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.