How many times have you wished you had long beach waves, like the ones we see celebrities flaunt on the red carpet? I bet you have lost count. Don't worry this has happened to many of us.
The secret to having long, beautiful cascading curls is extensions. Hair extensions are the solution to all of your hair problems. However, before anything else, you need to know that you are getting value for your money.
You do not want to be the laugh of the town when you wear bad hair extensions. Everything in life has its pros and cons, and so do extensions. Before digging deep, let’s look at what extensions are and what you need to know before making a purchase.
What are Hair Extensions?
Hair extensions are pieces of human or synthetic hair which are added on a client's head using various techniques. Some of these techniques include seamless applications such as: clips, fusion, bonding, braiding and weaving.
Many of these methods will need to be installed by a professional stylist. But for clip-ins you can install the extensions from the comfort of your home. When buying extensions, it is good that you have some knowledge about them.
For instance, human hair extensions can be styled using heat, but synthetic hair cannot stand the heat. Hence, it is not advisable to use flat iron or heat tools on them. Both synthetic and human hair can be styled. But human hair extensions are versatile when it comes to styling since you can include layers or redefined bangs.
Reasons for Getting Hair Extensions
Hair extensions are a popular practice among many women. Some of the reasons women wear extensions include:
Getting a natural look
Adding length and volume to hair
Easy to apply
Hide a bad hairdo
Spruce up your look
To look younger
Things to Know Before Getting Hair Extensions
Maybe you feel it is finally time to give your mane some extra length and volume. However, before taking the plunge and getting that hair extension, there are a couple of things you need to know.
Good extensions should not cause damage to your hair. When you invest in high-quality hair, then you will not need to worry about hair damage. However, when you buy cheap hair extensions, then chances are that your hair will be 100% ruined by the time you are uninstalling the extensions.
Once you get a new hairpiece, you will need to use new products. The normal hair care products will not do justice to your new mane. This is because your hair extensions will respond differently to washing and styling. Use a sulphate free shampoo and moisturizing conditioner to take good care of your extensions.
It will feel strange at first when you get new hair. However, it does not need to be painful. If you happen to feel uncomfortable or pain, go back to your hairstylist and get the extensions repositioned.
Now that you know what hair extensions are and some of the things you need to know before purchasing them, let's look at their pros and cons.
Pros and Cons of Hair Extensions
Tape Hair Extensions
If you are looking for easy to install hair extensions, then tape-in extensions are your best bet. If you love thick and voluminous hair, these extensions are for you. The extensions are designed with wefts that are between 1.5 and 8 inches long.
Also, the good thing with tape-in hair extensions is that you don't need to have them in the long term if you don't want to. The removal and installation process is seamless, and it can cost between $200 and $800. It will take you around 60-90 minutes to have the tape-ins attached. Additionally, these types of extensions can last up to 8 weeks, giving your hair enough room for growth.
Pros:
They are reusable. This means you can remove and install them again anytime you want.
They are easier to install.
They are safe, and hence don't damage your hair.
They give your mane a natural look since they lie flat on your hair.
Cons:
The bad news with using tape in extensions is that they will fall if they are not correctly installed. It is like tape-in extensions smell fear, they fall at the most unexpected times like a job interview, or even on a date.
Can irritate if they are not properly installed.
They require lots of maintenance. If you do not take proper care for them, you will end up paying dearly.
They are not friendly to hair oil or silicone products.
Micro Ring Hair Extensions
These hair extensions come in the form of small wefts that are attached in your natural hair. What sets these extensions apart is the fact that you don't need adhesive to attach the hair.
The weft is attached to the client's hair using small rings or loop. The salon technician then presses the ring or loop on your hair without using adhesive. Your salonist will take about 3-5 hours to install the extensions. Also, the extensions will serve you for about 2-6 months.
Pros:
These extensions do not need adhesive to be secured in place.
Micro ring hair extensions are secure and natural-looking.
