It’s that time of the year where if we don’t already own hair extensions, then we are looking to purchase them ready for all of our party nights out and then the Spring/Summer weddings! However, once you own them, you really need to learn how to wash and care for hair extensions so you really get your moneys worth from your investment. If you don’t yet own a set of hair extensions, then take a look at my blog on Choosing The Right Hair Extensions to help guide you. However, if you are wanting to learn how to take care of your clip in hair extensions and keep them looking glossy and natural, then you are in the right place!
The key to having natural looking, good quality hair extensions is choosing the right hair extensions. My personal favourite are Lush hair extensions, and I have 2 sets which I colour according to what hair colour I am currently sporting. This blog is one in a series that I am producing showing you how to get the best from your hair extensions.
Do I need to wash my new hair extensions before I wear them?
In a word, Yes! If you look at my blog on Finding The Best Hair Extensions, it explains not only how to purchase the best, cheap hair extensions, but also the need to perfect them once they arrive, including trimming and styling them. I will be releasing some more blogs on how to blow dry, colour and style your hair extensions to produce that perfectly natural look.
What should I use to wash my Remy real hair extensions?
Some people say that you should use a sulphate free shampoo to ensure that the colour of the hair is protected. Others say that you should use baby shampoo but I find this can be quite harsh. My hairdresser says that you should treat hair extensions like dry/damaged hair and use a very good quality shampoo and conditioner. My favourites, which I use on my own hair too, are the TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo and Conditioner. Not only do they leave your hair sensationally silky and shiny, but they smell completely edible too!
How To Wash And Care For Hair Extensions
- Start by combing through your Remy real human hair extensions from clip to ends, combing each weft separately.
- Fill a sink with clean warm water and 2 or 3 pumps of shampoo and swish the water around to mix in the shampoo, before adding your hair extensions to the water. Place them all with the clips together into the sink to avoid tangling.
- Rub a little shampoo between your hands and then gently lather up each weft (or do a few together) and place to one side until all wefts have been gently shampooed. Drain the water from the sink and fill with fresh water.
- Place all the wefts into the clean water (hold the clips together to prevent the wefts tangling) and gently rinse off the majority of the shampoo. Remove the hair extensions from the water and squeeze the excess water from them. Drain the water from the sink.
- Run the tap and rinse each weft under the water from clip to end to remove any remaining shampoo and then squeeze out the excess water ready to towel dry and condition.
- Wrap the real hair extensions in a towel and squeeze out any remaining water. This is the ensure the water does not dilute the beneficial effects of the conditioner once it’s applied.
- Apply conditioner to the towel dried clip-in hair extensions and then comb through with a detangling comb. Leave the hair extensions with conditioner on for 15 mins for the beneficial effects of the conditioner to penetrate the hair.
- After 15 mins, rinse the extensions thoroughly with warm water from clip end to the ends of the hair. Squeeze out any excess water, and lay the Lush hair extensions on a towel with the clips all together at one end of the towel.
- Hold onto the clip sections of the wefts, and using a detangling comb, comb from the clips down to the ends of the wefts to remove any knots or tangles
- Wrap the hair extensions in a towel and ideally leave to dry naturally ready for their next use. Once dry, comb through and store in a clean dustbag, case or box.
So now you know how to wash and care for your hair extensions to ensure they last perfectly and beautifully. If you find it easier, you can follow the same method but wash them in the shower when you are washing your hair own to save time, but what if you don’t have time to wait for them to dry naturally as you have a big night out? Stay tuned for the next blog in my “How To….Hair Extensions” series. I will also be showing you how to colour your extensions at home to get that perfect colour match with your own hair.
If you are more of a visual person, then please find my video tutorial below on How To Wash And Care For Hair Extensions. I hope this has helped you, please feel free to drop me a message via the contact tab in the right hand side or feel free to comment below if you have any questions. xNx