Tips for Curling Your Perfect Locks Hair Extensions

Looking back at 2010, it seems like one of the biggest looks of the past year – and perhaps for a few more turns of the calendar to come – is big-barreled, lustrous, wavy curls that tumble down the back. Call it the “Kim K” look, but everybody from celebrities to your local librarian is going for softly defined curls with just the right balance of polish and play.

So how do you get those locks, if you’re not born with them? Well, for starters, you invest in virgin Indian Remy hair that’s sure to give you the curly bounce, shine, and body you need. But when you want that extra definition or extra smoothness in your look – something in between a body wave and a beach wave hair extensions – you probably need to curl your hair extensions. So here are your options!

First things first, consider the type of hair extensions you are rocking right now. If your virgin Indian hair has a tighter curl pattern that you want to straighten or smooth out a bit, hot or pin curling will be your best choice. On the other hand, if you have fairly straight hair extensions that need to spiral up some, a wet set or roller set will serve you better.

Once you’ve determined what styling method will help create the look you want, make sure you know the proper procedures for pin curling, roller setting, and hot curling your hair (follow the links for instructions). However, also take into account these special additions that will help protect and serve your hair weave better:

• Use the lowest heat possible when hot curling. One of the main advantages of virgin Indian hair is the thick, healthy, unblemished cuticle. Too-hot curling irons will damage the locks, leading to splitting, breakage, and loss of luster. And since Indian hair is generally straight anyway, you won’t need a “hard” hold to your new barrel curls – so go easy and set your iron to only half strength!
• Contrary to what you’d do with your own hair, try to work in the largest sections possible. Use large-diameter rollers and curling irons to set huge swathes of hair. Because you don’t want to over-comb or over-brush your hair extensions and risk loosening your tracks or clip-ons, big curls are better. You can finger comb and style your hair without having to smooth out too-tiny ringlets.
• When roller setting, use rollers that won’t pull or snag your locks too much. That means avoid brush and Velcro rollers, which can pick apart cornrows and even the wefts of your hair extensions, and try to use magnetic, paper, or other rollers that don’t require sticks or pins to secure them.
• Go light on holding products. The last thing you want to do is weigh your locks down with sticky, drying, or dulling styling products. Again, remember that you have bought high-quality hair extensions, so just trust it to do as it’s told! Try an all-natural setting lotion for wet sets, and a lightweight hair spray for dry curls.
• Don’t pull too hard on your extensions as you curl them. You just want a light, playful ringlet, and you definitely don’t need to yank your tracks out, so maintain about the same tension you would use to pull a pair of pantyhose from the dryer.
• Always curl hair extensions while they are on your head, even when using clip-on hair pieces. Not only will this help prevent the installation process from destroying your look, but help you accurately determine the right size and placement for each curl. In general, tighter coils go toward the bottom of your mane, while larger, looser curls go up top.

In the end, the key word is care. Virgin Indian Remy hair extensions are a serious investment into your hair and beauty, so always take the best care of them that you can – even when altering them a little!

How to Curl Hair Extensions: A Complete Guide

Curling human hair extensions is one of the most satisfying styling moments - the right curl on quality Remy hair looks spectacular and holds beautifully. Here's how to do it correctly and make the curls last.

"Curling extensions is different from curling natural hair in one important way: you have to let them cool completely before touching. Natural hair can tolerate a little manipulation while warm. Extension hair sets the curl as it cools, and touching it warm disrupts the setting process and gives you a looser, shorter-lasting curl."

- Priyanka Swamy, Founder of Perfect Locks

Step-by-Step: Curling Clip-In Extensions

Making Curls in Extensions Last Longer

Extension curls can last 2-3 days with the right approach. After curling, don't apply any product until the hair is completely cool and all sections are done. A light-hold hairspray misted from 12 inches away after finishing seals the curl without making it stiff. Sleep with hair loosely pinned in large sections and wrapped in a silk scarf. Refresh the next day by lightly misting with water and scrunching - don't re-curl unless absolutely necessary.

Curling Curly Extensions

If you have naturally curly extensions and want to refresh or redefine the curl, use a diffuser on low heat rather than a curling iron. Apply a small amount of curl cream to damp hair, scrunch upward, and diffuse in sections. This revives the natural curl pattern without adding additional heat stress from a curling iron.