When well-maintained they can last from 2-6 months.
The extensions can be reused.
Cons:
It is a time-consuming process.
It will be difficult to make the extensions invisible if you have short hair.
Can strain and cause discomfort on your scalp.
They can damage your hair if not properly removed by a professional.
Hard to style your hair into high ponytails.
Weaving Hair Extensions
Weaving your hair is one of the methods you can use to change up your hairstyles. The weaving method can also be referred to as sew-in. Weaving is whereby you sew in hair extensions on to your scalp with the help of a needle and cotton thread.
Hair extensions sew-in are used by people who have thick hair because of the application method. This type of method is popular since it is seamless and permanent. It will take you around 2-4 hours to get the extensions sewed in. The extensions will also give you service for 2-3 months. Let's look at sew in hair extensions pros and cons.
Pros:
It is easy to remove the sew-in hair extension by cutting off the thread which was used to sew in the hair.
Ideal for people with natural short hair.
Adds volume to your hair.
Cons:
They need to be installed and removed by a professional.
If the extensions are heavy, they can weigh you down and even cause headaches.
If not well taken care of the weave can have bacterial infection something that you don't want to happen.
It is limited when it comes to styling versatility.
Clip-in Hair Extensions
If you want longer and fuller hair in minutes, then clip in hair extensions are your best bet. These are some of the best hair extensions types, and they come with clips attached to them on the top. All you have to do is to attach the clips on the roots of your hair. It will take you around 5-10 minutes to install these extensions, and you can remove them anytime you want.
Pros:
They don't require commitment; you can have them on and take them out anytime you want.
They are easy to install.
They are comfortable to wear since they are lightweight.
They are affordable.
Cons:
They must be installed and removed every day.
They are visible if they are not properly installed.
They are not ideal for people with severe hair loss issues.
Can cause your hair to break if they are left on for a long time.
Hot Fusion Hair Extensions
These type of hair extensions are common with celebrities. These types of extensions are also referred to as pre-bonded hair extensions. It will take about 6-8 hours to install hot fusion extensions. Also, you will need to use a professional stylist.
Let's look at the pros and cons of fusion hair extensions.
Pros and cons of fusion hair extensions:
Pros
It is a durable method since the extensions can stay in between 4-6 months.
They are seamless since you can't see where the extensions have been attached.
They are great for coarse/thick hair.
They are excellent if you want to get thicker and fuller hair.
Cons
Installation requires a skilled technician.
It is a tiresome process since the application process takes around 6-8 hours.
Cold Fusion Hair Extensions
This method is the same as the hot fusion method. The only difference is that it comes with a ready pre-tipped keratin polymer that is attached at the base of your hair. It will take a technician about 4-6 hours to make the application.
Pros
Ideal for fine hair.
The extensions will last for up to 6 months.
Since there is no heat used, there are minimal chances of heat damage on your hair.
Blends well with natural hair.
Cons
You can't reuse the hair extensions.
It's a cumbersome process since the application process takes up a lot of time.
After the application is done, you might get irritation or headaches for several days.
Nano Ring Hair Extensions pros and cons
If you have fine hair, nano ring hair extensions would be the perfect way of adding volume to your hair. To install nano rings extension, you need to take strands of hair and attach them securely to your hair with the use of metal nano rings.
The trick to securing the nano rings in place is to attach the right amount of hair on them. The rings will secure well in place as long as the hair is not too oily or soft.
Pros
They are small in size hence blend naturally with your hair.
They are very secure since they use the strand by strand method.
Recommended for people with thin hair.
Cons
They require regular maintenance if you want them to remain neat and tangle-free.
They can slip down or become loose when used on extra sot or oily hair.
There you have it, seven types of hair extension that you can rock next time you want to change your look. However, before choosing extensions, you need to know the pros and cons so that you will make an informed decision. If you don't know the kind of hair extensions to choose seek advice from your hairstylist.
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