Are Extensions For You?
Whether you’re an extension newbie or you’ve had extensions before, this article can help you understand application, aftercare, and maintenance expectations.
There are many different types of extensions but, our favorite is volume wefts. You can use this method of hair extensions if you have fine, normal, or thick hair. At Erin Winter Hair Studio we are obsessed with BELLAMI hair extensions. They use the best quality Remy hair and their wefts can last up to 10 months if they’re taken care of properly!
Are extensions damaging?
A common misconception about extensions is that they damage the hair. If they are installed properly, they can actually help your natural hair grow.
Application
If you are not getting your hair colored the day of your extension application, please make sure you show up to your appointment with clean hair. If your extensions are applied to dirty hair, that buildup will be under the beads for up to 12 weeks!
A row of beads are applied in a horseshoe shape to create the foundation for your hair. The weft is then cut to fit and clipped above the beads. After anchoring in the thread to the weft we get to sewing! Volume wefts are commonly called hand tied wefts but, hand tied wefts are actually made a little different and aren’t as full and durable as volume wefts. Hand tied wefts are great for matching the density of finer hair. Volume wefts are machine made, so they’re more durable, and three times are thick as the average hand tied weft.
Aftercare
After getting 110-200 grams of hair applied into your hair, it’s going to be a big change if you’ve never had extensions before. Be mindful that your scalp might be a little sensitive. Always brush your hair with a soft bristle detangling brush in the morning, mid-day, and at night before bed. Framar makes our favorite detangling brushes. They come in so many fun colors too! You can purchase through our site here.
Try to limit your shampooing to once a week. We know this sounds funny but, there’s a very special method to shampooing your volume weft extensions. Thoroughly wet your natural hair and the extensions. Clip up all the hair except your bottom row with a butterfly clip. Get out your Virtue Labs Recovery Shampoo and put a pea size amount in your hands. Emulsify and shampoo under the beads and over the weft using your fingers in a horizontal motion. Take your hair out of the clip and go to the next row. Repeat the previous steps until you reach the top of your head. You can shampoo in circular motions once you are at the top of your head. Just be careful around the top of the weft as you HAVE to shampoo with your fingers horizontally to avoid matting.
When you think you’re done rinsing…rinse more. Apply your Virtue Labs Conditioner to the ends and the midshaft. Whatever residue is left on your hands, lightly apply on your root area. Leave your conditioner on for at least two minutes and then rinse. Some clients like to double up on their Framar brushes so they can keep one in the shower and comb through their conditioner for easy detangling after the shower. We don’t recommend any sort of volume shampoo if you have extensions but, volume conditioner is totally fine!
Always use a heat protectant when blow drying your extensions and natural hair. We love to use Pulp Riot Istanbul Blow Dry Spray after the hair is towel dried. And for restyling use the Tripoli Heat Protectant followed by some Berlin Dry Shampoo. Dry shampoo is key to making your hair last as long as possible. If you have very fine hair and it gets oily fast, you can just shampoo the top of your head over your sink and blow dry that! Who doesn’t love a shampoo hack?
Maintenance
Expect to be visiting the salon every 5-8 weeks for your maintenance. After your initial install or a full reapplication (AKA re-app) you can do a simple service called a Quick Move Up. All we do is open the bead, slide the bead up the hair, and clamp it back down. It secures the weft closer to scalp to account for the 5-8 weeks of regrowth. Depending on your at home care and your hair texture you can do up to two Quick Move Ups before having to do a full re-app. It’s the same process as the initial installation. All of the hair that comes out during a full re-app is all the natural fall that couldn’t come out because it’s been in a bead and is totally natural.
Whether you’re looking for length or for fullness, volume wefts could be perfect for you!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram @erinwinterhairstudio to keep up with all of our extension transformations.
Check out our at home/aftercare sheet I send home with each extension client!