Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Hair Extensions So Desired Some Will Steal For Them

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

We've seen popularity in hair extensions grow tremendously over the past several years, but who knew they'd be in such demand that it would cause some to resort to theft in order to get them. Bizarre stories surface of those who can't seem to do without.

Augusta Hair Extension Theft
Suspects Caught on Camera
Courtesy WJBF

Forget copper theft, baby food thefts and even Tide detergent theft trends as some of the more bizarre to surface in the past couple of years. There have been reports of thieves bypassing cash registers and flat screen TVs to get to their goal...hair extensions! This is a trend which has been reported all across the country, from small shops to large distribution stores. And, thefts can be from several hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars!

Last Friday it was reported that two Texas beauty supply stores had hair extensions stolen by women posing as customers. The stores, both just North of Dallas, Texas, were surprised to be hit within a short time of each other, raising the possibility that the crimes were committed by the same group of women. Last year, a Houston salon was robbed of $150,000 worth of hair extensions, causing headlines that read "Nation Plagued By Rash of Hair Extension Thefts", and other similar stories to appear.

In Chattanooga, a woman's vehicle was broken into and her hair extensions were stolen among other items. I'd also heard story of a man who had stolen hair extensions to get in good grace with his girlfriend who wanted some good, quality hair extensions!

Bigger yet was a story out of Chicago where thieves broke into a beauty supply store taking $230,000 worth of high quality human hair extensions. According to the owner, Don Shin, "They knew what they were doing. They didn't take any of the cheap stuff." And, this wasn't a small theft. The theft of hair was the equivalent of six duffel bags!

In my specialty salon, I do not stock hair because I prefer to custom match colors and textures of hair for each of my clients to ensure the very best result. I custom-order all the quality hair I use for my clients, even for those who are having their extensions installed the day following their consultation! While I am glad that hair extensions are popular, and that people enjoy wearing them as much as they do, I hope that these disturbing events don't become a growing trend.

REFERENCES:
chattanoogan.com - Police blotter: Woman Has $3800 in Items Stolen...
estarnews.com - Police report: Hair Extensions Missing
inquisitr.com - Hair-Raising Burglary: $230k Of Natural Extensions Stolen In Chicago
jezebel.com - Nation Plagued By Rash Of Hair Extension Thefts

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. 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.