Haircare Guide
It is important to follow a consistent haircare routine to keep your hair extensions looking their best. We all know that the overuse of heat styling tools, chemical products and coloring can affect the natural health of your hair. This haircare guide will let you know how to best care for your hair extensions.
First thing you need to know is that real virgin hair is the exact same thing as your own hair. However it comes in many different types. The only difference is that this hair is not nurtured nor does it get the natural moisture that the scalp can provide.
A hair strand is essentially a tube with an inner cortex encased in a delicate outer layer, called the cuticle. When the cuticle layer is perfectly intact, hair looks supremely glossy and doesn’t tend to break. Remember that wind, rain, sweat and pollution/build-up can affect our hair extensions and cause the hair to matte and tangle.
DAILY ROUTINE
Detangle your hair, preferably with your fingers first, and then with a detangler brush. Leave-in conditioner spray are great to add moisture or if the hair is dull or dry, style as usual. Before going to bed, comb through and put on bendy rollers or make two twists and sleep with a satin bonnet to protect the hair. Oils are not recommended as it weighs down the hair.
BRUSHING AND MAINTAIN YOUR HAIR EXTENSION
Use a soft bristle brush, a wide tooth comb or a special detangling brush when brushing your hair extensions that won’t pull or tug on your hair. There are many great brushes on the market designed to minimize breakage whilst brushing. Hair and Ella’s detangling brush can be purchased here. Always comb or brush in a downward motion starting from the tip and working your way upwards. We recommend that you detangle your hair twice a day. Pay extra attention to the nape area. Always brush or comb on dry hair. Use a leave-in conditioner spray to facilitate the process.
Covering your hair with a satin wrap band or satin bonnet before going to sleep will prevent frizzing and tangling and is highly recommended. A satin or silk scarf will also prevent your hair from drying out. Purchase your satin bonnet here.
WASHING & MOISTURIZING
Hair tends to tangle when it has dirt build-ups. Always wash your hair after exercises or when you have repeatedly used products in your hair. We recommend the washing process in following steps:
- Fully detangle hair prior to wetting it.
- Add a small amount of water mixed with conditioner first to the hair and brush the entire hair. Make sure you work from the top and downwards. This step eliminates the possibility of your hair matting when in direct contact with shampoo.
- Add your shampoo and work it in.
- Rinse out shampoo and add your conditioner, preferably one that provides moisture.
- Rinse thoroughly and let air dry for best result.
Wash in lukewarm water with a sulphate free shampoo along with a good conditioner. Conditioners are a hair extensions best friend as it supplies the right amount of moisture that the hair needs to stay fresh and healthy as well as closing the cuticles and locking in the moisture. It’s recommended to wash your extension once a week. Remember that shampoo has a tendency to be drying-especially with curlier textures. Always seal your cuticles with cold water rinse when you shampooed and conditioned your hair as a last step. Let it air dry for best result. Please note that different hair types can react differently to different brands of shampoo- and conditioner. What works great for your peruvian hair might not be the best for your mink hair.
SEAL YOUR WEFT
If you want your extensions to last long and prevent shedding you are better off sealing your wefts. This can be done by using a fabric fray block.
FOLDING METHOD WHEN SEWING
We recommend that you do not cut your wefts if possible. Use the folding method instead. This way you prevent the hair from shedding and you won’t end up with lots of small pieces when you take out your hair extensions thus increasing the longevity of the hair. When folded the correct way it won’t be bulky but will lay very flat and neat.
BLEACH AND COLOR
As all our hairs are 100% virgin hair it can be bleached or colored. Remember that once you colored or bleached it, it is no longer considered virgin hair and it won’t be guaranteed to last as long as the original state. Also keep in mind that the hair extensions that you buy are not “new” or “magical” but it has belonged to another person prior to you and you will have to treat it as your own hair. You might need to trim the edges every now and then just like your real hair. All bundles can react differently to chemically processing and some hair can be more prone to shedding and breaking after bleaching as it dries out the hair. It’s very important to add moisture after coloring or bleaching. We recommend you take your hair extensions to a professional to have this chemical process done.
HAIR PRODUCTS
Make sure you do your research before ordering hair or wigs. You would want to learn the difference between a lace closure and lace frontal first. This is for you to know what your needs are when it comes to hair. Youtube is a great source for knowledge. On Hair and Ella’s Instagram you can find loads of information too.
HEAT
Heat causes a lot of stress to your hair as well as your hair extensions. Make sure you choose a hair texture that requires minimum of heat treatment. Purchase curly or wavy hair if you prefer to wear your hair in that particular style. Always use a heat protectant when styling your hair. Let your hair air-dry for best results. If you use heat on wavy and curly hair textures, pattern may change overtime.
CURLY HAIR
Curly hair is maintained by a perfect balance of moisture. Adding moisture and taking care of curly hair is crucial for it to look and behave the way you want. Detangle daily and use a moisturising leave-in spray. A tip is to co-wash your hair every week. Before you wash your hair extensions make sure you have detangled and gradually wet it before you wash it. Comb or brush through when hair is completely saturated with conditioner. Let hair air dry to get defined curl pattern.
