Choosing extensions

How to use this fake hair....

    to get the look you want!

Sometimes instant gratification can be a good thing.  Especially for a sad girl with a bad haircut.

Extensions are the quick-fix for a lot of hair woes.

An investment of time and money can make the girl with thin hair feels like a pin-up model whose hair spills over her shoulders in abundance.  The chick who fried her hair using the wrong straightener setting can hide her crisp ends with some silky smooth additions.

Hair extensions are no longer limited to models and actresses.  All it takes is the right product and professional and hair maintenance routine to keep your investment (that would be YOU) looking fierce!

Where do extensions come from?

Extensions come from a variety of countries. Some come from India, Asia and the most desired extensions come from Eastern Europe. Extensions can be virgin hair or colored, remy (straightened), tipped out (lighter on the ends), wavy and in different forms of application such as microbead, keratin bonds, tracks (which can be glued, weaved or microbeaded) and clip ins. You have to narrow down your hair type and life style.

So here's the tricky part, what kind of extensions should I get?

If you're fair skinned and your hair is thin to medium textured, I recommend microbeads and keratin bonds.

This extension application has to be done by a professional and gets pricey, but they last 4 to 6 months if done right and maintained well.

Here I am with individual keratin extensions.

If you're coarse haired, I recommend tracks that are either weaved, glued or microbeaded in. Tracks are usually less expensive depending on the quality of hair used, you also need to find someone that's good at braiding and weaving your extensions.

*Since you don't need a cosmetology license to practice extension application, it's easy to find someone to weave in your extensions at a reasonable price; but be careful because she or he could end up tearing out your hair if they aren't seasoned professionals, that's why I strongly recommend a hairdresser at a more upscale location.

Coarse haired client, Emily with weft extensions.

                                           
If you're middle-eastern or of asian decent, I recommend keratin bonds, microbeads and tracks that are glued in. Your hair is thicker so you have to specifically ask for thicker middle eastern or asian hair, which is usually cheaper, thus the service will be cheaper from your hairdresser.


What about clip-ins?

Clip-ins are a temporary trick used for everyday life and special occasions. You just clip them in when you feel like it and can buy them pretty much anywhere. If you're a no fuss kinda gal and wanna have fun with thicker or longer hair every now and then, then this is just the right extension for you! Just match the color, make sure you have them cut well to blend in with your natural hair and you're set! If you buy natural hair of decent quality, you can have your hairdresser color your extensions as well.

There's also something called, skin-weft extensions; those last 4-6 weeks depending on your hair type. They are two sided sticky tape extensions that are flat ironed into your hair to create a bond. They're the least damaging of the longer lasting extensions and actually the least expensive.

Here's my client, Leila with her skin weft extensions.

What colors should I get?

If you have highlights and/or lowlights in your hair, you will want to get several colors, your hairdresser will show you an extension swatch to match up the shades.


You may have to color your hair or extensions to have them blend perfectly, each case is different, that's why consulting with your hairdresser is very important. Ask questions, include everything you've read here and online.

Tip:  You can also fake highlights and lowlights with extensions, choose the colors carefully with your hairdresser, she can either color them herself or choose the colors you'd like.

How much will this cost me?

Your hairdresser will charge you by bundles and time taken to apply the extensions, if you happen to choose microbeads or keratin bonds.

Extensions can cost from 150 to 2500 depending on which service and what hair is chosen. Also, there are hair boutiques where you can buy your hair.  Just ask for 100% natural quality hair and bring your goods to a stylist. Some will charge you much less for just the service, you'll receive an hourly rate for the application of the extensions.

Maintenance

Make sure you brush your hair with an extension brush, your hair will shed like it regularly does, but without brushing frequently your hair could end up with gnarly knots that are extremely hard to detangle. With frequent brushing, you'll also lose less hair and your extensions will grow in beautifully.

If your extensions are microbead or bonds, and they happen to fall out; your extension expert will be able to place them back in for you depending on the condition they're in. So take care of your extensions, and you'll look fierce for up to seven months!

Currently, I'm rockin' 16'' remy bonded extensions and lovin' it!

Sassy Brunette

Natural hair color is never a solid color, it's always multi-dimensional. That's why application of all over color doesn't look natural. All over color deposits evenly thru-out the hair without the dimension. Whenever you see a woman with vivacious hair that shimmers in the light but looks mostly solid... you're now stepping into the relm of sassy hair. Who's fooled you with this look? We've seen this on Megan Fox, Kate Beckinsale, Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergera, Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie and many other exotic beauties.

What's a sassy brunette?

She's a sunkissed brunette of course! She's the girl that's had strategically placed highlights and/or lowlights along with a single process tint, to look like she's just spent the summer in Greece. This savory look can be a lighter or darker brown, but it's refreshing and sophisticated with a hint of well rested glow.

How can you achieve this look?

Research your local hairdressers, find one that's known for natural looking hair color, then pop into the salon with a photo of your favorite celebrity hair. This look can be achieved with a colorist that does both bayalage and foils, but it's not a single process, there's much more going on there. The price can get hefty, but it's an every-few-month color process, so in the long run you'll be spending the same as a single process touch up every month... but visually it's more stunning. Personally, I prefer Redken and L'oreal professionals for overall achievement of this look.

What should I expect from my Redken or L'oreal professional?

Ask your Stylist for the multifaceted color as per the photo you've selected, then ask him or her to highlight and lowlight your virgin or color treated hair for depth. When the foils are removed, they then blend the roots at the shampoo bowl and gloss all over with a colored gloss. This will give you and your hair a glow, you'll be that girl that everyone compliments.

Hair is an accessory; it contributes to your overall look, highlights your features and compliments your coloring.
Now go shimmer girls!!!

