Hi again guys!
So as most of you already probably know, earlier this week I had a new head of hair extensions applied and my colour changed, all just in time for Summer!
Anyway, as I was Snapchatting about my new colour, I realised it’s been ages since I blogged about my extensions, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to answer the most common questions I get about them, things like why I get them, what shades I get, the aftercare involved, etc.
I think this post will be of great interest to anyone who is thinking about getting extensions.
Q: What hair extensions do you use?
I have tried nearly every type of hair extension out there! For the first year or two, I wore the Remy Hair Extensions from Hairspray. After that I moved on to Great Lengths, but now I wear the Gold Fever brand, and in my opinion, Gold Fever is the best by far on the market.
I prefer the pre-bonded extensions which are attached securely to the hair. The hair, which is 100% ethical and traceable, is Indian ritual hair and that’s why it’s my favourite. Indian women are blessed with the most beautiful hair in the world so as you can imagine, the extension hair is thick, long and rich.
It’s also really shiny and silky, and the hair never loses that appearance either.
In my experience, these extensions don’t go frizzy or dry. The bonds aren’t one bit noticeable and the hair sheds naturally. Sometimes, extension hair sheds in lumps, but the Gold Fever extensions shed the same way natural hair does. Again, this is down to quality application.
Q: Who applies your extensions?
I normally always go to Valerie in Cowboys & Angels or Jane in Red Velvet and they are both amazing!!
Another amazing extensionist I have been to over the years is Ceira Lambert in Shankhill. She is absolutely brilliant at what she does! Personally I wouldn’t trust anyone other than Valerie, Jane Ceira to take care of my extensions. All three ladies come highly recommended.
Here is a brief video of my hair application last night at Cowboys & Angels:
Q: How long have you been using hair extensions and have there been any disadvantages to long-term use?
I have been wearing hair extensions for 5 years now and I have never taken a break from them. If they are applied correctly and by the right person, then you will never have to worry about damage. Every time I have them removed before a fresh head is applied, I examine my hair and it’s always perfectly fine and healthy, with absolutely no thinning or bald patches.
The trick to preventing damage is to have the right type of hair extensions for your hair and having them applied correctly.
Q: What shades do you go for?
I usually go for 2B and 1B mixed, which is quite dark but yesterday I decided to lighten the ends and have something more sun-kissed for summer. In April, I am heading off to Dallas for a conference, and at end of April, I am off on holiday to Thailand so I figured it would be nice to have lighter locks for the trips away.
To achieve this ombre look, Valerie mixed some brown, chestnut, and caramel tones.
I am naturally quite dark so Valerie lightened the base by one shade and added a few nice caramel highlights in the mid and end sections just to help the extensions blend better. I’m really happy with the colour palette, and it’s one I will definitely with. I might even go for slightly blonder tones for summer.
Q: What is the aftercare like?
Personally I treat my extensions the exact same way as I treat my hair. Extensions are not to be thought of as an attachment. They should be treated like your own hair. The Gold Fever extensions I have are 100% human hair, so I wash, condition, and blow dry them the same.
If you want to see what tools I use when blowdrying my hair, you can check out this blog post I wrote.
Extensions should be treated with care however if you want them to last, and I do have a couple of tips in that regard.
First, always ensure that you blowdry your bonds. It’s not good to let them dry naturally. Personally, I don’t like to leave my hair wet anyway but if I’m in a rush, I will still blast off the bonds and just leave the ends damp.
Another tip would be to ensure that every time you get out of the shower, that you run your fingers through the bonds so as to ensure they are kept separate and don’t bond together. This becomes second nature over time!
When it comes to hair oils, keep them away from the bonds. I will always use my Moroccan Oil and Olaplex treatments in middle, lengths and ends, but never on or near the bonds themselves.
When it comes to shampoos and conditioners, I always just use standard hair care products rather than ones specifically for extensions. I think they tell you not to use keratin and protein shampoos, but personally, I have never had a problem. Everyone is different though, so I’m not saying they won’t have any effect on someone else’s extensions, but for me, they have never been a problem.
Q: Why do you get extensions?
I have quite fine hair but a lot of it, and because of that I can never get any body or thickness.
I do like the extensions for length but I mainly like them for thickness and volume. Also trust me when I say, after one head of extentions – you’ll become addicted. They’re life changing (in vanity way of course haha). 🙂
Q: How often do you need to have them updated?
I get a full head of 150 bonds every 4-6 months. How long they last depends on a number of factors. For instance, if I am taking a hair and nail supplement, my natural hair grows faster. If I’m away on holiday, and exposing my hair to a lot of chlorine and sun, then that would have an impact on the extensions.
There are a number of factors that will determine how long they will last, but generally speaking, you should get 4-6 months. If you take good care of them, you will possibly get longer. I know a few girls who get 8 months from theirs.
Q: Do they hurt?
It depends on who applies them. Personally I have never had any problems. I always ask Valerie or Ceira to place them a little bit away from root so that there’s no uncomfortable pull.
Q: How much are they?
This is a hard questions to answer because everybody is different. It depends on a number of factors such as how many extensions you’re getting, how many shades you want, the length you want, and if you are getting your hair coloured as well.
Generally speaking though, you would need between €500-€900 for a full head. This is just a very rough guide though, it could even be cheaper or more expensive. Your extensionist will be able to give you an accurate price in the first consultation.
They are not cheap by any means, but when it comes to hair extensions, you do get what you pay for. If you want quality extensions that look super glossy, won’t damage your hair and are ethically sourced, then I can’t recommend Gold Fever Hair Extensions highly enough.
There you have it guys! The full low down on my hair extensions!
Have a lovely easter!
