CARE AND TEXTURE GUIDE

You just received your luxury Kerri Alston Hair extensions and you're wondering what's the next step?

Be sure to always co-wash your hair extensions before your first installation to make sure the hair is clean and has a natural state. Be mindful that your extensions behave like natural hair and collect product build-up and particles like normal. To keep your textured hair poppin’, co-washing is a MUST!

Co-washing is the act of washing your hair solely with conditioner and cutting down the use of shampoo. No matter the texture, length or hair extension product you purchased, all of our extensions require co-washing prior to the first install.

Benefits of co-washing hair extensions includes decreasing dryness, decreasing frizziness, increasing luster, increasing softness, and of course cleansing the hair of any factor products used.

We recommended the following for co-washing our hair extensions.  

Paul Mitchell Lavender Mint Moisturizing Co-wash

Quidad Coil Infusion Cleansing Conditioner

Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Essence Absolue Cleansing Milk Conditioner

Think of cleansing conditioners as a shampoo and conditioner all in one—the gentle formulas cleanse your extensions while conditioning, detangling, adding shine and moisture. Unlike traditional shampoo, cleansing conditioner is free of detergents and foaming agents that can sometimes leave hair dry, dull, or damaged if overused. 

To use a cleansing conditioner or co-wash:

1. Keeping your extensions in the original zip ties, saturate the extensions in lukewarm water.

2. Simply massage a few pumps throughout wet hair, distribute the product evenly throughout the extensions working your way from the ends up to the roots.

3. Using a wet brush, work the product through being sure to brush from ends to roots. Let the product sit for 5 mins, rinse and repeat.

4. Following the 2nd application, rinse the hair completely with cool water until all residue has been removed. Using wet brush, stroke through the extenions and allow hair to air dry hanging.

Type 2 (Wavy)

Type 2 waves are bendable, can be fine to coarse, and have a definitive S pattern that lays closer to the head.

Type 2A

Those with hair type 2A have a fine, barely-there tousled texture that's very easy to straighten. People with this texture have to be wary of using heavy styling products that can easily weigh their strands down, rendering them limp and lifeless. If you've got this hair texture, be sure the products you're looking for are formulated with a lightweight consistency.

2A waves, typically lack volume at the root. We recommend using an airy, water-based mousse, to add a bit of oomph at the base, making hair look fluffier and fuller.

Type 2B

2B hair lies flatter at the crown with defined S-shaped waves starting from the midlength, like Salma Hayek's here. Strands are thicker in diameter than a 2A, and you'll have to put a bit more elbow grease into getting it straight. To enhance your natural surfer-babe waves, use a texturizing mist enriched with rice protein for hair that is never crunchy or stiff.

Type 2C

2C waves are thick and more susceptible to frizz. The S-bends are well-defined and begin at the roots. Shakira is the perfect example of this hair type. In between shampoos, use a non-lathering, sulfate-free co-wash so as not to strip essential moisture from strands.

We recommend layering a leave-in conditioner under a mousse to lock in your hair's natural wave pattern while adding hydration.

Type 3 (Curly)

Type 3 curly hair can range from loose, buoyant loops to tight, springy corkscrews which have some sheen but are prone to frizz.

Type 3A

3A strands, tend to be shiny with large, loose curls that have a diameter about the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. Scrunch a curl cream into your dry hair to help emphasize the curl texture. Keep your hands (or brush or comb, for that matter) from touching your curls afterward, or you run the risk of having a halo full of frizz. To maintain those juicy springs, simply spritz your hair with a curl refresher, when it needs a boost.

Type 3B

3B types have springy ringlets with a circumference similar to that of a Sharpie marker. This texture can get dry, so look for gels that have humectants in them to attract moisture to strands. A word of advice: Apply product when your hair is wet so you'll get definition without frizz.

Type 3C

3C curls are tight corkscrews that range in circumference from a straw to a pencil. Strands are densely packed together, giving way to lots of natural volume. Frizziness is common with this type; if that's not a look you're into, use a sulfate-free, creamy cleanser, that won't dry out your hair even more.

We also suggest layering a mousse over a styling cream when the hair is sopping wet to allow curls to clump together and dry faster. Your co-wash reveals your curl pattern, while your styling product captures.

Type 4 (Coily)

Coily hair, commonly referred to as Afro-textured or kinky hair, is naturally very dry and spongy in texture and can be soft and fine or coarse and wiry. Strands form very tight, small curls of zig-zags right from the scalp and are prone to major shrinkage.

Type 4A

People with hair type 4A have dense springy, S-patterned coils that are about the same circumference as a crochet needle. If you're a fan of wash-and-gos styling should be done more frequently to keep this coily texture popping with soft, pliable strands. A curling cream with a leave-in moisturizer is a must for adding more moisture to daily wash-and-go styling.

Type 4B

4B strands are densely packed and can bend in sharp angles like the letter Z. One of my favorite products for all kinks, coils, curls, and waves is a mist nourishing water based product which is a great primer before styling for hair to look instantly hydrated."

On the other hand, we recommend styling creams for this hair type because they are thicker and are great for palm-rolling or shingling, two types of product distribution methods that stretch out coils and clump them for greater texture definition and elongation.

Type 4C

4C textures are similar to 4B textures, but the tightly-coiled strands are more fragile and have a very tight zig-zag pattern that is sometimes indiscernible to the eye. This hair type experiences the greatest amount of shrinkage — about 75 percent or more — than the other textures.

Since shrinkage and dryness are major concerns for this type, use a liberal amount of leave-in moisturizer, such as the to max the length of those strands. Castor oil is also a great hydrator and sealant for this very dry texture.