Investing in hair extensions can be transformative, adding length, volume, and style options to your look. However, keeping your extensions looking luxurious requires consistent care and mindful habits. By following proper maintenance and upkeep routines, you can extend the life of your extensions and keep them feeling natural and vibrant. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to care for your hair extensions, from brushing and washing to styling and sleeping, to ensure they stay in beautiful condition.

Brushing

Brush out extensions with wet brush daily and before washing.

• Daily Brushing: Use a wet brush daily and before washing.
• Technique: Gather hair in a ponytail and brush from bottom to top. Ensure to brush up to the top of each row without touching the ridge.
• Guidance: Place a hand at the top of the row to guide brushing, which keeps natural hair clean and untangled between rows, preventing matting.

Washing

• Frequency Matters: Washing hair too often shortens extension life.
• Pre-Wash Brushing: Brush extensions thoroughly before each wash.
• Gentle Shampooing: Shampoo gently between rows; avoid vigorous scrubbing.
• Conditioning Care: Apply conditioner from mid-lengths to ends.

Use a sulfate free shampoo and conditioner to prolong your hair color and the extension color.
Consult with your Extension Specialist to determine the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair.

Use a moisturizing detangling spray (Davines Oi Milk) right after your shower and before you brush out your hair with the detangling brush (again).

When brushing wet hair, start from your ends and work your way up to the scalp. Hold the hair in one hand (pinched in a ponytail) and brush down, or place your fingers/hand at the base of your extensions to offer support while brushing gently.

Styling

• Gently towel dry your hair.
• Squeeze excessive water out, do not rub.
• On towel dried hair use a leave in detangler (Davines Oi Milk) and hair oil (Oi Oil) to ensure extra hydration.
• Top off with a Heat Protectant (see below), to insure long lasting hair extensions.
• Brush thoroughly with a wet brush or boars head bristle brush.
• Use fingers to dry hair 80% of the way focusing on the top of each row, then finish with wet brush or round brush to smooth. This applies to Dry Bars as well. Make sure to communicate to whoever is styling your hair to NOT round brush your hair from start to finish.
• If curling your extensions, run the extension hair through the curling iron to smooth the hair one or twice, before placing curls. This will give your extensions a more polished look, close the cuticle, and prolong the extension hair.

HEAT PROTECTANT PRODUCTS:  Iles Formula Finishing Serum, Davines Melu Hair Shield, Davines Love Smoothing Perfector or Davines Heart of Glass Sheer Glaze .

MOISTURIZERS / DETANGLERS:  Davines Oi Milk, Oi Oil or Davines This is an Invisible Serum to keep your hair moisturized and protected.

Sleeping, Swimming, and Hard Water Tips

• Sleep Smart: Always wear hair in a loose bun or top knot to reduce pulling on extensions.
• Swimming Caution: Swimming is not recommended, but if unavoidable, wet hair with tap water, apply leave-in conditioner, and style in a loose braid or bun.

During pool or beach days, if submerging hair can not be avoided,

• Rinse with tap water first then apply leave in conditioner like Dede Leave-In Hair Mist and put in a bubble braid or bun.
• Wash & Brush well immediately after.
• Rehydrate with deep conditioner like Davines NOUNOU Deep Conditoner or Naturaltech Nourishing Miracle Conditioner 250ml immediately.

• Hard Water Protection: High mineral content in hard water causes color fading and dryness. Using a shower filter is highly recommended to maintain hair quality.

MOST IMPORTANT:
NEVER EVER GO TO BED WITH WET OR DAMP HAIR

This will ruin your extensions and they will need to be replaced.

Blondes & Brondes

Never let sunscreen or suntan oil touch the extension hair.

Avoid products that have Avobenzone, this will turn your hair PEACH. This is not reversible & likely your hair will need to be replaced. This can occur if your hair is submerged in a pool that has sunscreen floating on the surface. Use an extensions-friendly sunscreen like a Mineral Based Sunscreen.

Also be mindful of self tanners and spray tans. This can transfer and tint your extensions, especially blondes.

Maintenance:

Regular maintenance appointments with a professional stylist are essential for the care of hand-tied hair extensions. They can help trim the ends, adjust the placement of the extensions, and address any issues or concerns you may have.

Other

After a few washes, the extension hair will expand, and take on a more realistic hair texture.

If you notice any excess tangling or hair shedding, please contact your Extension Specialist, as these are quick fixes when addressed right away.

You can live a normal active lifestyle with your hair extensions, just treat the extensions with some gentleness to keep them looking their best, the longest.

Conclusion

With the right care and attention, hair extensions can be a lasting enhancement to your beauty routine. Remember, regular maintenance, gentle handling, and using recommended products make all the difference in preserving the quality of your extensions. By following these tips and consulting with your Extension Specialist as needed, you can keep your extensions looking flawless and enjoy the added confidence they bring to your everyday style.