Having hair extensions is a game-changer in so many different ways! From not having to wash your hair as much to having your desired hairstyle last a lot longer, extensions can really enhance your lifestyle. With having extensions and caring for them at home, wash days are one of the most important days! Here are a few tips and tricks to apply to your hair care routine to ensure your extensions last as long as possible!
What should I be doing before I step into the shower?
it is really simple actually! You want to take your favorite detangling brush and section out each row one at a time and gently brush each row and the hair underneath the section from the ends of your hair all the way to the top of your weft. While brushing, place your hand at the base of the weft closest to your scalp to eliminate unnecessary tension while brushing! Repeat those tips on every row to remove any tangles!
What products should I use in the shower?
We recommend using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner at all times to maintain the integrity of your extensions. You might find that with sulfate-free shampoos, you won't get a very strong lather which is normal! Just use a quarter-sized amount and add water as you apply to spread the product easier! Make sure you are working your shampoo in between your wefts to ensure they are properly getting cleaned. Follow up with your favorite hydrating conditioner to lock in some needed moisture!
How do I properly rinse out my products with hair extensions?
Once you have applied your shampoo and spent a few minutes scrubbing your scalp, you want to ensure you are fully rinsing out your products to avoid build-up which can cause an itchy scalp. Try lifting each weft one at a time and making sure you are focusing the water directly in between each weft and rinsing until your water is running clear. The same applies to your conditioner! Once you've applied your conditioner from mids to ends, we recommend letting it sit for at least 3 minutes before rinsing! Just like with the shampoo, rinse the conditioner out until your water runs clear and you don't have that slippery feeling on your hair!
Pro-tip to extend the longevity of your extensions!
- How frequently you wash your extensions is extremely important! You don't want to be overwashing your extensions because that would cause them to dry out. On the flip side, you want to make sure you are washing your hair often enough to remove any oil and product buildup to maintain a healthy scalp which allows your hair to breathe! We recommend washing your hair 1-2 times a week depending on your hair type!
- Another tip that can ensure the health of your extensions is to use a hydrating hair masque once a week! Your hair masque should be applied after you have shampooed your hair from mids to ends and left on for the instructed time for the masque that you are using. Once your masque has sat in your hair for the instructed time, you want to fully rinse it out! A common misconception with hair masques is people think it replaces conditioner. This is not true! After you have rinsed your masque out, you want to finish your hair-washing routine by applying your conditioner! This locks in the benefits of the hair masque, ensuring that you are getting the full benefit of your products! We love our 7seconds Masque available online, but we adore our Kevin.Murphy products in salon!
Should I be letting my extensions air dry?
Now that you are out of the shower, the number one rule for extension users is to make sure you are fully drying the base of your wefts! Leaving the base of your wefts wet can cause matting and damage to your wefts, as well as mildew in some extreme cases depending on how thick your hair is! This still doesn't mean you have to fully dry your hair! Wanting to let your extensions dry in their natural texture? All you have to do is fully dry the top of your wefts and then you can go about your day letting the rest naturally air dry!
Tips for giving myself a salon-quality blowout at home!
I think it's safe to say that your hair never looks the same when we wash and style it at home as it does when you leave the salon, right? What if I told you that you could achieve a salon-quality blowout right at home? All you need is the correct styling products that your hairstylist recommends; a good blow-dryer and a round brush! Once you're ready to start blow-drying, we recommend rough drying your hair about 80% of the way dry before going in with your chosen round brush to speed up the process! After that, now you can start to fine-tune your style with your round brush, whether you are wanting a sleek blowout or a voluminous blowout!
Skip the wash!
An alternative to all the above, is to sign up for Mykala and Co's Blowout club! For $94.99 a Month, you get a wash, style blowout service once per week with a Mykala and Co team member. This won't be your typical stylist, as we use it to help our assistants grow in their abilities! Inquire about this program in salon, or give us a call at (208) 971-3535 to sign up!
Following these hair-washing tips can really benefit how long you can use your extensions before replacing your wefts! Give these tips a try and watch your hair-washing routine become an easy and enjoyable process!