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We Tried It: Hair Extensions!

I stopped by Studio A Salon to get them signed up for BeautyNow, and I walked out with a glorious head of hair [extensions]! [UPDATE: I just talked to Studio A and David will take $20 off your service if you mention this blog! Color, haircut, extensions, whatever!]

As I waited for my meeting, I was SO jealous of the thick, bouncy hair that the girls in the chairs had. When I complimented one of the clients, she said she had Hot Heads Tape-In Hair Extensions! I was suddenly reminded of my burning desire to add volume (but not length) to my very fine, thin hair. Not that I had a lot of hair to begin with, but I have also had a lot of hair loss after having babies.

David Armendariz (co-owner/stylist of Studio A) added two “sandwiches” of hair to each side of my head. It is important that your hair is freshly washed and dried with NO product on it. Surprisingly, it only took about 15 minutes to put in four extensions.

After the extensions were in, David added some volumizing powder for fullness, but he was very careful not to get any product on the tape adhesive. He cut the extensions to match the length of my hair, curled and styled my hair/extensions normally, and voila! (Almost) Jessica Simpson hair:

I told some girlfriends that night about my fake hair, and they looked closely and felt around my scalp, and no one could feel the tape! Still completely undetectable in a low ponytail or chignon, see:

Here is what it looks like when my hair is straight and not professionally styled. Definitely better than normal:

So, does it feel weird to have fake hair?  When my hair is down, I don’t feel the extensions in at all. However when I went to bed, and sort of flipped my hair upward on my pillow, it felt as if I had left a bobby pin in my hair. When I put my hair back down again it felt normal and I was able to sleep comfortably.

Pros:

–cheaper than I thought: David charges $45 per extension, which includes the hair and the application. The extensions last about 6 weeks, and then they are REUSABLE up to 3 times.  David will re-adhese (is that a word?) the extensions for $15 each. [UPDATE 2/24/14: I have been reusing and wearing the same 4 extensions for 7 months and counting].

–quick application

–the color matched my hair exactly and even though the texture is different than my fine hair, it blended in perfectly!

–does not damage hair like old-school glue-in extensions

–I can still get my hair highlighted normally– just tell the colorist to avoid the extensions

Cons:

–try to ignore the fact that a stranger’s hair is touching your face

–you have to be careful about the products you use and how you treat your hair

–I’m really not sure how one would wash and style her hair if she had 20 of these extensions all over her head. With just four “sandwiches” in my hair, I have kind of learned where they are and adjusted my hair routine accordingly. But it is still more of a pain to wash my hair than without extensions.

–one spray tan away from looking too Real Housewife-y

Caring for your Hot Heads extensions:

–wait 48 hours before washing your hair
–use a sulfate-free shampoo
–do not put alcohol (i.e. hairspray, volumizing spray, dry shampoo) or oils (i.e. conditioner, frizz serums) anywhere near the adhesive strips
–be careful when you are brushing your hair, obviously.  Use a soft-bristle brush.

Here’s a handy infographic created by Philip James Salon in Chicago that explains your hair extension options (click on the image to Pin it!)  Apparently my tape-in extensions are also called “Skin Weft.”

xoxo,

Kathleen

47 Responses to “We Tried It: Hair Extensions!”

  1. Lilian says:

    Great post! I had no idea about the sulfate free shampoo. Never even thought of that, and it makes sense. I wouldn’t mind trying tape in extensions, I just wonder if they last long enough to make up for the cost. I use clip in hair extensions by “My Fantasy Hair” , but they’re not permanent. I’m afraid of damaging my hair. I also think tape ins might pull at my own hair. I love my clip ins and they look really natural. I get them from http://www.myfantasyhair.com Do you prefer tape in over clip in?

    • Kathleen Jennings says:

      Hi Lilian! I’ve been wearing the Hotheads tape-ins for over a year now and I don’t think they are causing any damage to my hair. I’m totally addicted and don’t think I can ever go back! Ha. But I have never tried the clip in ones before…

    • Kathleen Baird Jennings says:

      Hi Lilian! I’ve been wearing the Hotheads tape-ins for over a year now and I don’t think they are causing any damage to my hair. I’m totally addicted and don’t think I can ever go back! Ha. But I have never tried the clip in ones before…

      • sandy says:

        Do you wash your hair daily? I exercise/shower every day and am worried this would be difficult to do with extensions

        • Kathleen Baird Jennings says:

          Hi! I wash mine every other day, but the extensions really don’t cause me problems! I only have two “sandwiches” of hair on each side of my head. Maybe if I had a full head of extensions it would be more trouble? But when you get used to having them you hardly know you have them!

        • Beautynowapp says:

          Hi Sandy– no, I wash every second or third day. I’m getting lazier and lazier about it! Ha!

