Type of Hair Extensions

The type of Hair Extensions you choose will depend on both your needs and your budget. In general, there are 4 major factors to consider when choosing your product.

1. Price
2. Purpose
3. Appearance
4. Longevity & Maintenance

Here's a bit of detail on each type.

Synthetic Hair Extensions are the least expensive. As a trade-off, they don't look as "high-end" as those made with real hair. However, they can be a good starting point if you don't have a huge budget or if you're just after some temporary length and won't be keeping the extensions in long-term.

Natural Hair Extensions made with human hair are more expensive. They will last a long time and should be considered an investment. Natural hair extensions are made from a few different types of hair.

Asian Hair Extensions can be hard to style and does not receive coloring well. If you're looking for a very straight dark look, then extensions made from Asian hair may be right for you.

European Hair Extensions is generally grown in Italy or Spain and it's very dark and thick to begin with. The hair is dyed with harsh chemicals so that the extensions come in many different colors. These extensions shouldn't be colored once they are attached to your hair. The chemical processes they've undergone make them very sensitive to breakage. Make sure to find a good color match before having them applied.

Virgin Hair Extensions: The best type of hair extensions are made with virgin hair. These are extensions that are all natural - the specific colors are natural and the hairs receive minimal, if any, chemical treatment. Because of this, the hair is still strong and in good condition. Virgin hair is the most expensive. However, if you plan to wear your extensions for a long time, these are the choice for you since they generally last for several years. Natural hair extensions are also hard to come by, so you'll have to look around to get them.

Blends: For an economical but durable option, consider extensions made with a blend of human and synthetic hair. It's a "middle of the road" approach that will give you a more natural look without the huge expense.

Hair Texture

Hair extensions come in a wide variety of textures (particularly the synthetic varieties). You can get everything from poker straight to a curl. Matching the texture to your existing hair is critical for having your extensions look natural.

Application Methods

Clip-in: Temporary strips of hair are clipped onto the base of your natural hair for a quick, often dramatic boost in both length and color. These hair extensions can be easily applied at home. They're generally used for one-time purposes like a night out, or a special event like a wedding.

Wefts: Thin curtains of hair are sewn onto "tracks" (tiny corn-row braids across the back/underneath sections of your hair). After the wefts are attached, the top hair completely covers the handiwork underneath. Wefts can either be machine-made or hand-made. Hand-made is, of course, more expensive, but it's the better option as your extensions will last longer and looks more natural. Your extension artist may even be able to create the wefts for you. The hair used for wefts can be either human or synthetic. This will also play a role in price. Make sure to do some research before you buy and be sure of what you're getting.

Bonded: Small bunches of hair are attached near the root of your natural hair by some sort of adhesive bonding technique (most often by heat fusing with either glue or wax). The intense heat and chemicals used in bonding can cause weakening of your natural hair strands. As your hair grows, the bonds or wefts move down and the extensions must be removed and re-attached by your stylist. So you're looking at maintenance every 2-4 months.

Find a method that is suitable for your hair texture. Some hair extensions are more suited to thicker hair, while some are recommended for fine hair (Invisible brand).

Care and Maintenance of Hair Extensions

Care: Think of your new extensions as your own hair. They should be washed and conditioned every two to three days. Deep condition them occasionally as well, to keep them shiny. Before wetting your hair, make sure that you brush out any knots using a paddle brush. When washing weft extensions, make sure to wash the tracks too. Use a gentle shampoo and cooler water than usual, especially if your extensions have synthetic fibers.

Maintenance: Return to the salon for some maintenance every 2 to 4 months, once your hair has grown about 2 inches. Since the tracks have also grown, they must be redone and the extensions re-attached.

Getting hair extensions is a process that will require some up keeping. Although buying the extensions may be expensive, opt for the best ones you will find since they will last you for a long time. Make sure that your extension artist is experienced. You will want your hair to look natural.

Chemical and heat (i.e., flat irons, bleaching) processes on synthetic hair extensions are NOT a good idea. If you're unsure of the materials your extensions are made of, snip off a few strands and do a test to ensure they can withstand what you have planned.

