Beauty

June 9, 2025

The Best Hair Extensions for Your Summer Vacation (Salt, Sweat & Sun-Proof)

Summer vacation is officially here! Whether you’re jetting off to a beachy resort, road-tripping down the coast, or enjoying a summer in Europe, one thing is for sure: your hair has to keep up! Between salty swims, humid air, and nonstop sunshine, this season brings a unique set of hair challenges.

That’s why this summer, all the girls are looking for hair extensions! Not just for length and volume but for an effortless, vacation-ready glam.

The catch? Not all hair extensions are built to survive the summer. The last thing you want is slipping tape, tangled wefts, or high-maintenance styling routines cutting into your vacation.

Great vacation hair should be beautiful and carefree. Today, we’re sharing the best type of hair extensions for summer and why our go-to method holds up through all the salt, sweat, and sun.

The Problem with Traditional Extensions in Summer

Summer is not the time to baby your hair extensions. Between sun exposure, salty swims, and sweaty days on the go, your hair needs to move with you. It’s the time of year when you need your hair to keep up with your lifestyle. Think: low maintenance and high-performing. Unfortunately, not all hair extensions are up for the challenge.

Tape-in extensions are known for their quick installation, but summer doesn’t always play nice with adhesive. The heat, humidity, and moisture from swimming and sweating can cause the tape to loosen or slip. This leaves you constantly adjusting, restyling, or, worst of all… rebooking emergency salon visits mid-vacation.

Clip-ins and halo extensions can be cute for a night out, but they’re not built for longevity. They’re bulky, require daily removal, and won’t survive a day at the beach or a spin class. You’re left skipping the extensions altogether or settling for styles that feel too temporary.

Weft extensions offer fuller coverage, but they can be heavy and hard to style. They can end up trapping moisture after a day at the beach or a dip in the pool, which can cause your head to itch uncomfortably. During the summer, weft hair extensions can cause irritation, buildup, and even damage if not correctly cared for. They’re not exactly the effortless summer hair you were going for…

These traditional hair extension methods come with trade-offs, and summer can often magnify that struggle.

But there’s one method that holds up through it all, and we swear by it for a reason…

Why I-Tip Extensions Are the Ultimate Vacation Hair Solution

If you’re searching for hair extensions that keep up with all your summer plans… i-tip extensions are the answer! At Olivia Christensen Salon, we specialize in luxury i-tip hair extensions that are made from 100% full-cuticle human hair. That’s not just a fancy detail… that’s what makes them style like your own hair, move naturally, and last through whatever your summer throws at you.

Here’s why we love i-tips for summer:

No tape, glue, or heat is required. That means nothing sticky to weaken in the heat or come loose after a dip in the ocean.
They stay put. I-tip extensions are attached with tiny, lightweight beads that won’t budge—whether you’re sweating through a hike or jumping into salt water.
They dry easily and style beautifully. Because they’re made with real, full-cuticle hair, they respond just like your natural hair. Curl them, wave them, slick them back. The options are endless.
They’re discreet. Want to throw your hair up in a claw clip or a sleek ponytail? Go for it. I-tips blend seamlessly and stay hidden, even when styled up.

Our clients tell us time and time again: these are the extensions that let you truly enjoy your vacation without having to worry about your hair. They’re low-maintenance and perfect for jet-setting girls who never compromise on style.

How to Care for Your Extensions While Traveling

And honestly, one of the best things about i-tip hair extensions is that they’re travel-friendly! But, just like your hair, a little care goes a long way, especially when you’re hopping between airports, pools, and humid destinations.

Here are our top tips for keeping your extensions looking flawless while you’re away:

Use a silk pillowcase.

It’s a game-changer. Sleeping on silk reduces friction, helping prevent tangling, frizz, and breakage—so you wake up with smoother, softer hair.

Brush gently and often.

Don’t forget your hair extensions detangling brush; gently detangle your hair in the morning and at night to keep it healthy. Start at the ends and work your way up to avoid tugging at the beads.

Bring along the right shampoo and conditioner.

Opt for sulfate-free, extension-safe formulas that cleanse gently without stripping your hair. We always recommend that you pour your favorites into travel-sized bottles for your trip. Our top recommendations for summer are this shampoo (once or twice a week) and this shampoo and conditioner!

Ask for a hair treatment at your next maintenance appointment.

