Being fun and fearless is the goal of most modern women today. We have a name for this fearless girl – we call her The Diva. She’s sure of every step, always rocks a beautiful blow-wave, and is comfortable with her figure. But she isn’t just beautiful, she is also witty. Do you want to be a Diva too? Read on!
While inner beauty is the most important thing, there are days when even divas need help with their looks. Maybe their current look has gotten boring, or too predictable. Using hair extensions to change up their hairstyles is one way to achieve a new and exciting look!
SYNTHETIC VS. REAL HAIR
Before choosing the right hair extension, determine the Diva’s budget. This can help in figuring out whether real hair is affordable over synthetic. Just like you choose your cut and dry hair salon based on your income – choose the hair extension on the same basis.
Synthetic hair appears extra shiny because of the added gloss used to make it look natural. However, it feels lighter than real hair and therefore won’t fall the natural way, making it hard to style.
Real hair costs more than synthetic hair, since it lasts longer. It falls naturally and maybe stylized with heat (unlike the synthetic ones). The colour could match your hair easily, as it comes in over 30 set shades. This is opposed to the synthetic ones, whose shades are done in blocks.
WHAT’S THE OCCASION?
Knowing what the makeover is for could help you decide whether you want to go for a temporary fix, a semi-permanent bunch or a permanent style.
If you like the way your hair is but are tired of the usual ironing to give it a fresher look, volumize it with temporary hair extensions like clip-on. They are perfect for occasional wearing because you can just wear it and remove it on the same day.
The semi-permanent styles usually last for 6-8 weeks. They stick to your head through the use of invisible tape and comes in the lesser bunch than the clip-on option. These semi-permanent styles are ideal for events that require you to keep a look for, let’s say, a shoot or a party.
Permanent hair extensions cost a lot more as it involves weaving, which may need 4 hours or more of labour. This option is created with small amounts of natural hair that are attached via microbeads, micro rings or micro bonds strand per strand.
THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF HAIR EXTENSIONS
Now that you can distinguish the type you can afford and the occasion you’re using it for, let’s delve into the different kinds of hair extensions:
- Clip-In Hair Extensions
Tight on budget and not in need of a permanent overhaul? This is the fastest and most convenient solution for you. In a matter of minutes, you can put it on, enjoy the event you intended to use it for, then come back home and take it off to go back to your everyday look. If you take good care of your clip-in extensions, it could remain usable for a year or longer.
This instant-makeover-style is popular amongst brides, performers and models.
- Tape-In Hair Extensions
You have been wearing a short hairstyle for a long time and you want a
different look, this option is great. Or if your agent suddenly calls and says that you have a photoshoot requiring you to have long hair after you just had a haircut (it happens!). Don’t worry, tape-in hair extensions can solve your problem. It may also help you solve your dilemma of whether you want to keep the look or not since tape-in hair extensions only last for a month or two.
Expect invisible tape to be applied in between your real strands of hair, somehow secured in a bit of a “sandwich effect”. Each weft of tape comes with 2.5 g of hair on average, to your scalp resulting in a seamless appearance. Prices vary based on the unique adhesive tape they use. Small and circular-edged ones are much better.
Those who naturally have thin strands but are strong enough to hold this kind of extensions may opt for this to add volume. Take note that the maximum length a tape-in hair extension comes in is only until 17cm. This semi-permanent kind only lasts 6-8 weeks. Don’t attempt to remove these on your own to preserve its quality. If done properly, tape-in extensions could appear almost seamlessly.
- Microbead Hair Extensions
These are one of the most expensive yet long-lasting kind. They use tiny beads to sew extensions to the natural hair near the scalp. Then they crimp them down afterwards to hold the extensions in place. Depending on the length of the original hair, these extensions could end up feeling heavy on your scalp. That’s why it needs consistent follow-ups in a salon. Assuming the right products were used, and a quality care routine was done consistently, micro bead hair extensions can last from 3-6 months.
This kind of hair extensions require no heat or glue to stay attached, but they need to get refitted after every 1.5 inches of growth from the scalp – in a salon. The same goes for removal and reattachment. To maintain the quality of the extensions and to avoid hair damage, you need a professional stylist to do it.
These are basic kinds of hair extensions that you should have background knowledge about before committing to any major change. If you aren’t sure of something, don’t hesitate to express your concerns to your stylist before they start working on your hair. Other than that, have fun, and don’t be afraid to try something new!