How to Distinguish Between Natural and Synthetic Hair

How to Distinguish Between Natural and Synthetic Hair

1		Burn the hair for the smell. Choose a small strand of hair and burn it.  If the hair is 100% human it smells like a barbecue; if not,it smells like plastic.
2		Check the ashes after burning the hair. If the hair is 100% human, you can twist the ashes  into powder; if not, the ashes will stay as a caking.
3		Heat the hair. Use a flat iron to heat the hair. If the hair can be heated at 220 degrees and without a paste it is real.  Note: When you do such a test, a small strand of hair  is enough.

How to Color Your Hair Extensions

If you want to color your hair extensions, make sure that you buy only those that are made from natural hair. Synthetic hair cannot be dyed as it is made from nylon or polyester. Human hair can be dyed pretty much the same way you dye your own hair, which means that the process is not only similar, but that you can also use different types of hair color for dyeing.  

If you buy a box of color from a drugstore, it will include all the things that you need- including a developer applicator bottle and a pair of gloves. Some high-end hair color products also come with a small bottle or pouch of conditioner. However, if you buy a special product from a beauty boutique, you will have to buy these separately.

1. Pick a right color 

If it is your first time, pick a color not so far away from your original hair color in order to be safe, preferably 2 shades away from your natural hair color.

2. Mix the dye together

If you're dying your hair a darker shade, mix with 10% developer. If you're dying it one or two shades lighter, use 20%. If you're dying it more than 5 shades lighter, use 30% developer. 40 and 50% are for bleaching and for professional use, so unless you're getting help from someone who does it for a living, avoid using those at all costs.

3. Apply the dye to your hair in sections

Make the sections small enough and be sure to coat all your hair with dye, so it will seep through all your hair and doesn't come out streaky. (wear gloves!)

4. Set a timer for the amount of time it says on the box

Wait the time up, wash the dye then leave some conditioner in your hair for about five minutes. Wash it again then allow your hair to dry naturally instead of blow-drying. Avoid exposing your newly dyed hair in the sun for at least a day. UV rays can interfere with freshly applied hair dye. 

Tips: 

Before applying dye to hair, coat your hairline, ears and neck with Vaseline or a lip balm, this prevents staining.

How to Wash Human Hair Extensions

Hair extensions do not receive natural oils from your scalp like natural hair. This requires some extra care when washing to ensure that one does not dry them out. As a rule of thumb, hair should be washed and conditioned every 3-4 days.

The Cleaning Process: 

1. Brush hair thoroughly prior to washing to remove any knots and/or tangles. Start at the bottom and gently work your way to the top being cautious not to pull on the hair. 

2. Wet hair as normal. 

3. Apply conditioner to the extensions prior to washing to help maintain moisture levels. Do not rinse. 

4. Apply shampoo (on top of conditioned extensions) and wash gently. 

5. Rinse thoroughly. 

6. Apply moisturizing conditioner. 

7. Rinse thoroughly. 

8. Wrap hair in a towel and allow the towel to absorb moisture. Avoid rubbing the towel through hair to dry. 

9. Comb carefully to work through any knots and tangles that may have formed while washing. 

10. Allowing hair to air-dry is best. Never sleep in wet hair as this causes tangles. 

How to Care For Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are a wonderful way to add highlights, thickness or simply make your hair longer. While they can improve your look dramatically, if they're not taken care of properly, they won't do much for you. 

These simple tips will help you take the best care of your hair extensions so that they will last a long time and you will get your moneys worth.

 

Instructions

 

1.    Be gentle. One of the most important things about hair extensions is that you have to baby them. When you are brushing your hair, be gentle. Without the proper treatment, your hair extensions will get damaged quickly.

 

2.     Wash with moisturizing hair care products. This step is especially important if you are using clip in hair extensions because the hair will not get any of the moisture from the natural oils your scalp produces. Moisturizing hair care products will keep your hair healthy. If you are longing for shine, use a serum. Many hair care products that promote shine have a drying effect on hair. 

 

3.     Don’t forget to deep condition. Once a week you want to deep condition your hair extensions. Leave it on the hair for approximately 20 to 30 minutes and rinse. This extra TLC will give your hair an extra moisturizing boost. 

 

4.     Keep those ends trimmed. No matter what you do, your hair extensions will inevitably get split ends. The best way to keep split ends from getting out of control is to regularly trim them. Trim the ends of the hair every 6 to 10 weeks. Keep in mind that you don’t want to trim too much, otherwise you will quickly lose the length of your hair. You can either do it yourself or have a professional trim them. 

 

5.     Use a heat protectant.  Nowadays, just about everyone uses heated appliances on their hair. Whether it’s a blow dryer, curling iron or flat iron, they all have one thing in common: they damage your hair. If you want to make your extensions last, your best bet is to use a heat protectant whenever you use a heated appliance on your hair. This simple step will prevent breakage and keep your locks looking great a lot longer. 

 

Tips & Warnings

 

•  Wash your extensions every 2 to 3 days. This will prevent them from getting dried out due to over shampooing and conditioning.

