HOW TO PROPERLY CARE FOR YOUR RAW HAIR EXTENSIONS 

Establishing the right haircare routine and having realistic expectations are key to ensuring your hair stays beautiful for years to come. Whether you're a first-time customer or transitioning from Virgin hair to Raw Hair, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Keep reading for everything you need to know about purchasing our Raw Indian Wavy Extensions.

Keep in mind that you've invested in RAW human hair, which behaves just like your natural hair! Sourced directly from the human scalp, it requires the same level of care and attention. Setting realistic expectations is crucial, particularly with higher-maintenance textures. Without proper care, you may not achieve the results you desire.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR PACKAGE

As a result of the wefting process, it's normal to experience a few loose hairs during your initial brush-out and co-wash. This should significantly decrease after the first few washes. With a consistent haircare routine, you can expect minimal to no shedding on a daily basis. Keep in mind, RAW hair only improves with time and thrives when properly cared for! 

 DAILY CARE

• Gently brush or comb through your hair to style.
• For added shine and frizz control, apply an alcohol-free glossing polish or hair serum as needed. Avoid overusing products, as too much can lead to stiffness, matting, and tangling. When you notice product buildup, it's time for a co-wash!
• Always use a heat protectant before styling with heat to prevent damage. Keep in mind, excessive heat can alter the hair’s natural wave pattern and overall integrity, just like with your natural hair.

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR EXTENSIONS: DO'S AND DON'TS 

Use ONLY Silicone & Sulfate Free shampoos and conditioners. Silicone causes buildup and doesn't allow moisture to penetrate the hair strands. Sulfate on the other hand strips the hair of its moisture which leads to dryness of the hair. 

Neglecting daily maintenance can lead to dirty, tangled, and damaged hair. Proper care is crucial to keeping your extensions in top condition and ensuring they last as long as possible.  

Avoid heavy products, including oils. Stick to a lightweight hair serum instead. Using too much oil can weigh the hair down, leaving it looking greasy and stringy. Less product is always better for maintaining a natural, fresh look.

Always opt for air drying instead of blow drying. Excessive heat from a blow dryer can damage the hair, leading to heat damage and breakage. Keep in mind that the hair is raw and behaves similarly to natural hair. If needed, apply a light serum to help control frizz and keep your hair looking smooth.

We cannot stress this enough—always opt for high-quality, premium brands! Remember, your hair is an INVESTMENT, not an expense. The more care and love you put into it, the more it will reward you with gorgeous, long-lasting results!

BI-WEEKLY MAINTENANCE 

Deep conditioning your extensions is crucial, especially for curly textures. It helps with detangling, enhances the curl pattern, and restores moisture that may have been stripped by the clarifying shampoo, especially if you didn't co-wash. Retaining moisture is key to preventing tangling and frizz. We highly recommend using a rich, smoothing deep conditioner to help reduce frizz and keep your hair looking its best.

Here are the steps to follow: Before we proceed, it's important to note that shampoo can strip the hair of its natural oils, which can lead to dryness and tangling. This is why many women prefer co-washing (using only conditioner), which is perfectly fine. However, it's still essential to occasionally use a gentle hydrating clarifying shampoo to remove any build-up or debris..

STEPS:

[1] Divide your hair into 7-10 sections before showering or bathing for easier management.

[2] Use a wide-tooth comb or our recommended wavy hair brush to gently detangle each section, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots.

[3] Fully saturate your hair with water to ensure even moisture distribution.

[4] Begin at the bottom of your installation, parting your hair with your fingers and gathering a 1-inch section. Secure the remaining hair on top of your head.

[5] Apply a generous amount of conditioner to the 1-inch section, and brush through with a Denman brush, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots. Make two passes with the brush to ensure thorough detangling, from the top of the wefts to the ends.

[6] Continue this process throughout your entire installation until all sections are thoroughly detangled and coated with conditioner. Once done, twist your hair into a top bun or braid, and allow the conditioner to sit for 15-20 minutes without massaging to prevent frizz.

[7] Rinse your hair thoroughly, and for enhanced waves, scrunch your hair to boost the wave pattern or set it in rollers. Use a cotton hair towel, microfiber towel, or t-shirt to gently dry your hair and minimize frizz caused by traditional bath towels.

[8]  If desired, apply a small amount (about a dime size) of smoothing oil or glossing polish to weigh down the hair and control frizz throughout the day. Allow your hair to air dry for a natural finish.

[9]  To maintain the health and longevity of your extensions, consider using an intensive hair mask or hot oil treatment once a month or between installations for extra care and nourishment.

MINIMUM HEAT 

The main purpose of wearing extensions is to give your natural hair a well-deserved break, so make sure to let it rest! If you're wearing your extensions straight, wrap them with a few bobby pins at night to avoid using heat every day. For voluminous curls, pin curls are a great option. Try to limit heat styling to when it's absolutely necessary—this goes for your leave-out as well! You definitely don’t want to risk a fried, damaged leave-out, sis! 

 BEDTIME CARE

Before bed, gather your hair into a high ponytail or loosely roll it into a bun to maintain the wave pattern. Cover with a satin scarf or bonnet to minimize frizz and flyaways. For more defined, bouncy waves, try using flexi-rods.

Upon waking, remove your overnight protection and gently comb through your hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots, using the brush we highly recommend for our Wavy extensions (listed under "Recommended Products"). This brush works wonders! Finally, style as desired.

 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

The products you use on your hair are just as crucial as the quality of the hair itself. We highly recommend using hydrating conditioners with soothing properties to maintain moisture and reduce frizz. Raw hair doesn’t require an overload of products—too many can leave your hair feeling greasy, stringy, and cause unwanted buildup. Remember, less is more! Below, we’ve listed some of our top product recommendations.

• Ion Blowout Vent Brush - Sold at Sally & Amazon ( great for our wavy hair)
• BioSilk Silk Therapy ( this product adds shine, very lightweight, reduces frizz, works as a heat protectant and can be used for all hair textures ) 
• Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating- Clarifying Shampoo 
• Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating- Calming Conditioner 
• Redken All Soft Shampoo + Conditioner 
• Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo + Conditioner 
• Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo + Conditioner