GEE THANKS, JUST BOUGHT IT

WRITTEN BY JULIA DEMMA

Hopefully your hair dreams have been fulfilled and you feel ready to take on anything with your new locks. One of the most important things to do after reaching your #hairgoals is to preserve them! The only way to guarantee your extensions will be with you for the long run is if you take care of them! We’ve compiled a few tips, do’s + don'ts, and life-saving products that will help you get the most out of your extensions. 

BRUSHING 

• Brush your hair thoroughly multiple times a day:  With your free hand, put pressure on the base of your weft to avoid any unnecessary tension or pulling. 

• When brushing, always start from the bottom of your hair and work your way up. 

• Focus on brushing both the top and underneath of each of your extension rows to avoid matting. 

WASHING

• You will come to find that wash days will be much more time consuming now that you’ve added thickness and/or length to your look. Find a wash day that works for you and stick to it! It is recommended to wash your extensions MAX twice a week. If you notice your natural hair becoming greasy, try a sectioned wash or dry shampoo. If the wash life just isn’t for you, we offer Blowout services + Memberships daily! Come see us for an extension girl’s best friend: ‘The Hannah’ blowout service specially for our blowout girls. 

• For washing at home, take a pea-sized amount of shampoo and use the pads of your fingers to massage in between your first and second row to ensure you are cleaning gently underneath each section without pulling on the woven wefts. 

• When using this technique, be sure you are not rigorously scrubbing, but gently massaging to avoid any knotting.

• When conditioning, apply mids to ends. Feel free to apply conditioner to your natural hair, but avoid your extension wefts. 

• When it comes to blow drying your extensions, it is best and easiest done in sections. Blow dry your hair 80% of the way dry before attempting to use a brush. 

• Angle your blow dryer downward and focus on completely drying your wefts. Angling your blowdryer and directing the airflow down the hair shaft will smooth the hair and give you that fresh blowout feel at home. 

THINGS TO AVOID

• NEVER go to sleep with wet hair. This can cause matting and extreme tangles. It’s best to sleep on dry, braided hair. 

• Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools or salt water. If swimming cannot be avoided, rinse with tap water first and then apply a leave-in conditioner. Braid hair tightly before swimming to avoid excessive tangles. 

• When activities take place in damp or humid conditions such as workouts, steam rooms, beaches or lakes, or extremely humid weather, make sure your extensions are dried immediately after. Focus on the top of your wefts. 

• NEVER attempt to lighten your hair extensions. Extensions can only be dyed darker or toned. 

• Avoid products that are high in protein. 

UP-KEEP

• Pre-book your extension move up with your extension specialist 7-10 weeks out after your initial install. This appointment takes just as long as your install, so claim your spot well in advance!

• Over time, your extensions may need to be re-colored or toned. Your stylist will let you know when you’re needing color maintenance and help you plan accordingly. 

PRODUCTS WE RECOMMEND

• Always use professional products including sulfate/paraben-free shampoo and conditioner. Only use products your extension specialist recommends. We highly suggest the KEVIN.MURPHY HYDRATE.ME rinse + wash. 

• If possible, use a leave-in conditioner or hair mask once a week. We recommend the KEVIN.MURPHY HYDRATE.ME or YOUNG.AGAIN Masque.

• Before brushing and after washing, we highly recommend applying detangler. We suggest UN.TANGLED by KEVIN.MURPHY or IGK good behavior. 

• It is important to keep your extensions hydrated since they do not receive your hair’s natural nutrients from your roots. To do so, apply hair oil daily to your mids to ends, DAILY + multiple times a day. We recommend the YOUNG.AGAIN oil by KEVIN.MURPHY. 

• Before blow drying and styling, protect your hair with a strong heat protectant. We suggest Good Behavior by IGK or HEATED.DEFENSE by KEVIN.MURPHY. 

• In between wash days, keep your hair looking fresh with any IGK dry shampoos sold at Moda. We carry different strength levels that will best combat your oil balance. 

• ALWAYS use a wet brush when brushing your extensions. The bristles are very flexible and won’t tug as much as normal brushes.

We hope your extensions are everything you dreamt they would be! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t be afraid to reach out to your extension specialist. 

XoXo,

Moda Beauty Bar