If you live somewhere that has distinctive seasons, you’ve probably noticed the different effects that dry, cold and humid air can have on your hair. It’s well known that prolonged exposure to harsh cold begins to sap our hair’s moisture, leaving it prone to breakage, flakiness and dryness. The effects of which can become more pronounced the tighter your curl pattern is. Our modern lives also exacerbate these issues with the constant transition from harsh winter weather into our central heated homes and back again.

 

So what are you to do about this troubling news, you ask? Fear not, for we’ve put together 7 essential winter hair care tips so you can stop winter from wrecking your perfect hair game this season.

 

1. Protective styling

Protective styles can be a great aid when trying to optimise your winter hair routine. Protective styles can be anything from clip-in extensions to box braids and are styles that can be kept in for several weeks. They help shield your hair from the elements and minimise the need for manipulation with heat.

 

If you’re looking for some hairspiration we’ve got a great blog post on protective styles that you can read here!

 

2. Moisturise and seal

Although colder conditions are known to have an adverse effect on hair, it’s actually the frequent transition between the cold and indoor heating that hurts our hair the most. You needn’t go to extremes and cut off your energy supply just yet though, this can be combated with a good moisturising product like a leave-in conditioner and daily moisturiser. You will also want a quality oil that can seal in the hair moisturiser. We’re big fans of jojoba, argan and sweet almond oil, but you can use any oil that works for you. If you what to level-up your moisture game check out our blog post on the L.O.C method, which is perfect for dry hair. 

 

If you’re only experiencing a little dryness or are looking for a preventative measure, simply apply a few drops of oil to the ends of your hair each day. This will help revitalise your hair and prevent breakage, as well as leaving it soft and shiny.

 

If you’re suffering from more severe dandruff or flakiness we suggest applying a heavier oil treatment to your hair and scalp, allowing it to absorb for 20-30 minutes before continuing your wash as usual. This will nourish your hair, and is a quick fix for any flakiness you’re experiencing.

 

 3. Limit heat

We know you’ve heard it before, but it rings even more true when the temperature begins to drop. It’s important to try to limit your use of tools like hair dryers, straighteners and curling tongs, because the heat can dry out your hair and scalp, increasing the risk of damage and breakage. We recommend experimenting with heat-free styling methods as much as possible.

 

A braid out is a great way to add some curl definition to your hair that doesn’t require heat, and banding, the method of dividing the hair into sections and wrapping hair ties throughout, can prevent shrinkage and lengthen the hair, heat-free. (Although both methods are best done overnight, as it can take several hours for hair to adapt to its new mould.)

 

If you’re still having trouble putting away your straighter, read on for some tips on protective styles that might be a perfect solution for you whilst your waiting for the weather to warm up.

 

4. Watch your wash routine

 

If you’re guilty of overwashing your hair this is your final warning that winter will be even less forgiving of this sin! Over washing strips your hair of natural oils that help to keep it healthy and moisturised, which is even more essential during the harsher winter months.

How often you should wash your hair is a very personal thing and does require some trial and error. If you feel you’re experiencing dryness washing 3 times a week, try to extend the time between your washes and go for 2, or maybe 1. There are a lot of great dry shampoos for natural hair available that can help you between washes if you’re struggling. 

 5. Co-washing

If you’re finding your shampoo regime is drying out your hair, consider giving it a rest and co-washing for a few weeks. A co-wash is a specially formulated cream cleanser that helps to remove buildup without the harsh parabens and sulfates commonly found in shampoos. A co-wash is much milder than shampoo and because of this and can often be used more frequently without risk of drying out the scalp. The conditioning properties help to add moisture to the hair, while the mild cleansing agents remove dirt and grease.

 

6. Get silky

There’s a reason why most hair bonnets are made up of satin or silk, and that’s because wool, cotton and other coarser materials can increase breakage with the friction that’s created when rubbing against the hair. Consider replacing all fabrics that often come into contact with your hair with silk or satin. This includes hair bonnets and pillowcases, as well as any frequently worn hats, bandanas or headscarves.

 

Photo via naptural85 on YouTube

Replacing your fabrics with ones that will be kinder to your hair doesn’t need to break the bank. If you’re willing to do a bit of DIY, find an old satin scarf or head down to your local fabric store, and with a little measuring tape and thread you can sew the fabric into the lining of any hat or pillowcase. Check out Ayesha video (aka Healthy Hair Junkie) on how to make your own affordable satin-lined hat.

