You don’t need to be genetically blessed to achieve beautiful, voluminous locks. With a little help from the experts at Glow Salon and our magnificent range of 100% Remy human hair extensions your dream of beautiful long hair will come true!
Over the years, our team have refined our technique and tested many of the available brands and have learnt a few lessons, SO before you take the plunge there are a few things to consider to ensure you find the extensions that are most suitable for your hair type, your budget and your lifestyle.
Not All Hair Extensions Are Created Equally
What to Avoid
There are so many brands of extensions available, such a huge price range, and so many places to source extensions, it is often difficult for the novice to distinguish the fantastic high-quality extensions from the less than desirable.
Hair extensions can be made from animal hair like horse or yak tail, synthetic hair, with varying quality, and real human hair also with varying levels of quality or combinations or animal, human and or synthetic hair.
Much of the less expensive hair available will be a combination of synthetic, animal and human hair. When processed, it looks just like 100% human hair, however, is usually loses its lustre after one or two washes and begins to tangle.
Synthetic hair extensions are made from very fine, usually plastic fibres, and do not contain any real human hair. The highest quality synthetic extensions are manufactured to imitate the look, feel, durability, resilience and movement of real human hair.
Pure human hair extensions are made out of real, human hair that is collected from a paid donor or hair that is collected in batches. Human hair has varying grades of quality.
Non-remy hair is collected from the floor of temples, salons, random suppliers or from extension manufactures where the Remy hair may have been confused and the cuticle direction as been mixed up. This mixed cuticle direction causes all sorts of problems in the hair extension like shedding, tangling and matting problems. The hair is is usually processed in an “acid bath”, to completely remove the entire cuticle and then dipped in silicone to make it shine and mask the problems with the cuticles that were not removed in the acid bath. Silicone adds weight to the hair, and because hair is sold by weight, this increases the selling price.
What is Remy Hair & Why We Recommend It
Remy hair means that all the cuticles are intact and are running in the same direction at the time of collection, this ensures that tangling of the extensions is minimised and the hair is as healthy and as glossy as possible. Remy hair is the minimum requirement for permanent or bonded hair extensions. At Glow Salon we use nothing less than ethically sourced, 100% Remy hair.
Virgin hair comes from a single donor, it is completely unprocessed with the cuticle fully intact, it will always be Remy hair. There are rigorous standards to qualify as virgin hair and at a minimum, the hair must not be permed, dyed, coloured, bleached, or chemically processed in any way at the time of collection. Virgin hair is the most expensive hair type, and like most things, there are grades of hair quality within the ‘Remy’ and ‘Virgin’ categories. This is where the advice of a professional extension stylist will guide you to the best hair extension for you.
Seamless1 is a good example of a reputable hair extension brand and a popular choice with our clients.
Almost all hair for extensions available globally is sourced from India and China, and as such virgin hair will be naturally dark, however, extensions manufacturers will wash and process the virgin hair before sale to the retail market. It will also undergo colour processing as required to meet market demand. Quality manufactures, dealing with virgin hair, appreciate it’s value and use gentle, usually eco-friendly, high quality dyes and processing techniques, to ensure the hair is not damaged and the cuticle remains fully intact.
Find an Expert Stylist
Finding the right stylist can be a challenge.
Ensure that you find someone who is prepared to spend time with you, discussing your lifestyle, your desired hair length, your priority (length, volume, colour statement, personal identity, etc) who can make a recommendation based on your desired look and explain why, a stylist who checks your commitment to the upkeep of your extensions and most importantly a stylist who is prepared to keep your expectations in check.
It’s also essential to find a stylist that can match your colour correctly so the transition is seamless.
Extension application is actually not difficult; however, it is the combination of the stylist’s application, their vision, the technique used, the chosen application method and the stylist’s ability to “cut in” your extensions, that will determine the outcome.
At Glow Salon, we have seen a number of extension horror stories that we have been asked to correct. This can be an expensive and lengthy exercise, there is often damage to your own hair and it can take months to grow out.
Consider Your Extension Purchase as an Investment
There is no denying, hair extensions can be an expensive purchase.
In our experience at Glow Salon, attempting to get a bargain when shopping for hair extensions, usually results in the purchase of low quality, incorrectly matched hair and causes more disappointment than pleasure.
We have researched, shopped around and tested several extension brands. We use and test new brands continually to ensure we have an excellent selection of extensions available to our clients, that meet both quality and budgetary requirements.
Our approach is to identify quality first and follow that with a desire to source at a reasonable price. We have a range of extension brands available at the salon and we have attempted to find hair that offers value and quality for a variety of budgets.
Choosing the Best Application Method
There are several application methods to choose from, our stylists specialise in Clip-in, Tape and Keratin Bonded extension types, these methods can be applied to most hair types and will meet most client’s extension expectations.
Keratin Bonded or ‘Hot Fusion’
An application method of choice for many of our clients, this application method uses single extension strands about 2-3mm in diameter and are applied to the hair using a keratin tipped bond. This method is very suitable for hair types that are considered coarse or thick. A skilled stylist knows how at adapt this method to finer hair types without compromising the natural hair. This method is not recommended for people with very fine hair.
