Monday, February 25, 2013

A Closer Look At Clip-In Hair Extensions

Melissa L. White
Licensed Hair Stylist
Certified Hair Extension Artist
Certified Brazilian Blowout Stylist

Clip-On hair extensions have an appeal to those who don't want to make a huge investment in quality keratin-bond extensions. Many younger women like the instant look they can get from a set of clip-in's that they can put in for a night out or a special event. But, even the highest quality clip-in's can cause big problems.

Clip-in Hair Extensions

 Let's not kid ourselves. Clip-in extensions tend to use hair that is not as high in quality as hair selected for keratin-bond hair extensions. Price usually dictates this, as the cost of higher quality hair cannot be recouped with clip-in pricing.

Hair used for clip-in extensions is often synthetic, or a combination of synthetic and poor quality human hair. (Just try flat ironing hair that is synthetic on high heat and you'll end up with a mess of gooey strands and a ruined flat iron!) When human hair is used, it is usually never true "remy" hair, and is hair that has usually been processed in order to achieve consistent coloring. Processed hair does not last as long without looking damaged, and will develop split ends, frizz from dryness, brittleness, and dullness.

Once you wear hair extensions, most women never want to give them up. They can give us the hair we've always dreamed of, and having them allows us to wear our hair and style our hair in ways we would never be able to without them. But, most women quickly tire of putting in and taking out their clip-in extensions on a daily basis. Even once you've become proficient at it, this is a process that can take a half hour or more depending upon how many wefts you use, and how big they are. Placement is critical in order to achieve a look that doesn't look like you're wearing them. They can look clumpy or show through depending on the style you wear them in. Up-do's are often very difficult.

And, clip-ins can actually cause more damage to your own hair than keratin-bond hair extensions. Because you tend to put them in the same position day after day you're stressing the hair with a block of hair that is quite heavy. This weight, anchored to your own hair strands, will cause cause breakage.

In my experience, when you do make the decision to try quality human hair extensions, you'll never want to go back to clip-on extensions again. While clip-ons might satisfy for the short-term, they're usually not the answer women stay happy with.

In San Antonio hair extensions continue to be a popular choice for women desiring longer, fuller hair, and the preferred choice appears to be quality hair extensions applied by certified salon stylists. Many of the women I see in my specialty salon remark that they've tried clip-in extensions and want a change that is better quality, more permanent, and that work better with busy lifestyles.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
 
Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of exquisite hair extensions. Melissa has over 10 years of extensive training with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Melissa is also a certified Brazilian Blowout stylist. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 8 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and afford the hair of their dreams . . . thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.