Glamazons, It’s no secret that I love the ease, convenience and style variety that extensions provide. It’s pretty awesome that you can get a sewn-in weave and try a totally different look — while also giving your natural hair a break with a protective style. And while there are plenty of misconceptions about weave (like the myth that women of every race don’t wear it, for one), a lot of those lies are borne from common mistakes weave-wearers make. For example, weave can actually keep your hair healthy and help it grow — but only if you select, install and care for it properly.
You May Also Like: Hairfinity, Biotin or Viviscal: Which Hair Growth Vitamin Should I Try?
I’ve noticed a lot of growth since I started wearing extensions as a protective style. For New York Fashion Week this season, I tried Lumi Bloom extensions. They’re the brainchild of Mackenzie, a track star currently training for the Olympics (the fact she races with the hair sold me — because I’m all about extensions you can work out in). The hair is so gorgeous, I wet it a bit to create soft, easy waves that were so dreamy. And it was super manageable: I’d just do jumbo twists at night and it’d come out perfect in the morning. The best part? I had a stylist create a wig with the extensions so I could take it off and care for my hair underneath. I noticed growth in my natural hair after wearing it for just a couple days.
For guidance on how to avoid common weave mistakes, I spoke to a representative from Lumi Bloom about caring for extensions and your hair underneath.
What’s the worst mistake you can make when selecting, installing, and caring for extensions?
When selecting your extensions, the worst mistake you can make is getting hair that is the wrong texture, whether it is different from your hair and won’t blend, or it is not the texture you want. Now when it comes to installing, not paying attention to how tightly your tracks are being sewn down specially around your edges, is a problem and can lead to your edges breaking. Not shampooing and conditioning your extensions regularly can lead to a disaster. Allowing build up to develop on your extensions can cause the hair to become less manageable and stiff. Moreover, since it’s not your natural hair it needs to be conditioned to maintain the moisture.
What should you look for when buying extensions?
That the hair is suitable for your styling needs. For example, if you are looking for volume, you need double weft track. Consider a natural brown or natural blonde if you plan to add color to the hair. Be sure to invest in quality hair care products to maintain a supple appearance. Especially a good serum and conditioner.
How can you wear extensions and avoid damage to your hair underneath?
The first thing is the quality of the foundation, the braids. Though you want it to be secure you don’t want the braid to be too tight, especially around the hair line. Extensions should be removed every 6-weeks, to allow your scalp an opportunity to breath and a thorough shampooing and conditioning of your hair and scalp. In between take downs you should wash your hair every few weeks and sit under a dryer to ensure it dries completely.
How often should you wash your extensions — and how can you wash your hair underneath?
Extensions should be washed every 2 weeks at least, to maintain the freshness and movement. Washing your hair underneath isn’t the hard part, it is drying the hair underneath once washed. How you wash your hair underneath depends on the installation. If it is a sew in weave you wash the extensions as usual; gently yet thoroughly and ensuring that the product penetrates the braid. Once washed sit under a dryer to allow the braids to dry completely, otherwise your hair can mildew and begin to have a horrible odor. If you are wearing a wig, you can take the wig off and wash it off your head, then you can either wash your hair with the braids and sit under the dryer to allow them to dry or you can take the braids out and start all over.
What’s one of the biggest misconceptions you’ve heard about extensions?
This idea that extensions are Magical or “Magic Hair” as I call it, basically the idea that you do not have to maintain the extensions like you would your natural hair. For instance, someone won’t brush their extensions then wonder why they are tangled, or flat iron/curl their extensions daily and wonder why they are dry, or color the extensions and wonder why its brittle. Just some of my favorites…
Some women are choosing to create wigs rather than sewing in extensions. What are your thoughts on this trend? How does the maintenance process differ for a wig vs. extensions?
It really depends on your lifestyle. The upside with wearing a wig is you can easily and quickly change up your look, whereas extensions are more of a commitment. When wearing a wig, you can easily remove it, wash it and re-install it too achieve the same look if desired; with sew in extensions you must wash them attached to your head.
I am a fan of a combination or a tweener. I like my wig sewn on because it allows me to have a secure hairstyle yet gives me the ability to quickly change up my look. Also, I like to wash my piece off my head and change my braids every 3-4 weeks minimum.
