Hair Care Guide

Raw virgin hair is an investment. With proper care, your STRND LAB bundles will last 2+ years and improve with age. This guide is everything we'd tell our closest friends about caring for raw hair.

The 5 Care Commandments

  1. Wash less. Once every 2–3 weeks max. Raw hair doesn't need shampoo as often as your scalp does.
  2. Sulfate-free everything. Sulfates strip the cuticle. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner only.
  3. Heat protection always. Spray before flat-ironing, curling, or blow-drying. No exceptions.
  4. Sleep on silk. Cotton pillowcases create friction and frizz. A silk or satin bonnet/pillowcase is non-negotiable.
  5. Detangle gently. Always start at the ends and work up. Wide-tooth comb, never a brush on wet hair.

Washing Your Bundles

Before you wash

  • Detangle thoroughly with a wide-tooth comb starting from the ends
  • Section the hair into 2–4 parts and clip
  • Pre-condition with a leave-in for 5 minutes if hair feels dry

The wash

  1. Rinse with lukewarm (not hot) water for 30 seconds
  2. Apply sulfate-free shampoo from the wefts down (avoid scrubbing the wefts)
  3. Rinse until the water runs clear
  4. Apply a deep conditioner from mid-shaft to ends
  5. Leave in for 10–15 minutes (or under a heat cap for 20)
  6. Rinse with cool water for shine
  7. Gently squeeze — do not rub or wring

Drying

  • Air dry whenever possible — laid flat on a towel
  • If using a blow dryer: medium heat, low speed, with a heat protectant
  • Never towel-rub. Press gently to absorb water.

Styling

Heat tools: Set to 350°F maximum. Higher temperatures permanently damage the cuticle and shorten your bundle's lifespan.

Curling raw straight: Use a curling iron or wand at 350°F max. Curls hold beautifully and bounce back after washing.

Refreshing raw wavy: Mist with water and a curl-defining cream. Scrunch upward. Air dry or diffuse.

Coloring: Raw virgin hair takes color beautifully but always do a strand test first. We strongly recommend a professional colorist for anything beyond a single-process tone.

Storage

  • Hang bundles on a wig stand or clip them to a hanger when not in use — never ball them up
  • Keep away from direct sunlight (UV fades color)
  • Store in a breathable cotton bag, not plastic

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ❌ Going to bed with wet hair
  • ❌ Brushing wet hair with a paddle brush
  • ❌ Using oils with mineral oil or sulfates
  • ❌ Washing bundles still attached to the install (wash before installing)
  • ❌ Overusing heat tools (skip a day, embrace the natural texture)

When to retire a bundle

Properly cared-for STRND LAB hair lasts 2+ years. Signs it's time to retire:

  • Excessive matting that won't comb out after deep conditioning
  • Permanent dryness even after deep treatment
  • Wefts coming apart at the seam

Questions?

Reach us at strndlab@gmail.com — we answer every email personally.