5.7.09

Hair Extensions

Extensions have been an obsession of mine for some time - I have literally tried every kind there is. Below I have listed the pros, cons and price points of all that I've tried - I hope that this helps all those who have been considering hair extensions - I wish I had someone tell me this stuff before I tried some of mine.

First off let me say that extensions are not for everyone, but there certainly are for me. I (like many) have been cursed with super fine hair. While I love the look of longer locks, on me they appear stringy and trashy.

Protein Bonds
What are they? Strands of 100% human hair are "pre-tipped" with a synthesized keratin protein that acts as a glue to bond the strands onto hair. Heat may be used to bond, or "melt" the glue, or some stylists use FastFusion technology, which uses air pressure to bond individual hairs in faster time.

Duration: 4 - 6 months (depending on how fast your hair grows and how well you take care of them)

Price:
$10 for a single strand to up to $2,000+ for a full head.

Pros:
  • There's a reason these extensions are the choice of most celebrities - they last and last and last!
  • The 100% human hair comes in so many different colors and textures, stylists are able to match your own hair seamlessly. For depth they can even add funky colors, highlights or low lights.
  • They can be styled better than real hair - the hair takes so well to curling irons and flat irons it actually manipulates your own hair into holding styles better.
Cons:
  • They take a long time to put in anywhere from 3 to 6 hours all depending on how thick your natural hair is.
  • Since the hair is real human hair it dies after a few months and is subject to split ends and knotting. Quality hair products are a necessity.
  • You have to brush your hair a lot, about 6 times a day - and it's a process.
  • The first day they are in your hair is pretty painful, they're really heavy and usually cause major headaches.
  • They are beautiful to look at - but your scalp will feel like there are hard, crunchy pieces of straw coming out of it
  • Expensive, very expensive.
Brands to note: Great Lengths, Cinderella

Clip Ins
What are they? Clip-In hair extensions come in both natural and synthetic hair. These give you the ability to play around with different looks without making any kind of long term commitments.

Duration: N/A

Price: $35 - $300+

Pros:
  • There's no commitment - just pop them in when you want that extra bit of length or punch of volume
  • They come in a variety of colors and textures
Cons:
  • After one washing they may not look as they did before
  • Sometimes clips show through hair if not placed properly
  • Matching you hair's exact color and texture can be tricky
  • Sometimes the clips will fall out or show through the layers of your natural hair
Brands to note: PutOnPieces, Easihair


Sewn-in Extensions or Track-and-Sew
What are they? Rows of extensions are sewn onto braided tracks around the scalp. With the track and sew extensions, the hair is prepared for the addition of extension hair by braiding tracks into the natural hair. These tracks can be horizontal, vertical or can be curved to follow the contours of the hairline as desired. In most cases, a good stylist will place the braids sufficiently back from the hairline in all directions so that the braids/tracks are well hidden from most all angles.

Duration: 6 - 8 weeks

Price: $130+

Pros:
  • Beautiful hair you never would have had on your own.
Cons:
  • The hair tracks can be braided too tightly and cause discomfort
  • Tracks that are braided too tightly can cause hair loss or damage natural hair


Bonded Extensions
What are they? Rows of extensions attached at the scalp using a special adhesive

Duration: 6 - 8 weeks

Price: ??? ( you could have these professionally done or get a friend to help you)

Pros:
  • Beautiful hair you never would have had on your own
  • Other than the Clip-on alternatives, these are probably the quickest to have applied.
Cons:
  • Some glues can be harmful for your hair or skin.
  • The glue slowly takes your hair out as you remove the extension.
  • Removing the glue is a LONG and really gross/annoying process (the glue I used was like a black tar).

3 comments:

  1. What's your take on real hair vs. synthetic? I really want to get protein bonds and the synthetic hair is cheaper...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I tried them both and I have to say that the 100% human hair makes all the difference!

    Check out this article that does a side by side comparison of the two:
    http://www.hairextensions.com/pages.php?pageid=24

    I hope that helps.

    ReplyDelete