Emily Maynard

PHOTO CREDIT: my insanely talented friend, Lindsay Alexander Photography Check out her blog too!

Confessions of a Former Extension Addict

by 101 Comments

Hi. My name is Emily and I used to be addicted to hair extensions. I’ve had every kind from the bonded to the tape-ins to simple clip-ins, and of course had the broken off hair to show for it. On top of that, I don’t know if you all remember, but last year (September 9th, 2014.. not that I’ve kept track or anything) I got bangs cut and as embarrassing as it is to admit, it was a traumatizing experience to say the least. Just picture me hiding under my covers and ordering headbands on my computer like a maniac. Not pretty.

Over the past year I have been on a mission to get my hair to be as healthy as possible, all the while avoiding the easy fix of throwing in some extensions. So, here are my biggest tips for growing your hair out and keeping it as healthy as possible!

 

  1. Hair Vitaimins- I give these to all of my friends that are trying to grow their hair out and they really do work so quickly! After I got my bangs cut I started taking these and they were significantly grown out after a month of taking these vitamins. Even my husband noticed!
  2. Wet Brush- This is pretty much the only hairbrush I use besides my Mason Pearson brush. If you’re not ready to splurge on a MP, try this one! It’s so much easier on your hair than a traditional hairbrush.
  3. Deep Conditioner- I use this Living Proof Hair Treatment once a week
  4. Scrunchies- I put my hair in a bun on the top of my head with a giant scrunchie every night!
  5. Silk Pillowcase- I bought this at Sephora and it has made my blow outs last so much longer!
  6. Dry Shampoo- This is a safe place, right? Please don’t judge me but I wash my hair about once a week. Part because its not good to wash your hair too much and mostly because I’m lazy. I buy this Living Proof Dry Shampoo in bulk!

What are your secrets for growing out a bad haircut? Or just keeping your hair healthy? Leave them in comments!

 

Comments

  1. Mane & Tail shampoo/conditioner works wonders!! i have tried a zillion different salon products but this leaves my hair soft and shiny and helps my blow out last all week.

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  2. My favorite things for growing hair healthy and long is coconut oil and biotIn. I Use the coconut oil as a hair mask foR a min of 2hrs, i also sleep in it over night. I did the same Thing as you years ago, and now reversing the damage. Hope this helps!

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  3. I ONLY WASH MY HAIR ONCE A WEEK ALSO. oNE, BECAUSE i HAVE A 5 MONTH OLD AND DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THAT NONSENSE AND TWO, i AM ALSO A BIT LAZY. i CONFESS TO BEING AN EXTENSION ADDICT. mY HAIR HAS BEEN THE SAME LENGTH FOR 4 YEARS AND i CANNOT GET IT TO GROW, SO i FINALLY BOUGHT ME SOME CLIP-INS ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. i LOVE THE LOOK, BUT HATE THE HASSLE. i AM GOING TO LOOK INTO THOSE VITAMINS. aND BE ON THE SEARCH FOR THE SCRUNCHIES i MADE IN 8TH GRADE hOME AND FAMILY CLASS.

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  4. Hi Emily, Your hair looks better than ever… So shiny and silky. However the link tO the hair vitamins doesn’t open up! What brand makes them?
    Thank you
    Love,
    Olivia

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  5. I love its a 10 products. they work wonders and smell amazing. the wet brushes are amazing and help while blow drying your hair. 🙂

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  6. i have been using monat products for the last year and my hair never been healthier. The products are natural botanical based with no harsh chemicals. It would be worth checking out these products.

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  7. Thank you so much for posting this. Within the last year my hair has really gone down hill. I’ve tried so many different shampoos and conditioners. Can’t wait to try all your suggestions. love your blog!

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  11. Emily

    Is your hair thick or thin? Mine is thin so its really hard to go without washing BECAUSE it looks greasy. You look beautiful!

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  12. I have been using the living proof products for years and my hair is so long and healthy! Us blondes have to take extra care of ouR color-treated hair 😉

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  13. Also, i would love to see what makeup products you are loving these days. I love reading all of your tIps and tricks! Thanks 🙂

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  17. Ive been taking these ever Since i cut my hair into a pixie. Are there specific times of the day you recommend taking them?

