At this time of year, lots of us are thinking about heading in to the new year with a brand new look. After all, what better time is there for a brand new start?
One very popular hair trend in recent years is hair extensions, which are not only used for adding length to hair but can also be fantastic for adding volume too. Since my own hair has started to become more fine and difficult to grow now that I'm past 40 - I've been toying with the idea of trying them out myself. But as a hair extension beginner, where do I even start?!
I've been doing some research and today I'm going to share with you some of the top tips I've discovered.
1) Take regular breaks to keep hair healthy
Hair extensions can be applied to the hair in a few different ways but the most common are either sewn in to your natural hair, or glued on. Obviously this can be difficult for your natural hair to withstand, and continued extensions use over long periods of time can lead to damage so it's really important to take breaks from time to time to allow your scalp to breathe and your natural hair to recover. This will help to prevent issues such as hair loss and breakage.
2) Use a reputable salon
As with anything in life. you get what you pay for when it comes to hair extensions and although you don't have to go with the most expensive salon available - you don't want to scrimp on it either. I have seen some truly awful examples of hair extension application over the years, which has taught me that it's crucial to ensure you're using a stylist who knows what they're doing. Luckily there are some wonderful salons out there who are experts in their field, which means you can find high quality hair extensions in Manchester which do not damage hair as well salons across the country who do not use glue or other chemicals in order to keep hair damage to a minimum. Ask your friends or your regular hair stylist for recommendations.
3) Don't expose to too much heat
Exposing your hair to the sun or using a lot of heat based products such as curling irons, straighteners and even hairdryers can cause lasting damage to your natural hair and the same is true for your hair extensions. Although you can style them normally, you want to keep exposure to heat to a minimum and ensure that you use a good quality heat protectant at all times.
4) Good aftercare is crucial
Hair extensions can often involve a substantial financial investment and so it's important to ensure you're really looking after them to make sure you're getting value for money, and keeping them in good condition for as long as possible.From choosing the right shampoo and avoiding exposure to too much salt water or chlorine, to ensuring that you're following your stylists recommendations for hair care products and tying hair into a ponytail at night while sleeping - these simple steps can add real longevity to your hair extensions.
Taking all of these tips into account should help you to get the most out of your hair extensions, and keep them looking in great condition for as long as possible. I'm so excited to try hair extensions for the first time, don't forget to share any of your own tips with me in the comments below!
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