Keep your Clip-In's Looking Good with Easy Maintenance Tips!

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on March 23, 2010 Stars like Jessica Lucas may use clip-in's as an easy way to change up their hair but their stylists know that in order to keep them looking polished and glossy for as long as possible, it's important to look after them! Nights out and environmental stresses such as wind, rain and pollution can leave even the highest quality human hair looking dull unless it is properly maintained. Luckily for those of us without a team of professionals to look after our hair clip-ins- unlike bonded extensions- can be washed, conditioned and even styled without even getting your own hair wet! The best way to wash clip-in extensions is with a good quality moisturizing shampoo. Bearing in mind that there is no glue involved in this method of extensions you can wash them right up to the weft, smoothing shampoo downwards in the direction of the cuticle. Rich conditioners can also be used so long as you remember to rinse thoroughly. For a real treat or if the ends of your extensions begin to feel a little dry over time, try using a sachet of deep-conditioning treatment and leaving it on the extensions for ten to fifteen minutes. To avoid hours in front of the mirror (and make styling the back of your own head easier!) try curling your extensions before you put them in. The easiest way to do this is to clip them onto something secure at a comfortable height (personally I use a scarf with one end shut in a drawer, but something a little more sophisticated like a clothes airer would do just as well!) then style them as usual, not forgetting to spritz them with a little heat protectant or serum before using hot tongs orstraighteners to keep them looking silky. Comments

Transforming Super-Short Hair Into Glamorous Lengths Like Rumer Willis

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on March 3, 2010

Cropped styles may be chic and easy but sometimes the difficult growing-out phases of shorter styles can be unbearably long. Whether you're regretting a big change or simply fancy something a bit more extravagant for a big event, extensions could be the answer to your hair prayers. We've all seen the pictures of Britney Spears' visible bonds- living proof that for individual bonded extensions to look natural, they must have at least four inches of hair to hold on to and be attached well away from the hair's ‘edges' by a skilled professional- but stars like Rumer Willis get it right using clip-in's and bonded wefts which are attached closer to the scalp and can be removed easily to reveal your short cut.

Bear in mind that wherever you place the top row of your extensions, the hair must be long enough to cover the bonded area or clips (anything less than a couple of inches just wont lie flat enough) and your own hair must be blended carefully with the extensions to avoid a ‘seam'. The best way to do this usually involves combing the hair together and securing with hairspray. Curly and wavy styles often blend better with short hair and the blurred edges disguise any shorter layers. Try curling the hair first, then running your fingers through it to get looser waves. The extensions can then either be left loose or gathered to one side as in Rumer's picture and secured with pins or a decorative clip or comb.

If you decide to go for the longer-lasting glued-weft method, bear in mind that you will need to layer the extensions in order to get a more natural look. If your own hair is very short it is often better not to go for the 20 inch mermaid-hair look, but something funkier around collarbone length or slightly longer to get a more undetectable look.

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Clean Up Your Act - The Best Way To Wash Your Extensions

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 24, 2010

One of the main reasons many women are reluctant to wear bonded extensions is that they worry about maintenance, however with the right washing and drying tips (and some styling tips from our articles on curling and putting up your hair!) there's no reason for extensions to be any harder to look after than naturally long locks. Follow in the footsteps of stars like Kirsten Dunst who sport healthy, well-maintained extensions, and groom them with these simple steps:

To begin with, choose the right shampoo. The best to use are frequent-use or any mild shampoos. The best ones are sulfate and silicone free, as these ingredients can weaken the bonds and make the hair slippery. Put your hair behind your shoulders so that it falls downwards, then wet it and smooth the shampoo on gently from the top to mid-lengths. When you rinse, the water will carry the shampoo to the ends of your hair without drying them out.

Next, select a good quality, moisturizing conditioner (again, sulfate free products are best) and smooth it down from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, taking care to avoid the root area where the bonds are. Allow to sit on the hair for the recommended length of time before rinsing. Using cool water for a final rinse is a great tip for added shine!

When it comes to drying, pat your hair as dry as you can with a towel before blow-drying. When towel drying, avoid rubbing the hair and be as gentle as possible to avoid tangling. It's a great idea to use an anti-frizz serum on the ends of your extensions to keep them soft, shiny and neat.