U-Tip Aftercare: The Pineapple, Finger Combing, and Why You Should Wash More

Most people think the secret to making extensions last is washing them as little as possible. With raw hair, it's the opposite. The more you shampoo and condition raw U-tips, the better they get.

Here's the simple aftercare routine I use myself and teach every client.

PART ONE: WHY RAW HAIR LOVES TO BE WASHED

Every strand has a cuticle, like shingles on a roof. When those shingles lift and catch on each other, the hair tangles and mats. Shampoo and conditioner lay the cuticle back down and keep it flat. So the biggest cause of tangled extensions is usually not washing and conditioning enough.

Synthetic and fiber-blend hair is the opposite. Those companies tell you not to shampoo, because washing strips off the fake luster. Raw hair is real human hair with a real cuticle, so you care for it like healthy hair.

"With raw hair, the more you shampoo and condition, the better the hair is always going to get." — Bianca Blanco, BLONC founder

PART TWO: THE PINEAPPLE

A pineapple is a loose, high ponytail on top of your head. It's my favorite way to tie my hair up at night, and before I get in the shower. It keeps the length off your pillow and out of the way, so it doesn't rub, twist, and tangle.

• Gather the hair loosely at the top of your head
• Secure it with a soft scrunchie, not a tight elastic
• Keep it loose enough that there's no pull on the bonds

PART THREE: HOW TO WASH AND DETANGLE

1. Finger comb before you wash. Start at the ends and work your way up toward the bonds, separating the hair and removing tangles with your fingers.
2. Shampoo. Apply shampoo and work it through gently, then finger comb again from the ends up.
3. Condition. Use a moisturizing conditioner and finger comb once more from the ends up, so the cuticle lays flat.
4. Repeat often. Regular washing and conditioning is what keeps raw hair smooth.

Always start at the ends. Starting at the top pushes tangles down into a knot and pulls on the bonds.

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PART FOUR: THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

Avoid harsh clarifying shampoos and low-quality grocery-store shampoos and conditioners. They lift the cuticle and cause tangling. I recommend Joico. My favorites are Moisture Recovery, Defy Damage, Hydra Splash, and the Blonde Life line for blondes.

And yes, sulfates are okay on BLONC hair. It's real human hair, so you can wash it the way you'd wash healthy hair.

Do	Don't
Shampoo and condition often	Avoid washing to make it last
Finger comb from the ends up	Brush from the roots down
Tie it in a loose pineapple at night	Sleep with it loose
Use quality products like Joico	Use harsh clarifying or cheap shampoos

If tangles happen

With raw and virgin hair, you can always get tangles out and make the hair smoother again. Wash, condition, and finger comb from the ends up with products that lay the cuticle down. Good care also keeps your hair ready for re-tipping. Read Re-Tipping Raw U-Tips.

BOTTOM LINE

Raw U-tip aftercare is simple: tie your hair in a loose pineapple at night and in the shower, finger comb from the ends up, and shampoo and condition often with quality products like Joico. Raw hair gets better the more you wash it, so when in doubt, wash and condition.

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