Hair extensions can greatly improve your appearance and confidence when styled properly. You know you’ve done a great job if the hair extensions are undetectable, and if they blend perfectly with the rest of your hair.
If this is your first time trying hair extensions, you may find it a bit challenging to put them in. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them. Just be sure to avoid making the following rookie mistakes when applying extensions.
Overdoing the Hair Extensions
Don’t feel like you have to pile on all the wefts just because you’re able to do so. Just like with makeup, the look can easily go overboard. Not only do too many wefts look bad, but it can also become painful for the scalp if you’re wearing too many.
Using the right number of wefts will result in a more natural look. But how do you know when enough is enough? It all comes down to the amount of hair you have, and how well they can conceal the clips. A good rule to follow is to make sure there’s a space at least the width of a finger in between wefts.
Bad Placement
If you have fine, thin hair, install the wefts about ¼ inch away from the root. Putting them too near the scalp will restrict the movement of the wefts, and will cause friction between the root and scalp, which could lead to irritation.
Also, don’t place the wefts close to the crown. Instead, situate them at about eyebrow level. Placing them near the top of the head where there is little natural hair will make them visible to the naked eye.
Wrong Color Match
When seeking the perfect shade for your extensions, avoid matching them to the color of your roots. The goal of extensions is to add length, which means their color should match the middle and ends of your hair.
Yet, you should also avoid using one shade for all of your hair extensions. Use two shades to create dimensional color. A two-tone color combination complements the natural hair color the best. This is the key to natural-looking extensions.
Extensions come in a wide variety of colors. If you’re overwhelmed by the number of shades available, consult with a hairstylist to determine the options that are best for you and your hair.
Wrong Hair Length
If you’re sporting a bob cut, you shouldn’t plan to wear 24- or 26-inch hair extensions. Shorter styles often don’t have enough hair to cover the clips, and a choppy style won’t blend well with especially long extensions. That doesn’t mean you can’t use extensions at all, however. If you have really short hair, go with 12- to 14-inch extensions first, then work your way to the longer ones as you grow out your hair.
Lack of Grip
Hair extensions work best when there’s enough texture to keep them locked in. Give them a good grip by washing your hair with a volumizing shampoo, or backcombing the hair with a teasing brush. Put hairspray on the backcombed area to create a lasting grip for the extensions.
Leaving the Extension as It Is
Even after you’ve inserted your extensions, there’s still work to do. To achieve the best results, don’t forget to trim and style your extensions after they’ve been placed in your hair. Use the slide-cutting technique to achieve a seamless transition from where the natural hairs end to where the extensions begin. For best results, consider having your stylist cut them for you.
Lack of aftercare
Protect your hair investment by maintaining your extensions so they last longer. Hair extensions require the same level of care as your natural hair. Plus, they don’t have the natural oil produced by your own hair to keep them nourished, so you’ll need to be especially careful with them in between wears.
Are you sleeping with your extensions on? This could lead to serious tangling and knotting. Before bedtime, remove them and gently brush the strands. Then, store them in a safe, dry place. Wash them with nourishing products that don’t contain sulfates and alcohol. Use heat styling tools sparingly, and get professional help for styling or caring for them if needed.
With hair extensions, you can experiment with different styles and achieve the thick, longer hair of your dreams in an instant. By steering clear of these mistakes, you’ll soon be a pro at wearing them!