Before your vacation, schedule a hydrating treatment to keep your hair soft, healthy, and prepped for sun exposure. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference.

With just a little care, your i-tip extensions will stay looking fresh, full, and fabulous—no matter where your summer takes you.

Ready for Your Best Summer Hair Yet?

When it comes to looking effortlessly chic on vacation, your hair should be the least of your worries. With i-tip extensions, you get the freedom to swim, sweat, and style without compromise. It’s no wonder all the it-girls are making the switch this summer.

Whether you’re jet-setting to Europe, heading to the beach, or just enjoying the sunshine at home, luxury i-tip extensions are the ultimate summer hair solution.

Book your appointment at Olivia Christensen Salon today and get vacation-ready with extensions that can truly keep up. Let’s talk about your hair goals and find your perfect match.

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Hair Extension Care

December 22, 2024

What to Expect After Getting Hair Extensions

Are you interested in getting hair extensions, but you’re not sure what to expect after your first visit? This post is for you. Today we’re going to walk through what you can expect after getting hair extensions.

How you take care of your hair extensions will help ensure that they last much longer. At our two New York hair salons, we use only the highest-quality, full-cuticle human hair for our extensions. What does this mean for you? With proper installation and aftercare, they should last for years to come.

By attending regular maintenance appointments and following our specific aftercare routine, you can keep your new hair looking amazing for much longer than any other type of hair extensions. Of course, if we’re talking about what you can expect after hair extensions, we should also talk about the installation.

Proper Hair Extension Installation

We can’t stress enough how important proper installation is. It’s one of the reasons why we have clients who travel from all across the US for maintenance appointments. Hair extensions that are fitted and maintained properly will not only last longer, but they’ll better protect your natural hair underneath as well.

Hair extensions are an investment. And it’s important to treat them like one. If you’d like to reuse your hair for up to a year, you need to follow our specific instructions. Does this mean hair extensions are automatically high-maintenance? Absolutely not! In fact, we’ll talk more about that throughout this guide.

When you come to your first appointment, it’s important to have clean hair that’s also free of products. You don’t want any residue in your hair during the application. And don’t worry, when you come in for your consultation appointment, we’ll go over what to expect at your first appointment.

Book Your Consultation

In the rest of this guide, we mainly want to focus on what you can expect after getting hair extensions for the first time.

What to Expect After Getting Hair Extensions

Weight & Tenderness

You might have heard stories from friends or coworkers about scalp tenderness and an overall ‘heavy’ feeling after your first appointment. And that usually comes down to what kind of hair extensions they’re getting.

We’ve talked before about the various types of extensions, but at our salons, we specialize in microbead i-tip extensions.

If you’ve never had extensions before, after your first appointment you will notice that your hair feels a bit heavier; you will have a lot more hair after all. However, because we take small bundles of hair and attach them to your natural hair, the weight is distributed evenly across your scalp.

Our clients who have come to us after having other extension types (namely a weft) have said that the first thing they’ve noticed is that their head suddenly feels so much lighter. Wefts tend to feel heavy, and it can take you a while to get used to that.

They can also cause your scalp to feel tender, because of the way the bulk of the hair is sitting in one row of your natural hair.

Aftercare

We send each of our clients home with special aftercare instructions and product recommendations to help prolong the life of their extensions. One of the first things that we ask is that you wait 2-3 days after an appointment before washing your hair.

It’s also important to avoid using hair conditioners, oils, or masks around the bonds. This can cause your hair extensions to slip. There are some popular hair products you can’t use now that you have hair extensions. If you want to learn more about those, read this post next.

You want to keep your hair clean with high-quality products. Because products tend to have a lot of sneaky ingredients in them that can be harmful to your hair extensions, we’ve actually created a specific line of hair extension-safe products, including this signature shampoo and conditioner that’s gentle enough to use daily and a clarifying shampoo for those heavy workout days.

This brush is specifically designed to keep your hair extension bonds completely tangle-free! This is the ultimate detangling brush you need, whether or not you have hair extensions.

Because you’ve invested in hair extensions, you’re also going to want to invest in high-quality products to care for them. While we only use the highest quality hair extensions, they’re still not going to get the nutrients that your scalp is giving to your natural hair.

So while you can style and treat them like your natural hair, they’re more susceptible to damage, which is why aftercare is so important!

