Your Questions, Answered!
Finding Your Fit
What hair textures does Opal & Charlie offer?
Two textures: Silk Press and Blowout. Silk Press (Light Yaki) is smooth and straight, made to look, feel, and blend with silk pressed and relaxed natural hair. Blowout (Kinky Straight) is full and voluminous, made to look, feel, and blend with professionally blown out textured hair (3A–4C textures).
What’s the difference between the Silk Press and Blowout collections?
Silk Press mimics the look of naturally textured hair (3A–4C) that has undergone a smoothing, relaxer, or silk press treatment. This texture is smooth, straight, has a natural sheen, and is made to blend with a silk press. Blowout mimics the look of naturally textured hair (3A–4C) that has been blown out or stretched into a kinky straight texture. This texture is straight, with more volume and movement than the Silk Press.
Which texture is right for me?
It comes down to how you plan to wear and style your hair. Silk Press is the call if you want to wear your hair straight — great for layers and polished styles. Blowout gives you more range: it can be worn as-is for a voluminous kinky straight look, flat-ironed or pressed into a silk press, or curled with a wand. It also blends easiest with your leave-out without requiring as much heat to maintain the look day-to-day.
What’s the difference between clip-ins and weft extensions?
Clip-ins are in-and-out — you wear them when you want and take them off when you don’t. Both clip-ins and weft extensions are a protective style. The real difference is access: with clip-ins, you never lose access to your scalp. You can take them out any time to wash, moisturize, and care for your natural hair on your own schedule. Weft extensions (sew-ins) are installed by a stylist and stay in for several weeks — scalp care happens around the install.
How do I choose the right length?
16” hits around mid-chest. 18” at lower chest. 20” around the waist. 22–24” below the waist. A full length guide is available on the product pages.
How much hair do I need?
For weft bundles, most find that 2 bundles are enough for a full install with a leave-out. Select 3 bundles if you want a high-density look or for lengths over 20 inches. For clip-ins, if you plan to wear most or all of your natural hair out, the Extra Volume set (5 pieces / 100g) will add length and volume to the hair you have. If you plan to tuck most of your natural hair away, the Full Head set (10 pieces / 160g) is enough for a full install with a leave-out. Combine the Full Head and Extra Volume sets for a full install with extra density and fullness.
Natural Hair & Extensions
Will clip-in extensions damage my natural hair?
Not when worn correctly. Clip-ins are temporary — no adhesive, no weave tension, no long-term install. The things that matter: don’t clip too tight, avoid your edges and any sections that are already fragile, and give your natural rest days between wears. That’s it.
Can I wear clip-ins on heat-damaged or transitioning hair?
Yes. Clip-ins attach and detach without putting direct stress on your hair’s health. If your natural is in a fragile state, clip into your strongest sections, skip the perimeter, and keep the tension light.
My natural hair shrinks — will extensions still blend?
Yes — that’s exactly what these textures are built for. Silk Press blends after a silk press or flat iron. Blowout blends after a blowout or press. The extension is meant to match what your hair looks like on a styled day, not in its shrunken state.
Do I need a professional to install clip-ins?
No. Part your hair, snap the clip, blend. That’s the whole install.
What Makes Our Hair Different
What does “single-donor” mean?
Every bundle in a set comes from one person’s hair — not blended from multiple donors. This keeps the cuticles running in the same direction, which is what prevents tangling and matting over time. Blended hair has mixed cuticle directions. Single-donor doesn’t.
What does “triple-drawn” mean?
Triple-drawn hair has been combed through three times to remove the shorter hairs — so the bundle is full from root to end, not thick at the top and thinning out at the ends. Most hair on the market is single- or double-drawn. Triple-drawn is the standard we hold to.
What is steam-treated hair?
Steam treatment sets the texture using heat and moisture, not chemicals. No silicone coating. No lye. No perm or acid wash. The cuticle stays intact, which is why the texture holds up through washing and regular wear. This matters because other brands may use perms or chemical processing to create a natural-looking texture, and this can damage your natural hair. We know that you wear extensions to protect your natural hair, which is why our hair is steam-treated only. No chemical processing.
What makes Opal & Charlie different?
We make extensions for the way Black women actually wear their hair — to protect your natural hair while looking and feeling like the best version of yourself. We know quality hair is an investment, so we apply strict standards and every order is graded to spec before shipping. And we’re Black-owned and operated. This brand was built from the inside, for Black women, because this is us.
Caring for Your Extensions
Can I heat style my extensions?
Yes. These are 100% virgin human hair, so they take heat the same way your natural does. Use a heat protectant, start at a lower temp than you think you need, and work up. High heat over time shortens the life of any hair — yours and ours.
How do I wash my extensions?
Detangle first, gently, before you get them wet. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and wash in a downward motion — circular motion tangles the weft. Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends. Lay flat or hang to air dry. Never wring or rub. No blow-drying on high heat.
How often should I wash my extensions?
Installed wefts should be washed every 7–10 days. Clip-ins can be washed every 7–10 wears.
How long will my extensions last?
With proper care and maintenance, this hair will last up to a year or more and support multiple installs. The biggest factor in how long your hair will last is your care and maintenance routine — so apply a light moisturizing oil to the middle and ends a few times a week to prevent breakage, split ends or tangling, and wash and condition regularly.
How should I store my extensions?
In the original packaging or a silk or satin bag. Away from direct sunlight and humidity. Loosely braided or bundled before storing to prevent tangling.
What products can I use on my extensions?
Anything formulated for human hair works. Avoid heavy silicones — they build up over time and change the texture. Sulfate-free shampoo, a lightweight conditioner, heat protectant. Keep the routine simple.
Orders, Shipping & Returns
How long does it take to receive my order?
Orders placed before 12 PM EST ship the same business day. Standard delivery is 3–5 business days. You’ll get a tracking number by email as soon as your order ships. Every order includes signature confirmation — if you won’t be home to sign, contact the carrier to authorize a drop-off or schedule a pickup.
Does Opal & Charlie offer free shipping?
Yes — free standard shipping on orders over $350.
Can I modify or cancel my order?
Orders process and ship the same business day, so we’re unable to modify or cancel after placement.
What is Opal & Charlie’s return policy?
We accept returns on unused hair within 30 days of delivery, no questions asked. Hair must be unused, uncut, and in its original packaging with zip-ties attached. To start a return, email info@opalandcharlie.com with your order number.
How are refunds processed?
Returns are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving your items. Refunds are issued as store credit. Original shipping costs are non-refundable, and return shipping is the customer’s responsibility.