Hello Beautiful!
A good hair regimen and realistic expectations are essential, especially if you want your hair to maintain its beauty for years. Whether you are a first-time customer or trying a new texture, we are here to help. Please keep reading for everything you need to know when purchasing our Straight/Wavy textures, Curly textures, and Lace products!
Remember that you have purchased virgin human hair. It will cooperate the same as your natural hair would! It was grown from a human scalp and will need to be treated as such. Please also set realistic expectations with virgin human hair, especially higher-maintenance textures. You need to care for the hair properly to be satisfied with your purchase.
Finding a haircare regimen for your hair texture can be difficult and expensive. That's why we have taken some of the guesswork out of the process for our La'Pataris Beauties. We have tested multiple haircare products and brands to cultivate the perfect regimen for our customers and ensure that you have the best experience possible when using La'Pataris extensions. After all, extensions are an investment, and we want to ensure that your investment is protected.
After reading this, you will become a La'Pataris haircare pro! Be sure to show your bundles the care and love they need to achieve your most favourite-inspired looks. We also encourage sharing our specific recommendations with your stylist for the ultimate experience.
STRAIGHT AND WAVY TEXTURES
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR PACKAGE
As a result of the wefting process, you may experience a few loose hairs during your initial brush out and CoWash. This is normal and should reduce significantly after the first few washes. We expect that you will have minimal shedding each day while following a routine haircare regimen. Please be advised that virgin hair improves with time – it needs love!
You may also notice short hairs around the weft called "beards," which are entirely normal.
PRE-INSTALLATION
Always wash your hair extensions before installation while leaving the zip-ties intact. Doing so will allow you the opportunity to evaluate the bundles. If you detect any abnormalities, kindly contact us immediately, and we will resolve them accordingly.
INSTALLATION
Use the over-and-out method when installing your hair. We advise doubling the track - folding the weft in half to ensure beards are inwards and not touching the scalp. Do not pierce the wefts, as this can cause excessive shedding. Additionally, you may seal your wefts using a high-quality weft sealant. Only cut your wefts when necessary.
WEEKLY MAINTENANCE
Conditioner-only wash (CoWash) is recommended 2-3 times weekly to ensure your hair retains moisture and cleanse any build-up that could cause matting or tangling. Should your extensions need deep conditioning, we recommend using a thick conditioner containing smoothing properties to minimize unwanted frizz.
For the ultimate CoWash experience, complete the following:
- Part your hair in 7-10 sections before shower/hair bath.
- Detangle each section as much as possible using a wide-tooth comb or your favorite wavy hair brush, working from tips to root.
- Saturate hair thoroughly with water.
- Start from the bottom of your install, part your hair using your fingers and, gather a 1-inch section, tie up the rest of install on top of the head.
- Coat the 1-inch section generously with conditioner and use a detangling brush (Denman brush recommended) to work through tangles.
- Complete 2 "brushouts" on each section. Start by detangling the ends of the hair first and work your way up to the top of the wefts. Completing this process will let you know that your hair is adequately detangled.
- Repeat throughout the entire install.
- After you have saturated the hair with conditioner, the hair should have "slip." Twist hair into a top bun or braid. Let conditioner sit for 15-20 minutes. To avoid frizz, do not massage your hair.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a microfiber towel or t-shirt, as regular bath towels can cause excessive frizz. For extra waves, scrunch hair to enhance wave pattern or set in rollers.
- You may apply a dime-sized amount of smoothing oil or glossing polish to weigh down hair strands and minimize frizz. Allow your hair to air dry.
- Between installs or once a month, use an intensive hair masque or hot oil treatment to aid in the longevity of your extensions.
DAILY CARE
- Brush or comb through to style.
- Apply an alcohol-free glossing polish or hair serum for shine and frizz control as needed. (Applying excessive product may lead to stiff hair, which may cause matting and tangling.)
- When too much product has built up, it is time for a CoWash!
