The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Hair Extensions Gorgeous and Long-Lasting
Want your extensions to slay for 1-2 years? These tips will help you keep them luscious, shiny, and full of life. Oh, and your natural hair? It’ll stay damage-free if you play nice with your extensions!
A SMALL ADJUSTMENT: When you first get nanos, your scalp might need a bit of time to get used to them. It’s normal to feel some tightness or tenderness for the first few days - this will settle down soon. Some people also notice itching as their scalp adjusts. If the itching doesn’t go away after two weeks or becomes really uncomfortable, please reach out to me. It might mean you’re reacting to the metal bead.
BRUSH LIKE A BOSS: To keep your extensions looking their best, brush your hair every day with a gentle brush like a wet brush or soft bristle brush. Always hold the hair close to your head for support while brushing. Start at the ends, working your way up, and be careful not to pull on your extensions.
THE ZEN OF WASHING: Take care of your investment by using high-quality, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Some great options are:
Malibu C
Amika
Pureology
Try to wash your hair only 1-2 times a week, and use dry shampoo in between. Always detangle and brush your hair before showering. When conditioning, focus on the mid-lengths and ends - avoid putting conditioner near the roots. While washing, use your fingertips to gently clean between the bonds. Afterward, pat your hair dry with a towel, and always blow-dry the root area to prevent matting.
STYLING SECRETS: You can style your nanos just like your natural hair - curl, straighten, or blow-dry. But keep in mind, too much heat can shorten their lifespan. Always apply a heat protectant before using hot tools, and avoid using heat directly on the bond area to prevent melting. To keep your extensions shiny, apply hair oils or serums to the ends, but steer clear of the beads. Remember to also keep those styling tools on a lower temperature! Never crank them up to the highest temp!
SLEEPING BEAUTY: Before bed, tie your hair in a loose braid or ponytail to keep it from tangling. Make sure your hair is completely dry before sleeping—wet hair can cause matting and damage. You should also consider a silk pillowcase or even a silk bonnet. Bonnets are great for keeping your curls intact without having to put a ponytail holder around your hair while you sleep!
SUMMER SURVIVAL: Chlorine, salt water, UV rays, and heat can dry out extensions and alter their colour. Follow these tips to protect your hair:
Use mineral sunscreen to avoid discolouration (light shades can turn pink or orange from regular sunscreen)
Rinse your hair thoroughly after swimming in chlorine or salt water and wash afterwards with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner
Wear a hat to protect your hair from UV rays
Apply a leave-in conditioner for added moisture
Bring a detangling spray and wet brush to the pool/ocean/lake with you and use it between swims! This will prevent tangling in the wind while your hair is wet
THE COLOURING RULEBOOK: Use purple shampoo sparingly, as it can be drying and cause premature damage. Consider using a purple conditioner or toner as an alternative. Always test on a small section first, as extensions absorb pigment faster than natural hair! Extensions cannot be bleached or lightened, but you can darken at your own discretion. For my highlight queens like myself, I recommend scheduling a removal and then a reinstallation appointment. Some stylists are okay with highlighting with nanos in, but it’s best to have them out. You can easily line up your highlight schedule with your nano maintenance schedule!
MAINTENANCE IS SEXY: Regular maintenance appointments are crucial to keeping your natural hair healthy and your extensions in top condition. Extensions grow out with your natural hair, which can increase the risk of matting and tangling. Separate the bonds daily to prevent this. Remember, we lose 150-200 natural hairs per day. These shed hairs can become trapped in the beads, but they’ll be cleaned out during your maintenance appointments. Always attend these appointments within the recommended timeframe of 6-8 weeks. Never attempt to remove extensions yourself. Professional removal is essential to avoid damage! It’s very easy to accidentally cut your natural hair with pliers!
CAUGHT SLIPPIN: Losing up to 15 extensions between maintenance appointments is normal. Save any extensions that may have slipped out and bring them to your next appointment for reinstallation.
TO SUM IT UP:
Avoid rough handling: Be gentle while brushing and styling
Protect from heat: Use a heat protectant and avoid high temperatures (over 350°F)
Avoid chemicals near bonds: Keep oils, masks, and conditioners away from the bond area to prevent slippage
Follow a washing routine: Wash your hair 1-2 times a week, using sulfate-free products and dry shampoo in between. Avoid over-washing to maintain moisture.
Sleep smart: Use a silk pillowcase or wear a silk bonnet, and secure your hair in a braid or low pony or bun at night
Follow these tips, and your extensions will stay as gorgeous as the day you got them. Treat them right, and they’ll love you back!
Shop some of my favourite products here!
Questions? We’ve got you covered.
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We specialize in Nanos and Nanos only! That’s because we truly believe in the science of them. They are the most discreet, lightweight, and gentle option on the market today. You can read more about them here!
