Total Transformation: Miley Cyrus Sports Hair Extensions for Magazine Cover

by Andrea L. Algar

Miley Cyrus is in the news again. This time it's for her provocative photo on "W" magazine's March 2014 cover.

Photo credit: W Magazine

Amazingly enough, it's not Miley's nudity which is getting the attention, it's actually her blond hair extensions! Totally transforming her looks, Miley is almost unrecognizable.

Certainly one of the benefits of quality human hair extensions is the fact that quality hair extensions can totally change your look - sometimes with amazing results. Much like the investment in a pair of high quality shoes or designer handbag, hair extensions can define a totally new look for you. It's a true testament of the power of hair extensions as a beauty and fashion accessory. And, contrary to what many believe, under the hands of an experienced hair extension artist, it is possible to obtain great results even on women with short hair like Miley Cyrus.

San Antonio hair extension stylist Melissa White explains, "Working with short hair is a challenge, but it is one I enjoy. Many of the women I work with suffer from thinning or damaged hair. For some, it means that their hair has broken and is much shorter than desired. Placement of the extensions is critical for short hair applications and experience makes all the difference in whether you see the obvious line of hair extensions or whether they blend in with your own hair and create a beautiful, natural look."

Complicating things for women wanting hair extensions is the fact that not all hair extensions are the same. There are varying degrees of hair quality, type of bonds used, and even the type of hair can be quite different. Some manufacturers have selections that include finer hair which is less heavy and appropriate for some with thinning or damaged hair, while others have coarser hair. It is extremely important to get the best match for the type of hair you have. Many salons use hair from only one company, such as only Great Lengths, only Hairdreams, or only So.Cap. A few select the hair based on what is best for their client.

• Ask to see before-after photos demonstrating work on hair similar to yours.
• Ask how long your stylist has been working with hair extensions or how many they've done.
• Find out how many hair extension manufacturers they work with, or is their salon bound by contract to only one?
• Don't be afraid to ask questions and point out things you're concerned about. Your hair extension stylist should be able to provide detailed answers without vague reassurances.
• If you have short hair, ask how many people they've worked with and see the results.
• If you have thinning hair, find out if they use different hair, or if they have experience working with thinning or balding hair.

I've been wowed with some of the results I've seen. If you suffer from thinning or damaged hair, consider seeking out the services of a professional stylist who is experienced with clients who have the same hair difficulties as you do. Your stylist should be able to provide before-after photos demonstrating their skills, be willing to discuss the best options for hair selection and placement, and to provide you with the proper home care instructions suited to your special hair care needs at a minimum.

ARTICLE RESOURCE:
wetpaint.com - Miley Cyrus Nude and Unrecognizable With Hair Extensions
Melissa White - Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio Salon Specializing in Hair Extensions

Menopausal Women Can Find Relief In Hair Extensions

Let's face it, growing old is not easy. While some complain about the added weight, the new-found wrinkle, or the loss of firmness in our bodies, those with thinning hair seem to be particularly bothered, especially if they once had beautiful thick hair in their youth.

Photo Credit: dailymail.co.uk

In my San Antonio specialty salon, I deal exclusively with hair extensions and the women who seek them out for a variety of reasons.

These can include cosmetic reasons (of course), which include those who simply want them because they're popular and they want to have longer, thicker hair quick and easy. There are also those women who experience hair loss because of medication and/or medical treatments. One group less talked about, however, are women who suffer from age-related hair loss due to hormones (or lack of).

Hormones and the awful "M" word . . . menopause. Menopause can cause a wide variety of extremely annoying symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, thinning of the skin and many more. It can also lead to dramatic changes in your hair. In addition to growing hair in places you didn't have it before, it can also leave you without hair where you cherish it the most...on your head!

I recently came across a funny article written by a woman in the U.K. who was dealing with this very problem. My mother is at "that age", and I thought it might cheer her up knowing that the symptoms she has are really "not that bad" compared to what some women go through. The article is truly funny and it did make her laugh while reading it. But, for those going through hair loss or thinning hair the matter is not so funny.

Menopausal women DO have choices if they are bothered by their hormonal hair loss and want a lasting remedy. Quality human hair extensions can be used to create volume and/or length. Hair color is matched to your own hair, whether or not you color your hair or have chosen to let the gray shine. Be sure to ask for a licensed hair stylist who has both the specialized certification in hair extensions, as well as the experience needed to deal with the special demands that thinning hair has.

RESOURCES:
Mandy Appleyard's menopause Diary: My hair's Lovely and Thick. Pity it's on my face!