7. Keep hydrated

Last but certainly not least - stay hydrated. Hydration starts from the inside out, and if you’re dehydrated you can’t expect to have well-nourished and moisturized locks. Believe it or not, water accounts for almost 25% of the weight of just a single strand of hair. When our skin is looking dull and tired, we are quick to make the correlation with being dehydrated but due to our hair taking a little longer to show the effects, we often forget that our hair acts very similarly to our skin. Staying hydrated can prevent dandruff, dryness and itchiness as well as help to stimulate hair growth. To get these benefits you’ll want to be drinking at least 2 litres of water everyday.

 

Winter hair care can seem complicated but it really does revolve around one thing, moisture, moisture, moisture! Finding ways to ensure your hair remains well-nourished and moisturised is the key to healthy, happy hair in any season.

We hope these tips help you create a killer winter regimen of your own! Any tips to share with us? Let us know in the comments below!

It should come as no surprise that at Curly & Wild we ❤ natural clip-in extensions. There are dozens of reasons why we think clip-ins are great, but we also understand they are an investment. Therefore, it’s important to decide whether they are suitable for you before you make your first purchase.

To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of 7 questions to consider before adventuring into the world of afro and curly clip-in extensions. After going through these questions we hope you will we be closer to deciding whether clip-ins are right for you.

Now to the questions!

1. Is your hair long enough?

Before getting clip-ins, your hair should be at least 2-3 inches long for the clips to comfortably slip into your hair and to have enough hair to blend with the clip-ins.

If you are looking for extra advice on how to blend clip-ins with your natural hair, you should check out our video on blending clip-in extensions.

2. Are you happy to look after them?

If you wish, you can wear clip-ins all day every day, but you should allow time to look after them. Clip-ins can usually last up to 12 months (and beyond) but only when they are kept in good condition. We always say to treat clip-in extensions like your real hair.

We have a video with tips on how to look after your clip-ins to make sure you get more bang for your buck, pound, euro or (insert your currency here 💱) 😁

3. Are clip-ins suitable for your lifestyle?

Clip-ins are great when your life is busy because you can clip them in and go, but if you have a physically active lifestyle, where you do sports or go to the gym, you should have a good maintenance routine to care for your extensions after each training session.

In most cases, it’s easier to take them out and clip them back in after you are done with your workout because this will ensure they last longer. 

4. Which clip-in texture is best for your hair?

It’s good to have an idea of your hair’s curl pattern because it will help you decide which texture to choose. If you are unsure, on our blog we have a guide to finding your curl pattern and a multiple choice quiz that matches your answers to one of our clip-in textures.

5. Do you want clip-ins for length, volume or both?

Our clip-ins come in 4 lengths - 14”, 16”, 18”, and 20”. What length you should choose depend will on the look or style you want to achieve. If you have short to shoulder length hair you may consider getting the 14” or 16” to create a natural look with volume. If you have longer hair or want more volume and length then the 18” or 20” might be the best length.

To imagine how different lengths might look on you, watch how Melissa styles her set of 16” Wild Afro clip-in extensions.

6. Do you want to dye the clip-ins?

All our extensions come in natural black/brown (1B) but you may want to dye it jet black or even brown. This is simple to do following the instructions provided with any hair dye you purchase.

We recommend you dye the smallest weft first to make sure you like the colour and are comfortable with the process.This is especially important if you want to dye the hair a light colour (i.e. blonde) because you need to assess how well the colour takes to the clip-ins.The colouring process may loosen the curl pattern so doing a test dye allows you to see if you like the results. Curly & Wild clip-ins include a free texture sample that you can dye for this purpose.

If you don’t want to dye the set yourself you can get it dyed at your hairdresser as another option.

7. Do you want to straighten the clip-ins?

Our clip-ins are 100% virgin human hair so you can straighten them. However, when you apply heat to curly and afro clip-ins this can alter the curl pattern.

If you want a straight texture you should check out our Wild Kink clip-in extensions. The texture is similar to relaxed and natural hair that has been blown out straight.

 

That's it for our 7 questions. We hope they help you decide whether natural clip-in extensions are right for you.

