When to say no hair extensions

When to say “no” to hair extensions is the most important decision you can make when making a financial investment in your hair.  As a hair extensions expert, I always vet my clients' needs, lifestyle, ability to work with hair and budget.  The most difficult hair to work with is short and thick, which means we need to add a lot of hair, 200 to 250 grams!  Not only is this difficult to blend into natural hair without creating a “mullet,” but it is a lot of work for the client to dry, style, and care for.  In most cases, I use volume wefts which add the optimum amount of hair extensions per square inch of head space.  You must also consider the size of your head, a smaller or larger head will impact the amount of hair added.  A smaller head does not have enough area to add the optimal amount of hair extension, while a larger head will need more hair to create a natural look. 

Volume wefts are reusable, but they need to be “moved up” every 6 to 8 weeks, and if you have many beaded rows, then it will take a lot of time, which equates to more cost.  I steer clear of keratin bonds on thick and short hair because they are meant for someone with longer hair.  Keratin bonds offer a natural look, since they are applied in a strand-by-strand fashion, they tend to poke through on thick/short hair. 

The Vetting Process

 1) How well do you work with your own hair? 

 2) Are you willing to add an extra hour to your hair styling routine?

 3) Drying your hair is a must to keep the hair extensions in good condition?

 4) How often do you work out, swim, or engage in physical activity?  Sweating, helmets, and chlorine needs extra care; immediate washing, bathing cap, braiding, and silicone protection head covers.

 5) Hair extension-friendly products are a bit more expensive than drug store variety products,   You have to budget for them.

 6) In-salon check-ins and upkeep.  Hair extensions will grow with your hair, and your hair will shed over 100 strands a day.  Therefore, you need to make time for adjustments. Move-ups or fixes.  You should ensure to add this to your schedule.

 7) Budget is important, can you afford to happily pay for hair extensions?

Once I discuss the above with a potential client at a free consultation, I leave the decision to proceed with hair extensions to my client.  I am then confident that I have properly informed them of everything that comes with wearing hair extensions.

I then take the time during the application process to explain the care routine; washing, brushing, drying, styling, and products.  This is the perfect time to ask if they have any questions.  I also give a complete set of written care instructions.  

It is also imperative to schedule a free two-week check-in.  The check-in gives me a glimpse of how well they are caring for their new hair, as well as fixing, adjusting, or blending the hair extensions.  Although, the mullet cut is quite in style! 

I do not mean to sound gloom-and-doom, but I can not tell you how many clients tell me that other salons never told them how to care for their hair extensions.  Sometimes it is best to wait.  

The lovely client pictured received a consultation for her short hair, she decided that she did not want to wait for her hair to grow, and we proceeded. Check out her fun video of her short-to-long hair transformation.

https://youtube.com/shorts/D1QGAb7UhPs?feature=share 

Hair Extensions Background

At Noelle Salon, they evaluate your natural hair, and listen to the client's wishes on styling, color match, and look. They use human hair extensions like 100% Remy human hair, or Virgin Hair (unlike Bellami hair). Hair extensions can be used for short hair or 24 inches of a full head of hair, and they have worked with different methods like tape-in extensions, clip-in hair extensions, Keratin and enjoy using the Veila Pull-thru method with the Veila Hair Extensions for ease of hair care. Styling can vary from flat iron, natural curl, or curly hair. Whether you are looking for a change of style or look for a day such as a Clip-in ponytail, having a high-quality ponytail extension can mix it up for you. Your natural hair journey with your hair growth can be enhanced with Hair extensions when protective styling is applied, and regular maintenance is used. You can change your hair in one day - feel free to reach out and explore the possibilities.