Hair extension dos and don’ts for summer
Are you jetting off to a sunny destination soon with your girls? Or are you planning to spend many days lounging around, making the most of the UK sun?
No matter what your summer plans are, there’s one thing you can’t miss from your list: hair extension care and maintenance! As the weather starts to warm up, it’s important to make sure you’re taking care of your I’m So Pretty hair extensions the right way.
If not, you’ll be replacing them a lot sooner than you think. So, to make sure you stay looking your best self this summer, we’ve created a guide to all of our hair extensions do’s and don’ts.
Live out your IT girl summer dreams with our collection of real human hair extensions. Beautifully soft, sleek, and elegant, our extensions will elevate your holiday and festival looks.
Why summer calls for extra hair extension care
If you’re used to the humidity making your hair appear frazzled and messy, even in a slicked-back updo, then you’ll know the struggles summer can bring.
However, unlike natural hair, real human hair extensions don’t benefit from your scalp's protective oils. Therefore, your hair extensions are more prone to drying out when exposed to constant sun, chlorine, sea salt, and sweat.
Excessive fun in the sun without proper protection can lead to UV overexposure, causing your extensions to fade and weaken the bonds. Then there’s chlorine and salt water, which are known for being harsh on natural hair and even more so for extensions.
Without the usual oils and root nourishment, you’ll be in for a summer of matting, split ends, and loose bonds, shortening the lifespan of your human hair extensions. The good news? Our summer dos and don’ts will keep them looking salon-fresh all season long.
Hair extension dos for summer
1. Keep out of chlorine
If you’re planning on getting in the pool while on holiday, it’s important to keep your extensions out of the water at all costs.
This means tying your hair up, putting it in a swim cap, or avoiding the pool altogether; the cost is worth it for pretty hair. If your extensions end up in chlorine water, they’ll change colour (especially for our blonde-haired girls).
2. Rinse before and after swimming
If you do decide to dip your toes in the pool or sea, your hair may end up being sprayed with salt or chlorine water (no matter how much effort you put into keeping it out).
As soon as you're out of the water, rinse your hair under lukewarm water. Follow it up with I’m So Pretty sulphate-free shampoo and deep conditioner. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots if you’re wearing tapes or bonds.
Hard water, which has a high alkaline or mineral content, can also cause your extensions to fade or turn an orange or pink colour. In this case, avoid hard water at all costs or use a clarifying shampoo or hair detox to counteract the damaging effects of these minerals.
3. Keep them hydrated with oils
Since human hair extensions don’t get the natural oils from your scalp, it’s up to you to generate oils yourself.
A lightweight, nourishing oil, such as argan or coconut oil, can bring your extensions back to life. It’s a great way to revive them after their straw-like texture from being in the sun and salt air all day.
Only apply oils to the mid-lengths and ends, never the roots or where your extensions are fitted; this can cause bonds or tapes to loosen or slip out prematurely.
4. Tie in loose hairstyles to prevent tangling
Besides protecting your hair extensions, tying your hair back in the summer is a great way to prevent hair in your face, ruined lip gloss, or your hair sticking to your neck.
Loose, protective styles like a low braid, ponytail, or messy bun are where it’s at. They’ll keep your hair looking neat and stylish while reducing friction and stopping the strands from rubbing together.
For our girls who wear long extensions, like our 32’ inch real human hair extensions, these hairstyles are a godsend. Want inspo? Follow us on Instagram @imsoprettyofficial for styling ideas and tips!
5. Deep conditioning & leave-in treatments
During the summer, your hair is begging to stay hydrated. Heat, sun, wind, and water all strip moisture from your hair, so deep conditioning and leave-in treatments are absolute musts.
Once a week, apply a rich, hydrating mask to the mid-lengths and ends of your extensions, leaving it in for around 10 to 20 minutes. Between deep conditioning, a good leave-in conditioner is your go-to for keeping hair soft, tangle-free and hydrated.
6. Keep your hair in the shade
When the UV index is high, it’s important to keep your hair (and yourself) in the shade as much as possible.
This means retiring to the sunbeds with a shade over yourself after too much time sunbathing (with a cocktail in hand, who can complain?). When out and about, invest in a stylish cap to protect your scalp.
7. UV protectant hairspray
In the summer, it’s best to avoid using heat styling tools. Your hair is already being exposed to excessive heat from the sun; why add more to it?
However, if you can’t avoid it, make sure you invest in a good heat protect spray, such as our Pretty Aftercare Heat Protectant. It’s also important to use a UV heat spray; you wouldn’t head out into the sun without SPF on your skin, and the same goes for your hair.
This will help to lock in moisture, prevent brittleness, and block UVA and UVB rays.
8. Get hair treatment after a holiday
Whether you’re wearing tapes, bonds, or wefts, a mid-summer visit to your stylist can make all the difference.
Your stylist will check for signs of slippage, trim any split ends, and refresh your colour to rejuvenate your hair after a getaway. Keeping up with your maintenance ensures your extensions not only look great, but they feel great, too.
Hair extension don’ts for summer
1. Avoid getting sun cream in your hair
When applying sun cream around your neck and face, make sure it doesn’t end up lathered in your extensions.
Oils and chemicals found in many sunscreens can weaken extension bonds and cause tapes to loosen or keratin bonds to break down faster. So, always put your hair up when applying sunscreen.
We recommend using a water-based spray-on or mineral sun cream, as they tend to be less oily and easier to manage when wearing extensions.
2. Don’t overwash
It’s natural to want to wash your hair every time you feel a bit sweaty, but remember that too much washing, even in the summer, does more harm than good.
Extensions don’t get greasy as quickly as your natural hair due to their lower oil content, which means any oils you add to them are quickly stripped away when washing. Aim to wash your hair 1-2 times a week.
A gentle rinse with just water will help remove any sweat or chlorine without the need for products.
3. Don’t use products with sulphates or alcohol
Lots of shampoos, conditioners, and serums found on the high street contain alcohol and sulphates.
Both ingredients strip human hair extensions of their natural shine, causing them to dry out quickly. They can also make your extensions feel rough to the touch. Instead, opt for gentle, sulphate-free products for your hair.
Bonus points if they include nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, or keratin.
4. Don’t rub your hair with a towel
If you’re in a rush to get ready, it can be tempting to dry your hair quickly with a rough towel.
However, that friction can cause significant damage to extensions. Instead, gently squeeze out the water with a soft microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt to reduce frizz and keep the cuticle smooth.
Or just get ready earlier and allow your hair to air-dry!
Make this a summer to remember with I’m So Pretty
We all look back at our summer pics and think, ‘my outfits aren’t giving what I thought they would’ or ‘I wish my hair looked better.’
We all do it! But with I’m So Pretty hair extensions, you won’t look back at your Ibiza pictures with horror again. Our hair extensions will keep you looking glamorous, even in the heat; they look and feel like your own hair, and they’re designed to last for months.
Plus, with our summer hair extension dos and don’ts, your extensions will stay looking fresh and glossy, so you’ll feel like your best self every day.
Why not purchase our aftercare bundle for the perfect summer holiday hair kit?