Depending on your commitment to upkeep, your personal tolerance for the hair bond and how quickly your own hair grows, one application can last up to five months. A full head application usually takes 3-4 hours, but can take up to 8 hours depending on the number of strands being applied and the stylists experience.
As heat is required for application there is a small risk of damage to the natural hair, however, an experienced stylist will minimise or eliminate this occurrence.
Keratin bonded extensions need to be brushed through twice every day and tangled bonds should be untangled immediately to minimise unsightly clumps of extensions. Keratin bonded extensions are the choice of many Hollywood celebrities and models, because of their versatility can easily be styled into updo’s and high-styles without the bonds being visible, they are generally considered a ‘low maintenance option’.
Cold Fusion, Micro-Links and I-tip
This is also a single strand extension method; however, heat is not required for an application. The extension hair is applied by pulling a small section of the natural hair through a small bead or lock and securing a metal clip to your natural hair using a salon tool that looks like a pair of plyers. This method is also suitable for thick, coarse hair.
A downside is that the beads occasionally are visible, more especially if you have fine hair. In addition, the metal clips may damage or break the natural hair, and these links tangle easily and require regular untangling at the bond. For a full head this application may take 4-6 hours in the salon, the application usually last about 8 weeks, the hair may be reused and usually lasts up to six months.
Tape in Hair Extensions
The quick application time, reusability and affordability of Tape-in hair extensions makes this application method the most popular hair extension application method of both stylist and clients alike at Glow Salon.
In 60 minutes you can have longer, thicker hair. The hair can be reused up to 3 times (or more if well looked after). The application does not require any heat, glue type adhesive, or special tools, as such damage to the natural hair is minimal when applied correctly.
Tape-in extensions are considered suitable for all hair types, and are especially good for finer hair types as the weight of the weft is spread over a great surface area, minimising the risk of the extension breaking the hair.
The tape extensions are very comfortable to wear and sleep in, due to the soft nature of the bonds.
Tangling at the root hardly ever occurs and they are fantastic for clients who prefer a minimal maintenance option. Like all extensions daily brushing with an extension brush will keep them in the best condition.
A downside is that the tapes can occasional be visible, more especially if you like to wear high-styles. However, most clients find that the switch from the very high style to lower styles, with the additional length and volume the Tape-in extension provide, is a tolerable compromise.
A full head of Tape-in extensions may take 1.5-2 hours in the salon, the application usually last about 8 weeks, at which stage the hair is removed, rebounded and reapplied. Depending on the quality and care given to the hair, it usually lasts up to six months before the hair needs to be replaced.
Glue-in
This is a short-term method of hair extensions application, where the weft of hair is applied using glue. This is a great method for those looking for a one-off solution, perhaps for a wedding or special party or business event, where it is very important that the hair stays in place.
However, this application method requires the touch of a very skilled and experienced stylist who uses this method regularly. Usually the application will last until the next time you shower.
If the hair is not applied correctly, the adhesive may cause damage to the natural hair and can be difficult to remove.
Sew-in or Braided
This method is ideal for coarse or thick hair, braids are used as a base for the extension weft, which is then sewn in using a needle and thread. Softer, silkier and finer hair types are not best suited to the application method as the braids become lose more easily and the wefts may slip and lose their position.
Although no heat or glue is used for application, the tight braids over time may cause hair loss, this is known as tension alopecia.
Often, for the first few days after application, clients may be uncomfortable and even experience headaches. Depending on what is required, in terms of the number of wefts, this application method may take a 2-5 hours through to a full day at the salon.
With sew-in and braided extensions it is essential to wash your hair regularly to prevent bacteria from forming throughout the braids.
Clip-in Extensions
These are another popular choice for clients at Glow Salon who have a special occasion, like a wedding or party to attend. This option is for people who do not want to have extensions every day. Clip-in extensions should only be used occasionally as the weight of the wefts and the clip method may cause hair loss and tension alopecia, if worn every day.
Our stylist at Glow Salon can help clients learn how to apply the extensions at home, cut the extensions to suit your length requirements and can style the extensions into up do’s for special occasions.
Regular Upkeep
If you decide on tape-on or keratin bonded hair extensions, these methods require a little work to keep them in the best condition. Using sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoo and concentrating on the roots will remove excess oils and will prevent slippage of the extensions. Conditioner should only be applied from the mid-lengths to the ends.
It is also essential that you make sure your hair is at least 80% dry before using heat styling tools. Irons and curlers need to be kept away from the tapes and keratin bonds. Also sleeping on wet hair with these extensions in is a big no-no. Your hair should be completely dry before you head to bed and ideally, braided to prevent tangles.
Book a Consultation at Glow
At Glow Salon we only use 100% Remy human hair extensions and our senior extension specialists are experienced and trained in using all the extension brands that we carry and in Keratin bonded, tape and clip-in techniques. If you’re considering hair extensions please drop us an email at reception@glowspa.hk or call us on 2525 5198 to book a free consultation with one of our expert stylists. Or come in and see us at Glow Salon, 9F Parker House, 72 Queens Rd Central
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