How to care for your New Hair Extensions

Slay After-care Advice

Looking after hair extensions and keeping them healthy is essential with human hair extensions. Just like you care for your own hair, your hair extensions need to be properly cared for as well. At Slay, we’re committed to making our customers feel confident and a large part of that is helping you look and feel your best, with our wide range of luxury hair extensions. However, if you don’t know how to look after your hair extensions, then what’s the point spending all that time and money getting them?

• How to brush your hair extension.

• How to wash your hair extensions

• What products should you use on hair extensions.

• How to style your hair extensions.

• How often do hair extensions need maintenance appointments.

• What will damage your hair extensions.

How to brush your hair extensions?

You should be brushing your hair extensions regularly, I something I’ll brush mine 3-6 times a day to help prevent any knotting especially when I have 24” hair extension you’ll be amazing how wild long hair can get around the neck area! Brushing your hair extensions will not damage, loosen or tangle the extension hair, brushing your extensions will actually prevent this and stop any breakages.

When brushing your hair extensions, you need to gently start from the bottom and move upwards (as you would with your natural hair). You should also always use a soft-bristled extension brush, such as SWAY Paddle Brush. when brushing your hair extensions, as this will prevent tugging and damage.

How to wash your hair extensions?

Washing your hair extensions is crucial to caring for them and maintaining their condition. Please keep in mind that hair extensions do not need to be washed as often as your natural hair because they do not come into direct contact with the hair’s natural oils, but they will need to be washed and cleaned of product build up. For me personally, I try and only wash the top part of my natural hair and leave my extensions which is easier said than done haha but this will help maintain the hair extensions colour and longevity. Follow our easy step-by-step guide on how to perfectly wash your hair extensions:

1. Shower with lukewarm water if you can.

2. Gently wash your hair extensions with a mild shampoo.

3. Rinse the shampoo out of the hair extensions.

4. Apply a mild conditioner or mask to the hair extensions’ ends.

5. Rinse the conditioner or mask out of the extensions.

6. Pat dry with a towel and leave to air dry for about 20-30min or use a hairdryer on a low heat setting.

7. Avoid going to bed with your hair wet & plait it before going to bed or use a silk wrap/silk pillow to reduce tangling.

Slay top tip, avoid purple/silver shampoo & conditioner, sulphate & alcohol-based products as this will dry out your hair extensions causing breakage.

What products should you use on hair extensions?

The products you use, when you wash, style and care for hair extensions will support maintaining their condition and longevity, below are the top items Slay believes you need, along with specific brands and products to use:

Sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner - Gentle, mild and hydrating shampoos and conditioners are needed to wash and moisturise your clip-in extensions. Recommend tried and tested products SWAY HYDRATE DUO (RRP £28.98), Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner (RRP £33.90) & Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner LF (RRP £23.98).

Heat protectant - When using heated tools on your clip-in extensions (regardless of whether they’re made of synthetic fibre or human hair), you should be sure to protect the hair from heat damage. Slay loves SWAY HEAT PROTECTION SPRAY (RRP £12.99), Beauty Works Heat Protection Spray (RRP £11.99), Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray (RRP £12.99).

Hair oil - Hair oil is essential for human hair clip-in extensions, to help moisturise them and give them more life back. A favourite of mine is SWAY HAIR OIL (RRP £14.49), Beauty Works Argan Serum (RRP £11.99), Moroccanoil Treatment Original (RRP £14.45).

How often do hair extensions require maintenance appointments?

After the first installation for the next 6-12 months (depending on how well you maintain your hair extensions that is), you will have the hair extensions refitted every 6-10 weeks, which is the maintenance plus removal cost - follow the link for the full price list.

How to style your hair extensions & what will damage them?

Styling your hair extensions will keep them looking and feeling their best but remember that human hair extensions can damage the same way as our natural hair, so please take precautions to protect it and do not use heat over 180℃. Always use a heat protection spray treatment before using any heated styling tools or heading out into UV rays.

Please do not use elastic hair ties as these can cause breakage, it’s best to use a scrunchie-like hair tie when putting your hair up trust me, I have seen a massive improvement since ditching elastic.

Always avoid salt & chlorine-base water, not only will this dry out your hair extensions but can turn blonde hair pink/green! Trust me I've made this mistake before and ruined 24", 4 week old SWAY hair extensions. Not gonna lie, yes I cried as I slowly watched my extensions turn pink/ginger in colour over a coupe of hours and then a week later breakage, lost half the length.

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