- Always use a heat protectant when heat styling to avoid damage.
- Keep in mind that excessive heat styling can alter the original wave pattern and integrity of the hair (similar to your natural hair).
BEDTIME CARE
Before bed, place your hair into a high ponytail or roll it into a bun to enhance the wave pattern. Apply a satin scarf or bonnet to reduce frizz and fly-aways. For bouncy waves, style with flexi-rods. After waking up, remove overnight protection and comb through the hair using your favorite styling tool. Always begin at the ends of the hair, working your way up—style as desired.
PRODUCTS WE LOVE
We recommend hydrating conditioners with smoothing properties to maintain moisture and reduce frizz. Below are a few of our favorite products.
- Tresemme Moisture Rich Conditioner
- Proclaim Glossing Polish
- Macadamia Intensive Oil Treatment
- Any preferred Intensive Deep Conditioning Treatment or Hair Masque (used in moderation)
LA'PATARIS CURLY TEXTURES
Due to the structure of curly hair strands, our curly textures require a more extensive haircare regimen. When purchasing curly hair, it is important to have a realistic expectation of the maintenance that goes into having beautiful curls. Our products are a step above beauty supply store hair. We do not sell hair chemically treated hair. Virgin hair extensions act more like your natural hair; as such, you must understand that it will act accordingly and must be maintained.
That being said, let's start with the basics. What causes hair to curl? The perfect blend of protein and moisture!
When curly hair lacks moisture, it will expand or swell with humidity. Curly hair is more porous than straight textures; therefore, it pulls water from the air, causing the hair to swell. Once the hair swells and the cuticles become rough, it may lose its curl pattern and become less visually appealing. This can also lead to tangling and matting as the strands rub together. It is vital to follow a routine to care for curly hair.
Think about your natural hair. When you deep condition and have a regular hair care routine, your hair is more manageable, softer, and less prone to breakage and frizz. The same logic applies to your curly hair human extensions.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR PACKAGE
Your curly hair has been in transit and may need to be revived and restored to its true beauty. Please refrain from running your fingers through your curly hair while it's in a dry state. This may cause tangling and excess frizz.
Due to the initial wefting process from bundle construction, you may experience a few loose hairs during your initial CoWash. This is normal and should reduce significantly after the first few washes. We expect that you will have minimal shedding each day while following a haircare regimen. Please be advised that there is a significant difference between shedding and breakage.
PRE-INSTALLATION
Always wash your hair extensions prior to installation while leaving the zip-ties intact. This will allow you the opportunity to evaluate the bundles. If you detect any abnormalities, kindly contact us immediately and we will resolve them accordingly.
INSTALLATION
Use the over-and-out method when installing your extensions. Although our wefts are designed for minimal shedding, please refrain from piercing the wefts. Doing so may affect the endurance of your extensions. Only cut your wefts when absolutely necessary, as this may cause excess shedding. Although not required, you may seal your wefts using a high-quality weft sealant.
MAINTENANCE
As an overview for curly haircare, a conditioner-only wash (CoWash) is recommended three times per week. This is essential for the best results.
Products you will need:
- Moisturizing Conditioner.
- Curl Sealant/Curl Cream (optional, depending on style)
- Denman Brush
- Hair Clips
STEPS:
- To make managing your curly extensions easier, we recommend that you section your hair off into five or six parts before wetting the hair.
- Wet all sections of your hair thoroughly while keeping each section separated.
- Apply the conditioner to each section separately from root to tip. Once the section is coated with conditioner, work through the section with a Denman brush. Be sure to work your way up from the ends.
- Once detangled, deep condition for 15-30 minutes.
- Now it's time to rinse. For our looser curl patterns, rinse hair thoroughly to ensure the curls are not weighed down. Again, it is all about personal preference and what curly style you are rocking that day! For our kinkier textures, we recommend leaving a bit of conditioner in the hair when rinsing. This will act as a leave-in conditioner and allow the hair to retain more moisture.
