Getting extensions is a life-changing experience for many of us. If you have had fine, limp, or short hair your whole life and you decide to take the dive and get some, be prepared to never want to go back to your old hair.
I used to do glue in tracks on myself to add length in the back. I got sort of addicted, and finally decided that coming down from extensions is too much like coming down after a long night of partying and taking X in my teenage raver days. It let me down too hard, and I started resenting my natural hair. I jumped off the hamster wheel, but got trained in several other extension methods so that I could do them on other people. I like the concept of adding hair for length, fullness, or a little pop o’ color.
I started with Monkey Barz adhesive bonds. They were quite messy, and a bit rough on the hair. Then I got certified in GreatLengths keratin micro-bonds which are a top of the line uber-beautiful but expensive extension system. Then I started doing Hotheads tape extensions which are beautiful and very easy to do.
Here is a little breakdown of different kinds of hair extensions that are out there on the market.
Tape in extensions are strips of hair that are adhered together with a very thin and sticky tape. They are taped together into a strip of your hair and lay nice and flat. Pros are that they don’t take long at all to put in. Cons are that they don’t stay in as well as the others. They will last for 2 months tops, but often come out one by one over time.
Micro-keratin extensions are tiny clumps of pre-bonded hair that you attach to tiny clumps of your own hair using a heat clamp. Pros are that they are very hard to see, and so they blend beautifully.They can stay in your hair for up to 6 months! Cons are that they are very expensive, take a long time to put in, and take a long time to remove. They can also be a bit harsh on the hair and need to be pampered so that they don’t dread up.
Glue in tracks are amazing for people who want to rock a new look for a week at a time. Pros are that they are inexpensive, easy to put in, easy to take out, and not too hard on the hair. Cons are that they can be messy, and are kind of bulky and they limit your styling options because the track shows. They are best for ladies who like to wear their hair down.
Bead bonded extensions are awesome because they can add more thickness and body than the keratin bonds. Pros are that they are more reasonably priced, pretty easy to put in and super quick and easy to remove. They can last up to 4 months. Cons are that they can be a tiny but bulky and uncomfortable.
Adhesive extensions are fun if you want to add a chunk of color here or there. I wouldn’t recommend them for adding length because they can cause shedding of the hair if they are not put in just right. They can be bulky and uncomfortable and they don’t stay in very well. Pros- They are great for trying out a little color, I often use them on kids. Cons-They just don’t stay in very well, they are messy to put in and hard to remove.
Any extension questions? Shoot em at me. Want to try some out? check out these gorgeous additional lengths clip-in hair pieces.
XOXO, HTHG
