Human hair extensions need to be treated delicately. Human hair is more expensive than synthetic hair and cost can run in the hundreds of dollars. Cost does not always indicate quality; however, so be sure to look and feel carefully. Virgin hair extensions contain hair that has not been treated with chemicals or dye. They have the cuticle intact. They appear very natural. They are very expensive, however. The ethnicity of the donor can affect the texture, volume, curl, and ability the style. For example, European hair tends to be thinner, but you can find virgin hair in natural red or blonde tones. Indian hair is much thicker, and it is great if you want a silky straight style. [1] X Research source
It can be difficult to find an exact match to your color, so if you’re buying human hair, think about bringing it to your stylist to have it dyed to match your own hair color. In some cases, it may be best to choose 2 colors and sandwich them to achieve a natural look or to give the appearance of highlights. Alternatively, if you have hair that is lighter one end, and darker the other, you may find ombre extensions meet your needs the best.
If adding fullness only and your own hair is similar to the length of the extensions, purchase two to four ounces of hair. If your own hair is much shorter than the length of the extensions you want, you’ll need about six to eight ounces of hair to get a full, natural look. As a general guideline, the longer the length of the extension, the more hair you’ll need for a full look.
Use a mirror to help you see as you work. Since this can be extremely difficult to do on your own, you may want to ask a friend or stylist for help. Try to get the line as even as you can. Once you do, comb up the hair above the part line and clip it into place. Part the hair again just a tiny bit underneath your first part. You want to create a very thin “line” of hair that you’ll use to make your cornrow. Take the hair below your cornrow part and secure it with a ponytail holder. The cornrow braid will serve as the “anchor” on which the extension will be sewn.
Do not start with too much hair. Keep the strand sections small so that the finished braid isn’t bulky and doesn’t create a “bump” under the extensions. If the cornrow is too thick, the hair could have trouble drying completely when you wash it and could become moldy.
Repeat this criss-cross pattern along the part line of the hair. As you move, pick up additional hair from the head and add it to the center section so that you’re creating one, continuous cornrow braid. You can either add hair to the center section or to the left- and right-hand sections as you braid. Just be consistent. Make your cornrow as tight as you can without causing pain.
While braiding your hair, work towards the center of the head, beginning at the opposite side of the hairline and meeting in the middle. If you do this, the tail braid will fall down the center of the head instead of sticking out on one side.
You may need to trim the weft to the correct width. It should match the length of the braid. If you are folding it over, it needs to be double the length of the braid.
If your cornrow extended beyond your part, simply fold it back onto the head as you attach the extension.
Choose hydrating or moisture-replenishing shampoos and conditioners. A leave-in spray conditioner is great, especially on ends. Be extremely careful when combing or brushing hair. Work from the ends slowly toward the scalp, gently removing tangles. Do not yank, scrub, or rub the hair.
Braiding your hair before swimming can help prevent tangling.