Removing Hair Extensions

Hair wefts need to be trimmed out by snipping the threads by which they're sewn in. I recall a particularly bad case where a woman had left her weft in WAY too long and it had formed huge mats. It was impossible to remove without taking out some of her hair and she ended up with a big empty space through the back of her hair.

Bonded hair extensions should be removed by the artist who applied them. She'll have a special adhesive remover for the specific product used to bond your extensions.

Prom Hair Style 2008

Advice and Tips for Choosing A Hair Style for Prom

Choosing a prom hair style ranks right up there with choosing a dress. In fact, these two elements work together to create your entire look. There are a few considerations to ensure that your hair style is flattering and compliments your features and your dress.

Consider the following elements when choosing your prom hair style: Just like your day to day hair style, your prom hairstyle should compliment your face shape. It's all about proportion. Here are a few thumb rules.

Long Face Shape - opt for a style with a sweeping bang from a side part and more volume on the sides than on top. Too much height on top will accentuate the length of your face.

Short Face Shape - try a swept back style with some height on top. Leaving some of the hair down in the back and sides will help elongate your face.

Wide Face Shape - leave some hair down at the sides to create length and a narrowing effect.

Heart Shaped Face - wear bangs to cover a wide forehead and allow some hair to pool at the shoulders to create width in the narrowest area of the face.

Dress Style - Proportion is the key here too. If you're wearing a slender dress, choose a hair style in keeping with that silhouette. If your dress is wide on the bottom, make sure you've got a bit of volume to your hairstyle to balance the entire look.

Dress Neckline - The neckline of your dress is critical to consider when choosing your prom hair style. If your dress has an open neckline in the front and back, wearing the bulk of your hair down would look great. However, if the back is covered or the front and back are both closed in, consider wearing most or all of your hair up off the neck. An elegant updo would suit that type of dress very well.

Accessories - Use accessories sparingly in your prom hair style. A few rhinestone hair pins, small flowers, a string of pearls, even a tiara can add character to your style and compliment your dress. Overuse of accessories can look a bit garish, so keep it minimal; just enough for impact.

Hair Texture - Curls are a prom hair style staple and can be done in several shapes and sizes. But they're not the only way to texturize your style. Small braids woven throughout the hair add a unique element. Bone straight hair can look great in an updo, so long as there's a bit of height to it and heaps of shine. Finger waves add a glamorous feel and are great for dressing up shorter hair styles.

Updo or Not - Just because it's a prom hair style doesn't mean it has to be an updo. Hair left down and styled in voluptuous waves can be every bit as glamorous as an updo hair style. Especially with a few select accessories; the larger consideration should be if a style suits your dress, your face shape and your overall theme.

Theme - Your dress will have a certain "feel" to it. Glamorous, funky, classic, etc...Make sure your prom hair style is in keeping with the feel of your dress. You're creating a head to toe look and if an element is off, the look becomes awkward.

Put some thought into how you'd describe your look and design a hair style around that theme. Or relate your theme to your stylist if you're having your hair professionally done. If you are having your hair done by a stylist, bring in a photo of you in your dress. This will help the stylist envision your entire look and make more accurate suggestions.

Consultation - If you're having your hair done at a salon it's a good idea to visit the stylist beforehand for a consultation and/or a trial. Consultations are generally free; the stylist will sit with you, look at photos, discuss your ideas, and share their thoughts on what would look good and be workable on your hair type and face shape.

Trial - A trial is an appointment where the stylist actually does your hair to see if your plans work out to match your vision. The trial appointment is not free, but well worth it to avoid any potential prom day hair disasters. If you have a trial appointment and like the results, take a photo of the finished style. This will help the stylist recall what he/she did to your hair so you end up with the style you want on that important day. Also, double check that the prom hair style booking is with the same stylist that did your trial. Mix-ups happen sometimes and it would be unfortunate to end up with a completely different hair stylist on your prom day.