There are many reasons why we think clip-ins are thebomb.com but for the sake of time, you can read our top 10 reasons here 😁

Those of us with afro-textured locks know their beauty but also their burden. We are blessed with beautiful thick, dense curls and coils that can be coiffed into tons of amazing styles, but the very nature of hair with tight curl patterns means more chances for breakage and often times extra care needs to be taken to keep our curls, strong, healthy and lustrous.

Now we’ve officially entered the summer months many of us are eagerly anticipating road trips, vacations, BBQs and pool parties. Although it’s undeniable that afro hair looks beautiful in any style, when it comes to protection, not all styles are created equal. Although straightened afro hair is undeniably a chic, sleek look, any frequent manipulation to your hair can be damaging.  

Have no fear, however! Try any one of the rocking protective styles below, so you can have peace of mind whether you’re on vacation, camping, or heading to a kick-ass pool party, that your hair is happy and healthy this summer.

Box Braids

 

If you’re looking for a cute, low maintenance and versatile style, look no further than box braids. As well as adding some length to your hair, it’s a great opportunity to give your natural hair a break and protect it from damage whilst it grows.

Bantu Knots

via instagram.com/naturaliconbeauty

Fashion always repeats itself, the popular 90s Bantu knots are back and have been super popular these days. Bantu knots are done by sectioning the hair and then twisting the individual sections into these cute, tiny knots. This style works great for any hair type, relaxed or natural!

Faux Locs

via instagram.com/brwnbeautiii

If you love the look of locs but are a little scared of the commitment, faux locs could be your ideal option. Faux locs have become one of the fastest growing trends for protective styles, unlike braids faux locs tend to look better as they age, so there’s a lot less pressure to maintain that salon fresh look.

Marley Twists

 

via instagram.com/leonegoddess

Box braids, gorgeous as they are, are hardly a quick and easy style. If you’re someone who can’t bear sitting in the stylist’s chair for hours on end, thicker braided Marley Twists could be your new favourite go-to!

Clip-Ins

 

via www.curlyandwild.co.uk

Clip-ins are another fast, simple and versatile protective styling method. With clip-ins, the options really are endless. You can get them to match a variety of different hair textures. They can be styled in many ways, such as ponytails or half-up half-down dos and different to braids and weave, clip-ins can be easily inserted, readjusted and removed. This adaptability allows you easily maintain your natural hair and scalp too.

Flat Twists

Flat twists are a fantastic protective style; they are quick and easy to do, and are especially great for beginners who may struggle a bit with cornrows, as they only require two sections of hair. Flat twists work great on relaxed or natural hair and you can easily adjust the style to your liking by adjusting your parting.

Cornrows

 

via instagram.com/vernonfrancois

Cornrows also called canerows, come in an endless amount of different styles. With cornrows the hair is closely braided and secured against the scalp, making it a great protective style; as it takes a lot for it for lose its shape. You can style them in simple, sleek lines or get crazy and creative with some funky geometric patterns and designs. 

 

Hopefully you’ve gotten some inspiration from this amazing selection of protective styles, so you can rest assured your hair will be taken care of and you have one less thing to worry about as you enjoy yourself this summer!

No two curl patterns are exactly alike and figuring out your hair type and curl pattern is one of the most essential steps in tailoring a great hair care routine that works for you. With the correct information you’ll be able to make product selections most suited to your hair, as well know how best to handle, moisturise and protect your hair from damage. We know determining your curl pattern can be a difficult and confusing process; many women are overwhelmed with the amount of information and are simply at a loss with where to begin.

So without further ado: Curly & Wild’s Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Curl Pattern. We hope this guide will give you the help and tools you need to fully embrace the beauty of your natural hair.

Why It’s Important to Know Your Hair Type

Knowing your hair type and curl pattern is the key to understanding your hair’s unique characteristics and administering the correct care which will help you maintain strong, healthy and well-nourished hair.

Understanding the Hair Type Chart

The hair type system was modeled after famous celebrity stylist Andre Walker’s definition of hair types; the chart ranges from 1 – 4, with subgroup classifications from A – C. 1 is straight, 2 is wavy, 3 is curly and 4 is coily. The subcategories A-C are based upon the density and depth of the hair pattern. A is fine/thin hair, B is medium/thick and C is dense/very thick.

However, it’s important to note that many women do not fit perfectly into just one category, and it’s common for most ladies, particularly with textured hair, to have a combination of multiple hair types on their head.

