October 17th, 2019
What Are The Different Types Of Hair Extensions
The hair market business is saturated with different kinds of extensions. It can be overwhelming to choose which kind of hair extensions are right for you and your type of hair.
We all want beautiful long beautiful hair but at what cost? Hair extensions can be very pricey but also very damaging. Having very fine hair you can rest assure because I have tried them all.
Growing up around friends who had naturally beautiful long hair I was always was very self conscious about my hair. I would always wear my hair in a ponytail so people wouldn't notice how thin it was. After many experiments and gazillions of products I have found that the best nourishment for your hair is diet and natural products that you most likely can find in your pantry shelves. To find some DIY natural remedies that I have tried myself to help grow my hair long and healthy fast check out this blog.
I wanted to share my knowledge on a few types of hair extensions I have tried and give you my honest opinion on which ones I liked the best. Hopefully it will save you some time and help you make a decision easier on which type of extensions to try. Below you will find a breakdown of the extensions I have tried and ones I haven't tried yet.
Real Remy Human Hair Extensions VS Synthetic Hair Extensions
First let's talk about two types of hair texture that is available in today's market. Some companies sell 100% Real Human Hair and some sell Synthetic Hair.Real Remy Human Hair Extensions
Remy Hair is considered to be the finest quality of human hair. With Remy hair, the cuticles are kept intact and not stripped, the hair follicles all go in one single direction. This preserves the hair's cuticles and aligning them in a unidirectional fashion creates extensions that are completely natural in appearance. Remy hair is collected in a method in which all hair strands stay aligned in the natural direction as it grew (i.e. holding the hair in a ponytail and cutting), top at top, and ends at ends, to maintain the natural texture pattern and cuticle direction. This reduces friction between the strands thus reducing the tangling in the hair, commonly found in non-Remy or low quality hair. Remy hair appears more healthy, soft and silky. Remy hair is only lightly processed, and undamaged. Some companies claim to sell 100% Remy Hair, but are mixing anywhere between 10-40% Non-Remy hair into their packs. An expert in human hair can tell the difference between Remy and Non-Remy hair by touching it. It is said that Remy hair has a cool and silky feeling when you touch it. Non experts probably will not be able to tell the difference by looking at it. After 2 to 3 weeks of wear, when that hair starts to matte up you will know it’s not Remy.Synthetic Hair Extensions
Synthetic hair extensions are the opposite of Remy hair. They are not human hair. They are made of plastic fibers to mimic the feel and look of human hair. Synthetic hair is made of low-grade acrylic which is heated and divided into strands to make individual hair fibers that look jut like human hair. This type of hair is definitely cheaper than human hair but it is also more limited. It doesn't last more than 3 months where human hair could last you up to a year with proper care. Synthetic extensions can not be color treated, as it will cause irreparable damage. Human hair extensions can be treated just like your natural hair, which means you can curl it, straighten it and even color it.Types Of Hair Extensions
1. Clip In Hair Extensions
What Are They?
Clip in hair extensions are by far my favorite type of hair extensions. I love the fact that they are not permanent and I can change my look whenever I want. They are so easy to apply and you can do it at the convenience of your own home. Be aware because a lot of companies claim to sell 100% Human Hair clip in extensions when they don't and their extensions are coated with synthetic material. My favorite clip in hair extensions are by Cashmere Hair and they truly are 100% remy human hair. I have owned my set for over a year and it is the same quality as when I first purchased them. The company with color match your hair If you are not sure which shade to purchase.How Long Do They Last?
The last set I purchased has lasted me over a year and the quality still feels amazing even though I have washed, dried, styled and curled my extensions. You can treat them as you would treat your own hair. I love these extensions because they do not damage your hair and add instant length and volume.2. Tape In Extensions
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What Are They?
Tape in extensions have been around for awhile and I have to admit it is a great concept. I had these extensions for about 8 months. When I first got them I was in love with them and wanted something semi permanent. I wanted to go to bed and wake up with beautiful hair. The day of the application they looked flawless and I wasn't allowed to wash me hair for 24 hours to make sure the glue was set. If you live in California you probably have noticed how harsh our water can be for our hair. The first time I washed them they were very course and didn't feel as soft and smooth as they did before I washed them. Once I purchased a shower filter it seemed to do the trick and they were soft again.How Long Do They Last ?
Tape In extensions last 6 to 8 weeks If you properly take care of them. Around the 8 week mark you need to have your hairstylist put new tape on them and reapply them. The hair itself will last you about 4 applications because once the tape wears out the hair falls apart. I found these type of extensions to be damaging to my hair. The glue of the tape was hard to remove and pulled my hair a lot.3. Microlink Hair Extensions
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What Are They?
Microlink hair extensions have been around for a long time and although they were very popular a decade ago especially by celebrities they do not seem to be as popular now. These type of extensions are beads that link the hair to the extensions. Each strand of hair has a link on it and your stylist puts your hair through it and the link is clamped down with pliers to secure each extension. I had these extensions about 4 months and unfortunately had to get an emergency haircut. My hair got very knotted because of the beads to the point that I had a large ball like in the back of my head. My hairdresser tried her best to get it unknotted but without success.How long do they last?
They last about 4 months and just like any type of "permanent" hair extensions you will need to reapply them.4. Fusion Hair Extensions
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What Are They?
Fusion hair extensions have been around for a long time and are one of the most popular and used hair extensions for people who want semi permanent hair extensions. These type of extensions are made out of keratin based protein bond which is attached to each extension. Hairstylists apply these extensions by melting the keratin bond to their clients' natural hair.How long do they last?
They last about 5 to 6 months and depending where you get them done they can cost up to $3000. Because they are glued to your hair and to get fullness and length you need to get 2 or more bundles of hair. Overtime, the weight of the hair extensions can pull on your hair and damage it.5. Hand Tied Hair Extensions
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