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. Melissa is a Certified Brazilian Blowout stylist who has used Brazilian Blowout on her clients for several years.

Employee Forced Out Over Lack Of Hair

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

I think everyone would agree that hair is something extremely important to most women. For years it has been seen as a fashion statement, a reflection of one's personality, and even of one's femininity and sexuality. Styles come and go, but the importance placed upon a well-coiffed "do" is unquestionably in the top 3 of fashion and style: hair, clothes, shoes.



Sandra Lupo



Today, a story surfaced about Sandra Lupo, a former Hooters employee who claims that she was forced out of her job after she had shaved her head in July 2012 in order to have a lump on her brain surgically removed.

She claims that she attempted to comply with management and wear a wig following her return to work, but found that it irritated her wound. She allegedly quit after management continually cut her hours, causing her to quit. She has filed suit against Hooters.

REFERENCE VIDEO:

Huffington Post - Sandra Lupo Story - VIDEO

Unfortunately, Sandra Lupo found out what many women who have faced hair loss have already learned the hard way. Wearing wigs is often not comfortable and there are not many remedies when you've shaved your head. It takes time to grow out hair to the point where you have options.

Specializing in hair extensions, I see many women who have balding or thinning hair, hair loss from medical conditions, treatments or surgeries and/or difficult to grow hair. I often apply hair extensions on unusually short hair, and have developed techniques over the last decade which work extremely well. But, you still do need some hair growth. It is unfortunate that this employee was not given the opportunity to recover from her health scare without feeling forced out of her job.

I don't know what will come out of this lawsuit, but it does emphasize just how important hair can be to one's emotional well being and one's career. What do you think? Have a story you'd like to share?

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.

"The Salon Down The Street Said..."

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

Whew! You wouldn't believe how often people bring up something that another stylist said, or something a friend told them, or something that they read in a magazine. Sometimes it's not that they're confronting your knowledge or experience, but rather trying to make sense out of conflicting or confusing information out there. Sometimes the information isn't very up-to-date, doesn't apply to your hair type, or is based on mis-information.


Trendy Highlights Hair Salon
on Newbury Street in Boston, Massachusetts
Photo Credit: celebrateboston.com



Face it, as women, we're faced with daily bombardment of beauty tips, trends and ever-changing no-no's. It's hard to keep up with them. To make matters worse, they sometimes contradict each other.

You may read a magazine article that advises to avoid shampoos containing certain ingredients because they can interact with hard water, for instance. But not everyone has hard water, and for those that don't, why should a product be tarnished when there is nothing harmful about using it for those people.

We also deal with never-ending changes in trends. What's hot one season will be replaced with something else the next. Just read through some of my previous posts and you'll see that predicted trends for this Spring have already changed several times. And that's just in what colors will be hot this year! Sometimes predictions are just a shot-in-the-dark and it's best to wait until the season is upon us and see what's popular. But, if you like to be on the cutting edge of fashion, makeup and hair, it's a risk you just have to take.

In terms of conflicting recommendations from one salon to another, it's a bit more complicated. Just like other professions, there are a lot of sub-specialties for a hair stylist. Some find that they prefer giving men's haircuts, others just love color, are talented at creating stylish up-do's. Others perhaps haven't developed a feel for what they truly love, don't really care, like variety or just like the rapid pace of a quick in-and-out place like SuperCuts or ProCuts. Nothing wrong with that at all. The point is that most people tend to gravitate towards what they love to do. This can be something that gives them tremendous satisfaction, or it can be something that they simply excel at. Or both.

Myself, I'm passionate about providing quality hair extensions. When I first graduated and joined a salon, I did a bit of everything. The salon owner saw that I had a real talent for color, and began pushing me towards that specialty, sending me to trainings with Goldwell, Paul Mitchell and Redkin. I did like color, and loved using color on myself. But it just didn't excite me. After a couple of years, and a great offer from Paul Mitchell to join their group of colorists, I knew it wasn't for me. Instead, I continued pursuit of something that I'd developed a growing interest in.  



Extensions of Yourself
San Antonio Hair Extension Specialty Salon



From my own problem of thinning hair, I began my quest for a solution. After experimenting for several years with all types of weaves, wigs, braided extensions, and hair pieces, I eventually found my true passion in hair extensions. That was eleven years ago, and hair extensions is now my exclusive service in my own specialty salon in San Antonio. Everything I do at my salon is focused on providing services that ensure gorgeous hair extensions, including the conditioning services, color, highlights and cuts that my clients with hair extensions need.

