Extensions

Your Guide on Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are trending now more than ever. There are so many types of hair and installation methods, knowing where to start can be a little overwhelming. The method you chose or the method that may be recommended to you at your consultation greatly depends on your hair type and lifestyle. Follow these tips to learn where to start with getting extensions and how to get the most out of them.

1. Quality is a must!

Hair is not something you want to go cheap on. Find yourself a good hair stylist who has access to top-notch luxury hair. Bold City Hair thrives on staying up to date in the industry by offering clients the latest hair extension methods on the market. Not only does cheap hair look cheap and unnatural, it doesn’t last!

2. Find a Good Hairstylist

Please don’t book an appointment with a hairstylist just because he/she is inexpensive. In the hair industry, inexpensive equals inexperienced. When searching for your perfect hairstylist, really do your research. Does your friend have bangin’ hair? Ask her who does it. Look on Instagram and Yelp. Social media is your best friend when hairstylist hunting!

3. Follow Home Care Instructions

See my blog ‘Care for your hair’ for specifics. If you scroll to the top menu you will see “Blog” , click on that and scroll to the Care for your Hair blog. This includes keeping them tangle free, braids before bed, keeping them moisturized and getting them moved up every 6-8 weeks to prevent damage to your natural hair. You can also find a blog I wrote with some research on ‘best and worst foods for healthy hair.’

4. Invest in Professional Products

Would you put regular oil in your Mercedes Benz? Or how about regular gas? Of course not! It would ruin the engine and the car. The same goes for hair extensions. It is important to have quality products to prolong the life of your hair extensions. You might as well throw your new hair in the trash if you’re using $3 shampoo full of sulfates from CVS, or even expired products. My personal favorite product lines are by Davines. A small Italian company that started in Parma, Italy in 1983. They thrive on beauty + sustainability with ethically sourced ingredients and cruelty free.

5. Don’t forget to Brush!

That may sound funny, but when you have hair extensions it is sooo important  that you keep them tangle and matt-free. Be sure to use an extension friendly hair brush. The Wet Brush is great for detangling the ends, but if you want to go a little further get yourself a Mason Pearson hair brush. When brushing through your extensions, hold them by the bond (close to your scalp) to keep from tugging on your own hair, or pulling on the extensions.

Up by your scalp where your natural and extension hair meet, you should use a comb to work out any knots that may have formed. This is extremely important for preventing matting.

6. Sun, Pollution, and Chlorine, Oh my!

Hair extensions don’t grow from your scalp, so they won’t get the same nutrients and oils that your skin naturally produces. The sun, ocean and swimming pool can really dry your hair extensions out. The upside? You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) shampoo them daily. The awesome thing about hand-tied extensions is that there is no glue involved, so you don’t have to worry about hair products breaking down the bonds or tape. Lather those beautiful tresses in hair oils and heavy conditioners to your heart’s content. If you’re going for a swim, I always say apply a moisturizing product prior to water contact. Your hair is a sponge, control what it absorbs. Braid your hair to prevent tangling during your swim and comb out immediately after. Avoid sunscreens with the ingredient avobenzone as it can cause the extensions to turn pinky/orange in tone. Also, extensions can change color to a pinkish or orangey hue when they come in contact with certain ingredients in regular sunscreen. So use a mineral sunscreen so that doesn’t happen! My favorite is by Goldie Locks.

7. Schedule Regular Appointments

The initial cost of extensions may be an investment, but maintenance appointments cost significantly less. Your maintenance visits are important to the health of your natural hair, therefore you should expect to book an appointment every 6-8 weeks to have your extensions moved up. If you decide you want to take them out, don’t wait for more than 8 weeks to do so. When there is too much regrowth between your scalp and the extensions, your hair is free to move and intertwine causing a matted jungle of destroyed hair. It’s not pretty.

8. People Get Extensions for a Reason

Extensions are an amazing tool to beautifully enhance or even transform your hair. Hair extensions are known to add length and volume, but did you know that they can be used to produce different results? Some people use them to add color without changing their natural hair color. Some use it for thickness, and some people use them to fill in gaps they may have while growing out a short haircut, or to achieve an angle. Extensions have come a long way from the time that they were first introduced and with so many options I promise to blow you away!

