TV personality and writer Judi James needed to promote her latest book Supermodel, so she wanted to look as glamorous as possible. Not wanting to shell out tons of cash, she decided that investing in hair extensions to add volume to the short, blonde-dyed crop would be her smartest idea.
“My hair is poker straight and there was nothing to tie it to, so having extensions was like tying it to something shiny and straight,” James recalls. “Four days later I was at the supermarket checkout, and when I ran my hand through my hair, most of it fell out through my fingers. The girl behind the counter almost fainted. What made things worse for her is that she just I pushed her.” in my shopping bag.”
Not one to give up easily, James opted for an unusual solution: he went back to the hairdresser and superglued the extensions.
“After that, they stuck around and grew along with my own hair,” James says. “I can only compare it to having fake nails with real nails growing underneath, even though it looked like I had low head lice. In the end, they used some kind of glue remover to get them out, which didn’t do my real hair any favors.”
It wasn’t that long ago that women who yearned for longer hair had to patiently wait for their hair to grow out or invest in a wig or weave. Not anymore. These days, you can have longer, lusher hair at the click of your fingers, literally, all thanks to hair extensions.
But if you’re worried that extensions will leave you penniless, completely bald, or with an incredibly damaged scalp, take heart. If you do a little research and find the type of extensions that are right for you, chances are you’ll end up with natural-looking hair that you really love, rather than having a shiny Barbie-like wig glued on. head, or hair falling out in clumps.
Types of Hair Extensions
Hundreds of different hair extension methods are on the market today, but generally they all fall into one of three main categories:
thread to thread The most labor-intensive method of all, involving tiny strands of hair extensions that are meticulously attached to your own hair. This is done by weaving, gluing, fusing, applying with specific waxes or polymers, or holding with metal tubes. The method you choose will depend not only on your hair type, but on the effect you want to achieve and on your budget. All but the clips involve the application of chemicals to the hair.
West. This method involves making small wefts, or strands of hair that look a bit like a curtain, which are done by hand or with a machine. Handmade ones are generally considered better as they are custom made to fit your head and last longer than machine made ones. They are held to the head by a small track, or braid, made from your own hair.
Clip-ins. These are the easiest of all, and sometimes they even look realistic! All you need to do is section or part your hair and snap the clips into place. Repeat the process until you reach the desired length. Most clip-in extensions are made from human hair, and you can curl, straighten, or style them however you like. And because they clip onto actual sections of hair, they stay hidden and look as natural as possible. Many plugins can last up to a year, depending on how often you use them. You can’t sleep in them, though, and you’ll have to spray maintenance spray to keep them, um, well-maintained. It’s possible to add volume faster with clip-in extension pieces, which can add an entire layer of volume in just a few clicks. Many of these can be washed just like you would normal hair. Clip-in bangs and ponytails are also available; beware of the fake look.
Hair Extensions Care
Regardless of the type of method you choose, extension care is generally the same, although your stylist will give you specific advice on the extensions you choose. However, in general, the following tips are recommended to keep your extensions looking as natural as possible, for as long as possible:
Always use real human hair. Synthetic hair is fake. It seems fake. Do not pretend.
Follow your stylist’s advice to the letter, so as not to waste both time and money.
If you want your extensions to stand out, visit a specialist. Don’t try this at home! It is recommended to dye or highlight the hair before attaching the extensions anyway, to ensure a better color match.
She never went to bed with wet hair extensions and always tied them up before going to bed at night. Tangling hair extensions is not a good idea.
Always use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner, and keep your hair as clean as possible. Very dry hair tangles more when wet, so keep it supple and looking good and well-moisturized for best effect. Pay close attention to conditioning the ends.
When you exercise, keep your hair out of the way in a ponytail, if possible. If you swim, wear a swim cap, preferably a latex one, since chlorine or salt water are not good for extensions.
Avoid any type of silicone-based styling products and always brush your hair very gently, without pulling. Similarly, don’t wear ponytails or other styles that are too tight, as they can damage the extensions.
If you are concerned about hair quality, ask your stylist to explain the differences between European hair, Asian hair, Indian hair, Russian hair, and even virgin(!) hair. Some people claim that it is all a bunch of exaggeration. Others say that choosing the right type of strands to best match your own hair is vital.
Finally, when extensions are removed, it’s always a good idea to have it done by a professional stylist. You can choose to cut your extensions off, but prepare for a much shorter hairstyle.
Hair extensions can give you longer hair and add volume to your existing style, but you have to do it right. And you also don’t want to be left with widespread damage to your hair when extensions are just a memory. “After the extensions were finally removed, I found that I had broken quite a bit of my hair. And I had to be careful how I brushed it, as more could fall out,” says James.