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  18. SPASILK HAS WONDERFUL SILK PILLOWCASES AND YOU CAN FIND THEM ONLINE FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST OF THE ONES AT SEPHORA. I’VE USED THEM FOR YEARS AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM.

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  19. Hi Emily! Thank yiu for the tIps! I am also trying to get my hair as healthy as possible right now. I judt had a baby on July 28 and am losing massive amounts of hair 🙁 i was wondering how you are dealing with the post parteum hair loss. If you have any tip for minimizing it ect. Thank you!

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  20. Milkshake products. The leave in CONDITIONER and hairspray are amazing. I get them from my hair stylist, but you can also get them on amazon! since using the leave in conditioner it has made my hair more thick, and grow faster!

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  23. I did a micro keraton Treatment at my hair saLon, its amazing’ and I also use marc anthony’s argon oil treatments.

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  24. Hey Emily! I’m very interested in trying new vitamins especially to help with my hair!! Is there a Specific Vitamin you recommend through it works?
    thanks!

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  27. Emily, Your hair looks amazing! I use coconut oil on my hair, just put it on and sleep on it. I lay a towel down so my pillow doesn’t soak up the oil. Then in the morning wash it out and my hair is so soft and shiny! I also use baby powder instead of dry shampoo, it works amazingly on blonde hair. And I’m like you I only wash my hair about twice a week:)

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  30. I am the same way, wash my hair only once a week too. Discovering dry shampoo has been a life changer! I go through mine so quickly though, how long do those cans last for you?

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  31. I am just looking out for you girl but there is a lot of people on your favebook status promoting their own business at itworks!! Keep on doing what your doing. Your amaing!!

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  32. Hi emily! I am A marker partner with monat global. Monat’s hair care products are naTural and ConTain essential oils that are actually absorbed into your hair and proVide nouriShmEnt (not like moroccan Or argan oIls that Just coat the hair). The results are clinically proven. I formerly used Living proof and wen-this blows them both out of the water! StYlists are now being introduced to the products and agree that they are truly SUPERIOR! I can send samples to you or you can order from my website/Message me thRough Facebook. I would love to hElp you have the Longest, healthiest hair possible. Also, The products come with a 30 day money back guarantee., so there is nothing to lose! Thanks for your post! I Hope to hear from you Soon! ?

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  33. Can you give exact name of vitamins? The link takes you to an ItWorks page and yOu cant find thr vitamins anywhere? Its not a direct link to a vitamin product. Tgx

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  34. When i go to the link, The vitamin price says $33.00, but wHen i add it to my cart its 55.00. Do We not get a deal going through your link/website? Or do you have a coupon code to enter 🙂
    Thanks!!!!!

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  35. Thank you for this post! I have been searching for tips like these. You are beautiful and so is your hair! #SWeeTesTbachElorette
    #IcantturnoffallcaPs

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  36. Hey EmilY
    Thanks for all this! I had a baby in july and am breastfeedinf stIll. Ive noticed i keep losing hair!! Kind of personal- but did you run into this and if so what worked Best?
    Thanks girl! Cassie

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  37. Hey emily! love your blog. Im looking forward to trying your suggestions. I was reading your okder post about your skincare routine and i was wondering, have you changed that at all or do yoi still have the same Routine? Im looking for some good products for my skin. Yours is amazing!
    I dont know why this is typing in all caps, So sorry:)

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  39. Hi Emily,

    I absolutely love Color Wow Color Security Shampoo & Conditioner to keep hair healthy, shiny, and color clear. It’s great for extensions as well because its’ gentle formula doesn’t break the glue bonds, making for longer lasting extensions!
    Hopy you try 🙂
    http://www.colorwowhair.com/

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  40. Emily, as always… Thank you for sharing. My staples for my hair are Aveda- smooth infusion shampoo and conditioner, Aveda smooth infusion glossing straightener(even though my hair is stick straight- it polishes and protects from heat- I use this around my face and ends of hair where it is most fragile) and to top it off- I am addicted to Kenra blowdry spray- it is an intense thermal protectant, it’s lightweight so it doesn’t weigh down the hair, eliminates frizz & humidity…it also detangles, smooths, softens and adds a bit of a shine. There is a similar product in the Oribe line that I like very well, but I honestly like Kenra blowdry spray a little better. My hair is similar to your blonde color- medium thickness with fine texture.

