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Hair Extensions, and Why You Should Try Them!
Have you been thinking about purchasing hair extensions but you’re not sure it’s worth the investment? We get it. Hair extensions can be very expensive, and sometimes very confusing. Extensions come in all kinds of types, colors, and lengths so you can find the perfect style for you! However, this also means that there are practically endless options for extensions, which can make it harder for you to make a decision about what you want.
Fear not! We’ve got all the info you’ll need to make an informed decision about your hair extensions, as well as some reasons to consider trying them! So without further ado… Let’s do this!
What Types of Extensions Can I Get?
Before we discuss the different types of hair extensions, the first thing you need to know is that extensions can be made of real human hair or synthetic hair.
Human hair extensions are pretty self-explanatory; they’re made of real human hair from a donor. The highest quality human hair extensions are called remy hair, which means that the cuticles (outer layer) of the hair are intact and were running in the same direction when the donation was collected. Remy hair allows for little to no tangling, and the extensions will stay smooth and silky! Human hair extensions can be treated and styled just like your natural hair, which is a huge plus.
Synthetic hair, however, is made out of various fine, plastic fibers designed to imitate human hair. The excellence of synthetic hair can vary, but they generally tend to be stiff, coarse, wiry, and move differently from real hair which can keep them from blending in well with your natural hair.
Synthetic extensions will of course be cheaper than human hair, but as the old adage says; you get what you pay for! Synthetic extensions are a lot more susceptible to damage from heat, color, the sun, and hot tools as well. Using a blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron on your synthetic hair extensions is a BIG no-no as they can melt or severely damage the hair!
Alright, so now that we’ve got the two groups of extensions down, let’s talk about different types of extensions by installation!
1.- Clip-In’s
Clip-in hair extensions are exactly what they sound like; just clip them in! This type of extension comes in a strand of contoured pieces that are attached at the base. Clips are then attached to the base, and they’re ready to use! The clips snap open and closed so that you can get them in and out super easily!
This is the least-permanent style of hair extensions as they take about 5 to 15 minutes to put in all by yourself at home. Clip-ins are also the least damaging type of extensions because you take them out and put them in whenever you like without having to use glue, heat, or pressure! Clip-ins are the most popular type of extensions, but they’re generally the lowest quality.
2.- Tape-In’s
Again, just like the name implies, tape-in’s are extensions come with a piece of tape, and then are taped together on either side of your hair! Pretty cool, right? Tape-ins should always be installed and removed by a professional. Although having to come into the salon to get your extensions put in and removed can add to the cost, it’s worth it to make sure they look as natural as possible!
Tape-ins require a professional touch because the extensions must be perfectly aligned with your roots, and then a tool is used to heat up the glue on the tape, which holds them in place. In addition to this, a special glue remover is used to remove the tape-in extensions. The process of installing these usually takes 40 minutes to an hour, and if the extensions are kept in good condition they can be reused!
Tape-ins are generally considered semi-permanent extensions and should removed and uninstalled every 4 to 8 weeks, which is perfect if you have regular color appointments at the salon!
3.- Weaves / Sew-In Extensions
Weaves are applied by sewing them into braids or cornrows of natural hair. These types of hair extensions work best for people with thick or coarse hair because the tight application can put a lot of strain on the scalp. Generally speaking, the application process for weaves can take several hours, and NEEDS to be done by an experienced professional.
Applying a weave is a very technical and difficult, so please never try to do it yourself. Sew-ins can also come in wigs, which are applied the same way, but come as one piece instead of separate wefts! Wig-type sew-in extensions are extremely popular because they’re the most permanent. I mean, the hair is sown into your natural hair… It ain’t going anywhere! The maximum amount of time you want to leave a weave in for is 4 months, but it is recommended that you take it out every 6 to 8 weeks; especially if you’re trying to grow out your natural hair!
4.- Fusions
Fusion hair extensions are fused to your natural hair using glue or similar adhesives. Applying these types of extensions can take 3 to 4 hours, and should also ALWAYS be applied by a certified professional. Fusions are not the best fit for the majority of people as the application process is very damaging to your natural hair, and requires gluing the extensions to individual strands of your natural hair. (The machine used looks a lot like a hot glue gun, so that’s pretty neat.)
Like most extensions, the maximum recommended wear time is 4 months, but you should get them moved every 2 to 3 months to keep them in good shape! Also, due to chemicals used in the glue, fusion extensions can cause scalp irritation, severe breakage, and hair loss; so be careful!
Why should I get hair extensions?
There are plenty of reasons to give hair extensions a try, but it can be quite a commitment. If you choose to spend the money and get nice extensions, you could be looking at $300 just for the hair itself! The service to have your extensions installed will most likely cost you $150+, depending on the type of extension and your stylist’s experience. So before you take that leap, consider all of your options, and why you’d like to wear them!
If you struggle with hair growth, meaning your hair never seems to grow past a certain point, extensions can help you fix that! Everybody has a haircut horror story, too. It happens to the best of us! Clip-in extensions are the perfect temporary fix for a messed-up cut.
If you have ever wanted to try some hair color but were too worried about it looking bad, or just don’t want to damage your locks, extensions are a great way to try out an ombre look or highlights without bleach! If you’re struggling with thinning hair, I know it takes a toll on your confidence. Hair extensions can be an awesome way to bring back the volume you’re missing!
Hair extensions can also be just what you need to get your mermaid hair on for special events like weddings or prom, or you can use clip-ins as accessories for extra braids!
Thanks for reading!
We hope you guys enjoyed this little bit of info on extensions, and don’t be afraid to give them a try! Here at TouchUps Salon, we use primarily use Hotheads tape-ins, and you can make an appointment for your extension consultation by giving us a call at (480)-840-5542! Thanks for checking out the TouchUps Beauty Blog, and we’ll catch you next time.