When a client tells me their extensions broke after 3 months, my first question is always: "What shampoo did you use?" In 9 out of 10 cases, it's not the product – but the care.
AJ Longtape Extensions, made from 100% Eastern European human hair, are designed to last up to 2 years. But this promise only holds true if you treat them correctly. In this post, I'll share the care routine that I give every client in the salon – and which makes the difference between "a few months" and "almost two years."
Rule #1: The right shampoo is everything
Sulfates are the enemy of your extensions. They are found in most conventional shampoos and dissolve the tape adhesive – this is the most common reason for extensions to come loose prematurely. At the same time, sulfates dry out the human hair and make it dull.
The solution: sulfate-free, silicone-free shampoo. While silicones are not as aggressive as sulfates, they form a layer around the hair that can also affect the adhesive.
In the salon, we use BALMAIN Leave-in Conditioning Spray for daily care and recommend a mild, sulfate-free shampoo for washing. This combination keeps the extensions supple and the tape adhesive intact.
BALMAIN Leave-in Conditioning Spray in the shop →
Rule #2: No oil and no conditioner at the roots
Conditioner, hair masks, and oils belong in the lengths and ends – never at the roots or on the tape bonds. Oily substances dissolve the adhesive. I always tell my clients: "From ear level down, you can condition as much as you like. Anything above that: hands off."
Rule #3: Proper drying
After washing: dry the tape areas completely. It's best to specifically blow-dry the connection points with a hairdryer on a medium setting. Never go to bed with wet tapes – moisture softens the adhesive and the extensions can slip.
Rule #4: Comb from bottom to top
Always comb your hair from the ends upwards – never from top to bottom through the tapes. A wide-toothed comb or a special extension brush with flexible bristles is ideal. Conventional brushes with tight bristles can get caught in the tape bonds and damage the hair.
Rule #5: Protect while sleeping
Tie your hair loosely before sleeping – a loose braid or a low bun is sufficient. This prevents tangles that can lead to hair breakage when combing in the morning. Even better: a silk pillowcase reduces friction and keeps the extensions smoother.
Rule #6: Sport, swimming, sauna – what's allowed and what's not
Sports are not a problem – tie your hair loosely and off you go. Swimming: avoid chlorinated and salt water in the first few days after application or repositioning. After that: rinse thoroughly immediately after swimming. Sauna: generally possible, but avoid direct heat on the adhesive areas.
Repositioning: The most important care appointment
You should have your extensions repositioned every 6–8 weeks. Your natural hair grows, and the tape bond slowly moves away from the roots. During repositioning, you remove the old tape, apply new tape, and reposition the extension close to the roots.
You can do this yourself – or you can come to our salon. Many of my clients use the repositioning appointment as a little break: we reposition the extensions, give them a trim, and check the condition of the hair. This takes about 30–45 minutes and keeps your extensions in top shape.
Book a repositioning appointment in the salon →
My care checklist at a glance
So you have everything at a glance, here's the summary:
Daily: Comb from the ends upwards. Tie hair loosely when sleeping. Leave-in spray in the lengths.
When washing: Sulfate-free, silicone-free shampoo. No conditioner at the roots. Lukewarm water. Fully blow-dry tape areas afterwards.
Every 6–8 weeks: Reposition extensions – yourself or in the salon. Apply new tape.
Avoid: Sulfates, silicones at the roots, oil on the tapes, chlorine and salt water in the first few days, tight brushes over the bonds.
Proper care is not an effort – it's a habit
When I summarize all this, it might sound like a lot. But in practice, it's 2–3 extra minutes per day – use sulfate-free shampoo, comb from below, tie your hair up. That's it. For that, you'll have full, long, beautiful hair for up to 2 years.
And if you have any questions – about products, repositioning, or any care topic: just send me a WhatsApp message. I'm happy to help you.
WhatsApp: +49 176 8347 9673
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See you soon – Elba ♥