Nothing brings out your alter ego quite like a good set of hair extensions (shout out to The Extensionist in Battersea!) and they've really elevated my entire look for over a year now. However, like with all great things, they also come with their own unique set of challenges and the welcome addition of carefully-applied strips of hair also means you need to swot up on the best way to care for your (now va-va-voomy!) tresses.
Olia Cutz, founder of The Extensionist, shared her expert tips for keeping hair extensions in tip-top condition. "Keep them washed and do a weekly conditioning treatment. Be careful with heated tools and always use heat protection spray. Make sure to brush the extensions every day." Olia also recommends plaiting your hair at night if you have longer hair extensions to avoid them tangling as you sleep.
Olia continues, "We always recommend re-placing and maintenance to take place no longer than 6+ weeks. If you go longer then the hair extensions can pull on your original hair, causing damage and dragging them down. If you go longer then you also run the risk of developing tangling and matting.
Finally, the salon founder reveals her must-have buy for hair extensions, "In the salon, we are huge fans of the Balmain Hair Extension Brush, £14 which we sell and recommend to all our clients."
I wouldn't go as far as to call myself an expert, but I have definitely experimented with plenty of hair tools, 'miracle' sprays and shampoos since embarking on my hair extension journey and here are the products that I seriously couldn't be without.
SHOP: my top beauty picks perfect-looking hair extensions
AmazonIf you're struggling to get your hair to hold a Dyson curl, this holding mist is a hairdresser hack for long-lasting results.
Beauty Workswww.lookfantastic.com
While The Extensionist has told me that you can use plenty of different shampoos and conditioners on extensions, I always reach for this The Beauty Works set formulated with extensions in mind.
3.
Hair Care Wide Tooth Comb For Detangling
AmazonFor curls or waves, this wide-tooth comb seamlessly detangles without ruining the bounce. This comb comes everywhere with me.
Silke Londonwww.sephora.co.uk
Not all heatless curl rods are created equally and I've found the cheaper ones are uncomfortable to sleep in. The SILKE London rod is truly my ride-or-die for a bouncy blowdry without the heat or damage.
Kerastasewww.lookfantastic.com
For silky smooth ends, Kerastase is a non-negotiable step in my haircare routine. You only need a teeny tiny amount, so one bottle lasts you ages.
Aimee Jakes is heat’s trending content editor. As well as writing about skincare launches, high-street fashion and gym bag essentials, she’s forever chatting to celebs about their fancy beauty routines. Follow her on Instagram here.