Not everyone is lucky enough to be born with long, gorgeous, flowing Disney princess tresses. In fact, many of us have trouble growing hair past a certain length and let’s not get started on volume – or the lack thereof. Hair extensions can be a simple solution to all these problems, and you can go from a short bob to luscious locks in less than a day.
If you have been considering getting extensions for your hair and started on your research, you’ve probably been bombarded by terms like ‘Remy’, clip on, tapes, weaves, and more. The jargon can get pretty overwhelming. Read on for a simple breakdown on the different types of hair extensions so you can choose the right ones for your hair.
Hair extensions: What are they made from?
Hair extensions can be made from synthetic fibres or natural, human hair. While there are different grades of each, human hair with the cuticle intact is generally the best. This kind of hair is called Remy hair (sometimes spelt Remi). Remy hair has the roots and tips of each strand aligned keeping it tangle free. Another great thing about Remy hair is that it has never been chemically treated so it retains its moisture and sheen for longer. The hair typically comes in “wefts” or sections that vary in their width. Wefts may be hand or machine sewn using nearly invisible strips of cloths.
Although Remy hair extensions can seem pricier than the alternatives, they last longer and can save you money in the long run – especially if you are planning on keeping the look for a while.
Types of Hair Extensions
Apart from the kind of hair used, hair extensions are classified according to how they attach to your hair. Each method has its own pros and cons.
Clip in extensions:
These are a great option if you want a quick and temporary fix. Hair strands are clipped to the roots of your hair, and you can have long flowing locks in minutes. Clip in extensions offer a great way to experiment with strands of colour without having to commit. Be warned though, clip ins cannot be worn for extended periods of time as they do tend to tug on your hair roots.
Tape ins or Glue ins:
These extensions sound exactly like the name. They are taped or glued onto your hair. A stylist uses a heat tool to melt the glue so that it sticks to your hair. While this method typically takes less than a couple of hours to complete, tapes tend to wear, and you need to have them reapplied by a stylist every 6-8 weeks. Tape or glue extensions are not ideal if you blow dry or heat style your hair.
Sew ins
Your hair is braided into cornrows and the wefts are sewn into the cornrows using a needle and a thread. While it works well as a permanent option, the entire process can take more than four hours and people with thin hair may find it painful.
Beaded extensions:
Beaded hair wefts are hair wefts that are attached to silicone beads at regular intervals. The wefts are attached your hair by inserting a bit of your hair through the beads and crimping them to hold them there.
Hand sewn, beaded, hair wefts are typically lighter than machine sewn and allow your extensions to stay on longer with minimal damage to your natural hair. While they need to be touched up at regular intervals – about every 10 to 12 weeks, you can reuse the wefts a few times as long as you take care of them well. Beaded hair wefts are also the ideal option if you are an active person as the beads allow your hair to move freely without stressing it.
Get your hand sewn, beaded Remy hair wefts for all hair types and lengths at Fluid Spa, Langley and achieve the look you want. Get in touch with us or book an appointment with one of our stylists for your red-carpet ready hair today.