Now while I have specialized in Fusion, I-tip (beaded), and Tape-In methods in the past, I have recently decided to focus on sew-in methods such as Invisible Bead Extension methods due to the simple fact that it is A LOT easier on your natural hair, plus you get more coverage. There is less shedding during removals, there are no glues and adhesives to deal with, and your hair has more styling options and versatility. Below are some key points and general pricing. I suggest everyone who is interested schedule a consultation to determine your exact needs and get a tailored quote.

~ Methods & Pricing ~

 Invisible Bead Extensions

Invisible Bead Extensions was created specifically to solve three major problems encountered with other Sew-in methods on the market. IBE is by far the least invasive method on the market today and my preferred method of installing hair extensions.

Invisible Bead Extensions are installed in such a way that leaves minimal tension to your natural hair. A support row is installed, and then the wefts are installed in a specific manner so that the finish is the most seamless. Your hair will continue to grow with no damage!

1. Helps prevent damage to the clients hair and scalp from tension, and unsystematic installs.

2. Eliminates discomfort due to the contact of beads on the scalp and the common “clamp and crank” beading approach.

3. Styling versatility which means no more exposed bonds, beads, or braids when wearing your hair up. You can have an instant high ponytail after your very first install with no discomfort!

Invisible Hair Extensions do not use sticky tape, glues, adhesives, or visible beads. With Invisible Hair Extensions there is no contact between your scalp and the beads, making them comfortable to wear and less irritating to the scalp.

Original Sew-in Method

Hand Tied Extensions are where the loose extensions hairs are pulled together and ‘Hand-Tied’ together to make a weft. The Hand-Tied wefts of hair are then added to your hair by installing a support row of beads and then sewing all the wefts together to your natural hair. Particulars on methods may vary from one brand to another and this is why it’s important to find the right stylist for you.

There are ‘Hand-Tied’ wefts and machine wefts. Machine wefts are cut specifically to match each client head shape whereas hand tied wefts must be folded and not cut.

In the original method of sew-ins the wefts are placed on top of the beaded row.

The average amount of wefts are 8-12 in each head if you’re trying to achieve length, and two rows. The hand tied extensions last about 6-8 weeks before you will need to get them adjusted, but also depends on the growth rate of your own hair. The hair itself, if bought from a high quality supplier, will last approximately 8 months. This is by far the least invasive method of hair extensions to be used on your hair in the market today, and with maximum coverage.

I am a certified Invisible Bead Extensions Artist, SILX global Hand Tied Hair Extension Artist, Habit Hair extension/Haircation method member, and Certfied with Platform hair extensions as well as 2 X Certified with DreamCatchers Hair Extensions for multiple (4) methods. I am also a retailer for many brands.

Rachel uses only the highest quality of luxury hand tied extensions on the market. If you have a specific brand you would like to use, be sure to let Rachel know. Rachel has spent years trying different brands and suppliers and can make the best recommendations based on your specific hair type and needs. She only uses 100% Remy human hair in the higher end of luxury hair extensions to ensure they last as long as possible.

Pricing for both IBE Installs and Original Method:

• Prices for hand-tied weft extensions, initial purchase/installation average service starts at $1000
• A deposit of half is required upon scheduling your appointment, the remainder due at the time of the service
• After your initial hair purchase, you only pay for your maintenance installation rate of the original Hand Tied method, plus the cost of the hair, and color.
• One row install rates are $300
• Two row install rates are $400
• Three row install rates are $500
• An average head will require 8-12 wefts depending on the desired length and fullness and are usually dispersed into two rows.
• Shorter and less dense looks can be achieved with less wefts. So it’s always important to proceed first with a consultation. The more hair you have the more hair is required for blending purposes.
• Maintenance visits are every 6-8 weeks on average, but everyone’s growth rate is is different. For the most part, I do not recommend waiting longer than that for your maintenance.

• The hair will last about 8 months give or take DEPENDING ON HOW WELL IT IS TAKEN CARE OF, so you should only need to purchase hair once or twice a year
• Plus your cost of color, cut, and style

Hair Pieces

Achieve longer and thicker hair in a matter of seconds! This is a temporary option that is great by itself or in addition to other hair extension methods.  HALOCOUTURE^® revolutionized the world of Extensions with The Original HALO^®. Designed with comfort in mind, the easy application of the HALO^® will transform your hair in a matter of seconds. This innovative extension is non-damaging and virtually undetectable.

DreamCatchers Hair Extensions Certified Artist

SILX global Certified Hand Tied Extension Educator

Invisible Bead Extensions (IBE) Certified Artist