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Hair Extensions Monthly!

5 Types of Hair Extensions, what is

the best quality?

When it comes to the hair used in Hair Extensions many people assume that all hair types are relatively the same, or conversely there are those who believe that one hair type is more superior than the next.

Premium Hair, Virgin Hair, Yaki Hair, Synthetic Human like and Cuticle Remy.

In this article we will explore the aforementioned types of hair extensions, their benefits, challenges and cost.

This will allow you to determine “what is the best quality” for you!

1.Premium Hair

Made from 100% human hair, double-drawn at the weft for added durability, premium hair features mono-directional roots and tips that help prevent tangling and comes in a large variety of lengths, colour, and styles.

• Benefits: Large range of colours, length and styles
• Challenges : Chemically Treated
• Cost: Splurge

2. Virgin Hair

Virgin hair is unprocessed 100% human hair, which is collected from a single donor. The virgin hair has not been altered by dyes, perms or bleach.

• Benefits: Natural, no chemical processing
• Challenges: Limited colours usually range from black to light brown.
• Cost: Cost effective

3. Yaki Hair

Yaki hair refers to its texture, in that this hair resembles chemically treated or processed hair. Yaki hair may be from a synthetic or 100% human hair source and the hair is collected from various sources rather than from a single donor. Yaki hair comes in a large variety of lengths, colour, curl patterns and styles.

• Benefits: The largest range of colour, curl patterns and styles. Often use in magazine shoots as it is easy to accomplish most styles
• Challenges: Not long lasting
• Cost: Budget friendly

4. Synthetic Human like

Human-like high temperature synthetic hair extensions are a new development in the industry. High temperature fiber is sometimes referred to as Heat Resistant Fiber. This hair can be curled using curling irons or straightened using ceramic straighteners at a maximum of 300 degrees Fahrenheit and behaves very much like human hair extensions. Synthetic human-like comes in a wide range of colours, textures, curls and styles.

• Benefits: The range of colour, lengths, textures, curls and styles are endless
• Challenges: Has a lower max to heat styling and shorter usage life-span
• Cost: Discount

5. Cuticle Remy

Cuticle Remy Hair, has the longest life span of all the human hair extension products on the market. Cuticle Remy means the hair's cuticles are kept intact and always lined up in one direction. Cuticle Remy hair feels smoother, is longer lasting and considered tangle free. This type of hair comes in two subcategories; European (Russian) or Indian/Asian. The European (Russian) hair is a very costly option, as the hard to achieve ash tones and blonde colours are attainable with this hair type. The most common length with Cuticle Remy European (Russian) is 16”-20” as 20 plus inches are harder to access due to low supply. Longer lengths 20” and over are usually more readily available in the Indian/Asian hair type of Cuticle Remy, but only in the darker warmer colours and tones.

• Benefits: Long life-span, can achieve ash tones and blonde colours
• Challenges: Hard to access / low supply
• Cost: Investment

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How much do Hair Extensions cost - 8 things to consider?

1. How much your Hair extensions cost will be determined by answering the following questions:

• What quality hair should I buy for my hair extensions?
• How much hair extensions do I need?
• Is colour a factor in the cost of hair extensions?
• What are the different hair extensions methods that are available?
• What are the costs of the different application and installation methods of hair extensions?
• Does the length I want affect the cost of my hair extensions?
• Are the prices different for the colour hair extensions I buy?
• How often and how much does it cost to maintain my hair extensions?

2. Types of Hair in my hair extensions?

• While Synthetic hair hair extensions are more affordable than human hair extensions, most will melt when they are exposed to heat, such as with a curling iron.
• An alternative is to buy Human like high temperature hair extensions, which are a new development of synthetic hair in the industry. High temperature fibre is sometimes referred to as Heat Resistant Fibre. This hair can be curled using curling irons, straightened using ceramic straighteners and behaves very much like human hair extensions.
• Synthetic hair also doesn't last as long as human hair (typically 1-3 months of regular use.)
• If you have a smaller budget, then a clip in extensions made from synthetic hair is the best choice.