The curly and coily hair types begin at 3a and range all the way up until 4c. These tend to be the hair types most common amongst black women. They are the hair types that are described to have the most defined curl and coil patterns.

Type 3a

3a marks the first of the classified ‘curly’ hair types and is recognised by the lightweight appearance of its well-defined and loose curls.  The curls have a wide “S” shaped pattern and tend to be smooth with a fine to medium texture. The ringlets are compact with a shiny appearance and lots of body and buoyancy. The curls are on the wider side with a circumference that’s about the size of a piece of chalk. Due to the looser curl pattern, type 3 hair doesn’t suffer from as much dryness as type 4 hair. However, 3a hair can still be quite prone to dryness, as well as fizziness and lack of volume.  

Characteristics: Well-defined loose spiral curls, fine to medium texture, lots of body and buoyancy

Type 3b

3b hair is distinguishable by its loose “S” waves with a spiral to corkscrew-like appearance and has a diverse curl pattern that ranges from loose corkscrew curls to tight waves. The curls are well-defined, with a circumference similar to that of a large marker or sharpie and have a fine to medium texture.  Similar to type 3a, this hair type benefits from lots of body and buoyancy and is also prone to frizzing and dryness.

Characteristics: Spiral bouncy curls, loose curl pattern, fine to medium texture

 

Type 3c

3c hair is made up of defined, tight corkscrew curls, and is the tightest of type 3 curls. The circumference of the curls wrap snugly around a pen or pencil and the hair strands are densely packed together. Just like 3a and 3b, it has an “S” pattern when stretched. Unlike the previous types though, 3c curls are unique in that they can grow outwards instead of down, meaning that it grows in the same direction the hair shaft points to. This means when 3c hair is grown out longer it tends to form a “curly fro”. 3c hair generally has a medium texture and can be prone to dryness, tangling and a lack of curl definition.

Characteristics: Tight curls, dense, medium to thick texture

 Common Concerns of Type 3 Hair: Tangling, frizziness, dryness

 

Type 4a

Type 4a hair marks the beginning of the ‘coily’ hair types and is full of tight coils. Like 3c hair, it often takes on an “S” pattern when stretched out, which makes it easy to identify in comparison to the other type 4s. The hair has a visible curl pattern with spirals and a circumference close to that of a knitting needle. The texture is often fine or wiry, but its high density can make the hair appear thicker and darker. 4a hair has fewer cuticle layers than the other hair types thus far, making it quite fragile and prone to breaking.  

Characteristics: “S” pattern when stretched, thick appearance, visible curl pattern, dense, fine or wiry texture, shrinkage

 

Type 4b

4b hair is the second coily hair type, to determine whether you have 4b hair you should observe the pattern of your coils. 4b coils take on an angular “Z” shape, are usually as wide as a pencil or pen but are not very well defined. The texture of 4b hair is diverse, ranging from thin and wiry to rough and coarse. This hair type is prone to shrinkage, meaning that the coils can become quite tightly packed together. This can be frustrating for many women, as it means the hair length looks much shorter than it actually is. Like all type 4 hair, 4b hair also has a propensity to drying out and breakage.

Characteristics: “Z” coil pattern, undefined coils, dense and tightly packed, thin to coarse texture, shrinkage

Type 4c

Type 4c is made up of fluffy strands with a similar “Z” shaped curl pattern to type 4b hair, but it has tighter coils. The coils can range from defined to not very defined and are very densely packed together. 4c hair requires lots of moisture due to the tightness of the coils and is the most susceptible to shrinkage. It is not uncommon for 10-inch 4c hair to shrink down to 3-inches or less after washing. 4c texture can vary from fine and soft to thick and coarse, meaning the appearance of 4c hair can be quite diverse. It is considered to be the most delicate of hair types due to its tightly coiled curl pattern and succumbs easily to breakage when dry.

Characteristics: Fluffy strands, “Z” coil pattern, tight coils, dense, thin to coarse texture, shrinkage

Common Concerns of Type 4 Hair: Fragile, dryness, breakage.

 

🔥HOT TIP 🔥 If you are still having difficultly identifying your hair type a good trick is to see what your hair looks like after it has been freshly washed as there is no product in it allowing you to see your hair in its natural state.