  2. Susan Johnson says:

    I think Hair Extensions is the best method to make attractive look.
    http://www.rubin-extensions.com.au/

  3. Josephine Ludeke says:

    Karmin Easy Clips is my favorite <3

  4. Tamara says:

    Hey guys! Spot on…hair extensions aren’t for everybody however there are many different types of hair extensions to suit different individuals. Xtended Beauty’s XB Hair Extensions come in sooo many different methods, lengths and colours and offer so much useful and helpful information and support so I highly recommend checking out http://www.xtendedbeauty.com.au ❤️

  5. Vipin Kumar says:

    Yes, you are right Hair Extensions are safe but some new users afraid to use it first time.

  6. Mega Sri says:

    wow…what a great post it is use full for peoples thanks for sharing this information………..
    http://www.indushairextensions.com/wefted-hair

  7. Brittney says:

    I just put my tape ins back in (sides only to “fill in” the awful mullet cut that refuses to grow out even after a yesr and a half!) after a year and getting used to them again is a bit daunting. I’m hoping they loosen a bit and I get used to them. I’m also hoping for no additional damage to my poor hair that I’m trying to grow! We used single sided tape this time rather than the sandwiches to help with weight and tension so hoping it helps!

    • Beautynowapp says:

      Hi Brittney! I’ve been wearing my tape-ins over two years now and no damage to my hair! I’ve also recently tried the bead extensions, and I think the tape ins work much better for fine hair if you are trying to add volume. Good luck!

  8. Anitra says:

    I am having issues with mine. I have 7. And have only had the almost a month. They keep coming untaped! This is the 3rd time. What can I do to stop this? I bought the brush they told me to use and the shampoo and conditioner and I don’t put the conditioner on my scalp just the ends !

    • Beautynowapp says:

      Anitra– that is so weird! I have been wearing my tape-ins non-stop for like 3 years now (I have two on each side of my head, toward the front) and that has never happened to me. Sounds like you are doing everything right. I would try getting your extensions at a different salon before you give up on tape-ins altogether! Thanks for reading! –Kathleen

  9. carmellahouston says:

    Best extensions I have ever used is the Karmin Easy Clips :3

  10. Cindi says:

    I was looking for review on tape-in extensions and have been researching professionals in my area – turns out you are also from Houston, so I guess David will be getting a new client :)

  11. Very knowledgable post and appreciate for the given table which is the crux of all extension methods.
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  12. Someone does excess
    adding hair extensions on their head so even it is not look natural but
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  13. Jessica Jones says:

    What a great post. This definitely helped me a lot because I’m new to the world of hair extensions. I just made my first purchase of Brazilian body wave extensions from this site called http://www.dymonddesignextensions.com/brazilian-body-wave/. Is there a difference between putting the extensions in yourself or going to a professional to have them put in? What is the major difference between clip in and tape on? Someone please help teach me!

  14. INDUSHAIREXTENSIONS says:

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  15. Antonio Y Van says:

    The rapid hair solutions provides you with an easy-to-use hair care system that is rich in amino acids It relies on a formula of whey and vegetable proteins to hydrate and strengthen your hair.

  16. Bramh Pratap says:

    Nice post on common
    hair extensions. For more common hair extension tips visit
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  17. Xinhuo Liang says:

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  18. Robert Smith says:

    wow…what a great post it is use full for peoples thanks for sharing this information………..
    try
    strengthen grow & restore leave-in conditioner for better results.

  19. Endless Hair says:

    Great ideas but wearing raw/virgin hair would allow You to be able too clean/shampoo without any fuss!
    https://www.endlesshair.net https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c0a76b9e0541e9c27035c013360428f87ae5d69b5ec30438b4b4b01b6bf07694.png

  20. Cassie says:

    Love the information thank you! Do you have any before pictures? I’m adding some to just my side but for length.

  21. Really I love hair Extensions.If you want a more natural look of your hair extensions, then get hair extensions now from Indian Remy Hair extensions that provide lots of hair extensions.

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  22. Rae Tripp says:

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  23. Virgin Remy hair extensions are the one which has not been treated with any chemical it is completely natural.

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  24. E Robinson says:

    ok, first i have to say, shes super pretty, looks like a popular blonde actress… next its a nice job done, i havent tried anything that risque yet,(im so conservative,,lol), i only wear bone straight extensions and the occasional body wave, both of which i get at http://www.dynastygoddess.com …however i will sometimes try true glory hair, thats when im being wild and crazy…lol..thought provoking post.

  25. Unique Hair says:

    tape in hair extensions are the most popular hair extensions method now, few years ago, only few hair salons use tape in hair extensions, but now, every salons have this hair extensions,and the trends is more and more people will like tape hair extensions, because this hair can be reuse it, can save much money for you.
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  26. Chateau de Laquant says:

    wow, great article, i also love tape in extensions,but ive recently started wearing wefts.. and its much better. i also use https://dynastygoddess.com ,..one of the biggest things is making sure you have a quality constructed weft. i learned this the hard way.

  27. Bugatti Hair says:

    Lovely pics!!!
    Really hair extensions can give you a stunning look. All the ideas shared above are interesting. I would definitely love to try hair extensions.

  28. Lisa Lou says:

    beautyforever.com

  29. Bugatti Hair says:

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  31. Brighten Boise says:

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  32. Wararat Chaothai says:

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