• Human hair extensions are the most expensive hair extensions option.
• The highest-quality human hair extensions are made of 100% human hair with chemically treated and non-treated qualities. Non-treated human hair is known as virgin human hair which is good quality human hair that will generally last the longest as there is no chemical processing that goes into preparing the hair for sale. The only limitation to virgin human hair extensions is that there are limited colours available. Treated human hair, often referred to as premium hair extensions, offer a much wider range of colours. Extension wearers can buy premium hair extensions with an amazing array of colours, from fantasy, bright pinks, blues and purples... to ash browns and the platinum or grey blondes.
• Cuticle Remy extensions are the highest quality hair extensions on the market. Cuticle Remy means the hair's cuticles are kept intact and always lined up in one direction. Cuticle Remy hair feels and looks healthier and shinier and is a great long term investment. It is not only the best quality hair on the market but also the most expensive.
• In addition, how the hair is held together for installation does affect the cost of hair extensions. Available options include bonded tips, bulk or loose hair, tape hair and as well, standard weft or Rooted Seamless Weft. Keep in mind, the more revolutionary, seamless and longer lasting the hair, or installation systems are, the more expensive these options will be.

3. How much hair do I need for my extensions?

• The hair that is used in hair extensions is priced by its net weight using the metric unit of grams. The better the quality the more expensive per gram it will cost.
• The cost per gram ranges from $3.00 to $6.00 and up per gram. Remember you get what you pay for.
• The following is a great guide to use in determining how much hair you should buy.
  • Thin hair will need between 90gram to 115grams
  • Medium hair will need between 115grams to 180grams
  • Thick hair will need 180grams and up.
• The thicker you want the hair, or if your hair requires a lot of hair to achieve optimal outcome, the more expensive it will be.

4. Length of my hair extensions

• The cost of extensions also depends on their length.
• Selecting a longer length option hair will be more costly as the longer the hair extension you choose the more the hair will weigh.
• Suppliers have a standard weight allowance for each package (bundle) of hair they sell, typically between 90grams to 200grams.
• The less the package (bundle) weighs the more of them you will need to buy if you decide to get really long hair.

5. Colour of my hair extensions

• The cost of your hair extensions may also vary with the color you want.
• Black is the least expensive. The lighter the colour the more processing the manufacturer has had to put into getting the desired colour. Consider what it would cost for you to get a professional hair stylist to change your black hair to an ash blonde.
• There is a very small European hair market (manufacturer) who are able to get the ash colours and light brown and blonde naturally, however, because the supply is so limited the cost is very high as it is in very high demand. This type of hair will cost in excess of $6.00 a gram.

6. Application / Installation of my hair extensions

The cost to install your hair extensions will range from $200.00 and up based on a number of factors including -

• Length of time that is required to complete the install.
• Cost of accessories that are required to conduct the installation (i.e. beads, keratin glue etc.)
• Skill level of the Technician.
• Geographical region.
• Difficulty of the installation technique.
• Ability of your hair to adhere to the technique (i.e. your natural is really short)
• Other services required to prepare your hair for the installation of your hair extensions.

7. Hair Extension methods

• Please discuss the installation method you should select with your hair extension technician.
• When choosing a technician ensure they are skilled in many areas in order to provide options that are suitable for your hair, type, texture and condition.
• Available installation methods include:
  • Tape Hair Extensions,
  • Nano Ring Hair Extensions
  • Micro Weft Hair Extensions
  • Braided Weave Hair Extensions
  • Clip in Hair Extensions
  • Braidless Weave Hair Extensions
  • Custom Ponytails
  • Hot Fusion
  • Euro Locks
  • Single Braids
  • Crochet
  • Cornrows
  • Wigs/units
  • Hair pieces/ponytails

8. Maintaining my hair extensions

• You should factor in the ongoing cost of maintenance in addition to the initial cost of your hair extensions.
• After your hair extensions have been installed it's important to follow your installation technician’s guidance on how to maximize their longevity..
• As a general rule fast growing hair requires maintenance every 4 to 6 weeks, while slower growing hair requires maintenance every 6 to 8 weeks.
• Some hair extension methods are more costly than others.
• The two most cost effective methods in this respect are the Micro Weft method as well as Clip ins as they require less time to perform maintenance activities.
• Taking special care of your new hair extensions will ensure that they last long and stay beautiful!

The best solution for thick, long and healthy looking hair

Hair extensions are a quick and easy way to add length, volume, and elegance to your life. The various available installation methods also allow your hair extensions installation technician to place your new hair to compensate for any hair challenges that you may have. Hair Extensions are great for those looking to enhance their natural hair as well as address issues of thinning hair or hair loss.

Where to buy the best hair extension deals

We suggest buying your hair extensions from a trusted local retailer, technician or online store. Ensure that the online store has a phone contact and the customer service representative answering your call knows the products and can provide you with guidance. There are many sellers on line, so we suggest shopping at your local online store.

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WILL HAIR EXTENSIONS DAMAGE MY HAIR?

