Hair extensions can be a great alternative for many clients and to boost your salon business. See what they can do for you.
Hair extensions today come in a variety of materials, application systems, colors, and lengths. You can use extensions any time you want to add either length, volume, or color. This means special occasions like weddings, helping with hair loss due to medical treatments, or mere vanity! Here we take a look at a few of the leading brands and ask about the applications, advantages, and disadvantages of each.
Clip In Hair Extensions
In long ago December 2013, Cashmere Hair’s Co-Founder, CEO, and CMO, Rachel Koren appeared alongside business partner Melissa Koren, appeared on ABC’s TV show SHARK TANK to promote their 5-month-old start-up. Nothing tangible came from their appearance, but they did gain visibility and persisted in their efforts.
“Our story resonates with people in so many ways,” says Rachel. Hair is such an important aspect of just about everyone’s appearance. For example, my ‘Aha!’ moment came when my career in modeling came into jeopardy after letting them cut my hair for a modeling job. Clip-in hair extensions became a huge necessity for me. They saved me from losing jobs and gave me the hair back that was lost. I have been wearing clip-in hair extensions ever since.”
Cashmere Hair Extensions consist of only the highest quality, long lasting, professional grade 100% Remy human hair. This system offers the convenience of a DIY application for even the most inexperienced user. Cashmere Hair gives you salon-quality hair without spending time or money. Specially designed full tracks with small clips create the perfect hair extensions. It only takes minutes to apply, and seconds to remove. They are easy to conceal, even with thin hair.
Clip-in hair extensions should never be worn when sleeping or bathing. Always remove hair extensions if they start to feel too heavy, irritating, or uncomfortable. Like contact lenses, clip-in hair extensions cannot be worn 24 hours a day. However, it’s easy enough to reapply them and style them daily without causing any damage. Proper wear is important to the health of your hair.
Hairtalk extensions
Victoria Casciola, Hairtalk Artistic Director, is the hairtalk expert and has completed full applications in under 10 minutes. At Hairtalk they use 4 different types of extension systems. Each method has its own advantages. The best way to gauge which extension method is best for each individual client is to consider their lifestyle and why the client wants them.
Tape-Ins come in three different sizes and three different band styles for a perfectly tailored and seamless transformation. They are applied with medical grade adhesive. This is fastest method of all installations and work well for thin and fine hair. But clients can’t wash their hair or excessively sweat for 24-48 hours after application as the adhesive needs time to create a watertight seal.
Wefts come in two options (Hand-tied and Machine Weft) and are sewn in. They result in glamorous volume, fullness, and length that looks 100% natural. They also stress the scalp or the roots very little when installed properly. However, initial installation requires a higher investment of both time and money.
Keratin – aka fusion bond extensions – are applied individually using heat. They make it possible to add length and volume to all hair types and offer the most versatility in styling. Results are also long-lasting – up to 3-5 months. Then they must be replaced.
Hair Toppers are semi-permanent, fully customizable hair enhancement solution for clients experiencing more severe forms of hair loss. This method can increase the client’s self-confidence and instant gratification. However, maintenance is every 3-6 weeks and if not washed and rinsed thoroughly, it can cause matting.
“The popularity of hair extensions can vary by geographic location.” explains Victoria. “Urban areas and fashion-forward cities tend to have a higher demand for hair extensions due to the influence of celebrities, influencers, and fashion trends. Weddings, red carpets, or other special occasions also influence clients to become interested in extensions to achieve a specific look.“
Great Lengths and Volume!
Great Lengths offers a variety of options, each with unique advantages to provide the client the additional length or volume they desire while being non-damaging to natural hair. Made from premium 100% human hair, Great Lengths hair extensions are the perfect solution for building confidence by achieving the hair of your clients’ dreams, whether it’s with length, volume, or color. Customized and with the choice of two premium application methods – GL Pre-Bonded extensions or GL Tapes, as well as a range of over 90 colors including Natural, Rooted, Piano, or the Fashion Color range, there really is something for everyone.
Danielle Keasling,Great Lengths USA’s Artistic Director. Danielle has been a NAHA finalist more than 10 times and won NAHA Hairstylist of the Year in 2018.
“Choosing the right type of extension for each client is critical. If a client is very active and works out regularly or washes and styles more frequently, those factors will need to be considered when choosing the type of extension offered.“
“In addition to lifestyle and the amount of maintenance they are willing to do, it is also important to consider the clients own hair density and condition,” explains Danielle. “Fine and fragile hair typically need a smaller attachment site. Instead more dense hair in good condition can safely support a larger attachment. Protecting the clients’ natural hair is a must, which is why an in-person and thorough consultation must be done.”
I truly believe that every stylist in the world has an existing hair extension clientele sitting right in front of them ; they just don’t know what they are missing until they experience it!
Danielle Keasling, Great Lengths USA’s Artistic Director
“While extensions can be an add-on service, specializing in them can significantly enhance a stylist’s portfolio,” recommends Danielle. “Specialization allows for deeper expertise, better client results, and can position the stylist as an expert in the field. However, offering extensions as an add-on can still be lucrative as this is a gateway into full service clients.“
“Remember,” adds Danielle, “by adding a few strands of hair to fill in a skinny spot of a haircut or areas where repeated heat styling or color processing has caused breakage, adding in pops of color around the face to experience chemical free highlights, Great Lengths can be used on nearly every client that sits in your chair!” And that means a big boost in business!
