Are You Feeling "Natural Weaves"? + How To Make Your Hair Extensions Last Longer!

Is it just me or are you loving the naturally curly look on these ladies? Rocking styles like the ones above can really help preserve your extensions by protecting them from heat damage. Rock a kinky texture like Solange, or do a Braid Out and wear a flirty look like Beyonce, or a twist out for mermaid-like locks similar to Teyana Taylor. 


I found an amazing vendor [Real Hair Exclusive] last year that sells hair that looks exactly like Afro American hair in it's naturally curly state. This would be a great install to achieve the looks shown above. Here's a picture of the hair!

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It's that time of year when many of us tuck our hair away and opt for protective styles like sew-in weaves for the winter. While they can be a great change of pace from your normal styling routine, they are also quite an investment as well. Proper styling tools, products and techniques can help stretch the life of your extensions from months to a few years. 


Styling Extensions
Heat should be used on low-settings. I actually recommend investing in Caruso Steam Rollers, as they are better for the hair versus thermal styling. 


Here are additional methods of styling that will help cut down on the use of thermal tools and stretch the life of your extensions:

• For spiral curls: Set hair on flexi rods and sit under the dryer for about an hour
• For waves: Braid hair while wet, and take down the braids once the hair is fully dry
  
• For natural looking spirals: Twist hair while wet, and take down the twists once the hair is fully dry

Shampooing & Conditioning Extensions:

• Finger comb the hair prior to adding shampoo
• Use a shampoo formulated for chemically treated hair [as they tend to be on the mild side] 
• Always use lukewarm-warm water for your extensions
• Use about a dime size-quarter size amount of shampoo for the hair, and be sure to work from the weft down, using gentle strokes. This will eliminate tangles and matting. 
• Rinse out shampoo using cool water and continue to rinse until the water is clear and there are no longer any bubbles present
• Lightly towel dry the hair using an old t-shirt or microfiber towel [I prefer an old Hane's tee]
• Apply a dime-quarter size amount of conditioner to the hair and allow to sit for about 10-15 minutes
• Rinse out conditioner using cool water and continue to rinse until the water is clear and there are no longer any bubbles present
• Lightly towel dry the hair using an old t-shirt or microfiber towel
• Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner to add moisture back into the hair and protect it from UV rays, mechanical damage, dry air and thermal styling

Detangling Extensions:  

• Always detangle from the bottom up with one hand gripping the area near the weft. This helps reduce shedding and breakage. 
• Remember to use a wide tooth comb [not a brush] when detangling. Wide tooth combs create the least amount of tension, snagging and tugging. 
• Braid the hair in four sections and allow the hair to air dry. If you want to use a blow dryer, I recommend using a medium heat setting with a diffuser

Nighttime Care: 

• If you're wearing straight hair, cross-wrap your hair and sleep using a satin bonnet. This will prevent dents and waves in the hair.
• If you're wearing curly hair; braid or twist your hair in four sections and sleep using a satin bonnet. This will help prevent tangles and matting while you sleep. 
• Also remember to never sleep with wet hair!

Keeping Extensions Moisturized: 

• Moisturize curly hair about once every other day with a diluted conditioner. This will help hydrate the hair and retain the sheen and softness.
• If you're wearing your hair straight, you can add sheen to the hair with pure Coconut or Jojoba oil.

Product Recommendations: 
I exclusively used Goldwell Kerasilk products on my extensions throughout the years with wonderful results.

[photo source 1, 2, 3]

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