Feather hair extensions are a great way to add a splash of colour to your hair without the damage of having to bleach it. There are a number of different styles and colours available and they are a simple way of making any style way more interesting. Like standard hair extensions, the feather variety come in various forms, some are temporary whilst others are more permanent.

In order to keep your feather extensions looking good for as long as possible it is important to look after them. They should always be handled carefully and if you expose them to water or get them tangled you will shorten their life considerably.

How to wash your feather extension

If your extensions are bonded with your hair then you will need to wash them when they begin to look dirty or oily. The feathers are like skin and require a certain amount of moisture to remain healthy looking. Avoid harsh shampoos as they will try out your feathers and shorten their life span. Instead, you should use a gentle shampoo and follow up with plenty of conditioner. The conditioner will replace the natural moisture to the feather ensuring a sleek and smooth look.

How to handle and style your feather extension

Always handle with care. By being too rough you will end up with a frizzy extension that won’t last long. When washing the extension you should run your hands down the feather – never ever scrub them!

If your extension is a temporary clip on then you should remove them and lay them flat on a towel to dry. If they are bonded to your hair then gently dry them on a downward direction. Most permanent extensions can be styled, flat ironed and dried but be aware that excessive styling can cause permanent damage or worst case breakage. If your extension is made of real feather you can still curl them as you would your own hair. Carefully wrap it around the curling iron and style as you would your own hair – be careful not to leave it on the iron for too long or you will damage the extension.

How to Store your extensions

If your extensions are of the clip in variety you should store them safely when not wearing them. Never place them in a drawer or make up bag. The ideal way to store them is to clip them somewhere safe where they can hang and not be damaged.

When it comes to outfits for weddings the immediate thought goes straight to the bride and the wedding dress. The groom and bridal party’s outfits are just as important and everything should blend seamlessly together. With this in mind how do you go about choosing outfits to suit everyone that all tie in together.

The Bride

The brides outfit does tend to come before the groom. Try to discus colours and styles before choosing the dress and try to come to an agreement. Typically bridal dresses are white so sometimes there is little to match to the groom and bridal party. Consider small details and try to tie them in. For example will the groom and bridesmaids be wearing silk in anyway, consider incorporating this into the wedding dress. Think about the colours that the bridesmaids will be wearing, is there a small detail that can be done in the same colour on the brides dress? Detail is key and just small touches will pull the whole thing together.

Consider style too, if the bridesmaids are wearing unique, unusual dresses don’t go for a traditional wedding dress, choose something a little quirky and in a similar style to the bridesmaids. Think of dresses in terms of eras, every style fits in somewhere, try and choose dresses from the same periods.

Groom

Many of us think there is little choice when it comes to choosing the grooms wedding outfit, assuming it’s ‘a suit…or a suit!’ There any many details to consider when it comes to the grooms wedding outfit, such as cut, colour and detail. Similarly to the bride and bridesmaids, for the suit try and choose a style from the same era as the dresses. Choosing something unusual when everyone else has gone for traditional will look outlandish and will stand out like a sore thumb. Tie colours in with your button hole flower and your pocket handkerchief.

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaid’s dresses can often be the most difficult outfit to get right. You need to find a dress that suits more than one person, that everyone is comfortable in and that ties in with the brides dress and the groom’s suit. In many cases bridesmaids may be of all ages, so dresses that are appropriate for adult bridesmaids may not work for children. If you cannot have the same dress for everyone choose dresses in the same colours and fabrics but of different cuts. Try to keep the dresses as similar as possible, or make sure the linking factor between them stands out.