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The purpose of this page is to help you look and feel as amazing as the day of your appointment for weeks to come. Below are some helpful tips, tricks, and product recommendations to protect your investment in your hair. If you have any additional questions or concerns about your new style, feel free to email me at azaleacolorbar@gmail.com,
text me at 210-940-1629, or message me through the PocketSuite app!
The less you wash your hair, the better off your scalp, hair and newly installed extensions will be. Your extension service included a thorough shampoo, light conditioning, and minimal product application to ensure a longer-lasting "fresh" feeling. Try to hold off from shampooing again for as long as you can up to a week, but definitely don't wash for at least 48 hours from the time of your installation to allow the glue to fully cure.
If your hair gets sweaty or dirty within this time frame, try using dry shampoo first, but if you're feeling particularly icky, just rinse with cool to lukewarm water, and condition the mid-lengths to ends only.
**Avoid swimming (whether the water is chlorinated or salty) and heat styling in the first 48 hours!**
Making your extensions last longer can be achieved with a bit of effort! The most important thing to remember is that OIL is the #1 enemy of glue-in extensions. Coming in second is TENSION- pulling by aggressively brushing, using a round brush or hot iron to style, or not resisting the temptation to constantly touch your new hair. HEAT (hot water, hot tools, direct sunlight) can be bad for both your natural hair and your extensions, and should be avoided whenever possible!
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The less frequent, the better! Once a week is optimal, with a daily light brushing in between washes to gently pull scalp oil away from the point of installation. If used to washing every day, try to gradually space out washes to every other day for a few weeks to a month, then every 2-3 days for a few weeks to a month, and repeat this process until down to one wash per week. Rinsing the hair on non-wash days can help lessen the icky feeling, just go through the motions of shampooing without the actual shampoo! Dry shampoo can help delay washing for another day or more!
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Using professional shampoos and conditioners is recommended for the longevity of extensions. Professional brands may cost more than the drugstore variety (but not by much these days) and they are higher quality- meaning less is used to get the same or better results.
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Cool to lukewarm water helps smooth the cuticle to make natural hair less frizzy and more shiny. I know it's harder in the winter months not to step into a piping hot shower, but please try!
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For those mostly hot days in Texas, swimming in chlorinated water and salt water can do terrible things to natural and artificial hair, not to mention weakening the glue bonds of extensions! Keep the head above water if possible, but if going all in, please wear a swimming cap. This won't 100% prevent the negative effects, but will definitely reduce them.​
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It's a good idea to apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair after towel-drying to add more moisture. A leave-in conditioner will help prevent over-drying, which leads to breakage (and thinning of the hair) and helps to detangle and reduce frizz. On hair that is going to be heat-styled, a leave-in conditioner with heat protection is a game-changer!
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Speaking of towel-drying: don't rub the hair with a towel to dry after washing; gently pat dry at the bonds and squeeze the ends with the towel to remove excess moisture. ​After towel-drying and applying leave-in, detangle very gently with a wide toothed comb, just enough to get any bigger tangles out.
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Wet hair is much more fragile than dry hair, so save the thorough detangling for when the hair is dry.
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Don't forget to brush carefully and gently! Brushing removes shedded hair that gets trapped in your extensions. The best hair brushes that are safe for extensions are loop brushes, and dual bristle brushes without the ball on the end of the bristles- those balls eventually start separating from the bristle, and can snag the hair and extensions.
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Regular brushing is very important if not washing every day, as it moves oil off of the scalp and through to the ends where the oils can benefit them.
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Again, heat is the enemy! Blow drying and using a hot iron (especially when using both) can put unnecessary tension on extensions, not to mention dry natural and artificial hair out. Hot irons can even turn gray hair yellow and fade artificial color! Air dry whenever possible, but if blow drying is absolutely necessary, use the coolest setting possible, or wait until the hair has dried naturally (to about 75%) before blow drying. If still craving curls, let the hair air dry instead of blow drying before ironing so that heat isn't doubled!
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I recommend trying heatless curl/wave methods to get a great finish that's friendlier to the tresses. Just search "heatless curls" on Google, YouTube or TikTok and there's a ton of tutorials!
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If you just can't put down the flat iron or curling iron, opt for a lower temperature (250-300 degrees), and thinner sections of hair.
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The temperature of the iron should never exceed the recommended temperature limit of the extension hair. Too-high temps will kink and melt the extensions.
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Every time heat is used to style, whether blow-drying or ironing, be sure to apply a heat protectant beforehand!
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I usually recommend serums and oils to nourish dry hair, but when it comes to extensions, it's best to avoid oils. They can break down the glue bond of your extensions! Opt for lighter leave-in conditioners to add softness and moisture. If the hair is dry and oil is necessary, kept it at the ends and far away from the scalp and installation points.
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UV glue-in extensions will behave similarly to lash extensions- meaning the glue bonds will weaken and individual hairs which are attached to the extension hair will shed. With proper care, your extensions can last up to 2 months.
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It's perfectly normal to have extension hair loosen and fall- but if there's an excessive amount coming out within the first week, please don't hesitate to let me know, and we'll figure it out!
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Extension hair doesn't grow, of course, but natural hair does! At some point, any extensions that have stuck around (no pun intended) will start to migrate away from the scalp.
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Once an amount of extension hair has fallen where you'd like to add more, or if you're ready to remove them, you can book an appointment for a UV Extension Fill or UV Extension removal from this menu!
I know life gets busy, and sometimes remembering when to book an appointment can get put on the back burner, but no worries! I will be sending you a standard reminder, based on your individual services and preferences. You are welcome to book sooner or later than that at your leisure, of course. I look forward to seeing you again!