On the contrary: I now need less time in the bathroom. At first I was very afraid that my hair would no longer look beautiful or somehow artificial after washing it for the first time. But here too I was convinced of the opposite: the inserted strands adapted exactly to my natural hair - it even waved, but somehow fell more beautifully. Overall, I now wear my hair down much more often - which is probably due to the extra strands at the front of the head that frame the face so beautifully.
What's particularly great is that if I tie a braid in the evening - as Tim recommended - I wake up in the morning with beautiful curls. I complement these with a few curls on special occasionsin the facial area – and I look perfectly styled. Sometimes I also wear my hair straight. This takes a round brush, hairdryer anda little longer - but also looks very natural. My tip so that blow-drying doesn't take so long: one firstUse to suck the large amount of water out of the hair.
All in all, I am really convinced of the result and can only recommend it to anyone who wants long hair. In any case, I will wear my extensions as long as I can.
However, hair and make-up expert Armin Morbach still advises: “If you are used to styling fine hair, you will have to change for a more voluminous look, as this requires different styling. Good preparation and the willingness to adapt to these changes are therefore essential.”
Hair extensions: What do you have to consider when caring for them?
“Extensions require just as much care as your own hair because they react similarly to external influences. They can become greasy, brittle, dry and take on odors if not cleaned and cared for regularly. What you do for your natural hair also applies to extensions,” says Armin Morbach.
“The manufacturer recommends using special shampoo for extensions,” says the expert. “Basically the rule of thumb applies: ClearOil-free can usually be used, but milky shampoos are best left out.” If you want to be on the safe side, you can use special shampoo for extensions. Tim Mathé's advice: "Don't wash your hair upside down and braid it in the evening when you go to bed so that the hair doesn't kink or be damaged by friction." His tip: “It's better to use dry shampoo more often and give your hair leave-in care, so the extensions and natural hair stay beautiful for longer - and the hair also grows faster because you rarely wash it.”
, care and hairspray can be used as normal. However, caution is advised when it comes to sun care and blonde extensions: “It is best to ensure that the chemically processed blonde hair does not come into contact with sunscreen, as this could cause the strands to turn orange.”
An important point:According to Armin Morbach, around 85 percent of the extensions are made from Indian hair, which is naturally coarser, rougher and drier than European hair. In addition, most extensions are first bleached heavily and then dyed to the desired color. This makes them similar to heavily damaged, bleached hair and requires particularly intensive care.
“For combing, I always recommend a Tangle-Teaser or the Ikoo-Brush so that the extensions don’t come loose - you can use them to gently brush through the hair,” says the expert. “In general, combing is particularly important at the roots so that the hair does not become matted.”
“Absolut Repair Molecular Leave-In Professional Leave in Mask” von L’Oréal Professionnel Paris
“Gliss Moisturizing Shampoo Aqua Revive” from Schwarzkopf
Can I do sports and go to the sauna with extensions?
“It's better not to in the first few days, because you should basically let the glue work for 48 hours after attaching it - and don't wash your hair during this time either.”
How long do extensions last?
“It depends on the method,” says Tim Mathé. “According to the manufacturer, tape extensions last between eight and twelve weeks, then they have grown out by about three centimeters and have to be removed.” The highlight: The extensions can be reused about three times. It goes like this: “To remove it, spray the glue with an alcohol-based solvent and remove the hair pieces. Then the natural hair is cleaned and the tapes are re-inserted at the roots.”
What happens to my extensions after they are taken out?
“The extensions can be stored to be reused later,” says the professional. “To do this, clean the strands well beforehand so that there are no damaging styling residues - and when they are dry, carefully place them in a (shoe) box or envelope.”
The best hairstyles with extensions
“You can have a lot of fun with extensions when it comes to hairstyles,” says the creative art director. You can wear any look that can be styled with real hair - with the advantage that the hair extensions are much more robust and every hairstyle lasts longer.
