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Welcome to the first post of our Babalu Blog!
Here, you'll find insider tips, new trends, information about hair extensions, what's hot in the industry, and much more. And of course, we had to start our first post by talking about curly hair extensions. Our specialty! 😎
For years, we curly women have struggled with the desire to have long, luscious curls and the wait it requires to finally achieve it. Our quickest option was to try hair extensions, but after searching non-stop, we found ourselves on a road with a dead end since the hair extensions market seems to not invest so much in our niche and left us with not many options at all.
For those blessed with natural curls, extensions offer a way to enhance volume and length and even provide the opportunity to experiment with colors and styles without permanent changes. They're perfect for anyone looking to switch up their look for special occasions, fulfill those thin ends, disguise that bad self-haircut - yes, I see you at home holding your scissors after a glass of wine wanting a change 👀 - , conceal that hair thinning, or simply enjoy the versatility and confidence that comes with fuller, longer hair.
Extensions aren't just about aesthetics; they're about embodying your identity and the unique beauty of curly hair. Whether you're aiming to give your curls an extra oomph or explore new styles, curly hair extensions can transform your look and uplift your spirit. Now, keep reading if you want to know our step-by-step on how to get your perfect curly hair extensions.
Babalu step-by-step for the perfect curly hair extensions
Achieving a natural look with extensions heavily relies on five pillars: quality of the hair, texture, colour, quantity, and the placement. One cannot exist without the other and they need to be in harmony. Like the perfect coffee, they all need to be in balance, otherwise it’s just bleh coffee.
1 - Types of hair extensions
First things first: types of hair extensions. There are two types: human hair and synthetic hair. And within human hair, we have three categories of quality: virgin, raw, and remy.
Human hair extensions provide a natural, seamless blend with your own hair. They offer unmatched versatility, allowing for heat styling, coloring, and regular care at home. While they deliver unparalleled naturalness and longevity, they come at a higher price point and demand dedicated home maintenance, particularly raw and virgin hair types. We will talk more about this in other posts.
Synthetic extensions are cheaper and easier to maintain but may not mimic human hair's texture and versatility as closely. While they're the most budget-friendly option, they offer limited styling options and may not blend seamlessly with natural hair. Although technological advancements have enhanced their quality, making them suitable for temporary wear or budget-conscious individuals, they won’t last as long as human hair extensions do. Also, they require minimal upkeep, but still require some.
Knowing what your goals are when getting the extensions will help you determine what is the best type for you and how much you want to invest in them.
2. Discovering Your Hair Texture
Knowing your natural hair pattern is crucial for selecting extensions that blend seamlessly. Hair patterns range from type 2 (wavy) to type 4 (coily), with various subcategories based on curl tightness and hair texture. Identifying your hair type can be as simple as observing your hair when it’s fully dried after styling with a leave-in cream after a shower and comparing it to hair/curl type charts above.
If finding an exact match is challenging, consider consulting with a professional stylist to help you determine which category you fall into. Remember, the aim is to achieve a natural-looking style with your extensions, and many clients have multiple types of curls. That's why consulting with a professional is the most effective way to achieve your desired look.
3. Colour Matching: Finding Your Perfect Shade
While many brands of remy hair offer a variety of shades, for the best blend, the extensions should match your natural hair from root to end. This way, even if they get exposed to the wind, there won't be any noticeable color difference between your natural hair and the extensions. If you can't find an exact match, opt for a slightly lighter shade. It's easier to darken extensions than to lighten them. If your hair has multiple tones, consider mixing extensions in different shades for a more dynamic and natural appearance.
As for raw or virgin hair, the colours available a more natural and less customized. This is because they are cut straight from the donors and transformed into the desired method of attachment. When choosing this type of hair, an uniform colour cannot be guaranteed. Like your natural hair, they may exhibit various nuances from sun exposure.
At Babalu Hair Haus, ensuring a perfect match is our priority, so a consultation is crucial for clients. During this session, we determine the ideal colour and assess if any customization is necessary, particularly beneficial for those with unique hair colours or highlights.
While we typically match the client's hair with our natural hair extensions, for blonde clients, we offer the option to bleach and tone the extensions to match their natural hair. This process preserves the integrity of their hair and minimizes chemical damage. It's always advisable to consult with a professional colourist experienced in working with extensions for the best outcome.