A final word of advice; avoid anything too trendy for your prom hair style. Trendy is great for every day wear, but your prom is a memorable event that you'll be looking at photos of forever. If you go too trendy, you could be looking back in 5 years saying "What was I thinking?!" Besides, this is a rare opportunity to explore your glamorous side and feel positively stunning in your ensemble. Have a Great Prom!

Kids Famous Hair Styles

Kids Hairstyles

Summer Hair Care

Your hair needs care!

Sunlight can be as damaging as a hot blow dryer. Here are tips to help your hair bathe in the sun and shine.

Summer is here and with it come all sorts of outdoor, fun activities to do. It is also that time of the year when girls gear up to face hair problems thanks to the heat and humidity – some of which result in hair damage beyond repair. It’s not just your skin that sweats, but also your scalp. With hair sticking together in clumps, heat also dries your hair to make it look like hay. However, don’t panic as hair-care experts have identified all these problems and are ready with hair-care tips to beat the heat and help your hair bathe in the sun and still keep oozing health and fitness.

Summers are meant for vacationing and rejoicing in the sun. But sunlight can be as damaging as a hot blow dryer. Summer sun and humidity can damage your hair cuticles and result in dry, drab, split, brittle or frizzy hair and ends. Therefore, it becomes important to wear a hat when out in the hot sun as hair can get sunburns and so can the scalp. The only way to deal with severely burnt hair is by trimming the damaged sections off. But of course, prevention is the safest plan for sure.

Use shampoos and conditioners which are gentle and have UV protection to prevent your hair from the harmful rays of the sun. It is but natural that when the body sweats due to heat so will the sweat tissues in the scalp. Shampoo your hair on a regular basis – at least 3-4 times a week, but make sure you wash it with lukewarm water because hot water will strip the moisture and proteins leaving your hair dry and fragile. Hair needs to be treated more gently during the summers. Consider switching to an overall gentle shampoo that will cleanse your hair.

Don’t forget to condition your hair each time you shampoo. Shampoos take away the natural moisture from the hair in the bargain; therefore, conditioner is a must as it coats your hair strands, and nourishes, softens and smoothens it. It also helps reduce hair breakage. There are conditioners available in the market which reduce hair fall, and make your hair thick and long, and repair damage.

There cannot be anything better than using natural ingredients like henna and egg, but these are time-consuming and messy. There are a few shampoos and conditioners available in the market that contain natural ingredients and are safe. Curd and egg, no doubt, have been known to be natural conditioners. If your hair is fine or thin, you may wish to skip the rinse out conditioning step and apply a leave-on instead. Just as conditioners nourish your hair, leave-on detangles your hair, making it manageable. There are leave-ons available in the market, which add shine and repair damage. So, whenever you need to style, leave-ons are the best. Apply leave-on before you go out in the sun as it helps give style and also protects your hair from the sun. It also helps reduce frizz in your hair. If you normally use hot hair tools (blow dryers, hot irons, electric curlers) every day, try and give your hair a break during the summer months. Consider air drying your hair.

Take a break from hot curling. For this summer season, get a more manageable hairstyle, something that can be left open or tied up. May be two lengths very short or long, but into layers, as it adds bounce to a style. Keep the strands off your face this summer. As hair strands become greasy and make your face oily by falling on your face. Accessories with clips and you are ready to go. Fringes/bands make you touch your hair often that will result in dandruff and oily skin.

Hair Braid Weaves Extensions

Braid Weaving are the oldest and most popular form of Hair Extensions. This process involves making a small cornrow base and sews the weft hair to the base. The process requires an experienced braider technician, which is a very important part of this process. Without the base is done correctly the Extensions will not last for a standard three month period.

Hair Care Problems

Hair Parts

Did you know that changing your hair part can actually alter the entire look of a hairstyle? For example, middle parts divide the face into two equal portions and create the illusion of length. A side-part will do the opposite: by dividing the face into unequal portions the eye is forced to focus on the larger side, creating the illusion of width. Zigzag parts give a hairstyle more height, hide bad re-growth, and take some focus away from the forehead area/bridge of the nose. Why not change your hair part and check out the difference!

Don't Blow it All Away

To create a better hold use a blow dryer first to get rid of some moisture, and then apply styling products to your slightly damp hair.

