First World Problems. Sorry. I’m a brat.

I have been a bathroom chemist now for months, all in the name of preserving and proper parenting of my weave/hair extensions. I have saran wrapped my head and blown multiple weekly spending allowances on hair products more times than I will ever admit. Mesmerized by the promises of smoothing, damage reversal…miracle claims in their own right.  

All in the name of vanity. 

And writing this article specifically. No no really, I do this all for you and vanity, first world problems to the point where I need to begin a weekly monetary charitable donation to offset my karma and make up for all this drivel.

So without further adieu, things my scalp and I have recently learned;

1.)    Moroccan Oil, Macadamia Oil and Argan Oil, serums our weave saviours. I douse my weave at least once a day, usually before bed and brush through thoroughly.  The only downfall is getting this on my already grease-prone hair so I concentrate exclusively on the weave itself top to bottom and the ends.

2.) Brush, brush, brush, brush, brush. What are you doing later? (You better answer brushing.) Brush that hair ten times a day, I use a paddle brush and flip my head upside down to ensure I am getting the hair under the weave, beside the weave, on top of the weave and so forth. I find also wearing some collars, hoods and hats and wind damage to really take the life out of lengths so brush every chance you get.

3.)    Satin scarves and pillowcase = good thing.  Make like a Baba and babushka overnight to avoid any friction between weave and pillowcases of the non-slippery variety.

4.)    The evening before the wash. This is a big one, a very integral time in the saga that is weave ownership. Block off a good half hour just before slithering in to beddies and arm yourself with deep conditioners. Apply generously to lengths of hair and work through with fingers. Your hair should be saturated. Tie that mess of greased up tresses with coated no-metal hair wraps and spend some quality time heating up your melon with the blow-dryer. Quickly now after the dryer has warmed up your noodle, saran wrap your head. Add a terry cloth turban for even more help (the heat generated from your big throbbing brain will help this process) and get in to the sack. Start counting sheep and sleep.

5.)   Washing; Shampoo as usual. I lather up twice a week, sometimes only even once with just a conditioning rinse halfway through the week to freshen everything up. Again, conditioning is everything,  in my experience the best way to get these puppies all conditioned up is run the conditioner through the length of the extensions with your fingers, no brush, no comb, just meticulous application of conditioner from root to tip using pinched fingers.

6.) Once out of the shower squeeze as much water out of your hair as possible somewhat gently. I then apply my oil, concentrating on the ends and then wrap in a microfiber towel to dry as much as possible before blow-drying. The more it air drys the better, the less heat styling and your weave will thank you.

Some products I reco, a lot of these are great too for severely damaged hair;

Moroccan Oil, I find the regular (not light) variety to be best for the extensions.

Living Proof Restore Shampoo and Conditioner as well as the mask treatment which is worth it’s weight in gold, the perfect thing to use before bed.

A super good paddle brush, there is nothing better to assist in blow-drying that weave of yours in to full lengthy glory.

 So there you have it, instant vain gratification all wrapped in a pretty oily babushka.