We hope with guide you’ve been able to correctly identify your hair type and are now armed with the knowledge you need to confidently embrace and take care of the natural beauty of your hair. It’s no secret that natural hair can sometimes require a lot of maintenance but with a better understanding of your hair type, you’ll be more equipped to find the products, treatments, and styles best suited to your unique hair type and curl pattern. Taking a break with a protective style also becomes easier once you’ve determined your hair type and can correctly identify your hair’s texture.

Here at Curly&Wild, we have a diverse range of 100% virgin human hair extensions uniquely tailored for type 3 and 4 natural hair. With the help of this guide, you’ll now be able to confidently select the clip-ins that best match your hair texture for a flawless and seamless look.

Always remember, be it curls, kinks or coils, rock your locks with pride!

*If you are still not sure what your curl pattern is take our quiz here to help you decide*

 

This post was originally published on 1st February 2019, but was updated on 4th May 2022.

Self-love isn’t selfish, it’s necessary to maintain our happiness. I am loving that more black women are beginning to acknowledge it's time to lead slower and more compassionate life’s for their well-being and mental health, which is well overdue. By taking charge of our own happiness through acts of self-love it means we don’t have to wait for someone else to love us and that’s a powerful position to be in. So, my challenge to you is to practice these simple and easy acts of self-love for the next 28 days. You can do these acts in order, randomly or choose your own. It’s completely up to you as long as you intentionally do one act a day.

Do them and see how rejuvenated you feel by the end of the month.

Are you ready? Let’s do this!

1. Tidy up

When you are starting a new practice it’s a good idea to create a clearing by decluttering your personal space. It’s an energetic way of showing to yourself that you are ready for a positive change.

2. Take time off

This is a no-brainer; you need to take a break. Resting is an important way to revitalize your body, mind and spirit. 

3. Make yourself a nice meal

Because who doesn’t like a good meal. Try experimenting by making something new. If you wanted to try a new recipe do it!

4. Repeat a positive affirmation

Positive affirmations can have a great effect on your mood and self-esteem. Try saying ‘I love and appreciate myself for the person I am’ and see how it makes you feel by the end of the day.

5. Try something new

It’s very easy to get stuck in a rut and continue with your regular routine. Try shaking things up by doing something you have never done before, even if it’s taking a new route to work.

6. Read a book

There are so many benefits to reading but in this era of non-stop entertainment, it’s easy to sit in front of the T.V. or watch YouTube videos. Next time instead of picking up the remote control or your phone reach for a book and read for 30 minutes. 

7. Exercise

We all know how important exercise is and I know many of us, including myself could move our bodies a bit more. Start small and add some extra movement into your day in ways that are easy for you. Read our blog post on tips for working out with natural hair, so you have no excuses.

8. Explore somewhere new

When we were kids we loved the idea of exploring new places and as adults, we forgot how fun it can be to go somewhere new. Today challenge yourself to intentionally explore a new place. It may be going to a new coffee shop or visiting a park you’ve never been to before.

9. Plan a trip abroad

Who doesn’t love a holiday! Start planning your next trip away and make a plan to start saving for it now.

10. Buy yourself something new

Everyone deserves a treat, so buy yourself something new as a present to yourself. Is there a product you've been eyeing up for months? Well maybe it's time to bite the bullet and get it. Looking to treat yourself to a new hairdo? Check out our natural hair extensions and accessories.

BROWSE EXTENSIONS AND ACCESSORIES

11. Pamper yourself

Like to get your nails done, have a massage or take a simple bubble bath? Well, today is the day to stop putting it off and do it. Too often we forget to pamper ourselves or think we don’t deserve it but it’s the ultimate sign of self-love.

12. Guilt-free day

This is one of my favourites! Have a day when you can do whatever you want and not feel any guilt. As long as it’s safe and legal of course ;-) If you are like me and love food eat whatever you want and don’t feel guilty about it.

13. Practice forgiveness

Ever heard the saying that, “resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die”? Well, it’s very true. Forgiveness is not about condoning the act of the other person but it’s something you do for yourself to move on and be a happier person. I’ve been working on this recently and have noticed a positive difference in how I feel. If this is something you want to work on we recommend checking out Louise Hay and her work on forgiveness. 

14. Write yourself a love letter

What better way to display self-love by writing yourself a love letter on Valentine’s Day. If you want to go the extra mile post it to yourself. You might receive the letter on a day when you are feeling down or it might make a great day better.

