How To
Washing BFB Hair Extensions
Thanks to Barefoot Blonde Hair, you now have luscious, silky, movie star hair! The hair you’ve always wanted, right? But what happens when your extensions start looking a little less silky and smelling a little less fresh? JUST like regular hair, extension hair needs to be washed and cared for. Though they aren’t as close to your scalp as the hair growing on your head, they still get dirty and attract oil. They also get dirtier faster if you’re one to use lots of dry shampoo, texture spray and hairsprays. So what’s the proper BFB Hair approved way of washing them? Let’s chat.
One thing to remember, is you should only wash your extensions if you absolutely need to. They’re not growing out of your scalp, they’re not the same as your hair— so they don’t need multiple washings a week. In fact, you don’t even have to wash them once a week. Try for once a month, or once every 30 wears. Too much washing can cause them to dry out. Take care of those babies!
Something else to remember is that you don’t always need to use the soap and water method to wash your hair. If you’re in a pinch and need a quick fix, use a dry shampoo on those locks! It can absorb oil while giving your extensions some added volume and texture.
Washing Your BFB Extensions in 9 Easy Steps:
1. First things first, extension hair is similar to the hair on your head, in that it tangles. You know this, right? And taking care of tangly hair in the shower is 10x more difficult. So before washing, tame those tangles with a brush suitable for extensions. It’ll make things go a lot smoother, pun intended.
2. Remember how your extensions looked when you first got them? The clips were all wrapped around each other in a coil. Wrap your extensions the same way and secure them with an elastic band at the top.
3. Use lukewarm water to soak your extensions— you can use the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, the tub— whatever floats your b̶o̶a̶t̶ extensions. Also, avoid getting the clips wet if you can. Its not necessary to wash the metal clips and you want to avoid making them rusty.
4. Wash with a shampoo that is both hydrating AND sulphate free. In case you didn’t know, sulphates are common detergents found in shampoos (as well as in household cleaners, detergents and soaps) which give products a “sudsy” cleansing feature. The only problem is that sulphates cause damage and can ruin the color of your hair and your extensions color. Instead, reach for a gentle sulphate-free and hydrating shampoo which will extend the life of your BFB Hair.
When washing, lather and rinse in a downward motion (away from the clip), which will keep the cuticle going in the right direction. That means any unwanted frizz and tangling can be eliminated.
5. Apply a hydrating and sulphate free conditioner to the length of the extensions. If you want them to be ultra soft, leave the conditioner on for a few minutes before rinsing out. Also, if your extensions are needing some extra love, use a quality deep conditioning treatment and leave on for 15-30 minutes. Doing so will help MAJORLY to revive dull extensions.
6. Once washed and conditioned, squeeze as much moisture out as you can. Be careful with your extensions— just the same way you would treat your hair! Be careful not to wring them out roughly in a towel— that causes damage and will cause the cuticle to fray. Just gently pump your fist throughout the hair, releasing any excess water.
7. Apply a quality hair oil throughout the extension ends. Since they’re not attached to a scalp that keeps them moisturized (i.e. oiled), they need some protection. An oil will coat, moisturize and nourish the hair. As well as detangling it a bit!
8. Brush through your extensions gently with a wide tooth comb or a Wet Brush. Remember, to be gentle, because yanking a brush through any tangles will cause breakage and extension hair to be pulled out. Keep your extensions thick and full!
9. Once washed, moisturized and combed— lay your extensions flat on a towel, fanning outward, to dry. Another option is to get regular old skirt hangers, clamp the extensions between the clips and let them hang up to dry. I find it best to wash them in the evening, then let them air dry overnight. Easy. Done. Clean.
Need these steps in a simple graphic that you can keep on your phone or share with friends? We have designed a graphic that summarizes the most important steps listed above. Save it, memorize it and follow the steps so you can keep those extensions looking beautiful!
We hope these tips helped! Remember, if you treat your extensions well, they’ll treat you well right back! Keep that megawatt, movie star hair by keeping your extensions clean and healthy. Have any other questions about hair? Feel free to comment below and ask! Then keep checking our blog and Instagram posts to see the answers to all your questions.
Article by Amy Hutchens.