Now that we've finished the CoWash process, it's time to move to Curl Definition!
- Again, with curly hair, it is most straightforward to work in sections. Part your hair into 3 to 4 sections and detangle completely using a Denman brush. You want to make sure that all of your curls are totally brushed; your diligence with this step will prevent issues later.
- In a spray bottle, mix water and conditioner (mixing two parts water and 1 part conditioner). Spray each section thoroughly, making sure that all sections are fully saturated.
- Apply a light oil to help manage the smoothing of the curls. This will help define the curls and fight frizz.
- Apply a light sealant cream to hold in moisture.
- Use your Denman brush in each section where the product is fully saturated. As you brush through, you will notice that the coils will start to form. You should have no friction with this step. This statement will only hold true if you are diligent in the process outlined in step one.
- Once you have defined your curls, use a cotton T-shirt to scrunch each section. The scrunching step helps the strands to clump together, locking the coil form in place and stopping the hair from dripping.
- With your hair still in sections, consider using a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to dry it until it's at least 60% dry. The diffuser head helps to prevent frizz and further aids in the process of locking your curls in place. This step is an optional step as you can also allow your hair to air-dry.
- While curls are drying, you never want to touch or run your fingers through hair.
- Refresh with water/conditioner mix spray as needed until next CoWash.
- Between installs or once per month, you may use an intensive hair masque or hot oil treatment to aid in the longevity of your extensions.
Always use a heat protectant when heat styling to avoid damage. Keep in mind that excessive heat styling can alter the original curl pattern and integrity of the hair (similar to your natural hair).
BEDTIME CARE/DAILY CARE
Before bed, put your hair in a high ponytail or braid into large sections and wear a satin scarf or bonnet. This will help to maintain the curl pattern and reduce frizz while sleeping.
Once you are ready to style your hair for the day, remove your ponytail or braids and spray your hair with water and conditioner mix to activate the leave-in product. Section hair and brush from tips, working your way up to the roots. Scrunch gently and allow to air dry. Avoid manipulation, as this may cause excess frizz.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend hydrating conditioners to maintain the moisture required for curly textures. Below are a few of our favorite products.
- Mielle Organics Rosemary mint masque (Kinky texture only)
- Tresemme Moisture Rich Conditioner
- Tresemme Flawless Curls Conditioner
- Pureology Hydrate Conditioner
- Dominican Magic Detangling Conditioner
- Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls (heavily textured curls)
- Vigorol Mega Moisture Mousse
- Denman Brush
- Any preferred all-natural or hydrating conditioner
- Any preferred Intensive Deep Conditioning Treatment or Hair Masque (to only be used periodically)
LACE PRODUCTS
Lace products can be CoWashed using the methods previously mentioned in this article. Please be advised that lace products are delicate. Be mindful of using excess tension.
Our lace products are made using a ventilation method similar to crochet and are intended to be made to look very natural and not "wiggy." To achieve this, the first few rows on your lace items are single-knotted starting from the hairline and gradually become double-knotted for added durability. Please be advised that closures and frontals are expected to last 1-2 installations with proper care.
You may also notice short hairs on lace products known as "return hairs". These hairs occur when the hair is knotted onto the lace. There is a short piece on one side of the knot, usually 2-3 inches, with the long hair on the other side of the knot. More coarse textures may have more noticeable return hairs.
We suggest curling or roller-setting the hair once or twice to flatten the returned hairs; this usually makes the short strands more pliable and more accessible to tame.
IN CONCLUSION
Having the perfect hair regimen and realistic expectations are extremely important, especially if you want your hair to maintain its beauty for years to come. Whether you are a first-time La'Pataris customer or trying a new texture, we are ALWAYS here to help. After reading this article, we hope you feel prepared to conquer any La'Pataris texture!
Thank you for being a valued customer,
La'Pataris Extensions Customer Care Team