15. Watch your favourite movie

Who doesn’t like watching their favourite movie after a long week? I have many but one personal favourite is The Mummy with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. 

16. Dance to your favourite song

Nothing says happiness like dancing to your favourite song in your house with no inhibitions.

17. Have a lie in

Giving yourself permission to lie in is a blissful act.

18. Spend time with family and friends

Make time to spend it with the people you love. It’s so easy to get caught up with the day to day grind and not spend time with family and friends but at the end of the day, that’s what life is all about.

19. Act of kindness

We are happiest when we are doing something for others, so carry out an act of kindness no matter how small and see how great you feel afterwards.

20. Meditate

One of our favourite quotes is ‘happiness is peace of mind’. There are so many great benefits to meditating that I won’t repeat here but if you have ever been on the fence about meditation read this article and see if it changes your mind.

21. Question your thoughts

Guess what your thoughts lie to you and you can choose which thoughts to accept and which thoughts to reject. I wish I knew this when I was younger because I would have saved myself from a lot of pain. Today, decide to get curious about the thoughts you have throughout the day and ask yourself is this true or is this false.

22. Write a gratitude list

Even on the worst day, there are things to be grateful for. Before you go to bed or first thing in the morning get out a piece of paper and write down 5 things you are grateful for.

23. Learn something new

Have you ever wanted to learn a new language, skill or take up dance classes? Well, today is your chance to do so. It’s such a privilege to learn new things, so let’s make time for it and level up.

24. Drop a bad habit

Do you drink too much coffee or are you negative all the time? It’s time to drop that habit that has been robbing you of your joy.

25. Create a good habit

There are so many great habits we could all be incorporating into our lives. Could you drink more water, eat more fruit or go to bed earlier? Pick one and share in the comments below which one you have chosen.

26. Practice smiling

Did you know when you smile it can improve your mood even when you are sad?It’s a great thing to practice especially on those cold winter mornings when you have to head out for work.

27. Decide to be happy

Believe it or not, happiness is a choice. You can actually practice being happy until it becomes your natural state. It’s easier said than done but it’s a great skill to master that will serve you for the rest of your life.

28. Set intentions on how you will continue to practice self-love

It’s the last day! Well done for committing to this challenge. I hope you found it rewarding. Now it’s time to set an intention to continue these practices until they become a normal part of your life. Promise to continue to show up for yourself by carrying out these practices every day because you deserve to receive love more than one day a year.

Let me know in the comments below what was your favourite day and write ‘I am worthy of self-love’ if you have got to the end of this blog post :-)

The New Year always signifies a time of great excitement with new opportunities for a better year. For people that do make New Year’s resolutions, there is at least one goal that focuses on either improving health, fitness or losing weight. This is evident by the increase in gym memberships every year in January as people rush to the gym with the renewed motivation to create a healthier and fitter version of themselves (source).

However, according to research conducted by the University of Scranton, only 8% commit and complete their New Year goals (source). As the weeks and months continue, people begin to lose momentum and the excuses start to roll in, and soon that health and fitness goal has fallen by the wayside, only to be retrieved again in the upcoming New Year. Health and fitness should not be a goal, but a normal part of our lifestyles. It should be something you do subconsciously, like brushing your teeth or moisturising your hair ;-) To encourage you to see health and fitness as a way of life, we have put together some tips on how to look after your hair when you working out. At Curly & Wild, we understand how our hair can become an excuse to not take care of our health, so hopefully, these tips will help.

The annoying fact about sweat is that it dries out your hair, can make it frizzy and limp. Nevertheless, the best way to deal with sweat is to have a hair regimen that takes into consideration one’s workout regimen so you can best protect your hair in the most effective way.

Below we give 5 hair care tips to practice in conjunction with your workouts.  Keep an eye out for the bonus tip below!

1: Air-drying

People may think they should wash their hair after every workout session. However, this is not ideal as too much washing will remove the hair’s natural oils, which can lead to dryness and breakage from continuous manipulation. Rather than washing your hair after every workout opt for air-drying instead. Once it is dry you can refresh your hair by lightly spritzing it with water and styling as usual. Spritzing your hair is also a good way to add extra hydration between wash days.

