You can either get 100% Human hair extensions or synthetic hair extensions. Human hair extensions are higher quality and are a lot more expensive but worth it. This type of hair extension can be washed,dyed,conditioned,blow dried,curled,straightened pretty much anything you can do with your own hair! (I RECOMMEND THESE) Synthetic hair is made from chemically processed fibres; although more affordable, it may not look as real and can be more difficult to style.
Techniques:
Hair extensions can be attached in a number of different ways, depending on the type of hair, the amount being added and really your budget. When significant amounts of hair are to be attached, or the hair is expected to last for a long time, a professional stylist typically should really be consulted. Here is a list of all the different methods I know of:
- Clip ins.
- Micro Loop Weave.
- Micro ring.
- Weave.
- Fusing.
- Bonding.
I have only used Clip ins & Micro-loop weave. So this is my personal experience of these methods.
Clip Ins:
I done my research before trying out hair extensions as you hear so many horror stories on the Internet haha! Also I didn't even know if I'd suit or like hair extension as stupid as that sounds, so I wasn't looking for anything permanent. So in the end I decided that clip ins were the BEST solution to my problems. I heard & read great reviews about the brand "HeadKandy" (Which is now Dirty Looks) so I purchased my first pair of 22" full head clip ins from them in the shade "PAPARAZZI HIGHLIGHTED".They cost about £110 including delivery.
The delivery service was great and so was packaging. You get soooo much hair for your money. As soon as I got them I LOVED them. Instant thickness and length made such a difference. I got loads of compliments and I could do so much more with my hair. I was addicted, I wore them near enough everyday as they are so easy to clip in and your done. My first pair lasted me a year! Yes a year, and I dip-dyed,straightened,curled you name it. I was so happy with the overall quality of hair and value for money, that I ordered my second pair 22" full head in "BUNNY BLONDE" the lightest shade they have.
The worst problem for me personally is that when it's windy you can see the clips. It's so embarrassing and obvious when you see the clips and me having fine hair it is hard to hide them. One of the second biggest problems is the shedding, these extensions shed a lot I felt like a dog casting. My friends,boyfriend and family were sick of my long blonde hairs everywhere. With the shedding comes the lose of hair they start out being 22 inch and dramatically end up just below your shoulders. I've heard a lot of people saying these have really damaged there hair, but I can honestly say my hair is fine. Also some times clip ins can look really cheap and noticeable.
I loved the idea that they were temporary so I could wear them all day or on a night out and come home unclip them and fling my hair up in a bun with no hassle. Sadly just before Christmas my scalp couldn't handle them anymore it really hurt to have them in for a long amount of time and they were really,really heavy on my hair. So I had to give them up! I still love these and highly recommend them.
This is For you:
Looking for a quick fix.
Looking for something temporary.
Looking for something easy.
Looking to add some other colours to your hair & experiment.
Don't want long hair everyday.
Don't want to spend tuns of money.
Micro-Loop Weave:
After experimenting with clip ins for years I wanted to take it to the next level and go permanent, but of course didn't want to damage my hair. Everyone was totally against this idea but after again researching I went to a lovely professional hair extension technician/hairdresser called Robyn who is amazing. I looked at all the examples of her work and was sooooo excited! I booked a consultation and was told about all the different options and finally picked a 20" extra thick micro loop weave, it cost £220 using 100% Indian remy hair and included cutting, blending and styling. (AMAZING)
A Micro-loop Weave is a combination between the two types of hair extensions as you probably guessed.In this process, the hair is attached to a small ring (which is pretty invisible), and is then clamped onto pieces of real hair. No adhesives or solvents are used. (Thank god) The procedure was not painful or uncomfortable and only lasted 1hour and a half. They are said to last on average between 3-6 months with the appropriate after care and sometimes even longer.