Not all stylists are so specialized, or as passionate about what they do, but we all still have our preferred procedures and services.

So what does this all mean? Just keep in mind that the stylist you see at a particular salon has his/her own interests, and probably a good deal of knowledge about it. But no one stylist can be truly up-to-date on all trends, all products, and all the answers to every question. When you understand this, it's easier to see why then that you can get quite different answers from different stylists. Each is looking at the question from their own unique perspective and knowledge base. If you're seeking specialized information, try to get your answers from those who specialize in that area. You may save yourself some time and money!

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.

 

Questions From My Hair Extension Clients

by Melissa White

I receive a lot of phone calls from women new to my San Antonio salon, Extensions of Yourself, and I realize that there is still a lot that women do not know about hair extensions. And often, what they've heard from friends or a family member is not fact.  It can cause a lot of confusion.

I've become even more committed to sharing the facts with my readers.  I want to provide the very best information not only as it relates to hair extensions, but so that others can achieve healthy hair. I will be picking a question to answer each month. It may be something someone asked when they first called me, one they asked when they were having services with me at my salon, or one that someone sent to me in an e-mail. Topics may be on hair color, highlights, nutrition, damaged hair, thinning hair, use of clips and accessories, hair products and extensions of course! If you have a question you would like answered, please contact me.

I hope you'll enjoy my upcoming articles, and my new monthly question and answer article.

Melissa White is owner and hair extension artist at Extensions of Yourself, the first San Antonio based hair salon specializing exclusively in quality hair extensions.

Caring For Your Hair Can Achieve Better Looking Hair Extensions

by Melissa L. White
Licensed Hair Stylist

Everyone knows that proper skin care is essential for maintaining youthful skin. We've learned over the years of the importance in proper cleansing, and the use of quality products that nourish and maintain healthy skin, and most women place great importance on keeping their face fresh and youthful. Many women, however, do not realize the importance of proper hair care, and that your scalp ages just like the rest of your body!

As the scalp ages, it loses tone and elasticity just like your face! Cell production steadily declines and your hair weakens. I learned a lot about hair in cosmetology school. We were all taught that the hair follicle is made up of the hair bulb, the sheath and the hair shaft. The hair shaft is made up of the medulla, cortex and cuticle. Blood vessels supply the follicle with much of its nutrients. Hair strands for most women grow about a half inch per month. At any given time, approximately 10-15% of your hair has reached a "resting" phase, after which the hair falls out and is replaced with new hair. The average person sheds 50-100 hairs each day. In usual circumstances, the cycle continually repeats itself. However, when stress, disease, hormones, nutritional deficiencies, medications or even aging itself occurs, the cycle can be disrupted.  When I worked for a plastic surgeon and became certified in Laser Hair Removal. I really learned a lot more about hair because we were trying to eliminate it! 

Without getting too technical and boring, there are three phases healthy hair continuously go through. Simply put, the first phase (anagen phase) is where the matrix cells in the root divide rapidly, forms the cells of the hair sheath, shaft and cuticle, and actively produces keratin - the "essential" of healthy hair. The hair grows about a half inch every month, and stays in this active phase between 2-6 years, depending upon your genetics. Your hair then goes into a short transition stage called catagen phase which signals the end of the active growth stage. It can last 2-3 weeks before going into the third and final stage (telogen phase), which is the resting phase. This lasts a few months for scalp hair, longer for body hair. It is the phase where you shed your hair, as it has completed it's entire growth cycle.

Because your hair has such a long first phase, and because of all the harsh treatments we tend to subject our hair to when styling it, it is essential that it receives proper nourishment. When hair does not, you may notice thinning, dryness, dandruff, acne and other scalp conditions. As stylist at Extensions of Yourself, a San Antonio Salon which specializes in hair extensions, I routinely work with women who have thinning or damaged hair, or who have medical conditions which subject them to loss of hair or thinning hair. While many women choose hair extensions simply because they want fuller hair, longer hair, or a better hair style,  I frequently use extensions as a way of instantly transforming thinning or damaged hair, and helping women feel better about themselves.

You don't need "perfect" hair to start with, as you can work toward improving your own hair as you wear your hair extensions. I consult with each of my client's about the health of their hair and the types of products they can begin using to improve their own natural hair. Each client has their own specific needs, but there are a wide range of quality products I use to help achieve healthy hair. Healthy, well-nourished hair only compliments beautiful hair extensions even more!

Melissa White is owner of Extensions of Yourself, a San Antonio based salon specializing in hair extensions. As hair extension artist, Melissa sees women of all ages for quality hair extensions.