Turn Up the Volume

There's a trick to remember about volumising products: always apply them to the roots of your hair. Why? Applying them to the ends will weigh your hair down-and that means no volume.

Hair Color Hold

To maximize the hold your new hair color has on your hair, try not to wash your hair for at least 48 hours after having it colored.

Natural Curls

For a natural finish when creating curls, curl your hair in different directions.

Blow Away Your Styling Time

Ask your stylist to show you the right way to blow-dry your hair. Learning how to blow-dry correctly will cut down on your styling time.

Tangle Troubles

Avoid tangles by using a detangler or leave in conditioner after washing and gently take the knots out with a wide toothed comb, working in small sections and from the ends up.

Keep Hold Of Your Curls

The best time to curl your hair is several hours before any big event so that your hair can settle and give you a great result. A medium to strong hold product will also help to keep your look luscious and to keep the curl in your hair.

Remember To Rinse

It's very important to rinse your shampoo and conditioner extremely well so that your hair isn't left with a dull residue, which will make it harder to style.

Time Saving Color

A hair color which will enhance your natural shade or one that isn't too high maintenance is the perfect way to keep your locks looking fabulous without too much time and effort.

Fuss-Free Styling

To save time and to avoid stressing yourself out, work with your natural hair type, not against it.

Bridal Hair

When having the trial for your wedding hairstyle, be sure to take photos of your hair from every angle possible to ensure that the style is right for you and that it suits your dress.

Product Overload

Overloading your hair with too much product is one of the fastest ways to ruin a newly created hairstyle. For a simple, basic style, a small amount of product is all that is needed and it does go a long way. To avoid adding too much, apply small amounts of product until you have achieved the look and hold that you want and then stop.

Curling Tools

• Use a curling iron for formal styles and defined curls • Scrunch your hair with mousse for casual curls • Use heated rollers for big, loose curls

Worried About Going From Long To Short?

Work through the problem by: • Making the change gradual by having more and more cut off each time your visit your hairdresser • Visit a hairstylist who knows about short hair and what will work for you • Find pictures of at least three short styles that you like and have a consultation with your hairdresser beforehand

Wedding Hair

To avoid a "what was I thinking?" moment when looking at your wedding photos in the years to come, choose a hairstyle which is timeless and looks soft, touchable, glossy, healthy and feminine.

Curls

When curling your hair, remember to use a curling balm to help reduce frizz and add nourishment to your hair as you style. Curling balm will also ensure that your curls sit better. If you find that your style comes up too curly, try smoothing your hair with a paddle brush to help tame the curls.

Eye Catching Color

Adding panels of contrasting color to your hair is a great way to create interest and an eye catching look. Ask your stylist to show you which color combos will liven up your locks today!

Fly-away Control

Use a paddle brush when blow-drying short hair because the flat design will give you better control over those tiny fly-away pieces.

Styling Brushes

To straighten your hair use a large round brush. To add body and curl use a small round brush. For a super sleek look use a flat paddle brush.

Outstanding Up-dos

An up-do will hold better if you style with day old hair. Clean hair is too soft and will stop your style from staying in place.

Flirty Bob's

Bob's are one of the most popular hairstyles and can be given a summery feel by adding a soft and textured finish.

Heat Styling Break

To give your hair a break from heat styling, experiment with up-dos!

Great Cut

The most important factor in hairstyling is a great cut. A good haircut will allow your style to fall into shape naturally and will save you time with styling and product use.

Tangles

To avoid tangles and strand damage caused by elastic hair bands, twist your hair up and secure it with pins instead.

Tired and Dried Out Hair

Revitalize your hair in an instant by treating yourself to a professional treatment and blow-dry. Not only will the treatment make you feel better, it will also moisturize and recondition the hair! Try it today and feel the difference!

Love Your Hair!

Changing your hair can sometimes be a very strenuous task, and as some woman may know, a very interesting learning experience. But, instead of changing your hair, why not try to maintain your tresses to suit you? Trimming your hair on a regular basis will help to keep your hair healthy and less frizzy, while using the right products can also help by maintaining the shape and color of your style. Try it today and see the results tomorrow!

