If you have purchased a set of hair extensions and are wondering why they will not stay straight, you are certainly not alone here. After experiencing the same frustration myself, I did some research and here is what I found.
So why won’t your hair extensions stay straight? The most common reason why your hair extensions won’t stay straight is that they have a natural curl or wave in them. When hair extensions get damp, or wet because of humidity, etc, they will return to their natural shape. That being said, there are some other reasons that could be causing this.
Now that you know why your hair extensions won’t stay straight, it’s time to dig a little deeper into some other reasons why your hair extensions won’t stay straight and some recommended tips on how you can fix it.
- Heat and humidity. If you live in a really hot, humid climate you will know the havoc it can wreak on your beloved hair. Humidity causes hair to frizz like crazy and adding to that a hot straightener certainly does not help.
- Not washing your hair beforehand. If you are styling hair that is dirty or has a lot of product build-up, it is going to end up looking a mess, especially once you start applying heat repeatedly. Make sure your hair is 100% clean before styling. Use a shampoo and conditioner that is sulfate-free and make sure you wash the product out thoroughly before drying.
- Buying hair processed to be curly. If you purchased a curly weave or extensions you will notice that it takes a while to get it straight and a very short time for it to revert back to its curly state. This is because it was processed to be curly and wavy for a reason, don’t tamper with it!
- Every head of hair is different. If you purchased 100% human hair you will know it came from a living human being. Every person’s hair is different, some straighten more easily and stays that way while others do not. This is very hard to control and is something you may just have to accept.
- Not treating before straightening. It is very important that you treat your hair with the correct products before styling. There are plenty of anti-frizz sprays and serums available on the market that will help keep your hair looking smooth, sleek and straight for longer.
- Straightening hair before it is completely dry. If your hair is even a little damp when you straighten it you can cause some serious damage. Not to mention your hair is going to end up frizzing and curling shortly after you finish straightening. Make sure your hair is 100% dry before applying any hot tools.
- You’re using the wrong brush. Using the wrong hair brush, especially when styling, can cause a lot of damage. Make sure you use a round brush with soft thistles when styling, as this will be much gentler on your extensions. A rough brush can pull on your hair and cause breakage and frizzing.
How To Keep Hair Extensions Straight?
As women, we know that straightening your hair is one thing, but keeping it straight is a whole other ball game! Now that you know what NOT to do, it’s time to get to the important part.
Here are 8 tips on how to keep your hair extensions straighter for longer:
- Blow-dry your extensions before straightening. If you washed your extensions before styling, make sure that they are completely dry before straightening. If you straighten damp hair this can cause it to become damaged and frizz. Not to mention it will end up curling within an hour or two.
- Use a professional flat iron. This is because professional heat irons distribute the heat evenly throughout your hair and don’t give “hot spots.” They will also straighten your hair much quicker, and that sleek look will last you longer throughout the day. They may be a bit more pricey, but they are certainly worth it!
- Spray some dry shampoo. Before straightening, spray a bit of dry shampoo on your extensions. This will help remove any excess build-up of moisture in the hair that could make your hair frizz or lose that smooth appearance.
- Treat your hair before styling. Apply a really good ant-frizz serum to your extensions before straightening. This will help it retain its sleekness for longer.
- Use the right shampoo and conditioner. Believe it or not, the products you use to clean your hair also have an effect on how long it stays straight for. Make sure you are using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner so that your hair does not become too dry and built up with chemicals.
- Don’t straighten too often. Stick to straightening your extensions 2-3 times a week maximum. Straightening too often will eventually cause damage from the heat and you will certainly notice these effects on the appearance of your hair.
- Keep the temperature setting low. Keep your hair straightening tools at no higher than 120C. Anything higher than this can damage your extensions. Using a higher temperature on your own hair is OK as we produce natural oils to combat this. Hair extensions are more fragile, therefore keep the temperatures low at all times to increase how long they last you.
- Avoid moisture in general. If you want your hair to remain sleek throughout the day, avoid showering and anything that will make you perspire more than usual. Hitting the gym and then a hot shower (even if you don’t intentionally wet your hair) will allow moisture in and leave it looking frizzy. If it happens to rain, grab that umbrella ASAP!
Can I Straighten my Weave Safely?
Yes, you can straighten your weaves safely. You just need to make sure that your hair is not synthetic, as some synthetic hair is extremely sensitive to heat and can even be flammable.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Not sure if your hair extensions are real? We wrote a full guide on this website that covers how to check if your hair extensions are real, or synthetic.
Here’s a video with some helpful tips on how to safely straighten your weave.
- Wash your hair thoroughly before styling so that it is completely clean and free of product.
- Make sure the hair is completely combed through and free of knots. Using a round brush is always ideal for giving volume and sleekness.
- Apply an anti-frizz serum and heat protectant.
- Apply a good oil and distribute thoroughly throughout. This will help give shine and smoothness to your overall look.
- Separate hair into small sections.
- Straighten hair slowly from root to tip until straight.
- Apply a good finishing spray or hairspray once the styling is complete. This will help keep your weave staying straight throughout the day.
INSIDER TIP: It is important that you do not straighten your weave too often, as this can drastically reduce its quality and you will find yourself needing to buy yourself a new set before you know it!
Related Questions
Which type of hair extensions are easiest to straighten? 100% real human hair is always going to be easier to straighten. Thick, curly or synthetic hair is going to be extremely difficult to straighten and keep straight no matter how many products you use.
Why is my hair so frizzy? Your hair extensions are frizzy because they are lacking moisture. Since your extensions do not receive natural moisture from your scalp, they will be more prone to drying. Make sure you use a heat protectant spray and use an anti-frizz serum before straightening.