Human hair can be styled, curled, straightened and blow-dried, just like you would your own hair. In order to preserve and extend the lifespan of your hair, however, we recommend to always use a heat protectant oil or spray prior to styling.
It is also important to use a low heat setting of 120C/250F, as anything higher runs the risk of damaging the hair. The reason we recommend a lower heat setting is because this will prolong the lifespan of your hair. Bearing in mind that our own hair is constantly getting new growth from the scalp, it may be able to handle higher heat settings, whereas hair extensions don't get any new growth!
First of all, it is important to bear in mind that ALL hair tangles and sheds, there is no magic hair that just stays beautiful all on it’s on! thankfully, there are a few simple ways to minimise shedding and massively reduce tangling. The first and quite possibly one of the most important steps is to brush your extensions out before washing them and only once the hair is 90% dry. This helps minimize the possibility of breakage and shedding because the hair is at its weakest point when wet. Keep in mind it is also more susceptible to breakage when wet. Instead, use your fingers to gently loosen any tangles. Always gently brush your extensions before and after each use to reduce shedding and breakage. This will also prolong their lifespan. You can do this by starting at the ends and making your way up to the roots.
Keeping your extensions moisturized and nourished is crucial, considering they don’t have a natural hydration source like your own hair does. If you are brushing your extensions throughout the day and you seem to notice dryness or some minor breakage, apply a pearl-size amount of a lightweight or water-based hair serum or a lightweight oil, like argan oil. Always ensure you apply it from the midshaft of the hair down to the ends and follow by brushing the extensions to evenly distribute the product throughout. Remember, less is more. You do not need to apply a hair oil daily, as this can cause buildup on your extensions. Instead, you apply it once a week or only when you notice significant tangling and dryness.
Indian women swear by coconut oil as the number one product for their beautiful hair. The proper hair products make all the difference in whether your extensions will tangle or be soft and manageable. Purchase products specifically formulated for dry and damaged hair, as they will help keep the strands healthy and nourished. Also, look for products that add moisture to the hair like argan oil, coconut oil, and castor oil. Purchasing sulphate and alcohol-free products is a necessity as they are imperative to maintain the health of your extensions. These ingredients strip the hair of its natural oils and will affect their integrity. This, in turn, makes the hair drier and more prone to tangling or matting. Always check the ingredients and make sure you don’t see the words: SLES, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Ethanol etc!
Treat it like your highly prized possession and you will enjoy for a very long time! When washing, make sure to handle the extensions gently and to not rub them vigorously. After washing, carefully squeeze any excess water from the extensions. Never rub your extensions dry with a towel. Instead, always lay them out on a flat surface and gently pat them dry. When air drying, invest in a microfiber towel as it will remove excess water faster and it won’t rough up the hair (which can also cause tangles). Avoid using sticky products such as hair foods, hairspray, hair gel, or hair wax, as they will practically ruin your hair. The more products you use, the more you will need to wash your extensions, leading to dry, tangled extensions. Also, keep in mind that any products that you use on your natural hair can transfer onto your extensions.
Your natural raw Indian temple hair already comes with a beautiful, healthy finish so you shouldn’t need much product to enjoy them. If you are tempted to reach for hairspray, consider a lightweight formula which you can still easily brush through. Extra strength hair sprays will only clog up your extensions, which means more washing.
All sales are FINAL, however, we do understand that occasionally you may wish to exchange your products to a different colour, length or texture. In which case, we have a return and exchange policy in place. The following conditions apply: ALL returns must be completed within 7 days after you receive your package, ALL items must be in the original packaging, unopened, unused, un damaged nor tampered with in any way.
NO refunds will be issued for opened or damaged items. For hygienic reasons we will not exchange or refund any opened items! The good news is that your Contessa Hair orders come with a tester weft so you can determine if the texture and colour is exactly what you had in my mind.
To initiate a return please email us at info@contessahair.com and we will gladly assist you further with instructions on how to return your package to ourselves. Upon receiving your package, our sales team will carry out all necessary inspections and ONLY if we determine that all items are in good condition and un damaged we will then exchange or issue a refund minus shipping costs.
If you agree to our return policy and confirm that all items have NOT been opened, used, damaged or tampered with then please copy and paste the following:
"I, (insert your full name), agree to Contessa Hair’s return policy and understand that if any of the items I am returning are found to have been taken out of the original packaging, used or damaged, I will not receive a refund, and I will not receive my returned package."