All About Hair Extensions

One question I get asked ALL the time is about my hair. Most people have no clue that I actually do wear hair extensions and well, that’s the big secret. Granted, I will say I have super healthy natural hair but the reason why I have extensions is I unfortunately have very thin hair and I love a super full look. Sadly, I wasn’t blessed in that department but thank god for all the beauty gurus who can transform your hair, right?

I decided to try hair extensions YEARS ago and since I was hooked. I will say however, I did a TON of research because I had heard nightmare stories and also, I just didn’t know much about it. Thankfully after doing all this research looking for the best in town, I found Caren here in San Diego (and if you guys are local I HIGHLY recommend you check her out). She uses only the BEST quality Russian hair and whenever people find out I have extensions they literally cannot believe it (even hair stylists!). The hair she uses is insane — so amazing, soft, doesn’t tangle, NOTHING. She blends the color in perfectly to match my own and I always play around with colors and length to create different looks. Right now I’m super into adding some really long pieces to change it up and it’s so fun!

Because I get so many questions about it regularly I decided to ask all about hair extensions and answer them here — hope you guys find it useful and let me know if you have any questions!

TAPE, MICRO BEADS, CLIP-INS?

I used to wear clip-ins but for me they were just so uncomfortable, my scalp would itch all the time, they’d fall out and I couldn’t wear my hair up. After meeting Caren, she got me HOOKED on microbead extensions and I don’t know if I will ever change. She uses only the highest quality hair and basically how it works is small amounts of hair are attached to your own using a micro bead. This method does not use any heat, adhesives, chemicals or ANYTHING. I love it because it never feels like she’s pulling on my hair or anything and when I go into have them tightened, she removes them SO easily so I never feel like I’m damaging my own hair. Sometimes for more fine hairs she’ll do a fusion bond where a bead won’t hold.

DO YOU FEEL THEM, OR DO THEY BOTHER YOU EVER?

100% NO. Obviously, if you run your hands through your hair you will feel the beads here and there but does it bother me? Never. Probably the only time it is slightly uncomfortable is the day I get them tightened. They are super tight on your head the first day or two but after showering and styling them a couple days later they beads loosen up and feel amazing.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE TO GO BACK?

I get mine tightened about every 5-6 weeks. I’m super anal when it comes to mine so as soon as I feel like they are growing out I make an appointment to go back. However, I think I’ve gone longer than that when traveling or something and never had an issue.

DOES IT DAMAGE YOUR REAL HAIR?

Mine have never damaged my natural hair but I have heard horror stories about other people. Here is what I think is most important. Make SURE you do your research and go to someone who absolutely knows what they are doing. I’ve been going to Caren for YEARS and we’ve taken the extensions out to see how my hair was and put them back in etc.. My hair is still in great condition and healthy! In fact, I feel like I can go even longer in between washes with my extensions so I feel I have less heat damage and such on my natural hair now that I have them. Prior to having them, I used to wash and style my hair every day because it would look greasy etc..

CAN YOU COLOR YOUR EXTENSIONS?

I’m not a professional in this department but I believe it depends on the kind of hair you are using. The hair we use is the highest quality and I can highlight/color them with NO problem. They don’t tangle, or thin out or anything. However, I believe you can’t do this to some other hair so definitely find out what you are getting beforehand and be sure you are OK with it!

CAN YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR UP?

Absolutely! I wear my hair up all the time. Because I don’t use tape-ins or wefts I am able to style my hair however I want because the beads are individual small sections. I can literally style my hair however I want. Of course, you sometimes have to realize a bead may show here or there but you can hide it easily.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE HAIR?

Ok here is another one that I think totally depends on the hair you invest in. Like I said the one we use is super high quality and I’m going to be honest and say, I don’t think we’ve ever had to replace my hair. What she does is overtime I tighten the hair she will go in an remove any that have thinned out or add some new ones in here and there but I’ve never had to replace a full head — pretty amazing, right?! In my opinion, if you have to pay a bit more for something super high quality, do it because it will last 10x longer and you could end up spending the same amount or more replacing some other kind of hair regularly, if that makes sense.

If you guys are interested and live in Southern California make sure to follow Caren here and contact her for you hair, you will NOT regret it!! Let me know if you guys have any other questions — I’m an open book and happy to share more !!