The Best Products for Hair Extensions

The Loop Brush from Olivia Christensen Salon
The Untangle Me Brush from Olivia Christensen Salon
Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer
SinglePass Smooth X Professional Flat Iron
Slipsilk™ Skinny Scrunchies
Signature Shampoo from Olivia Christensen Salon
Signature Conditioner from Olivia Christensen Salon
Genesis Heat Protecting Leave-In Treatment

Shop Our Favorite Hair Extension-Safe Products

Maintenance appointments

You can also expect to come in for regular maintenance appointments. Our clients come in every 6-8 weeks, and during the appointment, we remove the extensions, comb out the hair fall, and then reinstall the extensions. While that might sound like a lot, regular maintenance appointments should only take around an hour.

You shouldn’t wear your extensions for longer than 2 months continuously, simply because of hair fall, tangling, and slippage. During this time, your hair will have grown over an inch. That extra space can cause your hair extensions to pull on your natural hair, and it leaves room for your roots to get tangled.

Regular maintenance appointments avoid all of this.

With proper installation, you should leave your first hair extension appointment with luscious new locks and relatively no pain or scalp tenderness. And with regular maintenance and proper aftercare, your new extensions should last for months to come, and you should see natural hair growth underneath.

If you’d like to learn more and see if our specialized hair extensions are right for you, make sure to book a consultation with our founder, Christina, today.

Book Your Consultation

If you have more questions you’d like us to answer here or on Instagram, make sure to follow our account @oliviachristensensalon and our founder Christina @hairgoddessofny.

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Hair Extension Care

October 13, 2024

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Hair Extensions

Extensions are a fast way to add length, volume and style to your hair. But more importantly, they’re one of the fastest ways to boost your confidence.

Over the years, we’ve seen hair extensions change women’s lives. From regaining their confidence after cancer treatments to falling back in love with themselves just by looking in the mirror, we’ve helped thousands of women on their hair extension journey.

We believe that hair extensions are an investment, and it’s important that they’re not something you rush into. It’s important to understand the different types of extensions and the upkeep and maintenance that each type requires.

So stick around because today we’re sharing 10 things you probably didn’t know about hair extensions.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Hair Extensions

#1: There are many different types of hair extensions (and they’re not all created equally)

When most women begin their hair extension journey, they’re not really sure what style or type of hair extensions to go with. In reality, a lot of women don’t realize just how many choices they have. In the past, we’ve done a deep dive into the different types of hair extensions, which you can read here.

Today we’ll give you a very quick recap. These are the most typical or most popular hair extension methods:

Clip-In
Halo
Tape-In
Sew-In (Weft/Weave)
Keratin Fusion (K-Tips)
Microbead Extensions (I-Tips)

At our two New York Salons, we love i-tips, and if you’ve been on our blog before, you probably already know that. We find that i-tips are the safest and most natural-looking extensions. That’s because when we install i-tips, we take a small bundle of extension hair and attach it to your natural hair using beads: no heat, no glue, and no heavy weight pulling on your natural strands.

#2: You get what you pay for

You’re going to hear us say this a lot: not all hair extensions are created equal. That’s just the truth of the extension industry. There’s not enough hair to meet demand, which means you can end up with synthetic hair extensions or hair that has been wrongly taken from women around the world.

This is why it’s so important to go with a salon that sources quality, real-human hair from distributors that compensate women fairly. Again, at our two New York salons, we know all of our suppliers, and we know the full journey of our hair, from the women who grow it, to the women who use it.

Yes, that means there’s going to be a higher price tag. But that means the woman who grew that hair for you was fairly compensated, and it will ensure that the hair is virgin, full-cuticle, and without any processing by the time it gets to you.

It also means with proper care and maintenance, the hair should last for up to 12 months.

#3: Extensions require a bit of extra care and attention

Speaking of proper care and maintenance, each of our clients leaves the salon with detailed instructions on how to care for their extensions. And because we only use full-cuticle, human hair, installed with i-tips, you can style and wear your hair like normal. You can also exercise as normal, but you do need to take extra care when washing and maintaining your extensions.

Each of our clients comes in every 6-8 weeks for maintenance appointments, and there are a few popular products you can’t use anymore.

We always tell our clients that hair extensions are a high-maintenance way to have low-maintenance hair.

#4: Good hair extensions should look like your natural hair

Read that again. Good hair extensions should look like your natural hair.

