Welcome to the Hair Extension Guide which is all about hair extensions. We started this website as it seemed almost impossible to get good quality, unbiased information when buying extensions.

We will regularly update this website with anything new in the hair extension world along with articles which we're sure you'll find useful.

 

Hair Extensions - Getting The Ultimate Curl

June 8, 2009

Before you consider styling your hair extensions, it is important you make sure you have human hair extensions and not synthetic hair! Synthetic hair will just melt for frizzle from the heat.

Even if you have added curly hair extensions to your hair, the chances are you'll still have to style them after a few weeks. The reason for this is that most hair extensions are naturally straight hair which have been processed to be curly/wavy. But getting the curl back in your hair is really quite easy.

For perfect curls, blowdry the hair smooth first. Use a small amount of straightening balm before blowdrying, working through the hair but not overloading it. Then take a round barrelled brush and on medium heat, blowdry the hair around the brush. When styling, it is important to use a heat-protection spray. Using thermo-ceramic tongs delivers the best results as well as protecting hair.

Curls look amazing when they appear silky smooth and shiny. So apply a few drops of shine serum to protect against humidity and also leave hair silk-like to the touch.

Loose unstructured curls make a very sexy style. To achieve this look, keep hold of the handle of the tong and the tip of the hair when wound round the barrell. Break up each curl with your fingers or use a large tooth comb. You can then use slim straightening irons to gently flatten the ends of the hair so they appear texturised.

Colouring Hair Extensions

May 14, 2009

When colouring hair extensions the first and most important consideration is whether you have human hair or synthetic hair. Colouring synthetic hair (as well as using heat on this type of hair) simply won't work. If you have human hair, it is possible to colour your hair if necessary. Please note: Your best option is to avoid colouring by matching the hair extensions to your natural colour or as close as possible. However, this is not always possible. When choosing a colour from your extension supplier, try to choose a lighter shade and then colour the extensions darker. This is less damaging to the hair than lightening the hair extensions.

When colouring, it is preferable to use a semi-permanent colour. These generally wash out in 6 to 10 shampoos and contain no potentially damaging peroxide or ammonia. Once the semi-permanent is gone, it leaves your hair the same colour as it was before being coloured. Because of its gentle nature, however, semi-permanent colourants won't change hair colour very dramatically. It has a slightly translucent quality that makes it better suited to enhancing rather than altering your natural colour.

Semi- permanent hair colour will take your hair one or two levels darker, or maybe even a shade brighter. The lack of chemicals means semi-permanents have no lightening power whatsoever. Therefore, if you are unsure about what hair extension colour to chose when purchasing, it is recommended you choose a lighter colour and dye darker.

Semi-permanent colour is ideal for giving your hair a change of tone rather than radically changing your hair colour. If you have dark hair with dreams of being blonde, semi-permanent color is not for you.

Demi Permanant Hair Color
Demi-permanent hair colour lasts from 12 to 20 shampoos. It contains a small amount of peroxide - which means some hair damage - but no ammonia, making demi-permanent colour a midway option between semi-permanent and permanent colour. Demi-permanent colour does a bit more than semi-permanent. It stays in hair longer before fading away. In addition, demi-permanent colour does a better job of darkening hair and adding brightness. The peroxide can lighten hair, but only slightly - usually less than half a level. Peroxide is not recommended on hair extensions as it will cause damage

With semi-permanent colourants, shampooing loosens their pigment molecules, causing color to progressively diminish untill all the molecules are gone. Because of this, you will never experience tell-tale roots with semi permanent color.

A common problem clients have with their hair extensions is that the hair tome is too warm. This can be remedied fairly easily. You simply need to use a good quality toner to adjust to a more ash tone. A hairdresser can offer this service or you can buy them in many hair supply retailers. In Australia, Priceline and Hairhouse Warehouse both stock this product.

Good luck with your hair colouring and remember, if you're in doubt seek professional consultation from your hairdresser.

Article Posted By Aleisha Clark

Hair Extensions - A quick guide on application methods.

These days there are a huge range of hair extension products out on the market. It is understandable that a lot of us never try extensions beacuse we're afraid of buying the wrong ones. It would be inpossible to go through the pros and cons of every extension product out there; instead, we'll cover three of the most popular methods which are commonly found in salons...

1. Clip Ons

2. Fusion

3. Micro Ring

Clip on extensions are quick and simple to add. If you're new to extensions and don't want to spend hours having permanent extensions added, then this temporary method is a great option. You simply clip them in like like you would a hair clip, then take them out at night for sleeping, or for if you like, for other activities like swimming.

This method is a good option for those with easily breakable hair or very fine hair as it isn't as harsh on the natural hair. But for those that don't want to spend an extra 5 minutes in the morning and night adding and removing hair, this method may not be the best option.

Fusion extensions are a popular method and there are two main types of fusion extensions. Hot fusion uses hot glue to bond the extension to the hair. This is a commonly used method but there are many cases of the glue becoming stiff and having an unnatural feel. In some cases, the glue can cause the hair to matt. Cold fusion is a newer method and uses a keratin based polymer to bond the extension. The result is, generally, a more natural feel.

Both these fusion methods are permanent so you can usually expect them to last 3-6 months. But this time frame can vary considerably depending on the skill of the extensions technician. It is also generally accepted that the glue remover, used for removing the extensions, strip your natural hair and can cause damage.

Micro ring extensions are another popular method. They have become more popular in recent years as they don't involve any heat or glue which can be damaging to the hair. The extension is clamped onto the hair using a small ring. As the hair grows down, the rings can be opened and slid up, then re clamped. The rings are usually the same colour as the hair so they are virtually undetectable under the natural hair. These extensions also tend to last 3-6 months.

If you'd like to check out a more comprehensive range of extension methods, see what the Hair Extension Guide has to say by clicking here.

An excellent website which offers clip on and micro ring extensions is Salon Hair Extensions who provide DIY extenion kits which are a great way to save a LOT of money.