4. Quantity: what is the tight amount for me?
Alright, buckle up for the fun part: picking the perfect quantity to rock your desired vibe! Extensions come in all lengths, from a shy 14 inches to a show-stopping 32 inches (35 cm to 85 cm). Whether you're aiming for a subtle boost or a jaw-dropping makeover, we've got you covered.
However, curly hair extensions work slightly differently from straight hair extensions. We need to consider your hair shrinkage. If you are buying pre-curled extensions, pay attention if the seller measurements are describing the total length curled or pulled straight. But if you’re getting them from a curly hair extensions specialist, chances are they're going to customize them specifically for you.
Nonetheless, let's cut through the confusion: when in doubt, go for a tad more than a tad less and a bit longer than a bit shorter. Capiche? Trust me, you'll thank yourself later.
Now, let’s divide this into two sections:
a) Volume
If you are happy with your hair and all you want is that extra oomph, fill those thin ends or add highlights, you can choose the length that’s similar or 2 inches longer than your hair. This is because sometimes we need to do an adjustment cut, and it’s a good way to use your extensions for a longer period if your hair grows quickly.
Having said that, you would choose anything from 40g to 100g. The curlier, the longer, the heavier it will be.
Considering that the extensions are already curled and that’s how they advertise the length:
E.g. 1: Your natural hair is 3B and 14 inches. You can pick either 14” or 16”, and 50g will be enough to add volume.
E.g. 2: Your natural hair is 3C and 20 inches, and your ends are very thin. You can pick either 20” or 22”, and 80g to 100g are enough to fulfill them.
If your extensions are going to be customized for you:
E.g. 1: Your natural hair is 3C/4A and 18 inches with thin ends, and your hair is fine. The extensions will be 22 inches, and 80g to 100g.
E.g. 2: Your natural hair is 3B and 20 inches, and you want to add thickness and highlights towards the ends. The extensions will be 22 inches, and 50g to 80g are enough.
b) Length
Consider your lifestyle and the amount of maintenance you're willing to undertake. Longer extensions offer more versatility in styling but require more care. The longer the distance between your natural hair and the desired length, the more grams you will need to fill the ends, match the thickness from top to bottom, and blend better your hair and the extensions.
When selecting length and volume, it's also important to consider the weight of the extensions and the stress they may place on your natural hair. If your hair is thin, we do not recommend going too long because you most likely will need over 100g, and it could cause some damage to your hair bulbs. But if your hair is thick and strong enough, that shouldn’t be a problem, considering that the extensions are attached properly.
E.g. 1: your natural hair is 14”, 3C and thin, and you want to have a 22” length. You will need 200g.
E.g. 2: your natural hair is 16”, 3B and thick, and you want to have a 24” length. You will need 250g.
If your extensions are being customized for you:
E.g. 1: your natural hair is 14”, 3C and thin, and you want to have a 20” - 22” length. You will need 200g of 24 inches.
E.g. 2: your natural hair is 16”, 3B and thick, and you want to have a 22-24” length. You will need 250g of 26 inches.
Consulting with a professional stylist can help you make choices that will achieve your desired aesthetic without compromising the health of your hair. If you are buying extensions for a special event, consider buying a little bit more. It’s always better to look at it, than look for it.
5. Techniques: choosing the best one for you
Hair extensions come with different ways to attach them, such as clip-ins for a temporary boost, and the semi-permanent ways: sew-ins, keratin bonds, and tape-ins. The semi-permanent offer a long-lasting fix, striking a balance between durability and flexibility. Your choice will depend on your lifestyle, budget, and how you prefer to style your curls.
a) Clip-Ins: a temporary option
For those seeking a non-committal approach to curly hair extensions, clip-ins offer the perfect solution. They can be easily applied at home without the need for professional help. Remember that you need to layer them in a way that blends both your natural hair and the extensions up to the top. Start by sectioning your hair and teasing the roots slightly where the clips will attach. This provides a secure base for the extensions.
Clip-ins are ideal for special occasions or adding volume and length for a day. To ensure they look seamless, style everything together in the end so all textures look flawless. Important note: you cannot, I repeat, you cannot sleep with these extensions. The clips can tangle or even worse break your hair, and you will end up with short strands close to your scalp. We do not recommend using them daily, as the traction of open ad close the clips will snap your hair.
b) Professional touch: weft, keratin bonds, microbeads or tape-ins
For a more permanent solution, consider professional installation methods. Each style will depend on your lifestyle, the purpose of extensions, and how much you want to commit to the aftercare. In another post, we will go in-depth about each method and how we do here at Babalu, but for curly extensions, the most common ones are:
• Wefts extensions: these are attached by sewing them onto the anchor's base created with metal beads or elastic threads (like our method – see photo below) on your hair. Maintenance is usually done every 2 to 3 months.