2: Shampoo your hair 1-2 times a week

When you have a consistent workout program it’s best to shampoo your hair no more than 1-2 times a week. How many times you do this depends on the number of times you workout, the intensity of each workout and how often you want to shampoo your hair. If you are doing gentle exercises and don’t generate much sweat, you may feel it’s not necessary to shampoo your hair twice a week. However, if you are doing HIIT workouts (High-Intensity Interval Training) 5-6 times a week, then you may want to shampoo your hair more frequently. If you do a combination of moderate to intense workouts, perhaps reserving your shampoo days for the times you sweat the most is easiest. Regardless of how many times you shampoo your hair, it is about devising the best wash day schedule that fits around you and your workouts. In any case, if you are working out 3+ times a week, shampooing your hair once a week should be sufficient for most.

3 Remember to co-wash, clarify and use protein treatments

If you decide to wash your hair at least twice a week, make sure you utilise co-washing to help replenish moisture to your hair. Using a clarifying shampoo once a month can remove the build-up caused by excessive sweat. This can also be a good way to reboot the scalp for the next month of workouts. If you are undertaking a rigorous workout schedule that is causing your hair to be continuously damp, your hair may become limp and mushy due to the extra moisture. To counteract this, incorporate protein treatments to maintain your hair’s moisture/protein balance.

4:  Protective styling

When working out it’s always best to keep your hair off your face. Braid-outs, twist-outs, buns, ponytails and pineapples are great ways to protect and maintain your hair while working out. These styles are low-maintenance and practical because they do not require a great deal of styling after your workouts. You can also choose to leave them in until you are ready to wash and restyle your hair.

5: Use silk scarfs and headbands

You can use a silk scarf to flatten your hair to reduce frizz and maintain your edges and hairstyle. Headbands are also a great way to absorb excess sweat and protect the hair. In addition, you can try using hair grips to help pin down and flatten your hair before you put on your silk scarf or headband. This will also assist in maintaining your hairstyle.

This may sound like a lot to consider but in practice, it’s very straightforward and once incorporated into your lifestyle, it will be second nature. There are so many great benefits to working out; one of them includes hair growth because your heart rate increases the blood circulation around your body, which stimulates the scalp.

Let us end this post by promising to make 2019 the year health and fitness becomes a natural and enjoyable part of our lives, rather than an unattainable goal that has to be attained every New Year.

BONUS TIP:

Because sweat by nature is drying to your hair you can incorporate more moisture into your hair routine during your week. Deep conditioning your hair once a week is an easy way to do this. Another way is by mixing water and your favourite leave-in conditioner into a spray bottle and misting your hair until it is damp before working out to protect your hair. If you go to a gym with a sauna you can also let the leave-in conditioner sit in your hair for 15-20 minutes as an extra treatment.

Hair extensions whether it is clips-in, weaves, micro-links, fusion or tape-ins can be a great way to add volume, colour and length to your hair. Depending on the hair extensions you use they will require different care requirements to ensure they stay in good condition for as long as possible. Extensions are either made up of real human hair or synthetic fibres that are manufactured out of plastic to imitate human hair. What you decide to buy will depend on the look you want to achieve, your budget, your lifestyle and the time you want to invest in maintenance.

This blog post will give you eight tips we have found that help to prolong the longevity of 100% human hair extensions. Most high-quality human hair extensions can have a lifespan of up to a year but this depends on how well you care for them. By following these tips you will get more life out of your hair extensions and more bang for your buck, pound or euro. These are tips we recommend to our customers that purchase our range of curly and textured clip-in extensions. They have worked for them and we hope they will work for you.

1. Choose your hair tools wisely

Be gentle when manipulating your hair extensions and stick to a limited set of tools like a soft bristle brush, cushioned brush, wide tooth comb or even your fingers. Avoid using brushes and combs with fine close spaced teeth as this will only increase the likelihood of the hair getting caught and matted. Combing or brushing vigorously through your extensions will only increase shedding and tangling. Treat your hair extensions like it is your real hair. A good rule of thumb is if it is not good for your real hair it is probably not good for your hair extensions.

1. Detangle your hair extensions

It is always good practice to detangle your extensions at the end of the day, as they are more likely to tangle throughout the day. We always recommend finger detangling with our clip-in extensions because it reduces over manipulation, which is important with curly or textured hair. Whatever your preferred method, whether it be your fingers, a comb or a brush, do not be tempted to rush. All hair extensions will shed and tangle to a certain extent but you can minimise this by having a consistent detangling routine.

