Hair extensions are a ubiquitous celebrity accessory. How else can stars like Rihanna, Jennifer Aniston, Britney Spears, and even Brad Pitt go from short to long so quickly, and change hair color so often? You’d expect their tresses to be a fried, porous mess! But they simply wear someone else's hair — and pay top dollar to keep it in perfect shape all the time.
What about the rest of us? We all see bad extension jobs on the street: girls strutting by with frizzed mushrooms on top, and limp, long strands of spaghetti hanging down their backs, usually mismatched in color.
(special thank you to Mischa Barton for the case study)
Is a beautiful head of long, healthy, sexy hair out of reach for the average salon client?
The answer, thankfully, is no.
Today the market is saturated with hair “enhancement” methods and products. With the help of an experienced and ethical stylist, most clients will be able to have the hair of their dreams without outlandish abuse of their wallets.
Many clients have serious concerns and questions regarding hair extensions in the salon: Is the hair real? How does it stay on my head? How much will it cost? How do I take care of it? How long will it last? How do you remove it? Is it good for everyone?
First, yes the hair we use is real. In fact, at Atelier Emmanuel, we use the highest quality hair available. It is “Remi”, meaning the cuticle is aligned in the same direction it grew out of the head. Certain companies sell non-Remi hair, and shave the cuticle layer down so that there is less tangling; however this hair degrades rapidly and will not survive repeated washings well.
There are several methods available for wearing hair extensions. These range from clip-ins, glueing, and braiding (wefts are sewn onto tiny cornrows), to fusion, and medical-grade adhesive attachments. Only an experienced stylist, accustomed to working with different hair types and knowledgeable about various methods, should recommend a type of extensions to you. Each has its pros and cons, and is better suited to different clientele.
As the methods differ, so does the cost. There is a huge range to explore between adding a few pieces as an accessory for the evening, to a full head of waist-length hair. Cost is determined by method, length desired, amount of hair needed, and stylist time. All prices are quoted during a detailed, in-person consultation, for which there is no charge.
Longevity of extensions is directly related to their maintenance. For details, click here.
With good care, some methods can last 2-4 months, and even longer. Removal varies, but is usually accomplished with a liquid dissolving agent and gentle separation of the extension from the natural hair. Because the added strands bear much of the brunt of styling, their removal often leaves a client’s hair in better condition than at the beginning of the process!
That said, extensions aren’t for everyone.
Hair that is fragile from illness, chemotherapy, or certain medicines often does not hold attachments well. This is due to the extra weight on the scalp, which would be minimal for regular hair. Also, clients suffering from alopecia will shed their extensions the same way their natural hair is shed. Finally, some athletes who spend large amounts of their day sweating profusely may have difficulty keeping extensions in. For very oily and/or sweaty scalps, there are successful methods of attachment, but a clarifying shampoo is usually necessary as a maintenance tool.
I'd like to close with an important point: A good cut is of paramount importance.
Many stylists attach extensions and charge top prices, then send a client out the door looking like she’s wearing a wig from the costume store. Your hairdresser should know how to blend your hair and the added pieces seamlessly, so that they flow naturally and are easy to style at home. The color, of course, should match flawlessly. At Atelier Emmanuel, we recommend having color services on your own hair done prior to ordering hair for extensions, so that we may make a perfect match.
It is good policy to ask lots of questions; we are available to give careful advice.
And dream big – the extensions experts at Atelier Emmanuel delight in providing you with the hair of your fantasies! Paparazzi, beware!
Below is a recent 'before and after' for a hair extension service which I gave at the salon. You can check out the full pictorial case study for more pics.
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