There are so many great hairstyles out there. There’s a problem though. Hair can only grow so far, so fast naturally. Why wait several years to have enough hair to pull off a look that might be out of fashion and pointless at that point? That’s where hair extensions come in to help out.
The name says it all. Hair extensions are natural or synthetic hair that is installed into your hair to make it longer. Hair extensions have been used for years and improved to the point where they are often indistinguishable from normal hair. Getting extensions can allow anyone to choose the hairstyle they love and want. In the end, if you really don’t like it for any reason, it’s not like these extensions can’t be cut off or styled differently. So what do you really have to lose when it comes to hair extensions?
Methods
When it comes to getting hair extensions, there’s several different methods that you can use. Some look more natural than others. Some last longer. Some of the main methods of hair extensions that you may want to consider include:
- Bonded Extensions (Fusion) - This goes by a few different names. With this method, individual strands are fused to the natural hair through a heating process.
- Tape-In Extensions - For these types of extensions, double sided tape is actually used. Natural hair is used for the extending area.
- Sewn In Extensions - This is commonly referred to as the weave method. This takes a bit more time and effort. Hair is braided from one ear to the other one. Within this woven hair is included extra natural hair. This is used with thread.
Benefits of Hair Extensions
Typically, there’s one main benefit to hair extensions and that’s your look. Hair extensions are a great way to let you go from a short haired style to something long and luxurious in no time at all. There’s also a wide variety of different types of hair extensions, meaning there’s a type of hair extension for each budget.
Good extensions are almost entirely undetectable. The key is the post extension haircut. This will work to perfectly blend in the extensions. You can also color the extensions, but it’s smart to stay reasonably close to your natural hair color to keep the look pretty consistent. If you are styling at home, there’s plenty you can do. Most hair extensions have absolutely zero problems with normal washing and wear and tear. If you try something odd, you might damage the extensions.
Drawbacks of Hair Extensions
Alright, so the drawback to hair extensions is often the cost. If you want really great hair extensions, the cost can actually run up into the thousands of dollars. Take a look at fusion extensions. They can start around $500 and rise up to prices close to $4000. Additionally, they take the most time of any type of hair extension. It can take hours at a time to apply these extensions. On the plus side, they last for a few months before they need maintenance.
Even tape-in extensions can be expensive. They can run from $300 for basic extensions up to around $2000 for the best. They also need more maintenance lasting somewhere between a month and a half to two months.
Picking Hair Extensions
By now you should have an idea if hair extensions may be for you. If you decide you want hair extensions, it should match your natural hair as best as possible. Also, touch the extensions before you buy. This can let you avoid poor ones. Many might feel too dry, which often leads to tangles. Some are overly shiny because they are synthetic and coated with a substance to give them extra shine. The downside is this will very quickly wear off. Then you’re stuck with a dry tangled mess.
Also make sure that you choose a stylist who has some experience. The main source of damage to extensions or the hair itself happens during the application process (or the removal process). This makes your stylist the real hero of your hair extensions.