Here's my client, model Emily Addison with her sassy brunette locks.

Kate Beckinsale with her medium length brown bob.

The Right Red for You

The Winter trend here in Hollywood seems to be going red. When you spot a redhead, you think; saucy, seductive, sweet with a little bit of bad. What celebrities have been spotted with this look?

Khloe Kardashian is sporting a natural looking version of this hue, Lindsay Lohan's back to her strawberry locks and Rihanna's vibrant shade has been painting this town red.

Khloe's new red hue



Lindsay's strawberry blonde

Which shade of Red is right for you?

This is when your skin tone comes into play. Are you naturally darker skinned with dark hair, like Rihanna? Do you have naturally baby blonde to dark blonde hair, with fair skin, like Khloe? Or are you a natural redhead with fine hair that's lost it's vibrance? Also, if you have a tan, are you going to maintain that tan religiously?

Then there's the matter of shade that's suitable to your lifestyle, would you prefer a copper like Miranda on Sex in the City? A burgandy like Lindsay's old hair? How about a striking bright red or a natural reddish blonde look? Everything is adjustable to your skin tone, done the right way. Also, red hair is hard to maintain, so you'll have to come to terms with the fact that trips to the hairdresser will most likely increase.

Can I do this myself?

Unfortunately, red color washes out quickly, so I recommend specifically finding a colorist; someone that feels confident with reds, and deals with your hair type. I say this, because ethnic and fine hair can get badly damaged with stronger products. For example, some hairdressers will bleach your hair out first before applying an all over red. This can be done without the heavy bleaching; the right way, with the right products and colorist. Also, if you do it yourself, you won't know where your hair is more and less porous. High porousity causes our hair to absorb too much color, which will make it a darker red in certain places and lighter in the lower porousity regions. As if that wasn't enough, doing it yourself can cause a hairdresser's worst nightmare; demarcation lines, an ugly risk that's not worth taking.

Let's get started!

Choose a red! When I say this, keep everything that's been said perviously in mind. Find a picture, bring it to your colorist, and remember to listen to his or her judgement calls. Your hair reflects not only you, but your hairdresser's reputation as well. The appropriate shade and products will be chosen for you, to maintain those bright locks.

Seal it!

Either gloss it or get a keratin treatment to seal in that color. Believe me, the more you seal, the less anxiety you'll have in between appointments. Now go show it off and make all the other girls jealous!

Age Appropriate Hair

Over the weekend, I watched the new flick "Little Fockers", sequel to "Meet the Fockers" that starred Gwyneth Paltrow's mother, Blythe Danner. I couldn't help but notice her beautiful age appropriate waves. This look can be soft and gentle, like the look on Blythe Danner, or edgy like Meryl Streep's character on "The Devil Wears Prada", as well as somewhere in between like Vogue editor's, Anna Wintour.

So what is Age Appropriate hair?

Age appropriate hair can create a youthful look without making it seem like you're trying too hard. As we age, our hair changes texture and the color slowly fades to be what we refer to as grays. The texture becomes either weaker and scarce or coarse and dry. At this time in our lives it's crucial to do less damage to the hair but still create a presentable look that ties your age and the look of your youth together. When we do this, we trick people into thinking we're ten to fifteen years younger.

Often times, people mistake age appropriate as covering your gray roots with a base color and then having to swing by a hairdresser's every 2-4 weeks, in order to keep those stubborn grays covered. Unfortunately, that creates a ding in your wallet and frequent visits to the salon become irritating.

How do you make your hair Age Appropriate?

You blend your now natural gray/white roots with the now artificial hair color from your younger years. You'll have to go to a salon and ask for a hairdresser that uses foils. Whether you choose to embrace a wider variety of grays with a partially foiled head or a full head of highlights/lowlights is your personal choice. But the key is to blend your roots, so that the gray hair grows in without a drastic looking demarcation line. This way, your visits to the salon become less frequent, your wallet grows and most importantly in terms of beauty; your hair has that au natural appearance.

Rock the grays ladies! There are so many girls out there, spending several hours in the stylist's chair, attempting to achieve that platinum and ashy (gray) hair that they find so desirable. Now you naturally have it! So, here's my client and mother, Eva, rocking her age appropriate hair color and chic bob.

The grays blend in so beautifully with her golden highlights.

Two-tone Sunkissed Hair

The bright summer sun lightens up the hair of girls everywhere especially in California where the surf waves beckon all year round.
A little drop of lemon helps brighten up what the sun started.
As the natural and often darker roots grow in, the ultimate sunkissed hair appears two-tone.

This classic low-maintenance look is sported by LA hipsters and Brazilian Victoria's Secret models roaming the streets of NYC. 

So how you can achieve this look?

If you're a natural brunette like Lily Aldridge or Alexis and wanting to brighten up your ends... 

get your butt to a colorist and ask for foils on top and bayalage on the ends.  Reason for this is that you want darker hair on top and the colorist can choose how much hair is lightened at the roots.  With this technique, you can blend the bayalage (painted) ends into the sunkissed roots.  This way your hair looks natural and not as if you've been dipping your hair in peroxide.

And if you're a natural blonde a la Drew Barrymore? 

This is a bit trickier and messier and definitely requires a colorist who has done this look.  Entire strands of hair will be foiled including roots, midshafts and ends and each section gets painted a different shade of color to create the multifaceted darker-to-lighter effect.

Where one hair color can often fall flat, the sunkissed two-tone look brightens up your eyes, frames your face with appropriately placed highlights and just screams youth and vibrancy.  Ultimate It-Girl Carrie Bradshaw wears it, many actresses and models request it and here's my fellow Californian, client and friend Alexis rocking her newly sunkissed waves.