When you’re working with human hair extensions, not just any tools will do, especially if they’re installed using IBE®, the method known for luxury, longevity, and looking flawless from every angle. Whether you’re a stylist behind the chair or styling your own strands at home, using the right tools and techniques can make the difference between “wow” and “what happened?”
Let’s break it all down: what to use, what to avoid, and how to keep those extensions looking flawless.
Why Extensions Need the Right Tools
Extensions aren’t high maintenance, but they are high standard. Unlike your natural strands, extensions don’t benefit from the natural oil that your scalp produces, so they need a little extra love to stay soft and shiny. The right styling tools are critical to keeping them looking their best. Extensions often require more careful handling than natural hair to avoid breakage, tangling, and premature wear. This is particularly true for IBE® installations, as their unique method relies on beads and thread that should not be compromised during styling.
An IBE® install sets you up for success—but how you style it is what takes it from good to effortlessly gorgeous. Incorporating the right tools, products, and techniques ensures that your extensions look flawless every day, maintaining their health, shine, and texture.
Best Tools for Styling Human Hair Extensions
Not all tools play nice with extensions, so let’s get into the ones that actually work (and won’t compromise your new hair).
Heat Styling Tools
Extra-long curling irons are a must have. They wrap your wefts with ease and cut styling time in half. More hair, less hassle. The longer barrel size on these irons ensures that you can work through your extension wefts smoothly without causing unnecessary tension or frizz.Don’t forget your heat protectant. We’re obsessed with the Goldie Locks® Blow Dry Spray! It protects up to 450°F and leaves the hair silky without weighing it down. Heat protectants are crucial when styling extensions, as they prevent the hair from becoming brittle, dry, and lifeless.
Brushes & Combs
Ditch the plastic loop brush. A metal bristle detangling brush is the extension friendly upgrade you need. It glides through the hair smoothly, the bristles won’t snap mid-styling, and won’t damage your rows by unlooping your beads. Metal bristles are gentler on extensions, reducing breakage, and the detangling feature ensures smooth and tangle-free hair, which is essential to preserve the integrity of both natural and extension hair.
Avoid any brush with plastic balls on the tips, they can snag your wefts and potentially remove extensions prematurely. The risk of pulling or loosening beads is significantly increased with brushes that have these balls, making it crucial to opt for brushes designed with extensions in mind.
As for combs? We don’t recommend them. They can get stuck in your rows and cause unnecessary tension. Extension-friendly combs may be suitable for sectioning, but they should be avoided when detangling or working through the hair.
For a finishing touch, a boar bristle brush is amazing for smoothing, adding shine, stimulating your scalp, and pulling your hair into the sleekest ponytail of your life. This type of brush is gentle and effective for distributing natural oils, adding a polished look to your extensions.
Sectioning Tools
Clean sectioning = better styling (and less stress on the wefts). We love the IBE® Sectioning Clips they’re strong, stylish, and stay in place without slipping. Proper sectioning allows you to work with smaller, more manageable portions of hair, ensuring that each section is styled evenly and with less tugging on the extensions.
Using clips specifically designed for extensions also reduces the risk of pulling on beads and thread, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear. Always ensure your sectioning clips are large enough to hold heavy wefts, especially when working with longer extensions.
Extension Tools (for Stylists)
If you’re working professionally with hair extensions, you need the right tools, this collection has everything from pliers and bead threaders to essentials that keep your installs secure. Extension tools allow stylists to apply proper tension and maintain secure bonds between natural hair and extensions. Using the correct tools is key to ensuring the longevity and seamless blend of the extensions.
Want a setup that’s as pretty as it is practical? The IBE® Tool Kit keeps everything organized, chic, and ready to go. This kit includes premium quality tools designed specifically for the IBE® method, making it a one stop solution for all your extension needs.
Hair Products
Goldie Locks® is our go to line because when you’re working with luxury hair, you need luxury care. Their entire line is extension safe, sulfate free, lightweight, and formulated for long lasting wear. Choosing the right hair products can drastically extend the life of your extensions while preserving their texture, shine, and manageability.
A few of our must-haves:
- Blow Dry Spray – Heat protection + shine
- Leave-In Conditioner – Adds softness without slip, which is key when dealing with extensions that might otherwise tangle or feel heavy.
- Signature Shampoo & Conditioner – Gentle, hydrating, and perfect for preserving your locks. Sulfate-free formulas are a must to avoid stripping natural oils and prolonging the life of your extensions.
- Signature Serum – Seals in moisture and finishes with that glossy, photo-ready look. It works especially well for taming frizz and adding extra shine to the ends of the hair, ensuring that your extensions don’t appear dry or lackluster.
Maintenance & Aftercare
IBE® hair is built to last, but maintenance is what keeps it thriving. Here’s how to keep your extensions looking salon fresh between move ups:
- Always sleep with two loose braids or two low ponytails. One pony may feel easier, but it can pull on the corners of your rows and cause tension. Trust us twos are better than one. This technique reduces friction and helps prevent tangling, ensuring your extensions stay intact overnight.
- Use a silk pillowcase to cut down on friction (and frizz). Cotton pillowcases can cause friction, leading to tangles and dryness, which is why silk or satin alternatives are ideal for both natural hair and extensions.
- Brush gently with your metal bristle detangling brush in the morning and at night, no tugging, no drama. A gentle brush routine helps to prevent unnecessary strain on your extensions, which could lead to premature shedding or breakage.
- Before bed, run a small amount of the Goldie Locks® Signature Serum through the mids and ends to lock in moisture and shine while you sleep. This ensures that the hair stays hydrated and smooth, reducing the risk of damage from environmental factors or friction.
This routine takes five minutes. The results? Healthy, shiny, tangle-free hair. Consistency is key, and simple maintenance steps like these will keep your extensions looking stunning for months.
Human Hair Extensions Deserve Better
Here’s the thing: human hair extensions are an investment, and they deserve to be treated like it. Whether you’re a stylist working with clients or a beauty lover styling your own IBE® install, the tools and techniques you use will make or break the experience.
With the right brush, the right products, and a little styling intention, you can protect the integrity of your natural hair and your extensions, while keeping everything looking fresh, full, and seamless.
The goal isn’t just beautiful hair. It’s healthy, wearable, effortlessly styled hair every single day. Maintaining your IBE® extensions with the proper tools and aftercare will ensure that they continue to look flawless, no matter the season or occasion. Treat your extensions with care, and they will reward you with a consistently luxurious and natural look.
