Kim Kardashian‘s long locks have long been a part of her image, but the reality star recently gave us a peek behind the styling.
The Skims creator was missing her typical extensions in a holiday TikTok, following a turn back to brown after a platinum blonde transformation last year.
Unlike her customary voluminous wigs or keratin-straight extensions, Kim’s hair in the film is shoulder length, naturally wavy, and a welcome break from her usual sleek, shampoo commercial shining ‘do.
While it shouldn’t be revolutionary, many people have complimented the 42-year-openness. old’s
‘Realizing that this is what Kim Kardashian’s real hair looks like despite having the greatest possible care that money can buy has made me feel so much better about my own,’ remarked journalist Mared Parry on Twitter.
‘Celebs need to do this more often in my opinion,’ wrote another user. ‘It’s crazy the number of people that idolise celebs and want hair just like theirs, when it’s just extensions.’
There’s no denying that extensions can look amazing, but they’re also expensive to maintain and can harm the hair if not properly fitted and cared for.
So, if Kim K has encouraged you to ditch your tape, weave, or micro-ring extensions, here’s how to do it in a healthy way.
Prep for removal
While you have your extensions in, you need take care of them so that they come out smoothly.
Brush your hair on a regular basis to remove tangles, which can lead to breakage and hair loss.
Hey Stacey explains: ‘If you leave knots you are adding further weight in one particular part of your scalp, because having hair clump together in one spot is adding weight in one section of your hair – which will not help your hair loss.’
Ensure you follow your hairdresser’s guidance when it comes to washing and styling too, as the better condition your real hair is in, the fuller it’ll look when it’s on its own.

Be careful with DIY removal
The sort of extension you have determines whether you can remove it yourself.
It’s usually best to ask the person who installed yours, because keratin bonding and micro-rings, for example, require specialist knowledge. Otherwise, you may finish up worse off than you were before the extensions.
A trip to the salon may be necessary, but it will save you the price and hassle of future repairs and refits.
Take your time and be accurate if you opt to do the procedure yourself. Avoid utilising goods you haven’t tried before (since they may create a reaction) and strictly adhere to the instructions.
Work with your extensionist on aftercare
If you pursue the professional approach, it’s worth asking your hairdresser for advice.
The experts at NuTress say: ‘When you have your hair extensions removed, ask your extensionist about the condition of your own hair, ask to see photographs of your scalp.
‘Don’t feel awkward, a good extensionist will be happy to show you.’
Then you can tailor aftercare to your needs.
Clarify and moisturise
When you remove your extensions, there may be residue on your scalp, so wash it thoroughly twice with a clarifying shampoo right away.
After cleaning the hair, apply a moisturising hair mask or bond-building treatment like Olaplex to add nourishment and get back to basics.
Let hair recover
So your mane is now entirely self-grown. The next step is to provide your hair with the care it requires to grow healthier and longer.
‘If you avoid using heated tools to style your hair for a long period of time, your hair will recover much faster and will prevent further damage,’ advise the experts at Hey Stacey.
They also advise using biotin tablets to improve hair health, silk pillows to prevent breakage, and sun or heat protection sprays.
Applying masks on a regular basis, washing minimally, and keeping forceful styling to a minimum are all good ways to care for your hair.
Try clip-ins or a halo
Even if your natural hair is in excellent condition once the extensions are removed, you may still crave the length and body.
Clip-in extensions can provide the same look without requiring permanent alterations, and there are now a plethora of real and synthetic alternatives to pick from that are a far cry from the clip-ins of yesteryear.
A halo hairpiece, on the other hand, decreases damage and is even easier to fit. Simply split your hair at the top and bottom, then slip the band over the parting, unclip the top section, and brush your fingertips through any gaps.