Getting the right look gets easier all the time with new techniques and treatments on the market. When professionally handled, hair extensions and weaves can totally change your look, and you can experience the hair that you always dreamed of.
Hair comes in many qualities and apart from the method of application, the quality of your hair extension hair will determine whether or not they will look real, and how long they will last. Find out about some of the different hair extension and wig options available.
Extensions
When getting extensions there are two main types of application method.
Individual Strands The Individual method involves taking small amounts (maybe 20-50 strands) of extension and applying to small sections of your own hair by either weaving in, heat fusing, gluing, clamping with metal rods or using waxes and polymers. All of these methods (except for the clamping which is self explanatory) involve coating your own hair with a chemical or foreign substance. These extensions usually only last a few months before they have to be taken out and completely re-done. The main problem with this method is taking the Hair Extensions out without damaging your own hair.
Wefts A weft looks like a little curtain of hair attached together at the top and free flowing at the bottom. Wefts can be made by machine, but the best wefts are handmade. Your extensions artist should be able to make them for you. The benefit of having them handmade is that you can match your own hair color perfectly as the color can be blended in the making process. Machine made wefts come in continuous widths and are then cut to size. Handmade wefts are custom made to suit your head perfectly. Also, handmade wefts tend to last much longer and are generally thicker than machine made ones. Machine made wefts are usually made from the lesser qualities of hair and very rarely can you find European Hair machine made wefts. You cannot buy virgin hair machine made wefts.
Natural Wigs
Just what we've all waited for (NewHair) a brand new invention in wig technology. It's natural looking because it has a parting in the wig, through which you weave your own hair and brush over, giving you an authentic looking head of hair unlike no other. The use of 'Yaki' hair gives you a more textured and closer match for most types of relaxed or pressed Afro-Caribbean hair. Or 'Silky' hair which is better for Caucasion hair.
Monofilament is specifically designed for women with hair loss, sensitive scalps or who just want an extremely comfortable wig. The hair is woven by hand, strand by strand and tied onto an ultra fine, flesh coloured mesh cap. This allows you to shape these monofilament wigs in any direction with a comb. The wefted stretch back gives a comfy fit.
Clip On
If your hair is just long enough to pull into a ponytail then you can clip an extension piece in. These are a great look, low maintenance, and do not damage the hair in any way. They are easy to keep clean, washing them in cold water and a mild shampoo, and left to dry naturally. Avoid heating them with styling tools as the synthetic strands may burn. Clip-on hair pieces can be found in most beauty supply shops, offering different styles, colours and lengths, at reasonable prices (so you can pick up a couple of different looks, without breaking your budget).
