Hair extensions - All you need to know about hair extensions

How to grow a fringe out in a day? I've cut my fringe real short and I'm almost in tears. I used to have nice long fringe that is almost to my neck but now, I've stupidly cut them till my eyebrow level. I was on a desperate search for the best hair extensions to correct this immediately while I wait for my fringe to grow out again. My solution? Hair Extensions!

Hair extensions really cost a bomb if you use the hair extensions offered by the salon. They charge you by each strand they put on to your hair, and mind you, you need alot of strands for your preferred length. I was lucky because my friend was gracious enough to spare me some of his hair (He had really long hair, almost like my length, which he has cut ages ago and yet has no heart to discard his precious locks) So, I was a happy benefitor of his hair. Plus, the good news is, his hair texture is almost similar to mine, which makes my extensions look even more natural. Yay.

Types of Hair Extensions. There are many options, including braiding, weaving, bonding, clip-ons, heat shrink tubing, metal tubing and glued on hair extensions. For this post, we shall focus on glued on hair extensions or also known as adhesive based fusion. In my experience, I chose the glued on hair extensions. It is arguably the best method of extensions. Why you ask?

Let me explain.

Glued on Hair Extensions

I chose the glued on hair extensions, also known as the adhesive based fusion because my fringe was cut really short and to make extensions (to match my back hair length) on my fringe for such a long length, it will look less obvious. Also, the glued on hair extensions do not hurt the hair folicles as much as the clip ons and they are less difficult to look after. But I beg to differ, hair extensions are really a bummer to look after. Apart from that, the glued on extensions can withstand heat and chemical treatments better as compared to the rest.

Opt for:

• Hair extensions with similar texture to your own hair
• Bring your own hair source to save money

The Scoop. So, I was all ready for my hair extensions after I've found my right hair match. Basically, the hair stylist will take a very small strand of the hair extensions, dip it in glue - which basically looks very much like how you prepare a chocolate fondue. Then she carefully sections your hair, part by part, to stick the the tip of the extensions to your natural hair. A good stylist never sticks them at the root as it will damage your hair, but she sticks the extensions as close to the roots as possible. It's a meticulous job as she has to repeat this over and over again till she has filled up the intended places with hair extensions. Even for my mission to lengthen my fringe, I've used at least 3o strands. Plus, for extending my fringe, its more difficult as the fringe is highly visible and the stylist needs to skillfully hide the extensions behind a thin layer of natural fringe. But I gotta say, she has done a mighty fine job.

Looking after Extensions
This can be quite problematic too. You're not supposed to shampoo the extensions where they are glued on to your hair for obvious reasons. You can't expose your hair to chlorine so no swimming as long as you have the extensions and for the first week, do not go swimming in the sea too. After that, swimming in the sea is no problem except for swimming pools.

Dont's

• No swimming or usage of chlorine based products on hair
• No swimming in the sea on the first week
• No shampooing at glued on areas
• Dont blow dry directly at the glued on extensions

The Problem. If I dont blow dry the extensions, they tend to clump up at my hair because after a wash, the glue gets alittle soggy. That's really gross and unflattering. When that happens, I have to disentangle each hair extensions carefully, with the risk of yanking them out accidentally. It's most vulnerable especially in the shower or after a hair wash. I will alternate between blowing hot and cold air to dry out the extensions to reduce clumping together. This way, the glue is still intact. Many times, during a shower, some hair extensions tend to fall out. It's really irritating espeically when the ones that fall out expose a little gap at your fringe. Looks like you had a real bad haircut and then it's off to the stylist again for a touchup. Luckily for me, my stylist doesn't charge me for touchups :) For good hair extentions, they usually last from 3 months till 6 months on average.

Get really good to care for your hair

Tips to wash your extensions
Tip is, wash your hair really gently at the glued parts and if you have to, use very little and diluted shampoo on to it. Sometimes you just gotta shampoo them to keep it nice and clean.

If you don't want to color your hair in harsh colors, you can always use colored hair extensions such as in the picture on the left