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.

Hair Extensions Are Extremely Popular For Women All Over The Country - And Now Horses!

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

Quality hair extensions have become immensely popular for women of all race, age and hair color, and it's a trend that seems remain hot even through the sluggish economy we've been stuck in. It has become mainstream all across the country in the past several years as more women discover the ease of wear, flexibility and versatility they give.



Photo Credit: Illinois Station KFVS 12


Surprisingly, we're not the only ones who are seeing a great use for hair extensions. News comes from the show barns of America who have turned to equine hair extensions to spruce up high priced show horses in an attempt to give them the tails of their dreams (and hopefully a few blue ribbons)! Both horse tails and horse manes have been cut in the rash of thefts.

A recent story out of the Southern Illinois Equestrian Center reports on a rash of events that will surprise most people. Apparently, a thief or thieves have been entering the facility's paddocks and have clipped the tail hair off all but two of the horses! Some horse hair has been found to be advertised for sale on-line,  reportedly being sold on the black market to show horse owners hoping to create longer, thicker tails. It is also thought to be sold on the black market for use to create horse hair jewelry.

I know what you're all thinking....could they be using horse hair in extensions meant for humans? We have no evidence that the horse hair is being used for sale as human hair extensions. I've been around horses since I was young, and I doubt that it would pass anyone's test, as horse hair is extremely thick and coarse. The best brands of human hair extensions, such as Great Lengths and Hair Dreams, use only top quality Remy hair, and you should be able to feel the quality. It is superior in texture, feel, wear, longevity, and manageability over synthetic hair extensions or cheap hair extensions that often use poor quality hair or damaged hair, and don't pay attention to the direction of the cuticle or prior hair processes such as color, perms, straighteners, etc.

Whatever the reason that horse hair has become such a hot commodity, it's becoming an alarming trend which started out West and is making it's way Eastward. It has been traced from Wyoming, Colorado, Ohio, Missouri and now Illinois, and some barns are being devastated by it, with horse owners upset. In Natrona County Wyoming alone, the thieves have robbed over 63 horses of their hair!

Human hair extensions have been in use a lot longer than horse hair extensions, but the story does demonstrate how the popularity of human hair extensions has caught the interest of others!

REFERENCES:
K2Radio.com - Suspect Vehicles Reported In The Vicinity Of Reported Horse Tail Thefts
TheHorseChannel.com - Horses' Tails Stolen in Separate Incidents in September and October
WFVS-12 - Thieves cut tails, steal horse hair

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.

How Quality Hair Extensions Are Made

by Melissa White
Licensed Hair Stylist
Certified Hair Extension Artist

Ever wonder just how quality hair extensions are made?  Why are quality hair extensions so much better than (and more expensive than) the cheap synthetic or poor quality human hair extensions that you can purchase in your local beauty supply store without license?

Take a look behind the scenes with a tour of a Great Lengths facility in Europe:



Click here for Mobile Version of video
As you can see, there are a lot of steps to ensure that the quality of the hair is beyond that of most other hair extensions available. It's no wonder that Great Lengths is one of the premiere hair extension companies, and one of the top choices with Hollywood. Top celebrities are known to use Great Lengths and Hair Dreams  hair extensions. There is truth in the old saying "you get what you pay for," and using synthetic locks or cheap human hair extensions are easily detected and just don't look good. In comparison, the hair extensions used by top celebrities look natural and gorgeous!

As a specialist salon, I use only the best quality Remy hair from the top hair extension companies including Great Lengths and Hair Dreams. I'm available to help you decide which extensions can best help you achieve the hair of your dreams!

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.

The Cost of Hair Extensions

by Melissa White
Licensed Hair Stylist

Hair Extension prices depend on a number of factors. The type and quality of hair extension, the amount of hair used, the length of hair or the look desired. A top-of-the-line hair extension system like Great Lengths, HairDreams and So-Cap, will cost more because of the premium nature of the hair used in these extensions. This hair is not as readily available as lower end hair, hence the much higher costs for the hair extensions. General rule of thumb, to add body to hair figure you need $500 and up, to add length, figure $1000 and up.

The average person spends over $1000. Be careful just judging on price. Hair Extensions are an investment in yourself. If it costs $200 for a full head of hair extensions, stay away. They will probably destroy your hair. Use only 100% Natural Remy Human Hair Extensions. Avoid synthetic extensions, and make sure the person is a licensed hair dresser who has had experience applying them.

The best thing to do is schedule a consultation with an extension specialist in your area, or a location you are willing to travel to. I personally enjoy meeting my clients in consultations, as they enable me to give an exact price based upon the look you want, the length you want, your lifestyle, and the amount of hair needed to accomplish your desires. These are all important. I spend time answer any and all questions you may have, and preparing you for what to expect when you get your new hair. Make sure the person you see is a licensed hair stylist who has had experience applying hair extensions, and who is willing to give you a realistic idea of what it is like to wear them. While my consultations and hair analysis visits are always free, some stylists choose to charge a fee.   Here's more information on what it's like to wear hair extensions, where the hair comes from, and the different types of hair extensions available.

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.