You’ve probably been dreaming about luscious gorgeous locks. Maybe you want your hair to be thicker and fuller. Maybe it feels like it just won’t grow any longer, and you want some extra length. Perhaps you want to try a peel-a-boo of color without actually damaging your hair. Before you make the decision to jump right in to the world of extensions, let’s take a deeper look at what types of extensions exist, and how to know which one is best for you and your lifestyle.
Consultation
Before we install extensions, we will ask lots of questions about lifestyle, hair care, and routines. Here are some things to consider:
What products do you use on your hair currently? What does your current hair routine look like? Do you style with heat? If so, how often? How do you typically style your hair? How often do you wash your hair? How much time do you spend on your hair daily? Weekly? What is your natural curl pattern like? Do you have a sensitive scalp? How often do you work out, participate in sports, or swim? Do you spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun?
Have you ever had extensions before? Why do you want hair extensions? What is your long-term goal for your hair? How often do you like to change your hairstyle or color? What chemical procedures have been performed on your hair in the last 3 years? Have you researched any extension methods? We will also talk about pricing, maintenance, and home care.
Hand-Tied Weft
This is the most comfortable type of extensions I’ve ever had in my hair, and is rapidly growing in popularity. Versions of this method have been around for a long time. Other common names/methods for it are beaded row, NBR (natural beaded row), wefts, sewn in, weave (braid & sew -- I don’t do the braid method, but it’s a similar concept). Basically, we create a thin track using about 10 small beads per row, then we sew the wefts of hair extensions onto this track. This type of extension is very versatile for styling, and easy to camouflage. There are no sticky adhesives. Cost of hair: $60-$90 per weft (average full head application is 8-12 wefts, depending on the length and thickness of your hair). Cost of install: $75 per row (typical application is 2 rows). Appointment time: about 2 hrs. Appointment frequency: 6-8 weeks.
Tape-in
This has been a very common method, and is probably the one I’ve had the most experience in. However, it’s not my favorite because of the sticky adhesive and the possibility of falling out between appointments. It’s great for adding a lot of hair quickly, but can be tricky to camouflage if you like to wear your hair up. Another great benefit is that you can do as many or as few pieces as you want. So this is great for filling in holes or thin spots. With this method, the hair is manufactured into sections that are about 1 ½” wide, with an adhesive strip at the top. To install it, we section the hair, peel off the sticker, and stick it to your hair. Then we repeat with another piece of extension on the other side of the section or use a single sided ‘tape’ to secure it. Cost of hair: $80-150 per package (average full head application is 4-6 packages). Cost of install: $5 per section (typical application is 20-30 sections). Appointment time: about 1 hr. Appointment frequency: 4-6 weeks
Clip in & Halo/Crown
These are great for adding a full head of extensions for a day. You get to put them in and take them out as you please. I recommend these for updos and bridal styles. These are also great if you don’t like the feeling of sleeping with extensions in your hair. I offer “clip in install” where I show you how to do it, and then give tips as I watch you do it yourself. Cost of hair: $260-370. Cost of install: $16. Appointment time: 15-30 mins. Appointment frequency: Once
Bead & Fusion
I am also trained in Beaded and Fusion extensions, but I don’t currently offer them. These types basically feel like having 400 bobby pins in your hair, and look like mini shoelaces attached near the scalp. I do like the beaded extensions, but they tend to get caught and pulled out fairly easily by brushing or running your hands through your hair. Fusion looks fairly similar, because you can place a lot in a small space. To install those, we basically use a mini flat iron to melt the keratin to ‘glue’ the extension to your hair. It is an arduous removal process, and I don’t recommend it.
Extension Hair Care
First, you will need to know that when you have extensions, they double the amount of hair you have on your head. This means it looks great, but it will also be heavy, and take twice as long to style. So, dry shampoo will become your best friend.
Do
Use a specialized extension brush. These are designed to prevent tangles, without pulling or catching the extensions. They also have boar bristles, which help to distribute the natural oils from your scalp to the ends of the hair. This helps prevent excessive dryness.
Brush the hair 2-3 times a day, and before showering or wetting the hair. Hold the top of the extensions with one hand, while you brush carefully with the other hand. Brush gently, and start at the ends of the hair and carefully work your way through all the hair, always using downward motions.
Avoid salty or chlorinated water. Salt and chlorine harm your extensions, just like they harm your natural hair. Dryness is the #1 cause of problems with hair extensions.
Apply oils and sprays from the middle of the extensions, to the ends. Avoid the roots, where the extensions are attached.
Use professional, salon quality, sulfate-free shampoo.
Wash your hair as infrequently as possible, (like once a week). Use high quality dry shampoo to absorb oils and make your hair feel and smell fresh. Certain hard water may also deteriorate the condition of the hair.
When you go to bed, make sure hair is completely dry, and in a loose braid or ponytail to prevent excessive tangles.
Don’t
Don’t wash hair too frequently.
Don’t go to bed with your hair wet.
Don’t put excessive tension on your hair, like when brushing, washing, or styling.
Don’t overuse heat tools. Just like your natural hair, extensions will get split ends (and they don’t grow back)
Don’t chemically process the hair. Extensions cannot be bleached or permed. The exception is a gentle demi-permanent hair color, for blending color and creating dimensional effects.
General rule of thumb to remember: Extensions are made of real hair, but they don’t grow back. So whatever you do, treat it gently and carefully. When you take care of your extensions, they take care of you.
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