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This Summer’s Extension Tips Series continues with Part II of my interview with salon owner Christopher box.

Part II – “ The Other Type of Lady”

DR: And the second type of lady you’ve come across?
Chris: (Laughs) She’s the active swimmer and I don’t recommend extensions for her during the summer.

DR: Why is that?
Chris: The active woman, the one swimming everyday or jogging or doing yoga, will probably wash her hair every day. That’s too much activity for an extension system and the active woman will find that she’s going through her extensions much faster than the typical woman who washes her hair every other day or 3 to 4 a week.

DR: Now that we’ve learned how water of the salt and chlorine variety effects extensions, what about the sun? Can that giant ball of gas damage our hair and/or easihair extensions?
Chris: Yes, to both. UV rays can cause serious damage to our hair. I’d suggest wearing a large brimmed hat.

DR: Even with extensions? I wore some easilengths for a week just trying to understand what it was like and I put on a hat one day and it hurt after a few minutes.
Chris: You were probably wearing a men’s cap weren’t you?

DR: Guilty.
Chris: Well, those caps and baseball style hats are usually very tight. That added pressure on the extensions is what caused the pain. So you’ll definitely want to wear a looser hat, one that doesn’t fit too tightly on the scalp.

DR: Like a sun hat?
Chris: Exactly! I’d also recommend using a UV protective spray on your scalp like the Nioxin Scalp Treatment with 15 SPF.

DR: Now, many women will be traveling to find the perfect water to dip into or place to sun bathe. Do you have any traveling tips when it comes to packing for hair extensions care?
Chris: Do I!?! (Laughs) These are probably some of the most important tips I could give any woman traveling with hair extensions this summer. 1) Do.Not.Use.Hotel.Shampoos.Or.Conditioners FOR ANY REASON. I’d rather you have dirty hair for a week then use those products.

DR: Why is that?
Chris: They are too clarifying.

DR:…meaning?
Chris: They cleanse your hair too much. It’s like taking a sand blaster to your hair and extensions. It’s just a recipe for disaster. Please take your traditional extension care products with you on the plane.

DR: That can be difficult considering TSA regulates liquids to 4 ounces.
Chris: Difficult, yes. Impossible, no.

DR: Educate us Chris!
Chris: Well, I’m kinda a Brand Snob.
DR: (Laughs)

Chris: I like to have the original bottles my products come in. That’s why we carry sample and travel sizes of most of the products we sell at the salon. I like to re-use those by filling them up from the larger bottles I have at home. And if you don’t have any travel or sample sizes, The Container Store has bottles in virtually every size. Find one that follows the TSA regulations and fill it with your shampoo and conditioner.
DR: Good idea! Any other traveling tips?

Chris: Yes, I’d chat with your stylist before you leave and ask them for any recommendations on how to fix any issues that may come up while you travel. Your stylist should be able to give you a few hints to trouble shoot any issues that may arise.
DR: You used to be a stylist, correct?

Chris: I did.
DR: Could you give me an example of a tip you’d give one of your clients who wears easilengths?
Chris: Sure…say one of the panels of easilengths started to slip while you were on vacation. I’d suggest taking a bobby pin and just sliding it over the adhesive part of the panel to secure the extension in place.

DR: Very clever. So you’d always travel with some bobby pins if you were wearing easilengths extensions?
Chris: Yes. If I had hair to apply extensions too and I was traveling, I would definitely pack a few bobby pins.

DR : Well, Chris, I think that’s it for me! Any other last minute advice?
Chris: Yes, real fast. Summer is notoriously more damaging to extensions so you will definitely need to stock up on a few products to ensure the integrity of your easilengths remain above reproach. You may have been able to sneak by without them during the winter or spring but I guarantee you’ll regret it if you try that during the summer.

DR: What products would those be?
Chris: You will need a leave in conditioner like the Keune Spray, a silicone based treatment spray like easihair’s Heat & Shine and a hydrating shampoo and conditioner like the Pureology Hydrating line.

DR: Perfect! Thank you Chris! It has been extremely enlightening and very educational!
Chris: My pleasure!

The 3rd and final Part of the Summer Extension Tips Series focuses on Stylist Sonia Isaguirre as a woman, customer, and extension expert. Tune in next week for inside scope only a woman can provide when it comes to extensions!