Before you can apply hair extensions, you initially have to pick the hair extensions that suit you best. This can be difficult, especially for those that are considering adding color, as well as volume and length to their hair. One great way to make such a decision is to look at pictures of people with similar hair coloring to yourself, and see how the look with extensions. When choosing which extensions to buy, remember the old phrase that you get what you pay for. Although hair extensions are far from a permanent fixture, you do want hair extensions to look natural and a cheap alternative might not help too much towards this cause.
Step 1
When braiding your extension in, it is recommended that you choose from one of the following styles. A tree braid, braid weave or French braid. It is generally recommended that you pick the one which you are most comfortable with as this will lead to best results; especially if it is your first time.
Step 2
Pull your hair back into a pony tail and secure it using a clip. Ensure that your hair is tight, however not too tight as you will need to keep it back for some time while you apply the extensions.
Step 3
Now you need to lift sections of hair from underneath the ponytail. Please note that each layer that you lift should be around the length of your hand in width. Now proceed to place the weft right underneath it. Certain stylists recommend you should always place parallel sections above each weft; however that is a judgment call that you can make through looking at samples.
Step 4
This step is called blending and refers to the process of making your hair and the extensions look like they belong together. One way you can do this is to curl your hair and the extensions. Should you decide to either curl or straighten your hair using hot curlers then you should only do this on your natural hair, and then use a curling brush to interweave the synthetic hair into it.
Step 5
Place a hair extension into the bottom of the ponytail to finish. This should go between the underside of the ponytail and just below where the synthetic hair starts. You should then fluff out the hair with your fingers until it sits naturally.
Warnings
1. You should not use hair extensions that are double the length of your hair. They should always be shorter than this.
2. Never apply an extension on the underside of your scalp.
3. Do not use silicon based hair products on your hair as this will cause the extensions to come lose.
4. When sleeping always ensure that your hair is completely dry as you could easily cause the extensions to come lose if your hair is wet and you are turning over in your bed. You should also tie your hair before you go to sleep when you have extensions in.
First it is important to have all your products readily at hand and of course a mirror will be necessary. Be sure that your system as well as your scalp is absolutely clean and free from dirt and oil and both your head and system should be dry. For the benefit of your skin it is recommended that you apply a skin cleaner to remove any additional oil on the scalp and if available apply a thin layer of Scalp Prep to protect your scalp after the system is on. If you're wearing a tape on system, wipe the tape tab area with some 99% alcohol to assure there is no residue or oil on the tape tab area. Apply your tape, lifting the liner in areas where you're overlapping strips. Once your tape is in place remove the liner. Have your existing hair clean dry and styled then pick up your system holding the front towards you with the back away from you and have the base inverted. Inverting the base will keep the hair from getting on the tape. Locate the center front of you hair line and gently place the front of the system at this point then gently roll the system back into place on your scalp. Check your placement and if your happy with it press the tape onto your scalp. If you find you are a little crooked with your placement gently pull the system off going from back to front, readjust the placement and repeat the procedure. Once the system is in place style the hair into your existing hair and you should be ready to go. After a few tries this action becomes second nature.
If you're using a full head bond you are probably using an adhesive so your preparation will be slightly different. Again, it is important to have and scalp completely clean and free from dirt and oil. It is particularly important to prepare the scalp utilizing a scalp cleaner and scalp prep. The cleaner has an astringent value that will close the pores and the scalp prep will coat the skin on the scalp to keep potential bacteria from making it's way into the skin. If you're wearing a skin system, wipe the base with 99% alcohol and allow to completely dry. Once the base is dry apply a thin layer of your adhesive and allow the adhesive to get slightly tacky. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to your scalp and also allow the adhesive to get slightly tacky. Once the scalp and base are ready follow the directions above for applying the system. It is very important with a full head bond to do this procedure correctly the first time. As you roll the system back onto your scalp press is gently down to eliminate any bubbles or wrinkles. Once you have the system on and in place gently press the entire system allowing the adhesive on the base and scalp to bond together. If you're doing a full head bond with lace, follow the same procedure only eliminate putting the adhesive on the base of the system and apply two thin layers of the adhesive to the scalp allowing the first to dry before applying the second layer and letting the second layer get tacky, then apply the lace system to the head in the same manner as the skin.
Both Christy Berger & Imranadrees are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Christy Berger has sinced written about articles on various topics from computers and the internet, Health and computers and the internet. This article is written by Christy Berger. A longer version of this article can be found along with hair drug testing and hair drug screen tests, hair follicle sample tests, at How to Apply Hair Extensions and