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All You Need to Know About Hair Extensions

Prerna Salla
Hair extensions are a great way to spruce up the look of hair instantly. Here are some facts about this hair accessory.
Hairstyles may or may not look great on each face shape or hair type as it may vary from person to person.
Often, it happens that people like a certain celebrity hairstyle, get it done in the same way from their stylist, and it turns out that the style does not suit them at all. Hair extensions are a good solution to this problem until the hair grow back.

The Ease of Extensions

The key to many celebrities' fabulous hair is the clever use of hair extensions, carefully blended to match exactly with their own hair. These offer instant volume for limp tresses or emergency relief from a disastrous haircut. You can expect them to last up to 3 months. If you're not happy with the outcome, you can rely on your old style for comfort.
Caring for extensions is a bit different from caring for natural hair. There are some things that you need to know about them.
* Use a soft bristle brush and brush your hair from the bottom and gently work your way up.
* Gently tie your hair up while sleeping.
* Do not color your own extensions at home.
* To prevent tangling, run your fingers through the braid extensions.
* Don't spray them with conditioners or any silicone-based products as they can cause the braids to slip.

The Correct Length

Hair-length beyond 26"-30" puts an extra weight on your scalp, which may lead to uneven pressure and damage to your own hair. The best-looking extensions for average-height women are usually around 22" or even lesser.

Cost

Cost is relative. Some would give it to you for a few hundred dollars while others may charge you thousands. Shop around and do your research to get the best possible product at a premium price. However, do not compromise on quality.

Wearing Hair Up

Extensions should not be applied any lower than the base of your scalp (approximately at the level of the middle of your ears). So, your own hair which goes below this point covers the extensions while you wear it in pigtails, ponytails, french braids etc.

Painful or Not

It does not hurt. The extension artist should braid the tracks firmly but comfortably. The tension should be even over the head, with no points pulling/hurting. Do not put up with someone telling you it to be taut. Mostly, hair, extension or otherwise, have to be loose for the scalp to breathe. Whichever style you choose, it should not weigh your head down.
When you sleep at night, make sure your hair are either loosely tied in a braid or left open, if short. Mostly, hair and skin tend to breathe up to their maximum level, so it's important to not fasten your hair tightly.
As far as the face goes, don't use a face mask overnight, it does not do much for your skin. If the solution in the face pack leaks, be ready to clean up the massive amount of mess it might put your hair in. Pulling the extensions out is not the best idea. You will know you have something on your head for a day or two, after which, you won't even feel them.