This is another place where you’re going to see the difference in the quality of hair extensions. In other words, quality hair extensions should never look like hair extensions. They should genuinely look like an extension of your natural hair.

We love that each client who walks out of our salon looks like she has fuller and longer natural hair. There’s no obvious extension line, and instead we’re all left wondering where her natural hair ends…and the extensions begin. And yes, even with transformations like this one.

#5: Hair extensions aren’t just for length

One of the most common misconceptions about hair extensions is that they’re only for women who want longer hair. In fact, a lot of the women who come to see us want volume just as much (if not more) as they want length.

Hair extensions help your natural hair look healthier and fuller, so if you’ve always struggled with volume, book a consultation to see how we can help.

The other secret benefit of having hair extensions is that they can actually help your natural hair grow while you’re wearing them. But more on that in another article.

#6: Hair extensions are faster to install than you think

Another common myth that we hear about hair extensions is that they take hours to install and maintain. This can stop women from even coming in for a consultation, because they feel busy enough…and they don’t need high-maintenance hair added to their list.

So let’s bust this myth. Our first-time installation can be done in an hour-long appointment. And your routine maintenance can be done in an hour every 6-8 weeks. It doesn’t have to be a huge commitment to have full, beautiful hair. You need to make sure you’re choosing the right salon.

And that’s just installation and maintenance. Hair extensions will also save you time during the week. Our extensions help hold your style longer, which means those Sunday curls will still look good come Tuesday or even Wednesday!

#7: Hair extensions should be comfortable

If your hair extensions are hurting, they’re either installed incorrectly or they’re the wrong method for you. Our clients who switch from a weft to i-tips always comment on how much lighter our extensions feel. Because that’s the thing: hair extensions shouldn’t be heavy. They shouldn’t leave you with a headache at the end of each day. That’s not “just the way extensions are.”

If you’ve never had comfortable extensions, or if you’ve always been scared of getting extensions because you thought they’d be uncomfortable…get in touch with our team! We’ll be able to show you a whole new world of hair extensions.

#8: Good hair extensions won’t damage your natural hair

One of the most common questions we’re asked as hair extension specialists is: “Will hair extensions damage my natural hair?” This is such a common myth about hair extensions because it’s rooted in truth. Too many women’ve had their natural hair damaged by extensions. And that shouldn’t be the case. In fact, hair extensions should promote your natural hair to grow and be as healthy as possible.

When installed properly, hair extensions actually protect your natural hair and improve its appearance.

However, if you get poor-quality extensions, or you have them installed by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing… that’s a surefire way to ruin your natural hair.

#9: Hair extensions can be good for your hair

We already touched on this slightly, but hair extensions can be really good for your natural hair. We’ve seen women post-cancer treatments come in for extensions, and over time, their own hair grows back beautifully. This is because our extensions are lightweight and act like a natural shield for your hair.

Also, when you have extensions you’re going to be caring for your hair more than normal. You’ll be coming into the salon every 6-8 weeks for maintenance appointments, you’ll be using better products, and you’ll be more conscious of decisions that affect your hair. All of this is going to lead to stronger, healthier natural hair.

#10: Hair extensions require different haircare products

The last thing you probably didn’t know about hair extensions is that they’re going to require that you switch up your routine a bit. You won’t be able to use any popular product that you see on social media, because a lot of those products can actually cause damage, buildup or slippage on your extensions. Going forward, you won’t be able to use things like hair oils and you’ll need to be careful with hair masks and heavy products.

Luckily, we’ll always leave you with a haircare routine that’s going to help you prolong the life of your hair extensions. You’ve just invested in beautiful, high-quality new hair extensions; you’ll want to make sure you have the products you need to make them last.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to get hair extensions, remember that this is a great chance to try a new hairstyle, regain your confidence, and fall back in love with your hair. We’ve seen hair extensions help thousands of women regain their confidence, and we’d love to help you too.

The health of your natural hair is the most important thing, so don’t compromise. Make sure that you’re choosing the right salon and investing in quality hair extensions. When you invest in the best hair extensions and expert installation, you can expect amazing results.

Book a Consutlation

If you’re ready to explore getting hair extensions, make sure to book a consultation with our founder, Christina.

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Hair Extension Care

August 26, 2024

The Importance of Hair Extension Maintenance

Let’s talk about the importance of hair extension maintenance. Quality hair extensions aren’t cheap but when they’re properly cared for, they should last for years.

