your natural hair color.

Even though we may wear our extensions and every one of our friends and close people knows that it is a weave, the goal is not to make it visible. Synthetic hair is often too shiny and looks more like plastic than hair unless that’s the look you want. Authentic human hair is the perfectly-matched color that can turn heads and have everyone wondering how you get your hair to grow.

Speaking of growth, as you shampoo, condition, deep condition and trim your hair before your installation, you give your hair the best opportunity to remain healthy during your weave install as well as provide it with room to grow and prosper after you remove your extensions.

Take some time to treat you and your hair right before you switch up your look. I am always an advocate for self-care especially as it comes to hair and hair health. What other “shouldn’t” tips would you add to this list? How has the avoidance of these mistakes helped your sew-in experience?

Leave your comments down below and let’s keep the conversation going.