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Nanos are a discreet and gentle extension method that uses tiny beads to attach individual hair strands. The Nano beads are threaded onto your natural hair using a small looped wire. The metal tip of the Nano Hair Extension is then inserted into the bead, which is securely clamped down.
Because the weight of the extensions is evenly distributed, nanos minimize tension on your natural hair and reduces the risk of damage compared to bulk methods, which can cause stress on certain sections of the hair. Unlike other methods, nanos require no heat, glue, tape or chemicals, making them a great option for maintaining the health of your natural hair.
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When nanos are applied by a trained professional, they are not damaging to your natural hair. Nanos are the least damaging extensions on the market; which is why I do nanos and only nanos! The extensions are applied stand-by-strand, allowing your hair to move freely with no stress against your hair follicle. There is no heat, glue, sewing, tape, or braiding involved. When it comes time to remove them, there is no alcohol or acetone involved.
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I only use the absolute best hair, and I mean that literally — it's the same hair I’ve worn myself for years! Before I ever offered it to my clients, I personally tested it to ensure it met the highest standards of quality, longevity, and comfort.
The hair is carefully sourced from trusted suppliers and is 100% European, cuticle-intact, single-donor hair. This means each strand aligns naturally, ensuring softness, shine, and durability. It’s also double-drawn, so it’s thick from top to bottom while remaining lightweight and gentle on your natural hair.
With proper care, this hair can last 1-2 years, making it a long-term investment! No more throwing out your extensions after just a few months.
I’m incredibly proud to offer extensions that I know firsthand are not only stunning but also deliver on every level. When you wear my extensions, you’re getting hair I trust completely — because I wouldn’t settle for anything less!
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With proper care, this hair can last 1-2 years!
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The duration of you appointment will vary depending on a few factors: how many bundles you wear, your appointment type, and what state your natural hair is in when you arrive. On average, new installations will take 1.5-2 hours, maintenance will take 2 hours (maybe longer if you wear more than 6 bundles), and removals will take less than 1 hour. Again, this is completely dependant on how many bundles you wear, and if you come for your maintenance appointment on time (not exceeding 8 weeks).
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During a maintenance appointment, I gently remove your extensions row by row by popping the beads out, avoiding any stress on your natural hair. Once the extensions are removed, I brush through your natural hair to remove any shed hairs, which is completely normal, and clean up the sections to make them neat and tidy again, just like the day they were first installed.
Then, I reinstall the same extensions, securing them back in place row by row. If your extensions need a trim, I’m happy to give you a fresh cut to keep everything looking polished and healthy. To finish, I’ll style your hair as you desire!
Maintenance appointments are required every 6-8 weeks to keep your extensions looking their best and to ensure your natural hair stays strong and healthy!
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You absolutely can! Your extensions will mimic your natural hair, and after a few days of having them in, you’ll hardly notice they’re there.
Always brush and detangle your hair before getting in the shower. When shampooing, you’re free to shampoo as normal. With conditioner, try to avoid using it up at the root area, where the beads are. When you’re done in the shower, squeeze your hair dry and pat with a towel; not rub! Your extensions are fine to air dry, however you should at least blow-dry where your beads are to avoid any matting.
You should always use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Salon products are best - let’s ditch the cheap stuff! Your extensions will thank you.
As for styling, you can style your hair as you normally do! Just don’t forget your heat protectant, and keep those temperatures low!
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Absolutely. Just be sure to rinse your hair after getting out of chlorine or salt water, and wash with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Chlorine and salt are drying, so your extensions will need the extra moisture! If you know you’ll be getting in and out of a pool/lake or ocean, bring a detangling spray & wet brush with you, and make sure to spray & brush between swims! This will ensure you aren’t getting tangled throughout the day. After washing, using a hydrating hair oil would also be beneficial. Just avoid the beads when using oil!
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I have lots of experience working with individuals with really short hair! Come in for a consultation and I will see what I can do for you!
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You can visit my price list here. Prices vary from client to client based on your hair density, how much hair you require, and what length you want.
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Yes you can! However, be prepared for your pony to feel heavier than normal! I tend to opt for lower pony styles for this reason.
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You can visit our after-care information here!
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You should never bleach or lighten your hair extensions. Dying your extensions is okay if you want to colur them darker (at your own discretion).
If you are a highlight queen like me, I suggest coming in for a removal and then coming back for a reinstallation after. Some stylists will be okay with doing highlights with the extensions in, but you’ll probably need your extensions moved up at the same time as your highlight appointment anyway!
Perming is not recommended.
Still have questions? No worries! Send me a message and I will get back to you ASAP!
nicole@nrhairextensions.com
(705) 606-9351