Hair Care: Micro Ring Hair Extensions

Hi Lovelies,

This week is super busy for me, not only did I have my birthday celebrations, but we're going to see Lady Gaga Monster Ball Concert live at Soccer City this Friday!!

I am absolutely in love with my hair extensions!  I've had them in for just over a week, and I thought this is the perfect time to share with you all my tips and tricks that I have learned so far.  I told my husband the other day that I don't want to be without hair extensions again, I feel so pretty and feminine.  If you missed it, my micro ring (bead/link) hair extensions is from Cliphair Ltd.

My thoughts after having them in for one day:

My hairdresser advised that I wash my hair the day after she applied them, which I did.  Unfortunately I used the wrong products, and I ended up with straw-like hair ... so not cute!  I had slept perfectly fine the previous night and the little beads doesn't hurt or anything, although you do feel them it's not painful (but after a day or two you won't even notice them anymore).  After washing them with the wrong products, I blow-dried my hair, it felt funny, and I definitely felt a weight throughout the day, especially in the neck area it felt quite heavy {by the second day I couldn't feel it anymore, so give it a day or so just to get used to it ~ a week later I don't even feel that I'm wearing extensions at all}.  It also didn't feel like mine yet, if that makes any sense, but I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that my hair felt brassy, which I'm not used to as my own hair is very healthy and shiny.

It is probably something I should've done before using the products, but that night I had a squizz at the ingredients, and all of the products I used that morning had a combination of alcohol and sulfate in them, which is the worst thing to use on hair extensions.  I then found a savour in a bottle of serum I had bought ages ago, and immediately after applying this to my hair, it felt soft and flowy. 

Products not good for hair extensions:

Approved products for Hair Extensions:



I'm not a hair expert, so I cant give you all of the scientific facts, but all I know is when you have hair extensions, look for shampoo and conditioner that is sulfate free, you will also notice in the ingredients list that there is only one small component of alcohol, whereas with other products there will be various components of alcohol in which is not good.  Also note that the first ingredients mentioned are the highest ingredients used in the product, so the further down the list the less of that specific ingredient is used.

Shampoo and Conditioner:  Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Sulfate Free Infused with Keratin {Available at Dischem stores}:

I am absolutely in love with this!  I have felt such a difference in my hair, even the hair extensions are unbelievably soft, and this will definitely be a staple in my beauty cabinet from now one.

Hair-Care Routine:

1.  I wash my hair with the Marc Anthony shampoo and conditioner every three days, I've been told and have read on a couple of sites that you should try and wash your hair as little as possible.  Lightly rub your scalp and work downwards, be gentle and don't rub your hair together too hard, keep working in a downwards motion.  Also leave your conditioner in for longer than you usually would, and it's highly recommended that you wash your hair in the shower, as this helps with the downwards motion.

2.  Try and let your hair air-dry as much as possible, here's a forewarning, your hair will take really long to dry!  What I do is once I get home I wash my hair so it has a couple of hours to dry naturally, never go to sleep with wet hair!  If you do need to blow dry it, use it on the lowest heat setting possible. 

3.  Generally I'll advise to add about 40 - 60 minutes to do your hair, especially if you blow-dry it immediately, trust me, it takes a lot longer to dry and style!  Yes, it's a high maintenance style but totally worth it.

4.  I use Kair Leave-in-Conditioner morning and night, when it's wet and at night before I braid my hair to go to sleep.  I also always use the Tresemme Heat Defence spray before putting any heat on my hair.  I prefer my hair curled, so I'll quickly curl it the morning, sometimes just loose beachy waves, and once dry, I use a teeny bit of Kair strengthening silicone serum.  The serum is wonderful to use anytime you feel your hair is a bit dry, or just need that extra bit of moisture.

5.  I suggest sleeping with your hair in two braids on each side, or in a ponytail, before braiding I spray leave-in-conditioner, brush and then braid.

6.  As I only wash my hair every third day, I adore Batiste dry shampoo, not only does it give you that fresh clean feel and smell, but it gives amazing volume.  Basically I only curl my hair the first day, the second day it's already curled and with the braids looks really lovely and beachy, the third day I'll wear half-up, or in a high messy bun, but the dry shampoo is an absolute must.

7.  Brush, brush and brush GENTLY!  The brush and comb have been approved by my hairdresser, you have to brush at least morning and night to ensure you get rid of any knots or tangles.  Easy does it!  I split my hair in two, so basically as you would to make two braids.  Starting from the tips of your hair brush out, and work upwards,  Be gentle so don't pull or tug.  You can even take your hand to hold your scalp area, then gently and lightly brush over the micro rings/beads.  I used to be so scared but I realised they're quite tough.  For wet hair, never brush with a hair brush but use a wide tooth comb!  You do get special brushes for hair extensions, so if you're a bit scared or unsure I'd say invest in one of them to make it easier for you,

Overall I am over the moon and so happy with my hair!  I feel that now that I've learned how to manage them, I enjoy it so much.  It feels and looks like my own hair, in fact it might even be softer than my own, you can do anything with it as you would with your own hair, just a little bit of extra care goes a long way.  And you should have a good hair care routine anyway.

If you have any other questions pretties, let me know and I'll gladly try to help where I can.

UPDATE:

Just to let you know that I have not lost any strands of hair extensions, nothing has come out, and my hairdresser did advise that I may lose one or two even from the first wash, but nothing ~ so these seem to really be holding super well.

Have a fabulous week!

Love,

xoxo