When thinking of fitting hair extensions you may wonder which type will best suited for you. Because there are various types of application techniques available in the market place today it can be rather difficult to decide if you are not well informed.
Hair Extensions are ideal for you if you are looking to instantly add length or add fullness to your hair.
But to be honest finding the right hair extensions for you will tend to depend rather a lot on your budget.
And yes unfortunately when it comes to fitting hair extensions you do get what you pay for.
Expensive yet top of the line is virgin remy hair. Where the cuticle are preserved instead of being stripped making this the finest quality hair available.
But if you want to go easy on your pocket synthetic hair extensions work out a lot cheaper. Although they will not blend with your own hair as well.
In Singapore I personally work with the top quality Great Lengths 100% Human Hair extensions and have done for many years.
Fitting Hair Extensions What You Are Paying For.
There are 3 important factors that go into determining the price charged when fitting hair extensions
Factor 1. The type and quality of the hair used in the extension.
This can vary from remy (all the cuticles of the hair going in the same direction) 100% Human Hair.
To the use of none remy human hair or a mix of none remy human hair and fibre.
With all fibre extensions being an alternative.
Factor 2. Hair extensions how they are attached to your hair.
Depending on the time taken and the experience required to attach the methods below.
Pre-bonded Keratin Bonds, Weave Method, Plaiting, Tape or by a Micro Bead/Micro Ring.
Factor 3. The skill level of the stylist applying the hair extensions.
The amount of training the stylist have received from the product company plus their skill level.
As fitting hair extensions wrongly by that I mean either to near your scalp or not with your natural hair growth.
Would be painful and cause you a lot of discomfort.
The skill in which the stylist fitting hair extensions can integrate the colors of your extensions. Blending them into your own hair color so as to create a very natural effect.
Fitting Hair Extensions Which Technique Is For You.
Sewn/Weave.
This method is more ideal for hair that is course or very thick.
Strips of hair extension are applied by being sewn into a tightly braided section of your own natural hair.
These hair extensions need regular salon visits as they will need to be tightened up every so often.
How long they last will depend on how well your hair can handle the weight of the hair extensions.
Micro Bead/Micro Ring.
With this method a small section of your own hair is pulled through a small bead or metal cylinder along with a hair extension.
This bead/ring is then tightened to secure the hair.
As these tend to have grooves inside to grasp the hair they can be detrimental to the hair cuticle.
The connections can be durable but also sometimes a little uncomfortable.
Salon visits are required as the bead or ring can tend to slip down the hair shaft. So will need adjustment from time to time.
Keratin Bonds.
Small sections of your hair will be fused together with the hair extensions. This is by way of a small keratin bond (keratin is a fibrous protein) Great Lengths are one company that uses this technique of attachment.
Although this method tends to be the most expensive it is very popular and look great and natural.
It is recommended that you return to the salon now and again for maintenance checks.
Avoid putting conditioner/ treatments or any heated appliances on the hair extension connection as this could lead to the weakening of the bond.
Short Term Hair Extensions.
Tape.
These strips of hair extensions are connected to bands of what looks like scotch tape.
It is away of attaching one row at a time instead of strand by strand.
These are placed each side of a section of your own hair and the adhesive tape clamped or pinched together.
There can be a problem if not removed every six weeks with tangling when your hair starts to grow.
If you wish to find out more about tape in hair extensions please read my post here.
I hope this helps you in deciding which hair extension technique would suit you the best.