Would you believe it’s 2019 and I have NEVER had hair extensions! Well until now…I never thought I needed them until I did. My hair has always been long and luscious up until Charlie was born. Post partum hair loss is a thing y’all. It really took a toll on my confidence as silly as it sounds. My hair was one of my best features and then I had to cut it all off. I felt so superficial and vapid. No my hair is not my worth but if long hair makes you feel better about yourself why wouldn’t you do what you can to make it look it’s best?
I played around with some hair extensions when I really wanted that length (Hidden Crown Hair was my fave) but I always hated the fact that it was temporary not permanent. Right around the time I was deeply considering hair extensions I met Terra from Handtied by Terra. I met up with her and her stylist Lauren and we discussed what would be best for what I was looking for. I told her I wasn’t trying to go super long and I really wanted to fill in the bottom layer that was lacking. I completely put my trust in her and she killed it. I’m going to be honest, having hand tied hair extensions felt a little odd at first and that’s expected. She completely tuned me into that and what I should expect. It mostly was uncomfortable to sleep on the first couple nights but then it just felt normal. I was a little scared of being a newbie with hand tied hair extensions during the summer but Terra helped me feel completely prepared.
Here are some tips for maximizing the life of your hand tied hair extensions this summer.
Hey everyone! I’m Terra, the creator of Harper Ellis Hair Co. I love the beach & poolside as much as the next person — but it’s vital to remember the following steps to protect your hair if you choose to engage in water activities while wearing hand tied hair extensions.
1. Prep your hair by wetting it with clean water from a shower before entering an ocean, lake or pool.
2. Comb then braid your hair before entering the water.
3. Rise your hair immediately in a shower after leaving the water.
4. For an extra measure of care — wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo after water activities to remove all impurities that may cause damage to the hair.
Then, follow with your regular extension care system of shampoo/conditioner/leave-in product.
Also, it is crucial to use caution when applying/using sunscreen around your hair extensions. This is so important as some sunscreens (including spray sunscreen) contain chemicals that can cause discoloration to hair extensions. Try applying a vegan or all natural, non-aerosol sunscreen to prevent discoloration.
Other than that — just remember to care for your hair as usual with a sulfate-free/paraben-free shampoo & conditioner system. I particularly love the Brazilian Bond Builder B3 system!
Keep your hair de-tangled as much as possible this summer by using a Wet Brush or wide-tooth comb. Hold your extensions at the point of attachment to your natural hair with one hand and gently brush with the other, working from the ends up towards the top of the hair.
Most important of all — have fun rocking your hand tied hair extensions all summer! There are so many fun styles & accessories to try in your extensions this season!
Keep an eye out for summer hairstyle ideas on @harperellishairco!
I hope this helps you guys feel more confident in rocking your hand tied hair extensions this summer! Please feel free to comment or find me on Instagram for any questions you may have. Xo
