Your guide to home maintenance
Washing
I suggest washing your hair 1 to 2 times a week with Goldie Locks shampoo and Conditioner. Don’t wash your hair everyday, as it will shorten the life of your extension hair. Before washing, you have to brush all of the tangles out. If you have multiple rows, section the rows half up, half down so that you’re able to wash between the rows. Gently wash as normal and be sure to avoid rubbing the ends of your hair together.
When conditioning, only apply conditioner from the ears down. Avoid conditioner at the scalp and where the extensions are tied in to avoid build up. Use a wet brush or a wide tooth comb to gently brush the conditioner through before rinsing it out.
If you are in need of a quick wash do the “half wash” to preserve the extension hair. Start by sectioning off the top section of your hair, then braid or low pony your extensions so they stay out of the way. Once you have your hair sectioned and ready to wash, put your head directly under the faucet and shampoo & condition the top section of your natural hair. After washing, use goldie locks serum and leave in conditioner prior to drying and the serum again once dried to finish!
This will allow you to wash daily if you feel the need to!
DRYING
Gently squeeze the water out of your hair, do not rub! You should moisturize your hair daily, with a leave in conditioner and serum depending on your hair texture.
Make sure before drying that you protect your hair with a heat protectant. Follow with brushing through with a wet brush. Before drying make sure each row is completely brushed out from the top of the weft, to the bottom. I don’t recommend letting your extensions air dry unless you have "ibe one' hair, but if you wish make sure the top of the row (where is is attached to your head) is completely dry to prevent matting and molding.
YOUR HAIR MUST BE COMPLETELY DRY BEFORE GOING TO BED.
SLEEPING
I recommend to braid your hair or put in a low bun for sleep. It’s also best to sleep on a silk pillowcase Cotton pillowcases can cause frizz and split ends over time. Silk pillowcases are much more gentle on your hair. in cases of very restless sleep a wide headband keeps your extensions secure. Do not sleep on your extensions while they’re wet, it will damage your natural hair and can cause matting and mold.
STYLING
You can straighten and curl your hair like normal! When using hot tools, don’t forget to apply a heat protectant before you use heat. Remember with heat, less is more. You can get away with styling extensions way less because it holds the style SO well. With extensions, you can curl your hair after a wash and dry , and then just touch up the curls as the week goes on until you wash again. This honestly saves so much time!
Brush your hair multiple times a day (to avoid excessive tangles/matting). It’s best to use a wet brush for gentle effectiveness.
It is very important that you brush all the way up to the seam of your extensions to prevent matting at the root or "top" of the wefts. It is ALSO very important that you are careful as you are brushing near the top of wefts or where the extensions are sewn in.
If you brush over the seam too vigorously, you may end up destroying the wefts which will then need to be replaced at your maintenance appointment.
You can totally put your hair up in a high-pony or bun (IBE is the best for this! You don’t have to worry about seeing beads or tape!). This is what I was most excited about, because I love a good messy bun and pony ! Remember to flip upside down to gather the rows all at once.
SWIMMING
The big question – Can you swim with extensions?
Yes – BUT there are minerals found in some water that can react poorly with your extensions and can cause discoloration or dry them out.
When it comes to the ocean, things do change a bit. The salt water can be extremely drying and cause severe matting. I recommend having your extensions removed before vacation if you plan on swimming in the ocean. If you insist on being fabulous in the sea remember to wet your hair with fresh water first and rinse and condition immediately after.
I advise to do the following:
* Wet your hair before getting into the pool/lake, etc. After wetting, apply a leave in conditioner or hair mask.
* Comb your conditioner or mask through your hair, then braid it or put it in a tight bun or pony.
* Brush & wash your hair immediately after swimming.
* Beware of sunscreen, most brands contain ingredients that will turn your extensions a brassy orange or peach color. I recommend the “bare republic” brand. Stay away from any sunscreen that includes "Avobenzone" as an ingredient.