The first nights sleep is the hardest, it was pretty painful and difficult but I expected this as your heads still getting use to the weight and the little beads/rings. I got mines done just after Christmas and I'm three months in and still absolutely loving it! As you can see they look so natural and beautiful. Really you get what you pay for, permanent extensions are the closest your going to get to real hair. My favourite parts are it's doing no damage to my hair and my own hair is still growing freely. I love waking up everyday with beautiful long hair and no need to clip in or do anything really. I love that even when it's super windy you can't even see any bit's of my weave it's virtually invisible so no more "clip watch for me haha". My hair is so thick and has loads of volume I can't see me ever going back to anything else to be honest, I'm spoiled for life. I love how freely my hair moves just as if it were real. My new personal favourite is using sleep in rollers with these the end result is FABULOUS! I wash my hair as many times as I need to and have styled it in tuns of ways using heat etc.
The only downsides I found so far is blow drying my hair has now become a task. It takes at least 40 minutes, that to me is a punishment haha. You really can't wash your hair if your in a rush. I also find myself being lazy and using dry shampoo more often than usual. Another one is I can't put my hair in a bun properly. This really depresses me as I am a bun lover. I usually just sleep with my hair in a plait. I guess that's the price I have to pay for long hair haha!
I am due a maintenance check soon, and that should be me for another 3 months YAY! but this is pretty high maintenance. You have to look after it as if it were normal hair and make sure you clean in between the wefts and blow dry in all the wefts. It does get a little knotted sometimes I recommend buying a TANGLE TEEZER! I am such a happy customer and so pleased with this method! I totally recommend this as it has exceeded my expectations and doesn't cause any damage to your hair!
This is For You:
Your looking for a permanent solution.
You don't want to damage your hair e.g. glue,weave.
Your not on a budget.
You want something that's super natural looking.
Weave & Bonding:
The horror story stars as I like to call them! These are two of the worst options in my personal opinion. I have never heard of anyone getting these procedures and them ending up well or with there hair still in tact. I don't recommend these but they are still a technique that gets used daily!
The procedure for a weave:
Your natural hair is usually braided tight and close to the scalp in cornrows, and the weft is then sewn into the braid. The process can take a long time, as your own hair must be braided first, and some people find the entire procedure to be very painful. This method may also be quite expensive, although it usually lasts for a long time.
The procedure for bonding:
Bonding or gluing usually involves longer wefts of hair, tracks that can be up to 6 inches long. An adhesive is applied to the roots of the hair before the extension is applied. This method is usually relatively quick to do, but does not last as long as others.
Personally the thought of someone putting glue in my hair makes me want to cry. It doesn't sound appealing at all, so it makes me wonder why other people would happily consider it. The damage it does to these poor peoples hair is devastating. I have never experienced this method but have witnessed the results first hand and it's not pretty.
Weave also look insanely painful, if you've ever had your hair really tightly braided when you were little on holiday that will have surely scarred you for life. I've also heard of peoples hair smelling of damp from not being able to dry it properly and it being ridiculously itchy. I also read some horror stories of a woman having maggots in her weave ewwww! Totally off putting. Again I've never had this method done but it doesn't sound appealing.
Fusing:
The last method is fusing. You get two kinds hot and cold fusion. (HOT) This procedure involves: A special adhesive can also be used to fuse extensions into real hair. Small pieces of hair can be attached with this method. Hot fusion may involve braiding the extension into the natural hair and bonding them together with a wax adhesive.
(Cold fusion) No heat or glue is involved in the method. The Cold fusion machine grabs a tiny bit of the hair and then ultrasonic rays bond the hair without causing any damage. They do so many layers that it looks thick and natural. You can't see the bonds through your hair as they are put between layers of hair. These methods tend to last longer and cost more.
Overall I would probably consider this as a good alternative option in the future. The procedure isn't painful,doesn't damage hair, looks amazing and lasts long I can't argue with that but it is a pricey-er option!
Overall I 150% recommend the methods I've used as I've done it for years and my hairs not fell out (touch wood haha) The best advice I can give you is don't go for an option just because it's cheaper because it can do real damage. Research and talk to specialists and find out what's best for you. If I am ever blessed enough to have a daughter I will warn her not to cut her hair short and end up in this dilemma haha, I hope this guide helped!
Are you on the hunt for hair extensions? I hope this helped. Or have you had experiences with hair extensions what happened I'd love to know? As always Thank you for reading!
Hey Everyone!