We recently talked about the importance of quality hair extensions and why it’s so important to know where your extensions are coming from. But we also shared that our extensions typically start at $1,500 and can go up to $6,500.

We recognize that your hair is a big investment and that’s why we send all of our clients home with detailed (and pretty strict!) care instructions and follow-up, maintenance appointments. So let’s dive into why maintenance appointments are so important – and what you can do at home to better protect and care for your extensions.

The Importance of Hair Extension Maintenance

Did you know that you shed around 45-98 hairs each day? YUP. When you feel like you’re constantly ‘shedding’, it’s because you usually are.

However, when you have extensions, that shedded hair gets trapped in the small beads/links that are applied to hold the extension strand. That’s why it’s so important to come in for regular hair extension maintenance appointments.

We have our clients come in every 4-8 weeks depending on how well they maintain their extensions at home.

When you come in for your hair extension maintenance appointment, we comb through the ‘shedded’ hair. It may feel like a lot of hair fall – but remember that all of this shedded hair is from 4-8 weeks.

Once we’ve combed through the shedded hair, we then apply a new bead or link and retip the bonds to ensure that they are encapsulated and secure. This process helps keep your hair extensions intact so that they can be reused. But it also means that each time you come in for your hair extension maintenance appointments, we have to essentially start from scratch.

We do this to maintain the quality of your hair – so that you can continue to use these extensions for years to come!

How to Care for Your Hair Extensions at Home

Besides your regular maintenance appointments, we also send our clients home with strict care instructions.

At Olivia Christensen Salon we use only real, quality human hair extensions, which means that you can style them as you would your normal hair. However, you need to take better care of your extensions and your hair overall when you have extensions.

Here are some of our top tips for maintaining your quality hair extensions so you can wear them for years to come.

Attend Regular Hair Extension Maintenance Appointments

As we said above, one of the most important things that you can do to maintain your hair extensions is to come to regular maintenance appointments. Our clients come in every 4-8 weeks for hair extension maintenance. We schedule these appointments to comb out the shedded hair but also to protect the bead/link of each extension.

If you leave your hair extensions in too long with these maintenance appointments, the beads can bend and distort. This can lead to the extensions getting ruined and in some cases, natural hair loss as well.

Have Your Hair Extensions Installed Properly

Similar to the sentiment that not all hair extensions are created equal or of the same quality – how you have your extensions installed is just as important.

At Olivia Christensen Salon we’ve developed a special installation technique that blends your extensions to naturally match your hair. This technique also ensures that your extensions are being installed correctly every time.

Wash Your Extensions Carefully

Oftentimes people feel like they can’t wash their hair when they have extensions in – but that’s far from the truth. In fact, it’s important to wash your hair like normal – but you need to wash your hair less frequently and with greater care.

We recommend brushing your hair carefully before washing, being extremely gentle with your scalp, and avoiding harsh chemicals in your products.

Sleep on Silk or Satin

Whether or not you have extensions, we recommend that you switch to a silk or satin pillowcase. Silk pillowcases prevent dryness and hair loss. We also recommend against sleeping with your hair in a bun, or ponytail or leaving it flowing freely. Instead, put your hair in two loose braids and wrap a silk scarf around your head.

Avoid Using Too Many Products

When it comes to the number of products you use on your hair – more does not equal better. We recommend using fewer products on your hair and instead focusing on the quality of those products and how you use them. Things like dry shampoos should be used sparingly (because they tend to dry your hair out) and we don’t recommend using a heat protectant as most of them contain harmful ingredients that may cause the extensions to slip out.

Brush Your Hair Often

Lastly, make sure that you are brushing your hair often. There’s nothing worse than tangles and knots in your hair extensions. So one of the best (and easiest) ways to maintain your hair extensions is simply through brushing them. Brush your hair when you wake up, when you style your hair for the day, before you shampoo, and before bed every night.

Different types of hair brushes work well for different hair types, so make sure to ask your stylist what they recommend for you.

With proper care, your high-quality hair extensions should last you for months. It’s so important to make sure that you are attending your hair extension maintenance appointments and following strict hair extension care instructions to maintain your beautiful new hair.

If you’re ready to take the leap and get high-quality hair extensions, make sure that you book a consultation appointment with us today.

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