If you are a clip-in newbie when you first get your Curly & Wild natural hair clip-ins you may not be sure where to start with wearing them, this can be frustrating because you may not feel they look right when you clip them in. This learning curve is normal when you start using clip-ins for the first time. So don’t be surprised if you find you need to set aside some time to practice to get used to them.

Not to worry, though! In this blog post we are going to cover 5 of the most common frustrations newbies have with clip-ins, as well as how to overcome them. So when your curly and wild clip-ins arrive you’ll be as prepared as possible!

Installation

How you clip them in and where you place the clips will form the basis of how effective your blending is and how your hairstyles look. This is one of the most important steps in your journey from newbie to expert.

When you receive your clip-ins, remove them from the packaging and snap open the comb-like clips on your weft. What hairstyle you choose will dictate the placement of your clip-ins and how many wefts you use, so it’s wise to decide on your preferred style first. (For example, an up-do may prioritise clip-ins centred in the middle so as to avoid wefts showing.) Position the weft right over your parting close to the root and simply snap shut.

The best practice for getting the most even distribution for your clip-ins regardless of your style is to order the wefts by size, placing smaller wefts near the back and sides and the widest wefts at the crown.

Check out our video tutorial here, for a step by step guide on installation.

Blending

Blending is key to getting your clip-ins to look as natural as possible. How you blend will depend of the texture of your hair and your clip-ins. The more the texture of the clip-ins is like your own, the less blending you will have to do. There are several ways to blend your hair and ultimately it will come down to personal preference.

Some of the ways to blend your hair with the clip-ins include: Twist outs, braid outs, plaits, cornrows or blowouts.

*Twisting or braiding the clip-ins with your own hair will help to create a flawless, seamless protective style that can last for a week or more!

Alternatively, you can manipulate the clip-ins to match your hair texture. You can brush the clip-ins out to make the curl pattern less defined to help blend in with your natural hair if you find the curl pattern is too tight, so if you have a less defined curl pattern. Equally, if you’re looking for a tighter curl pattern, spritzing or submerging your clip-ins with water will help to reactivate the curl pattern again.

You can check out our video tutorial which has 5 foolproof ways to blend your natural hair clip-ins.

 Hairstyle Selection

When you first get clip-ins it’s a good idea to brainstorm one or two hairstyles that you like and are easy for you to replicate. Once you’ve perfected those and feel confident you can move onto experimenting with other styles. Soon you will have a load of styles in your repertoire that you can choose from!

Here is a tutorial for a simple bun to get you started or you can have a go at these easy beginner hairstyles.

Detangling

Like your natural hair, curly and afro hair clip-in extensions can tangle. The best way to deal with tangling is how you would deal with your own hair if it got tangled.

We recommend adding moisture in the form of water or a leave-in conditioner and then finger detangling to remove any shedded hair or knots. When you are detangling your clip-ins remember to be gentle, as this will help preserve your clip-ins for longer. Finger detangling is always a better option, especially the more curly and kinkier the texture. 

Dryness

Dryness can be easily tackled by applying water or a water-based product to the clip-ins for additional moisture. As an extra measure it’s a good idea to seal in the moisture with an oil sealant, this will ensure the clip-ins stay moisturised for longer. Co-washing and deep conditioning the clip-ins is also another great way to add moisture and revitilise your clip-ins if they’re starting to dull with age. It’s good practice to get into the habit of moisturising your clip-ins with every use to keep their lustre as long as possible.

With any transition comes a learning curve, if you’re not as used to handling your natural hair, clip-ins may be a big transition, so it’s important to give yourself time to adjust and be patient with yourself. Try to enjoy the process of experimenting with different styles and looks and remember we have tons of resources on our blog for you to reference if you need any help or hairspiration!