• Keratin bonds: with a keratin-based adhesive on the edge, these are attached by fusing them onto your natural hair using a specific hot tool. This offers a more natural movement and versatility in styling. Maintenance is between 3 to 5 months.
• Tape-ins: with short or long stripes of adhesive on both sides of the tapes, these are glued onto your hair forming a sandwich. With this method, there are important aftercare routines that need to be carefully followed; otherwise, the glue can tangle in your hair and become a complete mess. Maintenance is between 6 to 8 weeks.
• Microbeads: many strands of extensions with loops on the ends to be attached using individual microbeads clamped onto it. Maintenance is between 6 to 8 weeks.
To choose the best method, we recommend clients to learn about all the pros and cons of each method and to have a consult with a professional to pick the one (or the combined ones) that will fit better into your lifestyle. We at Babalu only work with sew-in and eventually V-light and Keratin bonds. These either separately or combined offer the most natural result without compromising your scalp and hair bulbs.
Maintenance and Care
Just like your own curls, curly extensions need moisture and the same love you give your own hair. Since they are a high investment, we do recommend following the aftercare so you can enjoy them for years to come.
a) Washing and Conditioning Your Extensions
Proper washing and conditioning are crucial to prolonging the life of your curly hair extensions and keeping them looking their best. Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair, due to the challenge that natural oils from our scalp have in penetrating through all the swirls to reach the ends, which sooner or later leads to dryness.
If we don’t add enough moisture, the hair will become so dry that it will eventually snap, and trust us, we do not want that. So, what to do?
Start by gently brushing your extensions with a wide-tooth comb or a soft bristle brush to remove any tangles. When washing, use sulfate-free shampoo to clean the hair without stripping it of natural oils. Secondly, apply your mask that will help you tackle your problem (moisture, nutrition, or reconstruction). Nowadays, we don’t need to spend 15 minutes in the shower. Technology has improved their quality, and 3 to 5 minutes will get you there. Then your final step inside the shower: conditioner.
For the final steps, you will apply leave-in cream, oil, and lastly gel. These three together will be the three musketeers in defending your hair from frizziness, humidity, wind, and all in between that get your curls wild. Note, applying the gel last will help lock in the goodies and seal the deal. Your curls will get that definition on point!
It's important to wash your hair and extensions sparingly—over-washing can lead to dryness and frizz. Curly hair thrives on natural oils.
b) Detangling and Reducing Frizz
Detangling is an essential step in maintaining the beauty of your curly extensions. Always detangle from the ends up to minimize breakage. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb and work gently to avoid pulling the hair from the clips or bonds. Curly hair is not to be brushed dry like straight hair, unless you are going for a specific look; otherwise, brush once when you wash and let them be.
c) Nighttime Routines: Protecting Your Curls as You Sleep
Protecting your curly extensions at night will help prevent tangling and matting. Before bed, loosely braid your hair or tie it up in a pineapple to avoid friction against the pillowcase. Investing in a silk or satin pillowcase can also make a significant difference, as these materials are smoother and less likely to cause damage to your curls.
For sew-in or bonded extensions, consider wrapping your hair in a silk scarf or bonnet to keep everything secure and tangle-free.
Maintaining your curly hair extensions doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right care and a little bit of effort, you can keep your extensions looking fabulous for longer. Regular maintenance not only preserves the quality of the extensions but also ensures that your natural hair remains healthy and strong.
Embracing Your Enhanced Curls
Embracing curly hair extensions is about more than just adding length or volume; it's about unlocking the full potential of your natural beauty and expressing your unique style with confidence. Whether you're enhancing your natural curls, experimenting with new styles, or enjoying the versatility that extensions offer, the key is to choose options that complement your lifestyle, maintain the health of your hair, and make you feel fabulous.
Curly hair extensions are a wonderful way to enhance your natural hair, offering the flexibility to change your look while protecting your curls. With the right care, styling, and maintenance, your extensions can provide a seamless, natural-looking enhancement to your curly mane. Remember, the journey to finding the perfect curly extensions is unique to everyone, so embrace the process and enjoy discovering what works best for you.
Thank you for following along with this guide. We hope it has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration for your curly hair extension journey. If you have any further questions or wish to explore more topics, feel free to reach out.
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