Here’s the scenario: your Mayvenn bundles have been installed for a few weeks and you’re obsessed with them. You’ve styled and cared for them on your own (as instructed by your Mayvenn Certified Stylist) and they’ve been lasting... but you begin to notice that the hair isn’t as easily manipulated as it was during the first two weeks of styling. Although it appears nice, it feels different when you tie it down at night and when you unwrap it in the morning. It doesn’t have the same fresh bounce as it did in the beginning.
This change in manageability is happening because it’s time for your hair to receive some maintenance in the form of a shampoo and conditioning treatment. Whether you decide to do it on your own or go back to your stylist, it’s important to follow the care booklet you received when you ordered your bundles. The texture of the hair and whether or not you opted for a custom color will determine which products to use; however, the washing routine amongst all Mayvenn textures is typically very similar. The hair can be washed while it’s installed or in individual bundles. Whatever your choice is, here’s a cheat sheet for how to wash and condition your Mayvenn bundles and give them a real refresher.
Individual Bundles
Step 1 - Remove the netting from the bundle and observe the hair to ensure it meets your standards
After removing the hair from the packaging, remove the additional net from the bundle to begin the process of washing and conditioning. Make sure the texture is to your liking by feeling and observing the hair.
Step 2 - Set the water temperature to lukewarm
Water that is too hot or too cold will have an adverse effect on the texture of your hair and on the longevity of your bundles. If properly cared for, your Mayvenn bundles will last up to a full year - or even a little longer! The wrong temperature can cause the hair to dry out when shampooing and conditioning, resulting in the loss of vibrancy sooner than expected.
Step 3 - Wet the hair from the top down
The lukewarm water should run down the hair to avoid tangling. Keep the strands neat during the shampoo and conditioning process while separating strands to ensure they don’t tangle along the way.
Step 4 - Rinse out your hair
Stroke, squeeze and fan out the hair from top to bottom to ensure all excess water is removed. The natural curl pattern will start to form as you lightly dry the hair.
Step 5 - Apply shampoo/conditioner to hair
Use a quarter-size amount of shampoo to the hair and apply it with strokes from top to bottom. Lather the shampoo by scrunching. Rinse the hair with the water running down the hair shaft to prevent tangling. Squeeze all products from the bundles once thoroughly shampooed.
Step 6 - Apply conditioner to your bundles
Add a generous amount of conditioner to the damp bundle in the same motion as you did your shampoo. You’ll always use more conditioner than shampoo, as Mayvenn’s Virgin Hair acts similarly to your natural hair and feeds off of the nutrients in the conditioner. Using a wide-tooth comb, comb the bundle to spread the product throughout the hair. Starting combing from the ends and work your way up to prevent breakage and unnecessary pulling. Leave the conditioner in for 3-5 minutes on each bundle before rinsing the product out. Make sure all product is removed from the hair to avoid product build-up. For curlier textures, it’s ok to leave a small amount of conditioner in the hair to help with softness and moisture retention.
Step 6: Dry bundles
The hair can be left on a towel to dry overnight or be dried and detangled with a blow dryer on low heat. Make sure it’s completely dry to avoid a lingering musty smell.
*Note: Don’t forget to rinse all bundles individually to ensure each bundle is shampooed and conditioned properly.
Installed Bundles
Step 1 - Detangle the hair with a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush
This may seem unnecessary because you’ll detangle your hair along the way during the shampooing process and while you dry it, but it also helps to do so before you start the process. Adding water to knots and tangles can damage the hair and cause matted strands or breakage.
Step 2 - Rinse your hair
Rinse as thoroughly as possible to makes sure all of your hair (leave-out and weave) are wet.
Step 3 - Separate the weave from your natural hair
Put your extensions in a ponytail and rinse your natural hair (leave out) and apply shampoo to your natural hair first.
Step 4 - Wash your weave
Remove the ponytail and apply the shampoo to your extensions and massage thoroughly.
Step 5 - Rinse your hair
Rinse your leave out and extensions and ensure all product is out of the hair (including the braids underneath) to avoid build-up.
Step 6 - Condition the hair
Towel dry your hair before conditioning. Apply conditioner to your entire head (bundles and natural leave out) and use a paddle brush to detangle the hair while making sure the conditioner is spread throughout your hair. Leave the conditioner in for 3-5 minutes and rinse.
Step 6 - Blowdry
On low to medium heat, blow dry your hair and extensions while using your hands and fingers to gently detangle the hair. Make sure your braid-down is dry to avoid the hair smelling like mildew later! Flat iron, twist-out, or appropriately style your leave-out as you blend your natural strands with your Mayvenn extensions.