•  Do as much as you can to NOT scrub at your scalp. It will loosen everything up. Use conditioner only on the ends of the hair or it will work against the glue and your extensions will come out. 
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•  Your best bet is to wash your hair as little as possible and use a ‘dry shampoo’ in between washings. It's an aerosol and it's dry like a powder. 
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•  You spray it at your roots etc and it keeps your hair from looking greasy etc. Try to wait until your extensions are mostly dry before combing or brushing them. 
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•  The hair extension is easily damaged while wet. Hold your hair tight near the roots when brushing, or press your hand flat against the ‘glued seam’ on your head to avoid pulling or tugging at the bond. 
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•  Make sure to carefully cut the hair. It doesn't grow back! 

 

How to Choose Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are a very popular accessory worn by celebrities and the everyday woman. Wearing hair extensions has become as common as putting on jewelry or wearing makeup. To achieve different looks, women choose different textures and lengths of hair that complement their facial features and moods. Read on to learn how to choose hair extensions.

Instructions


1. Determine what hair style that you want to wear. For a curly style, you would choose textured hair. For a glamorous look with curls, choose the wet-and-wavy hair. For a straight look, choose the silky straight, remy or the yaki straight hair.  www.vsphair.com



2. Determine your budget. The cost for hair extensions varies greatly depending on quality, availability and textures. Deciding what your budget well ahead of time helps to avoid any cost surprises and unnecessary expense.   www.vsphair.com



3. Match the hair extension color as close to your natural hair as possible. This makes the weave hair extension appear to be natural and not look like a "wig." For a complimentary color in your hair, choose a streaked or  highlighted extension. Apply the color extension highlights subtly to keep the natural look.  www.vsphair.com



4. Shop for quality hair extensions at local beauty supply stores or online beauty supply retailers. Ensure that the retailer, offline or online, specializes in selling hair extensions. Don't purchase hair extensions from suppliers who "happen" to sell hair. The quality won't be the same.  www.vsphair.com



5. Treat hair extensions just as you would natural hair. Take great care to shampoo and gently comb the hair extensions in between uses.   www.vsphair.com

Want hair extensions? Here's what you need to know!

Seek professional help. "You definitely want to go to a stylist first when having them put into your hair. They will help to make sure that you have the right texture and color. Now we have so many options that it makes it easier for people to blend. It used to be the two-toned look where the extensions are dark and their hair is brown. Crazy, crazy stuff."  www.vsphair.com

Get good quality hair extensions. "Ask for Remy human hair extensions and have it tailored for you. One of the things I hate to see is when people take the weave out of the pack and just put it in. You need to have it styled so that it looks natural, lived-in and authentic."  www.vsphair.com

Don't sleep on your night hair care regimen. "I think stylish hair and healthy hair should coexist. Sleeping with a silk bonnet or on a silk pillowcase at night helps to protect the hair from dryness, breakage and having to put heat on it every day. "  www.vsphair.com

Loosen up a bit. "If weave is too tight, beware. You can get long-term damage or hair loss if not properly done or maintained. Don't put a chemical on it as this will cause hair to fall out more. I've seen hair fall clean straight off a person's head."  www.vsphair.com

Give your natural hair a breather. "Treat it, condition it and baby it. I suggest people do hot oil treatments, whether it's with natural oils or their favorite product to keep hair from getting dry. Virgin coconut oil is great, too. You can put it on your hair, but I love to apply it all over my body. I even cook with it."  www.vsphair.com

11 Things You Should Never Say to a Black Girl

1. "OMG. I have someone I want to set you up with. He's black!"

 OMG. Yes! You are the answer to my dating life. How did you know that I only choose potential boyfriends based solely on the color of their skin?! Eff if we have anything in common.

2. "You're so pretty, for a black girl."

Sorry. You must be really confused at this very moment. Your miiind keeps telling you no, but your body is telling you yesss. My bad! My looks can do that.

3. "I don't even consider you black."

Last time I looked in the mirror, I was a lovely shade of chocolate. But OK, OK. I get it. Sorry for being a civilized human being, yo. Blame my parents?

4. "But it's just that, you don't sound black."

But, but, would you still be my friend if I sounded like Bon Qui Qui? :(

5. "Is your hair real or a weave?"

It might be a weave or it might be real. But it's 100 percent none of your business. I am capable of wearing whatever hairstyle I please. And for the record, my hair is all mine.

6. "Are you mixed?"

No? I guess you didn't realize that black girls come in all different shades.

7. "Haha! We're almost the same color!"

HAHA, I find it flattering that you're trying to get to my skin color by giving yourself cancer. HAHA!

8. "Why are your lips so dark, are you wearing lipstick?"

LOL, sorry. Forgot to inform you that I'm black.

9. "Have you tried Black People Meet?"

...

10. "Have you heard [insert new Hip Hop/R&B song]?"

I actually don't keep up with that genre of music, so no. I haven't heard the new 2 Chainz jam. But have you heard Céline Dion's new song? Brings. Me. To. Tears. That woman can sing!

11. "Beyoncé isn't really that great of an artist."

EXCUSE ME. MA'AM. You need to go sit over there. This is something you shouldn't say to any human ever because LIES. She is the fiercest of them all. BYE.