5 Tips for Making Sure Your Hair Extensions Look Natural & Last

Ever dreamed about that perfect long silky hair? You are not the only one! It’s every girl’s dream actually. And, the good news is that now it is possible to have the perfect hairstyle whenever you want. 

If you’re following all those famous hair goals hashtags on social media platforms, you certainly already have an idea of what you want your hair to look like. Whether you dream of a long silky hair, a perfect wavy hairstyle or a flawless ponytail, hair extensions are the instant solution to all your long hair issues. Here are 5 tips to help you make sure your hair extensions look natural and last for a long time: 

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1. Choose your hair extensions wisely 

First things first, it all comes down to choosing the right hair extensions if you want your hairstyle to look flawlessly. If you are new to this, there are a few hacks that you must know when it comes to choosing your hair extensions in order to make sure they look as natural as possible. 

Let’s be honest, hair extensions are meant to make your hair look longer and to add more body to your hair. But how do you make sure you choose the right ones? 

First, you must pay attention to the color and the shades of your natural hair before choosing your hair extensions. For example, if you have brown hair, you must definitely go for brown-colored hair extensions to avoid creating a huge discrepancy between your natural hair and the extensions. 

Next, you may want to pay attention to the thickness of the extensions if you want them to blend naturally with your natural hair. Simply put, thin natural hair packed with thick extensions won’t look authentic and, similarly, it goes the same for thick hair with thin extensions. So, make sure you pay attention to the thickness of your natural hair too when choosing your hair extensions. 

2. Don’t try to cut down on costs 

The quality of the hair extensions is another crucial factor that will play a major role in the final look of your hairstyle. And, like it or not, this is an investment for which you should really not think about saving money by purchasing something of poorer quality. Although you may need to spend more to create the most natural look, quality hair extensions also last longer than cheaper and poorer quality ones so you are really making a long-term investment. 

Also, if you are torn between human hair or synthetic hair extensions, know that human hair is always the way to go. Compared to human hair, synthetic one is often shinier and has an unnatural feel which makes it unable to hold shape as real hair does. 

3. Good maintenance is the key to a perfect hairstyle 

Now, once you have chosen your hair extensions, it is time to learn how to keep them looking as good as new for a long time. Is hair extension maintenance any different to natural hair care? Yes and no as there are a few things that you must do differently. Yet, it is just as important to clean, brush, and style hair extensions as it is for your natural hair to keep it looking flawlessly. 

So, how do you take proper care of your hair extensions? Well, don’t worry, it isn’t rocket science, you must do pretty much everything you do with your natural hair but with a little bit more care. 

Brushing

Sorry not sorry but once you get your hair extensions it is time to throw your normal hairbrush away because it will only make you ruin your extensions by ripping your head of hair out. Instead, you need to get an extension brush, especially since they are pretty cheap and worth every cent. 

Pro tip: don’t brush the roots of your hair as there is a huge possibility that you will damage the bonds of the extensions and pull them out. Instead, use your fingers to go through the roots to style your hair.  

Washing 

Just like you do with your natural hair, washing is vital to keep your hair extensions clean and looking good. However, you may want to use an extension-friendly shampoo, especially one that doesn’t contain Sodium Laurel Sulfate because it can damage and corrode the bonds of the extensions. 

Also, when washing your hair, you should avoid using very hot water and NEVER do it over the bath as it will make the bonds tangle. Instead, wash your hair standing up and give it a blast of the cold shower to make the bonds stay nice and tight in your natural hair. 

Should you use conditioner? If you want the hair extensions to look and feel silkier yes. However, NEVER use conditioner on the roots of your hair because it will make the bonds unravel over time. So, only condition the ends of the extensions. 

When it comes to drying your hair, you may want to fully dry the bonds and use the cold setting of the hairdryer which will be, once again, better for the bonds. 

4. Style your hair extensions 

Hair extensions usually look perfect without you even styling them. Yet, you can always experience with them and try new different hairstyles you couldn’t try before when your hair was shorter. 

You can straighten, curl, or wave your hair extensions without fearing the heat from the styling tools. Also, you can use hairspray too but remember to wash the hair extension properly the next day. 

Recommended: Advantages of Hair Extensions with Clips

5. Ask a pro hairstylist for help 

Most hair extensions today are like DIY projects since they are very easy to put on and style. However, it is always recommended to consult an experienced hairstylist to get more natural results. Yet, if you prefer doing it on your own there are a few things you should consider such as going for clip-in hair extensions as they are easier to apply on your own or ALWAYS attaching the middle clip first.  

Also, if you choose tape in extensions, use the application method called the “sandwich method”. Simply put, remember to apply one weft above the section of your natural hair and one below it which will add great volume to the body of your hair.

It doesn’t take that much to see your hair dream come true. it all comes down to choosing natural-looking and high-quality extensions, proper application, and great maintenance.