I am that girl who has always had a super cute bob or a fun asymmetrical short pixie cut. Yes – an actual pixie cut. I was younger and a lot more ballsy during my pixie cut days but I still really love when girls can pull that off. I went from platinum blonde to brunette more than a few times and people always told me I looked so ‘cute’ with short hair. And yes, I loved my short ‘do most of the time but I always wanted to know what it felt like to have long flowing locks. So bad that once I went to this wig place next to Hooters in San Diego and literally had them SEW in a weave onto my head. Worst.Decision.Ever. Guys, I am not even kidding when I say I had them remove it right then and there. First of all – my hair is WAY to fine to have a thick weave sewn in, and second of all they didn’t cut my hair to blend into the weave so it was just all kinds of no.

Fast forward a few years and I think I finally found a hairstyle I like. I usually cut it into a bob and then let it grow out from there. Every time it got too long I would chop it because it lacked a certain level of fullness that I really wanted.

Recently, Valente Hair & Co in La Jolla California reached out to me about their different extension options and I was super excited to try the real deal. I knew I wanted to try the tape in extensions since I’ve been told by many stylists that these would be the best type of extensions for my hair type, causing the least amount of damage.

Getting the Extensions

The process from beginning to end of getting the extensions was extremely easy guys. I was super surprised at how simple the whole process was. I guess I was having flash backs to getting my weave sewn in at the wig shop which literally took 3 grueling hours.

First things first – before you get extensions applied you’ll go in for a consultation. This allows you to meet with your stylist and express what you want your hair to look like when it’s all said and done. I’ve found most stylist really appreciate if you can provide a photo because that really allows them to see what you like. I’ve had so many bad experiences where I thought the stylist and I were on the same page and I walked out feeling super upset or extremeley underwhelmed. And listen – you did not wake up today to be mediocre – so you definitely want to show your stylist a photo of the fabulous hair you’re dying for! They might not be able to give you the EXACT look you want but at least you guys will have the same end goal in mind.

I met with Daryana at the salon in La Jolla – which I knew would be perfect because I was obsessed with HER hair so felt I could trust her from the start. We analyzed my hair together and came up with a plan. A simple plan, but nonetheless, a plan. I wanted fullness and some length and of course wanted it to remain bright blonde. The consultation probably took a total of 15 minutes – I was in and out.

About a week and half after my consultation I arrived back for the actual application of the extensions. I was super nervous but just trying not to overthink it because I figured if I absolutely hated them I could take them out. She first washed my hair with a clarifying shampoo to make sure there were no oils left on my hair from other shampoos, conditioners, or hair products. After that she got to work! I was in and out in under 2 hours – which is less time than it takes for me to get a highlight and cut. I felt like a NEW WOMAN. I was actually a little insecure at first because I had never seen myself with long pretty hair before. It’s almost like it wasn’t me yet. Well, by the time I got home I was obsessed. Ha. Seriously it probably took 15-20 minutes of me tossing it around to feel like myself again. I walked into the house and Anthony was SO surprised! I don’t think he even knew where I had gone, I mean he did – but we all know how guys can be when it comes to stuff like that. Ha. He may have thought I was getting my nails done for all I know.

After the Extensions

It has been almost two weeks since I’ve gotten the extensions and I am loving them so far. I will say – they are a bit more high maintenance than I am used to, but I definitely think they are worth it! I have been wearing it in a low side braided pony tail, or when I have the time I curl it – which is my favorite because that makes me feel ultra feminine! I also try to wash it only once or twice a week – so lot’s of dry shampoo guys! My stylist, Daryana, told me that some people wear these for up to 4 months! And if you take good care of the hair you can keep re-using the hair for even longer. They basically move them up after a few months to keep up with your hair growth.

Tips for caring for your tape-in extensions

I also wanted to share with you guys some tips on caring for your tape-in extensions. As I mentioned above, they are a little more high maintenance than my old short hair but if you take care of them properly they’ll last a long time and be totally worth it.

1. NO conditioner or oil based products in your hair. I’ve been putting conditioner just on the ends in the shower but you definitely don’t want to get close to the actual extension because the oil in the conditioner can cause the extensions to slide off of you hair.
2. Use a wet-brush to brush your hair when it’s wet. Most stylists I’ve been to over the past couple of years have been using these brushes on wet hair because they cause the least amount of damage. I once read somewhere the your hair is like delicate lace when it’s wet so to be very gentle when brushing.
3. When you are blow-drying or just brushing throughout the day it’s good to use a natural bristle brush like this one. It doesn’t grab and yank the extensions like a wider tooth brush might. I also found this brush which is made specifically for hair extensions.
4. Brush hair 3x a day so it’s not a tangled mess. I usually brush mine once in the morning, sometime throughout the day, and then before I go to bed at night.
5. Invest in a good dry shampoo – since you are likely washing your hair less you will need a good dry shampoo that will help your hair stay fresh in between washes. This one is my personal favorite but also look good ole’ baby powder on days when I am rushing. It also brightens up the blonde a bit so that’s another plus!
6. Braid your hair at night – I’ve been braiding mine in a low side braid at night so that my hair isn’t all over the place while I sleep. I tend to move around a lot in my sleep so the braid helps from my hair getting too tangled at night. 

If you guys have any question on my experience with tape-in extensions so far please feel free to ask! I love connecting with you guys. Send me a DM on Instagram or leave me a comment here!

Also, you can learn more about their extensions on their site here: valenteextensions.com 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

You can also see additional posts where I am wearing the extensions here and here.

Here are a few of my favorite products for caring for your hair (with or without extensions):

UPDATE 10/17/18:

Hi guys! Wanted to add a little update to this post since it has been awhile since I had the extensions. So I got them put in the last day of January 2018 and officially took them all out September 2018 (insert crying face emoji). So after having them in for a few months I went back to Valente Hair & Co in April 2018 and Italia took them all out, colored my hair, and put them back in. Pretty much at 8 hour process. BUT – this time we just added a few pieces on the side and back for fullness and kept it on the shorter end. You can see the after here and here.

Fast forward to September 2018 and I ended up taking them all out completely which was both freeing and sad at the same time. I definitely hate wearing my hair down now because it feels much more thin and fine than it was. I don’t necessarily think I lost a lot of hair with the extensions but you just get used to having more hair on your head. I am hoping to get them put back in again in the next couple of months, but will probably keep it ‘lob’ length.

Here are a couple of things I experienced this year with tape-in extensions:

As always feel free to DM me any questions you might have on tape-in extensions. I am an open book and happy to answer your questions!

xx