Hair Extensions are an easy and great way to add more length, volume and style to your locks.

As hair extensions professionals and educators we are often asked “will hair extensions damage my natural hair? In this article we will explore this question by reviewing the factors that may lead to hair damage.

1. Application methods

• Beaded or ring based installations; Nano Ring /Beads I-tip, Euro Rings / Beads and Braid less or Seamless Micro Weft.

Best used for medium to medium thick hair

These methods may cause damage if the beads or ring are made out of hard metal. The best beads to use is a soft copper base with a silicone insert to protect your natural hair. As well, a soft bead makes it possible to easily open beads or ring to remove or do maintenance. A 1:1 ratio rule should be applied to all bead or ring extension methods, meaning equal amounts of hair to extensions. Often clients and technicians choose to put more extension hair than natural hair in a bead or ring. Doing so will cause damage, especially with compromised natural hair. These methods would be considered to have minimal to no damage.

• Tape methods such as, Tape ins, Wigs, Top piece and Tupees’.

Best used for thin to medium thin hair
These methods are very straightforward and the least complicated of the extensions methods requiring a technician, but require great skill and time to maintain or remove. It is of utmost importance to have the right liquid remover (oil or alcohol base) to neutralize the adhesive to minimize pulling and breakage. In addition, shampoo and conditioner that is designed to remove the excess tape residue from the cuticles of your natural hair should be used. This process is quite arduous and must be conducted with care and patience to prevent damage. Tape methods would be considered to have minimal to some damage.

• Glue methods, like fusions with keratin based hard glues, or soft white or black hair glue.

Best used for strong healthy hair

As with the Tape in method of installation, glue methods are straightforward and should also follow the 1:1 extension to hair rule. When removing extensions installed with glue the right products, tools and patience will be paramount in eliminating damage. These methods should be considered to have some damage associated with removal.

• Braided ,Twist, Crochet and Twisted methods.

Best used for un-processed well hydrated hair

These are methods that all require complex and similar skill sets to install. In addition to taking the same precautions as other installation methods, tension is the singularly most important issue to be aware of with braided, twist, crochet and twisted installation methods, while maintaining the 1:1 rule of installation.

Overly tensioned or too tightly placed installation will cause tension alopecia over time that can lead to permanent hair loss. This can be 100% eliminated if the technician only applies minimal tension. These methods would be considered to have minimal to no damage.

2. Condition of your natural hair

The following 8 challenges are important to be aware of, or improve, before considering any new hair styles or treatment. Please discuss your hair history with your extension technician during your consultation in order to resolve the following, and to select the best hair extension method for you.

1. Hair Porosity
2. Split ends
3. Over processed chemical damaged hair
4. Heat Damage
5. Sun Damage
6. Water Damage
7. Over-stressed / Tension damage
8. Styling and daily care

3.Maintenance

It is important and positively beneficial to the health of your hair, and your bank account, for you maintain a regular and timely maintenance schedule. An inconsistent maintenance schedule will lead to tangles, ill fitting extensions, breakage, a short life span of your installation and unsightly looking hair. The following are best practice guidelines to adopt with respect to frequency of maintenance but they can be shorter depending on lifestyle and a fast hair growth cycle.

• Beaded or ring based installations will require maintenance every 4 to 6 weeks Beaded or ring base installations. This includes Nano Ring /Beads I-tip, Euro Rings / Beads and Braid less or Seamless Micro Weft
• Glue and tape methods will require maintenance every, 1 to 2 weeks for scalp to tape/glue install and 6 to 8 weeks for hair to tape/glue install. Tape methods such as, Tape ins, Wigs, Top piece and Tupee’s. Glue methods like, fusions with keratin based hard glues or soft white or black hair glue.

The following methods will require removal and reinstallation in 8 to 10 weeks. these methods are, Braided, Twist, Crochet and Twisted methods

In conclusion, as educators in the industry, we want to stress that if your extensions are not properly installed, cared for, maintained or removed on a timely schedule, they will cause damage like any other hair style or treatment.

Additionally, there are some methods involving tape or glue that are a challenge to remove and can cause damage regardless of the skill of the technician. These methods are best used for clients with very strong and healthy hair. It is important to keep your natural hair, hair extensions and scalp hydrated.

In addition it is important to maintain a good diet and to handle extensions and hair with care by keeping to a minimum any heat styling and use of harsh products such as dry shampoo, gels, hair sprays and alcohol based products.

Most importantly find a skilled technician who can provide you with informed options on the method that best suits your hair type, cut, length, challenges, style aspiration and lifestyle.

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