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    • I barely use any heat on my hair so I just use a leave in conditioner. Right now I love the one from Oribe and it smells so good!

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  42. DId you Find your skin to have any more breAkouts with the vitamins? I have had issues in the past witH the gnc hsn vitamiNs…. Great post! Thank you!

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  45. Love all your posts! Have you ever used any euphora products? Also, what salon/ stYlist do you go to here in charlotte?

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  46. I massage olive oil into my hair all over from scalp to roots once a week. I leave it for couple hours or overnight (I cover my pillow with a clean towel and sleep on it with hair tied up in bun). it allowed the oil to sink in the hair. shampoo well (I massage the scalp well to remove the oil). conditioner is optional. I do it only on the bottom of my hair. result is so soft and manageable hair!! olive oil is amazing! same go for coconut oil. the thing with coconut oil is it comes in solid form- you have to heat it to make it melt to liquid for hair application.

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  48. Emily i have to be honest i thought you looked so pretty with your Shorter hair cut years ago! You Have a nice face for short hair!

    And about the hair tips i swear this works. It sounds crazy but try and hang upside doWn off you bed. A doctor told me once that this causes the blood to rush tO your scalp. If you do this a few Minutes a day it works! And give yourself or have someone else give you a scalp massage Like 10 minutes a day. This alone worked. I have blonde hair too and a monTh after doing both of these things my roots were like inches longer than uSual.

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  49. Hi Emily!

    You may already be planning to do a makeup blog but I thought I would go ahead and ask. What type of foundation are you using now? Do you still use the temptu airbrush set? Trying to decide if I want that system to be a Christmas present. ?

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  52. awww what a shame you didnt find me back then, i make custom made hair fringes and beehives could have helped you cover up the growing out phase…if you ever fancy ‘faux’ bangs again, happy to make you some 😉

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  55. Do you still use your WEn? I have recently begun using New Wash by Hairstory ( same concept) and it has left my hair feeling rather greasy. Any suggestions?

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  57. Hi Emily,

    I am moving to charlotte and am looking for a great hair salon. Which salon do you use??

    THanks,

    Joanna

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  59. Also-when straightening hair and/or curling it- always apply argan oil (or another hair sErum/oIl) Before straightening to prevent stripping Of natural oils and instead your straightener will Strip more of the hair product

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  60. Emily, are u experiencing postpartum hair loss? Are tjose vitamins safe to use while nursing. #beenloosingmyhairsincedelivery #goingon5months ???

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    • My doctor said it was okay to take them while I was pregnant/nursing. It helped so much I didn’t notice any hair loss! I’d definitely check with your doctor though just to be sure it’s okay since everyone is different 🙂

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  62. I am a hairstylist in california and was also an extension abuser/enthusiest. I cut my hair into a bob two Years ago to just get rid of all the fragile/broken hair.
    I started usiNg redken extreme lengths biotin protein sealer. Its amazing!!! Just apply a pea size to ends of haif first then through the Rest. It helps with Breakage, ends splitting and gorwing healthy long hair. My hair is now down the middle of my Back, multiple haircuts later and its beyond healthy. Highly recommend!

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  64. i’M SO GLAD TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE AS BEAUTIFUL AS YOU ONLY WASHES THEIR HAIR ONCE A WEEK AS DO i!! mAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER THAT THEIR ARE OTHERS THAT DO IT, TOO! LOL

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  65. Thank you so much for posting this. Within the last year my hair has really gone down hill. I’ve tried so many different shampoos and conditioners. Can’t wait to try all your suggestions. love your blog!

    Reply

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