3. Moisturise your hair extensions

It is good practice to moisturise your hair extensions to keep them hydrated and looking healthy. Hair extensions do not benefit from the natural sebum that your hair produces to keep your hair moisturise; therefore, you have to add it by using products. Depending on the type of extensions you have (e.g. clip-ins, weave, tape-in, etc.) it will determine how often you will need to moisturise it. If you wear clip-ins you may only have to moisturise them with every use whereas if you have a weave you may want to moisturise the hair more often.

You can moisturise your hair extensions by using a daily moisturiser or leave in conditioner. You can also use a spray bottle mixed with water and a bit of conditioner to add moisture. If you choose you can apply oil (e.g. olive, jojoba, coconut) to seal in the moisture and add shine. It is not necessary to use a lot of product when moisturising your extensions, so play around with the quantities and see what works for you.

4. Shampooing and co-washing

Depending on how often you use products on your hair extensions and how long you wear them for eventually you will have to deal with product build-up and dirt. If this happens you can wash your hair extensions to keep them clean. When you are washing your hair extensions it is better to use sulphate-free shampoos as sulphate shampoos can cause them to dry out. However, if you have a lot of product build-up sulphate shampoos can be more effective at cleaning the extensions. Whatever you choose will ultimately depend on the state of the hair. You can also co-wash (i.e. conditioner washing) your hair extensions as conditioners are better at keeping hair moisturised but also have gentle cleaning agents.

Customers that buy our clip-in extensions commonly ask how often they should wash their extensions. We always say it depends on how often you wear them and the number of hair products you use. If the hair is starting to look very dull and has a residue of product and/or dirt, it is a sign it may need a wash. It is a good idea to assess the hair after each wash to see how it has held up. With curly or textured hair extensions the curl pattern can lessen or alter after every wash that is why we suggest it is better to wash the hair less than to risk over washing it. The less you wash the hair the longer it will last. Remember when you are washing your hair extensions to be gentle and to not ruffle or pile the hair on top of each other as it will only create more tangles.

5. Deep conditioning

After washing your hair extensions you should always follow up with a deep conditioner to help moisturise and soften the hair. It is good practice to leave the deep conditioner on with a plastic cap for 30 minutes before rinsing it out. If you have removable hair extensions like clips-in or tape-ins you may decide to deep condition the hair for a few hours or even overnight. After you have rinsed out the conditioner and removed any excess water it is best to let the hair air dry rather than using a blow dryer.

6. Minimise the use of products

This might sound contradictory to tip number three but you do not want to use too many products on a regular basis. Sticking to a few hair staples is better than using a concoction of 15 products and overloading the hair. This will only lead to over manipulation, product build-up and more frequent washes, which is a recipe for reducing the lifespan of your hair extensions and not getting your money’s worth. You may also want to avoid or reduce the use of products with alcohol such as gels, hairsprays and mousses. If you want to use these products use them minimally or opt for more natural products like aloe vera gel.  

7. Reduce the use of heat styling tools

Depending on the type and texture of your hair extensions it may be fine to curl and straighten the hair with heat styling tools. However, if you choose to do so use a heat protectant and use these tools sparingly as excessive heat will dry out and damage the hair. Remember hair extensions are not your real hair so if they are damaged it is irreparable! We suggest avoiding the use of heat on curly and textured extensions because it can change the curl pattern. If you want to curl your hair consider using heat-free techniques such as braid-outs, twist-outs, rollers, bantu knots, flexible rods, etc., to obtain your desired look.

8. Protective styling

Like with your real hair protective styling is a great way to prevent your hair extensions from knots and tangles because they are protected from rubbing against your clothes. High buns, braids and ponytails are good examples of protective styles. Protective styling is also a good practice for when you are doing moderate to intense exercise to keep the hair from getting matted and tangled, especially while you sweat.

As a final point, it is easy to forget that human hair extensions need to be treated as if it is your hair. The same as with your real hair, less is more with hair extensions; avoid over-manipulating, washing and styling to keep it in better condition. By following the tips and tricks explained above you should be able to extend the lifespan of your hair extensions and enjoy them for much longer.

If you have any tips that worked for you please share them below, we’d love to hear from you!