Care for Your Hair
Follow these little tips and tricks to lengthen the life of your luscious long locks
Shampoo & Condition
Use only professional products that are paraben and sulfate free. Shampoo your scalp only, not the ends of your extensions. Shampooing the ends is not only unnecessary but it will dry your hair out making it prone to breakage.
Condition your hair every time it is shampooed and only. Apply the conditioner from the ponytail section and down, conditioner does not need to be applied at your scalp, that would only contribute to clogging your hair follicle preventing growth.
Apply a hair mask (a stronger conditioner) every 3-5 times you wash your hair to lengthen the life of your hair extensions. Refrain from washing your extensions more than 2-3 times a week.
Products
A minimum of two products are essential to keep your extensions in tip top shape:
• Leave-in conditioner with heat-protectant capability and
• Moisturizing oil or serum
Apply the leave-in conditioner to your hair, after washing, but while it’s still wet. The oil should be applied daily to wet and/or dry hair, before and/or after styling as well. Remember, the extension hair is no longer ‘living’ and doesn’t get the natural oils it normally would so we have to replenish it. Moisture will be your extension hairs best friend. And should be your natural hairs best friend too! With moisture comes strength.
I prefer the Davines Oi Oil or the Goldie Locks Serum. They both are ultra hydrating for your hair and the extensions.
Drying and Styling
After showering, use a towel to carefully blot your extensions dry. Be careful when flipping upside down with the extensions wet due to the fact they will be heavier when wet, you want to be careful with them pulling on your corners where attached to your head, those are the most sensitive areas. Use good product in your hair before drying! Just because your hair and scalp are prone to being oily doesn’t mean you don’t use heat protectant on your ends fro protection. While using your blow dryer, flat iron and curling iron it’s imperative to keep the heat settings on low (below 350 degrees). Blow dry and style often to keep your extensions smooth. Comb often using a Wet Brush of wide-tooth comb – start at the bottom of your hair
and work your way to the top.
There was a study conducted that proves that blow drying your hair, whether extensions or natural, actually improve the integrity of your hair due to the fact that heat when applied at 15cm away will seal your cuticle down, whereas when it is air dried your hair cuticle becomes open and prone to environmental factors.
Sleeping
Use a silk pillowcase and/or silk bonnet for less friction. It is true what they say about silk. I have a link in my Instagram bio that will take you to a long haired bonnet that I love and think is prettier than those short ones. Also keep in mind that going to bed with wet hair can cause your hair and extensions to mat and knot. Leaving them wet while sleeping will cause more damage to your natural hair and extensions may not get the most life.
Swimming and Adventuring
Summer is the BOMB; however, all it brings is hard on extensions. Hair is like a sponge and will soak up whatever liquid it comes in contact with first (especially if its damaged or on the drier side). So, to protect your hair and extensions from drying out, remember this – if you choose to swim with your extensions, wet your hair, add a generous amount of leave-in conditioner and braid your hair before entering the water. The braid MUST be tied at the top and bottom of the ponytail, not just the bottom, to prevent bunching. Use a clarifying shampoo and moisturizing conditioner when you’re done. Take your time combing it out. Apply a deep conditioning hair mask to replenish the moisture. Bold City Hair will not be liable for any negative reaction that may occur. Limit contact with salt water and chlorine (ocean or pool).
Swimming in heated pools or hot tubs may cause your blonde extensions to turn green. This would be due to the fact that copper pipes are used and when heated they cause a reaction to the water and it comes off in blonde hair and can have a green cast. Not all pools have this, only heated ones.
Coloring
Coloring your extensions can change the integrity of the extension; however if you choose to do so, we suggest a demi- or semi-permanent color. Never use any lightener or bleach on the extensions. Any coloring should be done by a licensed professional. For best results, contact your Bold City Hair certified stylist.
Brushing
Brush your extensions at least twice daily to remove and prevent matting and tangling. I love the Mason Pearson hair brush because it is literally great to do anything you need with your hair and is long lasting. I also like the Tangle Teezer brush ONLY for the shower or when your hair is wet. It’s great for combing through conditioner and getting all the way through to each strand.
*If you have questions or would like me to address certain issues of your drop me a line and I would be happy to do some research and add that content for you to have and refer to.
