How to Take Care of Raw/Virgin Maori Hair Extensions

by Grace

When it comes to hair extensions, maintenance is the most important task. As consumers, we sometimes make the mistake of setting unrealistic expectations about hair extensions. Since they’re not actually attached to our scalps and we pay good money for them, it’s easy to get carried away and think the “quality” we paid for means no up-keeping, but that’s simply not true. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you can’t accept the fact that you have to maintain your hair, you have to face the fact that you’re wasting your hard-earned money. And one thing I CAN’T do is sit by and watch my sisters run through money like there’s no tomorrow. Therefore, here is the Ultimate Guide to maintaining your extensions.

Before I break down the routine, let’s start off with a saying that I want you to manifest and apply to hair extensions for the rest of your life. “I treat my hair extensions like they’re my natural hair.” If you just said “Girl bye” just bear with me for one second as I break down these steps
and explain why they apply to your hair extensions just as much as they do your natural hair.

Shampoo:

It’s best to choose shampoo according to the hair you purchase. Depending on the amount of product you’re putting in your hair, you can wash your hair every 1-2 weeks.

Raw Hair: If you buy raw hair, I recommend a clarifying shampoo like Come Clean. Raw hair looks the best and styles the easiest with no product build-up on it. If you want to go the extra mile, you can additionally purchase a moisturizing shampoo. However, if that’s too much, make sure to stay on top of MOISTURIZATION.

Virgin Hair: You never want to use a shampoo that’s too drying with virgin hair because it’s already processed. A simple shampoo like Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength will get your hair right.

Moisturizing:

Light serums, creams, and conditioners are an essential part of any hair care routine regardless of texture and origin. If you want shiny hair with thick ends, moisturizing is a must. Dry ends can cause hair at the ends to break off, and who wants trashy ends?

Deep Conditioning:

Deep conditioning is optional. Many companies selling “raw hair” claim hair won’t last if you don’t deep condition, but I think that just reflects poorly on their quality. Personally, I find it hard to deep condition my natural hair because I can get a little lazy. So, imagine hair extensions LOL. However, I make up for it by staying on top of my moisture. If you don’t moisturize, the least you can do is a bi-weekly deep condition. If you don’t deep condition, make absolute SURE you moisturize every few days (whenever the hair feelsdry). If you THAT GIRL, do both and watch your hair flourish ;). If you do both, you can lessen the deep conditioning to just once a month.

Product Choices:

With great moisture comes great responsibility. Avoid heavy oils and products that can weigh down extensions. If the products you already have are heavy, be sure to use a sparse amount. The amount you use also depends on the texture. Curly hair will need a bit more product than straight or wavy hair.

Detangling:

Never ever detangle your hair dry. Always do so when it’s wet. A spray bottle, conditioner (or pre-poo), and Maori brush will be your best friend. Proper detangling is one of the key factors in long-lasting extensions, which means saving money. Maori Hair is all about customers saving money. Therefore, we send customers the best brush to detangle with whenever they buy hair. However, any widely spaced bristle brush or comb will do the job just fine. No matter what brush or comb you use, start from the bottom of your hair and work your way up to the top to minimize any potential breakage.

Styling:

Avoid over-applying heat to your hair, especially curly textured hair. Like natural hair, hair extensions CAN and WILL get heat damage if you over-do it with heat. “Heat” applies to tools like straighteners, curlers, or blow dryers. Utilize heat protectant and use the LOWEST HEAT SETTING NECESSARY to achieve your desired style.

Proper Wrapping:

SILK IS YOUR BEST FRIEND! I would never lie to you! If you want your styles to last, invest in silk. That means silk pillowcases and silk hair wraps. Wand curls? Silk. Natural Curly Pattern? Silk. Moisture? Silk. How does silk correlate with moisture? Unlike cotton, silk doesn’t suck the moisture out of your hair when you’re laying down. It helps your hair RETAIN MOISTURE that you’ve already put into it. Invest in silk. P.S. Silk is better for your skin too! When it comes to the visuals of wrapping your hair, I can show you easier than I can tell you, so here you go:

Wigs:

1. Style hair in loose braid, twist, or ponytail.

2. Apply silk scarf over lace.

3. Apply band over lace to prevent backsliding.

4. Finish the routine by placing a silk bonnet over hair.

Sew-Ins/Tape-Ins/Clip-Ins:

Method 1.

1. Brush/Comb hair until hair is somewhat molded around head shape.

2. Place net over hair

3. Tie Satin Scarf around hair

4. Finish routine with a silk bonnet. If sliding is a concern, invest in a bonnet with a tie.

Sew-Ins/Tape-Ins/Clip-Ins:

Method 2.

1. Wrap both pieces flatly around the head.

2. Split hair into two sections and cross both pieces as if to create a twist.

3. Place net over hair

4. Tie Satin Scarf around hair

5. Finish routine with a silk bonnet. If sliding is a concern, invest in a bonnet with a tie.

Conclusion

Maintaining hair extensions is a hassle, but the result is beyond worth it. As they say, “beauty is pain”, and you’re already a baddie if you’re shopping for hair extensions in the first place. By following these tips, you can ensure that your extensions remain in excellent condition and enhance your beauty for a long time. Remember, the key to beautiful hair extensions lies in consistent and gentle care.

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August 1, 2023 - 10:38 am
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