I’m lucky to have a client that is not only a blast to spend a few hours with doing her hair every few months, but who also happens to be a highly regarded beauty and fashion writer- featured in the likes of Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan Magazine, seen on ABC’s MirrorMirror, and more. See what she has to say about hair extensions.
Every time one of my friends says, “I LOVED (insert any female celebrity’s name) at the Emmys, the Oscars or the Grammys!!” I have this exact conversation: 99 percent of celebs, TV personalities and models have hair extensions. Some use temporary and some have permanent, but they are all using them! And, just to be clear- “weave” is no longer the appropriate term. No, hair extensions have come a long way since the days of buying hair from the warehouse district and having it braided or glued in to your hair. Forget everything you think you know about them. They have become an exciting new fashion trend, and for good reason. For some, the words “hair extensions” itself elicits negative images of fake looking barbie type hair, tangles galore, messy glues, and hair murdering damage. This is due mostly to the early years of hair extensions, by which lengths of hair were added by braiding or ‘tracking’ the locks into the natural hair. Not good. Alas, those days are over (as long as you choose a stylist that is using the latest and greatest in hair extensions, of course).
Shortly after having my first child in 2010, I was having one of those weird pregnancy days and decided I wanted my youthful, pre-mommy hair days back. I determined that starting with hair extensions would give me the biggest change. So, I asked a friend whom has always been honest about her “weave” and was directed to her long time stylist. I was instructed to go buy the hair at some factory-like place off Westeimer where I bought human hair in my color by the ounce. Hello, creepy! The whole process kind of freaked me out but I felt I was already in too deep to back out. After sitting through six hours of
tortureweaving, I had a head that felt like it weighed more than my six month preggers belly and hurt like hell. I was miserable and ended up taking them out three days later, only to have my hair totally damaged for the next 12 months. It sucked. I guess trying to counteract the 40 pound weight gain with killer hair was not a good idea after all. Hmm.It turns out, I was on the right track but took the wrong route getting there.
In spite of this, I was still in love with the idea of having movie star hair. I love the look and feel of thick, wavy locks. My hair looked better in photos, on camera and who doesn’t like waking up to a fab head of hair everyday? After recovering my scalp and confidence in my choices- I hit the ‘net to find a better option. I mean, if having hair extensions were a nightmare like I had experienced- no one would be getting them, right?!? Bound and determined, I came across some information on a brand called Hairdreams and a really good stylist in the Houston suburb of Tomball. Tomball? Um, OK. Given, that I normally do my hair (with the exception of my previous hair extension nightmare) in the posh Upper Kirby area of Houston, I was hesitant. But I did a lot of research and found out Hairdreams is highly regarded by a lot of my hairdresser friends, beauty experts, and celeb stylists alike. When I arrived to meet Crystal Anne at her private salon studio in Tomball, my heart was pumping. I was greeted by Crystal- a cute and vivacious youngster with gorgeous Texas-style, auburn hair. I liked her instantly. I told her how nervous I was and she assured me I had nothing to worry about. As it turns out, many of Crystal’s clients trek from all parts of Houston and Southeast Texas because she’s that good. Whew! She educated me on a lot of things regarding hair extensions and I thought I’d share them with you.
Hair extensions have changed a lot, apparently. Improvements have changed the look and feel of hair extensions, making it easier and safer. Professional hair extensions are now more popular than ever, offering a wide variety of options from hair color, added new textures and added fullness. Today, extensions are not just about length. For years, most people have thought that extensions will damage their hair and this negativity is still very much alive. The president of Hairdreams hair extensions says “Now that there are perfectly safe methods of attachment, the public needs to be reeducated to understand all the benefits and possibilities. They also need to think of hair extensions as not only a way to add length, but as a way to add volume, texture and color.”
Nowadays, the deciding factor seems to be simply about price. Pricing is usually based on several factors; the quality of the salon, quality of their products, the geographic location and the length of hair. Volume is based on each client’s personal requirements. The total cost will vary depending on what you get. A full head, short to long application usually requires between 150 to 200 extensions. If you go to a good salon, you’d be hard pressed to get out of there under $1500. That’s what my head of hair costs. Not cheap. But once you get them, they are addicting! I’m about to go on round two and my hair looks and feels fabulous.
If you decide to go for “Awards Season” hair, make sure you go to a good salon, use good quality hair like I did and suck up the cost. Cheap hair is like a cheap pair of shoes. They look cheap.
I love mine and I make no apologies. *Flips hair*
XO
Courtney
