You made a smart investment. This is how you protect it.
Care is straightforward when you know what you're working with. Unaltered, single-donor hair like The Muse behaves closer to your own hair than anything processed. That means the rules are simpler. No special treatments, no complicated routines. Just a few habits done consistently.
Here's exactly what to do.
Wash Less Than You Think
Extensions don't produce scalp oil the way your natural hair does. Overwashing is the fastest way to shorten their life.
Wash every 7–10 days, or when you have heavy product buildup. If you're wearing them daily with light styling, you can stretch even further.
When you do wash:
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates strip the hair cuticle and accelerate tangling over time.
- Wash in a downward motion, root to tip. Never scrub in circles.
- Follow with a moisturizing conditioner from mid-shaft to ends. Avoid the roots.
- Rinse with cool water. It seals the cuticle and keeps the hair smooth.
Dry With Intention
How you dry your extensions matters as much as how you wash them.
After washing, gently squeeze excess water from the hair (never wring). Lay flat or hang to air dry when you can. This is the gentlest option and preserves the hair longest.
If you're blow drying:
- Use a heat protectant first, every time.
- Keep the dryer on medium heat, moving constantly.
- Direct airflow downward, following the cuticle direction.
The Muse was made for the blowout. Indian hair responds exceptionally well to heat styling. It holds volume, moves naturally, and finishes smooth without frizz. If a blowout is your go-to style, this extension was built for it.
Store Them Right
How you store extensions overnight determines how they look the next morning.
- Braid or loosely twist the hair before bed. This prevents tangling at the root.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase if your extensions are installed. It reduces friction significantly.
- If you're storing loose wefts, keep them in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight which fades and dries the hair over time.
For travel, a silk bag or breathable pouch keeps wefts protected without crushing them.
Styling Without Damage
Unaltered hair handles heat well, but that doesn't mean heat has no limit.
- Keep flat irons and curling wands between 300–380°F. Higher than that, consistently, will compromise the cuticle over time.
- Always use a heat protectant before any hot tool.
- Let the hair cool completely before brushing after heat styling.
For detangling, start at the ends and work upward. Never pull through a knot from root to tip. A wide-tooth comb or a soft bristle brush works best.
The Muse holds curls well and blowouts beautifully. If you want volume, movement, or a layered look, this is the hair for it. It was designed for exactly that kind of styling.
What to Avoid
A few things that shorten the life of any quality extension:
Chlorine and saltwater. Both strip the hair aggressively. If you're swimming, wear a cap or remove the extensions first. If they do get wet in a pool or ocean, wash and condition immediately after.
Dry shampoo overuse. Occasional use is fine. Daily use builds product on the weft base and causes matting.
Skipping conditioner. Extensions don't receive natural oils from your scalp. Conditioner is not optional. It's what keeps the hair hydrated and tangle-free.
Sleeping with wet hair. This is one of the most common causes of tangling and matting. Dry completely before bed.
The Bottom Line
Quality extensions are an investment. How you care for them determines whether they last three months or over a year.
Unaltered hair like The Muse responds to good care the way your natural hair does. It stays smooth, holds its texture, and performs better the more consistently you maintain it.
If you're still deciding on the right extension for your look, read our guide on Indian vs Cambodian hair extensions to understand the difference before you buy.
Ready to shop? The Muse is available here.
Written by Atelier Strands. Single-donor, unprocessed extensions sourced from Cambodia and India.