Tips They Don't Teach

1. Quality Hair Saves You Money
Synthetic hair might seem cost-friendly but it can make your natural hair brittle and even irritate your scalp. Look out for brands that claim to be 100% human hair but are really mixed with synthetic fibers. They only last for one install and you will end up throwing it away, only to purchase another two packs of hair for a new installation. This will end up costing you more money and hassle in the long run. Couture Hair Shop Extensions is 100% Remy virgin human hair extensions. Our hair lasts up to a year or longer with proper care (So worth the money).

2. Condition
It’s crucial that you deep condition your natural hair before attaching a weave. Apply a product like Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Pak (Sally Beauty, $1.29) to damp hair then sit under a hooded dryer wearing a plastic cap for 20 minutes. No hooded dryer? No problem. Leave the conditioner in for 45 minutes to 1 hour with just the plastic cap. Then rinse. It's a good idea to condition your natural hair every time you re do your weave.

3. If It Hurts Get Out of There
Tracks should be sewn in firmly but comfortably. You should not leave the salon in pain. Keep a weaving thread and needle handy at home for any tracks that come loose. It’s not worth losing your hair.

4. Add a Net
Attaching a weaving net can relieve some of the tension. You can even have the tracks sewn onto the net instead of your actual hair. This makes getting to your scalp when washing easier and makes weave removal simple.

5. Wash It
Part your weave into four quadrants. Create loose knots and secure with clips to reduce tangling. Use a spray bottle with diluted shampoo and diluted conditioner to reduce buildup. Saturate each section then massage product into scalp and hair as you would your natural hair (using your fingertips, not nails and carefully maneuvering between tracks and under braids). When conditioning, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle. Rinse section by section, loosely wrapping back up in a knot when moving onto the next. When all product is removed, create four braids. Finally, sit under a hooded dryer so that scalp and hair can thoroughly dry.

6. Styling Products: Less Is More
Remember less is more when it comes to styling product. Too much will weight your hair extensions down and make them look and feel oily. It is best to use styling products that are alcohol free; which tend to dry your hair out.

7. Use Heat Styling Tools In Moderation
An advantage of human hair extensions is that you can style it like you would your own hair. Heat is your hair extensions biggest enemy. Too must heat can damage human hair extensions, just as it would your own natural hair. Avoid constant heat and use heat protection spray when using hot styling tools.

8. Moisturize Your Edges and Scalp
Rosemary herb combined with an oil like jojoba or almond can condition hair and stimulate growth. Mix in a squirt bottle so that you can direct the oil to your scalp and avoid the contact with your weave. Try Aura Cacia 100% Pure Essential Oil, (Amazon, $2.99).

9. Take a Break
Giving your hair a rest from weaves doesn’t necessarily mean your locks have to go from long and curly to cropped and relaxed overnight. If you want to keep up one consistent look even in between weaves, try ponytail or half-wigs