If you weren’t born with naturally flowing, long, glamorous locks then hair extensions may seem like the perfect solution. After all, they’re the beauty ‘secret’ of those red carpet hairstyles we all swoon over, and are what give our favourite celebs such impossibly luxurious looking hair. With the addition of bouncy, voluminous, silky hair, hair extensions can give you that heavenly Rapunzelian hair you’ve always dreamed of.

Here we tell you everything you need to know about hair extensions… so listen up and indulge yourself. Amplify the beauty of your hair, create a new persona for you and add a certain ‘oomph’ to your look. Remember that you’re worth it, and you only live once!

5 Things No-One Ever Tells You About Hair Extensions

1. You Get What You Pay For

This one seems fairly obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people think that they can get incredibly luxurious-looking locks for a fraction of the price. The synthetic, plastic-looking extensions you may buy online for cheap may seem like a good deal at the time, but when they’re tearing your hair out at the root and making your hair look tattered you’ll wish you paid more. As the old saying goes, “buy cheap, buy twice”!

If you’re serious about having hair extensions you need to pay a little more to get extensions made of real hair because synthetic versions just don’t cut the mustard. Real human hair can be styled with hot tools and coloured just like your own hair (synthetic hair extensions doesn’t offer those benefits, nor does it blend as well with your own tresses!). Real hair extensions last longer than synthetic hair and so you won’t have to re-purchase them as regularly. If you want your hair to look natural and beautiful, then real hair extensions are the only way to go.

2. Use Remy Real Hair Extensions for Best Effect

“Remy hair” refers to the quality of human hair used in your hair extensions. 100% remy hair is used to create the Beauty Works hair extensions we use here in the salon, and it simply means the cuticles are kept intact and all go in one direction which stops any tangling or splitting. Remy hair looks super shiny and much more natural due to the meticulous process that the hair goes through to ensure the cuticle isn’t damaged. Usually this means using virgin hair or hair that has been minimally processed to protect the integrity of the hair.

With non remy hair, the hair cuticles are stripped usually from over-processing and the hair is thrown together which causes tangling. To mask this, some manufactures use heavy silicone to make the hair appear shiny and healthy, but beware as soon as you wash it the silicone comes off and the hair mattes into a huge mess. Some hair salons even guarantee the extensions until you wash them because they know what will happen once you hit the shower! Be aware of this and only use real remy hair extensions and a professional fully-trained stylist.

3. Select Your Hair Extension Stylist Wisely

Not all hair extension technicians are created equally! If you’re going to invest in hair extensions then you should do your research and select a great stylist (like our Toni – Plymouth’s best hair extensions technician!). Selecting the stylist who works with your extensions is just as important as the hair itself. You need to select a fully-trained hair stylist who has heaps of experience and who has had specialist training in the application of professional hair extensions. Improper application or removal can really damage your hair so you should certainly never attempt it yourself!

It’s also important to use a stylist who has a good eye for colour because an inaccurate colour-match will make your extensions look fake and they won’t blend with your real hair. Once your extensions have been fitted you’ll also need a great hair cut to ensure that they are undetectable and the cut works with the hair extensions. For this reason you must go to a great stylist who knows hair extensions inside out!

4. Density and Placement Matter

You can have hair extensions fitted to make your hair thicker- they are not just a length thing. Lots of our clients come in with thin, wispy hair and have hair extensions to make their hair more luscious and full; this can really have a ‘wow’ effect and make your hair look incredible!

The weight of hair extensions can put additional stress on your roots, so you have to match the extensions to your hair’s density to avoid extra tension on your natural hair. If you have fine hair, opt for extensions of a lighter density. The thicker the hair, the denser you can go. Placement is key so a professional stylist will know exactly where to place the extensions to get the desired effect. If you put extensions on the neckline for example, hair is too weak there to be able to hold the extensions on for long and they will fall out. Placement is key to the longevity of successful hair extensions!

5. Comb and Condition, Even if You Didn’t Before

Once you’ve had hair extensions applied your hair care routine may have to change slightly to ensure that you keep them in tip top condition. Taking care of your hair extensions will ensure they stay soft and silky, slack off, and chances are they’ll end up dry, frizzy and straw-like. Combing your hair carefully from top to bottom will need to be a daily activity to protect against tangles at the roots as your hair grows. Be gentle, and hold onto the microrings when brushing to avoid yanking them out. You’ll also want to ditch any hair care products that contain alcohol and switch to hydrating sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep the hair strong. Also, try to wash and condition in one direction only; vigorous rubbing and circular motions won’t do your hair any favours! Don’t sleep with your hair wet as it could damage the extensions- always dry your hair before bed (and indeed always).

Best Hair Extensions in Plymouth

Who doesn’t dream of long, luscious locks?! Now that you know what to look out for it’s time to come in for your hair extension consultation. Our supremely talented hair extension specialist (Toni Lloyd) uses the very highest quality hair extensions to weave wonder for anyone looking for longer or thicker hair. We use Beauty Works real hair extensions because they are the market leaders and you won’t get better, simple as that.

Beauty Works offer award-winning hair to some of the most prestigious salons and backstage stylists. We use micro ring hair extensions which means we carry out application with absolutely no glue, no heat and no braid. The hair extensions strands are placed into the hairline with colour-coded rings to suit your root colour. This method offers longer term application and can last up to 3 months before reapplication.

How Much Do Hair Extensions Cost?

The cost of real hair extensions all depends on the length, colour and thickness required. Your expert hair extension stylist in Plymouth Toni Lloyd will discuss everything in detail with you during your consultation to ensure that she knows exactly the look you desire. Click the hair extension price list below to get an idea of costings…

To book your consultation and come in for a non-obligation chat, please get in touch with Toni by calling the salon on 01752 669641 or book your appointment online now (click link). She can’t wait to work her magic and transform your tresses into the beautifully thick and luscious hair you always dreamed of…