Maintaining colored extensions is key to making them last over time. Our hair should always be installed by a licensed and certified hair stylist. All self installations are done at your own risk. Professional products are recommended to be used to properly take care of colored raw hair.
Brushing hair
Brush your hair at least three a day once you start your day, during the day, and before going to bed to avoid tangles and/or matting. It is important to keep your hair thoroughly brushed out daily. We recommend a wide tooth detangling brush. When combing hair make sure to brush from tips to roots and work in sections. Be gentle. This will prevent breakage or damage to the hair.
Wash with shampoo
If your hair has a lot of product buildup, begin with a clarifying shampoo. Dispense 2–3 pumps of clarifying shampoo into your hands and distribute it evenly. Gently apply it using a downward, circular motion. Avoid scrubbing—this helps prevent damage. Rinse thoroughly with cool to lukewarm water, as hot water can strip color and cause fading. Ensure no product residue remains.
Use shampoos formulated to protect hair color. These gentle cleansers help maintain vibrancy without stripping the color. We recommend Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo / Olaplex No 4C.
Too much washing can dry out your extensions and cause color to fade. Wash only when necessary to preserve their health and appearance. Always use a soft, downward motion to lather and rinse. Avoid rough scrubbing or rubbing to reduce friction and prevent color loss.
Recommended Product: Paul Mitchell Original Awapuhi Shampoo, Redken color extend. This moisturizing and hydrating shampoo is also color-safe, helping to maintain vibrancy in color-treated hair—just like a clarifying shampoo, but with added hydration benefits.
Optional Step – Use a Purple or Blue Shampoo
After using a clarifying shampoo and before your regular shampoo, consider applying a purple or blue shampoo to neutralize unwanted yellow or brassy tones. Use this step specifically for toning, not just cleansing. Leave the purple shampoo on the hair for about 5 minutes to allow the toner to work effectively. Recommended Product: Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancing Toner Shampoo.
Hair Discoloration from Mineral Deposits
Discoloration is often caused by mineral buildup in the hair: Green tones usually come from chlorine exposure. Peach or orange hues can result from iron deposits, makeup, or sunscreen. To remove these unwanted tones, use a targeted detoxifying shampoo. Recommended Product: L’Oréal Metal Detox Shampoo to help eliminate excess minerals.
Hair treatment
Once you've rinsed out your moisturizing shampoo, gently squeeze out as much excess water as possible before applying your mask. Choose a hydrating or strengthening mask based on your hair’s specific needs.
K18 Treatment Protocol for Colored Extensions
For all colored extensions—including both solid shades and highlights—use a K18 treatment for the first 6 washes:
Apply the K18 mask after shampooing and towel-drying your hair.
Leave it on for at least 4 minutes.
Do not rinse it out.
Follow with your leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, and style as usual.
After the first 6 washes, continue using K18 as a treatment every 3–4 weeks.
K18 penetrates the hair shaft to repair damage from the inside out by reconnecting broken keratin chains and regenerating disulfide bonds compromised during coloring or bleaching. In just 4 minutes, it helps strengthen hair, improve elasticity, and restore shine and bounce. Recommended product: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Post-Treatment Routine
After completing your initial 6 K18 treatments, alternate between:
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask – restores hair at a molecular level or Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector – helps prevent and repair damage from everyday stressors.
For Deep Hydration
To replenish moisture and maintain softness, incorporate a rich hydrating mask into your routine. Recommended products: Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask & Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Hair Mask with Hyaluronic Acid
Wash with conditioner
Conditioning is essential for keeping your extensions soft, smooth, and manageable.
Be sure to avoid applying conditioner directly to the roots or the clip-in wefts. Instead, gently distribute the product through the mid-lengths to ends using a soft, downward motion. Let the conditioner sit for about 3 minutes to fully absorb.
For best results, finish with a cold water rinse to help seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture. Recommended product: Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Conditioner
Revive hair
If your hair is color-dull, frizzy, tangling, or lacking smoothness, we recommend doing a glossing/glaze treatment. This will last 1-2 weeks.
Product recommendations:
Ouai Hair Gloss (added benefit: heat protection), KERASTASE Chroma Absolu Chroma, Hair Gloss (added benefit: treats damage), Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Clear Hair Gloss (best all-round glossing treatment)
Oil & Leave-in conditioner
Apply your leave-in conditioner after rinsing.
If you’re planning to use heat tools, make sure to apply a heat protectant as well. Recommended product: Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray
Next, while your hair is still damp, work in a dime-sized amount of a lightweight, nourishing oil. This helps lock in moisture and add shine. Recommended oils: Argan, Coconut, or Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
In colder months, consider adding or substituting a half-dime-sized amount of glycerin oil to combat dryness and brittleness.
Mix the glycerin with your leave-in conditioner between your palms before applying.
Focus on the mid-lengths to ends to keep hair hydrated and protected.
Glycerin is a powerful humectant—it draws moisture from the air into your hair and helps retain it. Even in dry winter weather, it keeps your hair soft, moisturized, and less prone to breakage.
Drying hair
Avoid using a brush or comb while blow drying wet hair. Instead, gently separate and move the hair with your fingers as you dry. Wet, bleached hair is more elastic and fragile, making it prone to breakage when brushed too early.
Wait until your extensions are about 90% dry before using a brush. Alternatively, you can allow them to air dry to 90% before finishing with a blow dryer—or skip heat altogether and air dry fully for the gentlest option.
Styling hair
The cuticle is the hair’s outer layer that keeps it smooth, shiny, and tangle-free. Excess heat lifts the cuticle, causing dryness, frizz, and tangles.
Straightening Tips:
After straightening, wrap your hair at night (like a silk press) to let the cuticle cool and settle.
For extensions on a hanger, wrap them in a silk scarf overnight.
If you've had a gloss or glaze in the last 2 weeks, no need to wait—just straighten and go.
No recent treatment? Use Color Wow Dream Coat Extra Strength to smooth and protect cuticles.
Curling Tips:
No waiting needed—just curl and go.
For texture & oil control, use REDKEN Triple Dry 15 as a dry shampoo alternative to refresh roots and blend with extensions. Spray from an arm’s length and brush while misting. To add shine, try OSiS+ Sparkler Shine Hairspray for a lightweight, glossy finish.
While all colors naturally fade over time, our brown shades maintain their vibrancy for an extended period. Keep in mind that brighter, bolder, and semi-permanent shades may fade with regular use. If the color begins to dull, a quick recoloring will restore its vibrancy. To improve color longevity, avoid washing your extensions too often and store them in airtight covers.
For a quick color refresh, consider a glossing or glazing treatment to boost vibrancy and shine.
Product recommendations:
Ouai Hair Gloss (bonus: provides heat protection)
KERASTASE Chroma Absolu Chroma Hair Gloss (bonus: helps repair damage)
Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Clear Hair Gloss (ideal for an all-around glossing treatment)