Quick Note

We're going to mention a few products here. Don't be overwhelmed. You'll get the hang of this pretty quickly and your stylist will help you along the way.

We've even created a quick product shopping list for you to use after you review this guide.

Your stylist is a small local business. They put a lot of time into selecting and learning about the great hair-care products that they offer and they can provide custom tailored recommendations based on your hair type and lifestyle. You could just as easily buy something on Amazon or at Ulta but we love the idea of supporting a small business. Trust your stylist.

Avoid Protein!

Always avoid protein products that are designed for damaged hair. Protein will dry your extensions.

As you read through, you'll see that we heavily emphasize moisturizing products. Protein-based products that are designed to repair damage, including "bond-builders" like B3, Olaplex and Olaplex oil, should always be avoided.

While it's important to use "salon-quality" products but, just because a product is considered "salon-quality" does not mean it is the right product for extensions.

Shampoo & Conditioner

We can't stress enough how important it is to use the right shampoo and conditioner. Hair extensions need moisture. Your stylist will help you select shampoo & conditioner to hydrate your wefts. The best shampoos for your hair extensions are either sulfate-free or have high-quality, gentle sulfates.

Avoid non water-soluble silicone. Silicone is an inexpensive ingredient that provides smoothness and shine but it can also build up, cause dryness, and weigh your extensions down. Scroll to the bottom of the page for a list of silicones to avoid.

Your best option is a hydrating shampoo with high quality lightweight oils.

What Should I do if My Natural Hair is Damaged?

If your natural hair needs to be treated for damage, your stylist can help you. They can recommend a reparative shampoo that is less drying but you should still do everything you can to completely avoid getting protein-based products on your wefts. You will also want to put extra effort into hydration during your pre-wash and conditioning. If you must use protein on your natural hair, we recommend a half-wash. Tie your wefts in a pony to separate them from your natural hair. Tip you head forward in the shower and wash the top with your protein shampoo to avoid contact with the wefts. You would them come back and wash your wefts with a more suitable moisture shampoo.

Deep Condition Every Few Washes

Your daily conditioner should be light yet hydrating enough to maintain the moisture level of your hair extensions. Alternate every third wash or so with a deep conditioner. Avoid heavy masques.

Even if your hair is stick-straight, don't overlook products designed for curly hair since curly hair is often very dry and those products are often extra-hydrating.

For very deep conditioning, ask your stylist about professional in-salon treatments.

Daily Oil is Essential to Prevents Dry Ends

As your natural hair grows, the ends get trimmed. This helps remove damage and keeps the ends fresh. Extensions don't grow so the same ends have to last for months! It takes extra care to keep them strong, hydrated, and healthy.

Your pores emit oil that hydrates your natural hair through the shaft. Since hair extensions don’t grow from your pores, they don’t get the benefit of these oils.

That’s okay, we'll make up for it with a light daily oil or serum. Never use a dark heavy oil like Moroccanoil or other argan oils, macadamia oils etc. Dark oils can stain extensions and heavy oils can block moisture from entering the hair shaft resulting in dry hair. Heavy oils like coconut and castor oil will cause buildup and should always be avoided.

Your stylist can help you select a silicone-free light daily oil to keep your ends hydrated, shiny, soft, and healthy.

Just apply the oil from mid-shaft to ends. Apply evenly and always do your best to avoid the track.

Use a Dry Shampoo to Extend Time Between Washings

Washing hair extensions as little as possible will prolonging their life. If you can cut back to two or three times a week, your extensions will last longer.

To look great between shampoos, invest in a quality dry shampoo. There are a few dry shampoos out there that even have heat protection and nourishing properties built-in.

How You Wash is Just as Important as What You Use

After your pre-wash routine, your tangle-free hair is ready for the shower. Let your hair fall naturally. Avoid tilting your head forward or backward as the weight of the water in your hair will pull on the track. Water should be running straight down your back.

Use Extra Care When Washing the Track

You want to get the track clean but you don't want to disturb it or pull on it. Avoid circular or vigorous movement. Be gentle while massaging the shampoo into your scalp.

Once wet, apply a little shampoo, mostly to your roots, then briefly wet your hair again (don't rinse yet). You have more hair than before so you'll need more shampoo. After the first bit of shampoo is in, go ahead and apply a little more. This 2-step process helps spread the shampoo and create lather. Remember to be gentle and avoid circular motions.

You will feel the weight of the water in your hair extensions. Do what you can to alleviate tension. Using your hand as a comb, run the shampoo from mid-shaft to ends. This is where you will appreciate the de-tangling that you did before your shower.

Get Your Conditioner in the Right Spots

When conditioning, only condition mid-shaft to ends. Avoid the track. The oil in many conditioners can cause build-up that’s hard to rinse out. Be generous with conditioner and let it sit three to five minutes so your extensions soak in the moisture before rinsing it out. Loudly singing a catchy song in the shower can help you time this process. We can recommend a few.

Drying and Brushing Beaded Weft Hair Extensions

"Gentle and careful" continues after the shower. Drying, brushing, and styling are a delicate process as well.

Pat Dry Excess Water and Never Rub

After you finish washing, use a micro-fiber towel to pat your hair dry. Sandwich your hair in the towel and press to absorb excess water.

Avoid harsh movements and attempt to have your hair fall naturally. Circular or rubbing motions will cause your extensions to tangle and knot.

It is best to remove around 75% of the moisture before you begin brushing. A quick rough-dry with a blow dryer (no brushing yet) can also help.

De-Tangle Again After Washing

Whether you blow dry or air dry, you'll want to de-tangle first. Use a wet brush or round brush and be gentle. Again, hair falling from each weft should be natural and separate. Your stylist can recommend a salon-quality de-tangler to help.

We also recommend a primer. The pores in your natural hair are different from the pores in your extensions. As a result, styling products will absorb and spread unevenly. Primers even out the porosity of the hair and make styling much easier. They can also speed drying time by up to half.

If oils are part of your styling routine, only apply them mid-shaft to ends, never at the track. Use a little heat to help the oil saturate evenly.

If you plan to use a blow dryer or flat iron, now is the time to apply a heat protector. This is essential to protect both your hair extensions and your natural hair.

Section your hair by rows. Avoid clipping or styling half of a weft at one time.

If you'd like to curl your hair, pre-heat the entire length of your strands to avoid "climbing" which is where the hair in the iron will tighten as it heats.

If this sounds like a lot of products, don't worry, there are some great all-in-one products out there that prime, de-tangle, and provide heat protection. Your stylist is the best person to help you select the best one for you.

Dry Your Hair as Naturally as Possible

When blow drying, point your blow dryer downward. You want water to naturally dry and move through your extensions in the same direction as the cuticle. This will prolong the life of the extensions.

Blow dry your hair as normal, just pay extra attention to the track. Make sure it ends up dry. To avoid knots and tangles, don’t tousle your hair. Always avoid any heat over 330°F.

Heat protective styling products are always recommended but avoid products that say they speed up your blow dry or reduce blow dry time. Blow dry accelerators can often cause breakage.

Never Flat Iron or Curl Wet Hair

A hot iron and wet hair do not mix! Moisture inside the hair shaft turns to steam and expands. When the water expands, it can weaken/damage the hair shaft which will be especially noticeable at the ends. Always make sure hair is 100% completely dry before using an iron.