Idiots guide to hair extensions

[catlass]

I'm trying to sort myself out a bit now my youngest in one. I cut my hair short after my eldest was born and I want my lovely long hair back. I don't really have the patience to grow it out. It's an inverted Bob style now, just last chin length at the front. It is very, very thick and wavy. A complete pain to maintain and most days looks awful. If love to have it longer so on longer days could tie it back.

Anyway, been thinking about hair extensions. Googling has totally flummoxed me about different type of extensions and if I'm honest the ethics of hair extensions is bothering me a bit. How do you know how they're sourced? What is a reasonable price?

Thank you!

I have had the prebonded extensions twice and can honestly say I don't think they ruined my hair at all. do your research on extensionists in your area, read reviews. ask friends for recommendations. I went for prebonded as micro loop can often slide down the hair and be lost, meaning they wouldn't last as long and I could afford any more hair appts.

in terms of price, I'm in Sunderland. its average for single drawn hair is 14 inch around £110, 18 inch £140 and 20 inch £160. for double drawn add another £80-£100 to each of those prices. shorter lengths can get away more with single drawn, double drawn looks better of course but single still looks decent. single drawn hair for 18-20 inch however looks straggly.

I went for 4a graded hair, the more 'a's the better quality.

hth

Thank you so much! I'll look into prebonded. The pricing is super helpful too, in up north also so should be similar prices.

Stupid question but when the extensions are in how often do you have to have them redone. Or don't you and it just grows out with your actual hair and you get it cut as needed? Sorry, I don't have a clue!

I had mine removed after 4 months the first time with a maintenance appointment in between, around 6 weeks in. a new pack of hair will be applied if you have lost any hair or it needs thickening, she also removed the extensions at the sides of my head, combed the tats through and put them back in as they got tatty due to me sleeping on my sides. you need to separate the bonds every morning and night and a tangle teezer is your friend!
the second set I removed after 2 months, just I was nearing the end of pregnancy and they'd be due to be removed a week after my due date and didn't want to have extensions due out as I was giving birth haha.

also, don't use any shampoo with protein in as it breaks down the bonds, i used Aussie on mine but I know a lot of people use baby shampoo.

I must add, if you go for more expensive hair, it can be reused depending on how well you look after it. always use heat protection spray, I recommend 'got2be guardian angel' heat defence spray, leave until dry though before applying heat.

also re: hair cutting, have it cut whichever way you like, I don't recommend layers though as the underneath layers will be really thin. and how long they're in for will depend on how well the hair is looked after and how quick your hair grows, but you'll know when they're due to be replaced as they drive you mad!

Brilliant, fab. Thanks Ravioli! Massive help as I haven't a blummin clue really. That's very interesting that more expensive ones can be reused. Oooh getting all excited now about having long hair again. Wish id never cut it in the first place. Ah well .

you sound in the same boat as me, I had all my hair chopped off and lightened after having my extensions removed so it was a total change but now I want them back.

forgot to sat, the first night or two in bed is a bit uncomfortable until you get used to them. oh, and loosely plait them before bed

Argh all sounds so complicated. Thanks, sure it'll be worth it tho :D