Want to rock luxurious lengths and volume for the holidays? Hair extensions can be exactly what you need to spruce up your look this season. Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned pro, it’s always good to take it from the experts. Here are our top stylist-approved tips for easy and effective hair extension care to keep you feeling gorgeous!

Brush With Care

Nobody likes knotted hair extensions, so make sure to detangle regularly. That being said, don’t overdo it! Gentle is the name of the game when it comes to hair extension care. When brushing, use a wide-tooth comb or a wet brush with flexible, pointed bristles that won’t pull at the strands or get caught in the wefts. Smooth things out with your favorite detangling spray or hair oil before you get started! Our tried and true favorite is Protect & Prevent Spray from Moroccanoil (safe for color treated hair). Honorable mention: YOUNG.AGAIN Treatment Oil by Kevin Murphy.

Best Ways to Wash

Just as over-washing can dry out the hair on your head, it can dry out human hair extensions, too. Adjust for your level of oiliness, but we recommend keeping washes to a limit of once or twice per week for proper hair extension care. In between wash days, soak up excess oil with your favorite dry shampoo. We recommend AirWash from K18, which has taken over the hair world since dropping!

When it’s finally time to wash your hair extensions, be sure to use a gentle shampoo that suits your needs, especially one that is free of ingredients like sulfates, silicones, and parabens. Remember to target your scalp, not your strands. If you’re feeling that you need a deeper clean, you can give your scalp a double wash. And of course, always follow up with conditioner to keep your hair extensions silky and soft!

Sleep Smart

Beat the bedhead by minimizing risk of tangles and breakage when you sleep! Gather your hair extensions into a loose ponytail, top knot, or braid so that it won’t tug throughout the night. Want to go the extra mile? Silk is your friend. A silk pillowcase reduces friction and matting, while a bonnet can keep your styled hair extensions in place while adding an extra layer of protection.

Beat the Heat

Practicing good hair extension care shouldn’t keep you from trying new styles, but use discretion! Keep heat styling to a minimum, both in frequency and temperature. When you do bust out the heat tools, make sure to apply your favorite heat protectant first – for one that never fails, try Perfect Defense from Moroccanoil. 

Pro tip: one great way to minimize the amount of heat styling you have to do in the first place? After washing, let your hair extensions air dry as much as possible before you bring in the blow dryer.

See Your Stylist

To get the maximum life out of your locks, we recommend returning to your stylist every 6-8 weeks for some routine hair extension care. Monarch Salon Madison’s hair extension stylists will “lift” your wefts – aka, moving them higher up on the strands to account for your hair’s growth.

Ready to get started on your hair extension journey? Book a consultation with our stylists today!