Extensions and Weaves was once considered a luxury. However, today it's deemed as a necessity. This beauty enhancer has created a whole new world for many women who may not naturally grow the perfect head of hair to achieve their dream look. Extensions and weaves allow you to achieve any look you want to create. With the ability to wear short, medium, long hair, perhaps for a fuller look or to assist in a lasting hair style.

The secrets of maintaining your dream hair style start at home. Using the proper products and tools is essential to everyday wear, health and longevity for all hair types.

Assuming the technique you've choose to wear for your extensions or weave is the Braid and Sew-In technique with tracks. At the beginning of the braid, you have what's called a pressure point. This is the area to focus on because it's fragile. Your pressure points should be handled with care to avoid breakage in this area. For Great Links technique, the following information apply.

Secret #1 Start with a quality shampoo and conditioner. Before you begin here are some helpful hints you should follow in order to attain a head of hair full of lust and natural shine. Begin a routine scheduled time for shampooing your hair. A head of hair should only be shampooed every 4 to 14 days. Why? When the hair is shampooed too often the hair shaft becomes dry, brittle and unruly.

Begin your first shampoo with a cleansing shampoo to rid the build up dirt and scum. Rinse out thoroughly and apply your 2nd (or 3rd, if necessary) application with a moisturize shampoo. This shampoo will retain the moisture plus restore the proper ph balance to the hair shaft. Rinse out thoroughly.

Secret # 2 Glossifier should saturate the hair shaft Towel dry the hair gently and apply the conditioner, with a wide tooth comb, comb through your hair shaft starting from the ends and work your way up to the scalp. Cover entire head with saran wrap or plastic cap. Sit under a hair dryer for 10 to 15 minute to allow the conditioner to penetrate the hair shaft.

*Note: Every 4 to 6 weeks combined with the conditioner, add a more concentrate treatment. This is needed for high volume of shine and natural gloss. Proceed to apply a Glossier (cellophane/clear or color) and saturate the hair shaft with using this treatment, immediately wrap the coil cotton around the circumference of your head to avoid drip from the glossifier, the dryer time will increase to 20 minutes.

Secret # 3 Rinse your hair slightly and apply a light lather shampoo, rinse hair thoroughly. Comb your hair through starting from the ends and work your way up to the scalp. Towel dry and proceed to carefully blow-dry (refer to illustration) the entire head, keep in mind the fragile pressure points. Followed by 20 minutes under the hair dryer (this time is used to dry the braids or tracks). However, it's not mandatory to sit under the hair dryer, providing you air dry your hair for a period of time instead.

Secret # 4 Now you're ready to style your hair in the desired look, but first check your flat iron or curling iron to make sure the temperature is sufficient. The proper temperature should register from 225 to 400 degrees, why? Just the right amount of heat is the gate keeper to a luscious, silky head of hair and lasting end results.

Here are some vital helpful hints:

* Section the entire head in 4 parts, proceed to start with your first section. Slice small partings for a flat or straight finish look, for more volume and body, slice slightly larger partings and proceed to flat iron or curl your hair.

* For sufficient amount of heat on dark to medium blonde hair, the temperature should register from 325 to 400 degrees. For light blonde to platinum hair, the temperature should register from 220 to 300 degrees.

* Repeat the above steps for the remaining 3 section until completed. Style your hair for the desired look.