Making That Color Last

So, you've just had your hair colored and 2 weeks later it has faded down to a dull shade. This can normally happen when you color your hair with a very vibrant color like red, copper or blonde. To combat color fade, try these simple tips: 1. Use a special color shampoo and conditioner to assist in keeping your color sharper. 2. Try a color treatment once a week to stop your hair drying out. 3. Limit blow-drying to once a week to stop color from fading out.

Feel Good About Your Hair

Is your hair tired? Do you need a new a hairdo? Maybe some color to spice your hair up? Your hair plays a vital part in your life, and if you are having a bad day, chances are so is your hair. 80% of people say that their hair makes them feel fresh, beautiful and ready for each day. So, to feel good about your hair, try something new today!

Great Gifts

You can never go wrong with a nice shampoo, condition and treatment pack. Most salons stock them year round and some come already wrapped! Remember, everyone needs shampoo!

Blow Drying vs. Chemical Straightening

If you don't like your waves or curls, you can say goodbye in an instant with chemical straighteners. Creating that perfect look isn't always cheap, however, and you can pay up to $1000 to have flawless straight hair for up to 4 to 6 months. But do you really want to keep spending that amount of money every time? If you can afford it, great! But if you can't then you can easily find different ways to have perfectly straight hair. 1. Try the large range of different straightening lotions available. 2. Blow-dry your hair. It's great and easy to do. 3. Try a straightening iron. 4. Hot rollers are great if you like a slight, soft curl. You can try the above ideas, as they are temporary and less costly, but if you really don't like your natural curl, a chemical straightener might be the way to go.

Choosing The Right Shampoo and Conditioner

When choosing a shampoo and conditioner, you need to make sure that you are clear on what your requirements are. Do you have colored hair? Oily roots? Dry scalp or dandruff? Or perhaps sun bleached ends? If you use the incorrect product the results can be disastrous! Be sure to ask your stylist for advice.

Choose The Perfect Straightener

Most straightening irons are stainless steel, which do not protect the hair as well as it should and can lead to breakage, frizz and fly-away. If you are unsure on the right straightening iron for you, here are some tips on how to choose the perfect straighteners. 1. Make sure the plates are ceramic plated (the plates look either gold or white) as this will reduce static and is less drying on your hair. 2. If you don't have a lot of arm strength, buy a thin, light weight straighteners. They may not look like they work, but they are awesome. Because they are weightless you can straighten your hair a lot quicker, and you can use them to get many different styling effects. 3. Cheap is not always best with straightening irons. They will range very differently in price, but be assured that the cheaper it is, the less use you will have for it. So, shop around.

Consultation. Is It Important?

When looking for a new hairstyle, having a consultation with your hairstylist is important. Your hairstylist will look at features such as hair texture, face shape, hair type and condition. Your hairstylist will also want to know a little about yourself, including details about your lifestyle, family, work, time available for home hair styling and your hairstyle history. It has been estimated that up to 90% of hairstyles go wrong as a result of poor planning and bad communication. So, be as specific as possible!

Razor Cutting

Ask for the latest hairstyle update by using a razor cutting technique. This technique can be applied to any length of hair.

Regular Trims

Keep your mane in great shape with regular six-weekly trims.

Volume Hair

The best time to apply a volumising product is when your hair is towel dried. If you apply a product to wet hair it will dilute it.

Hair-dryers

Most hair-dryers on the market have a cool shot button which blows a blast of cold air. This will help fix your style into place.

Hair Protection

Always use a heat protection spray before you blow-dry to retain the moisture in your hair.

Straight Hair

When blow-drying hair straight, always use a concentrated nozzle in a downwards direction to keep the hair flat.

Blow-drying

Create volume and lift by drying your hair upside down on a low/cool heat setting.

Get Practical

Soften your style by asking your hairdresser for a few layers around the perimeter of your hairline.

Maximize Natural Waves

Create lots of texture by applying gel spray at your roots to achieve lift and volume.