Hand Tied Hair Extensions
“Am I balding?”
This is the question I ask my hair stylist, Erlis, every single time I see her. (By the way, I’m going to give her a shout out now because she is the BEST! If you live in the New Jersey area you need to go see her STAT - you and your hair can thank me later.) This has been a question that I have been asking her for years. Why? Because my hair is super fine. I always feel like I’m losing it, and I am terrified that one day I will have none left. She always tries to reassure me as best she can, telling me I have a lot of hair its just not as thick as I would like it to be.
I have been toying with the idea of getting hair extensions for years. I have been in the spa industry for longer than I can remember - starting in high school and continuing on through my adult life. I have seen so many different hair extension methods come and go - keratin, bonds, tape-ins…and now hand tied.
I finally decided to bite the bullet, and get them done. I have to admit…I was really nervous. I don’t want to damage the already fine hair that I have. I CANNOT afford to lose one single strand! But Erlis has once again reassured me that my hair will be fine. I know in life, we always want what we dont have…for all of you babes out there with naturally full and voluminous locks - more power to you! My claim to fame is being able to blow dry my hair in under 5 minutes! Give me the struggle of it taking a long time to blow dry and style my hair please!!!
I went to my old stomping ground, Depasquale the Spa, last week and got my extensions. I am here to tell you about the process, and to answer any questions you guys have been asking me.
I wanted a little bit of length, but mostly volume. I also wanted to be blonder. Because my hair is fine, getting my ends to look super blonde without frying them off is quite the challenge. Extensions would allow me to achieve that look without harming my natural hair. I met with Erlis a few weeks prior and we matched my hair to the extension color wheel.
The day of, I had to go in with dry, clean hair. The whole application was super easy, and painless. Erlis took her time, added beads into my hair, and sewed the extensions to the beads. This method is seamless, and allows me to pull my hair up without the extensions being visible. This is a huge plus, especially since I am constantly pulling my hair back for work. We decided on doing one row of extensions for me. Start small, and you can always go for more come next time. But let me tell you, one row is MORE than enough!
The whole process took a few hours, and I have to say, I wasn’t anticipating how much I was going to LOVE these extensions. I didn’t realize how adding a little bit of length and volume could totally change your overall look.
If you are considering extensions, I say YES! Go for it. But for all of the questions you have been asking me…here they are answered from the experts:
How long do they last? Hand tied hair extensions last 6-8 weeks, with most people needing to get them moved up around the 7 week mark. This all depends on how quickly your hair grows.
What is the difference between hand tied and tape in extensions? Hand tied extensions are similar to sewn in, except the hair weft is actually hand made instead of machine made. This make the hair weft thinner and more natural. The application technique is completely different than tape in extensions. Instead of the extensions getting taped to the hair, hand tied extensions are actually sewn in (which in turn is healthier and less damaging to your natural hair).
What is involve with the maintenance? Besides your 2 month move ups, you need to brush your hair 2-3 times a day with a boar bristle brush. It is recommended to use a leave in conditioner after washing your hair. It is also not recommended to go to bed with your hair wet, or to let the roots of your hair air dry.
Do extensions itch or hurt? I have to admit that the first night when I went to bed, my exertions itched for a hot second. But it literally lasted not even a minute, and I also think it might have been mental. You are obviously adjusting to something being on your head. I don’t think the extensions hurt at all, but I have heard you might feel a little bit of tension for the first day or two.
What is the benefit of of Hand Tied extension vs the tape or clip ins? Hand tied exnteions have a more seamless and natural look, and they are healthier for your hair than tape ins. Clip ins are temporary, and you have to put them in and take them out everyday. You cannot wear your hair up with tape in extensions, unlike hand tied. If you do there is more of a chance of damaging your natural hair.
How much does it cost? The cost of extensions will obviously vary on where you go to get your extensions, and also what kind of look you are trying to achieve. The more hair you need, the more expensive it is going to be. If you want a lot of volume, you will need to purchase more hair.
How can you make sure it will match your hair color? Your stylist will match your extensions to your hair color. Just make sure you are going to a reputable and licensed cosmetologist who is trained in the method you are asking for.
How often can you wash your hair with extensions? It is recommended to wash your hair 3-4 times a week.
Do they work on fine hair? Yes. Hand tied extensions are not recommended for people that are losing hair or who are thinning. They are also not recommended for people who have severely damaged hair.
I hope that this was helpful. I have to tell you that I am SO in love with my extensions, I don’t know how I am ever going to live without them. I had a plan to only get them for two months….but I have a feeling that this new love affHAIR might go on for quite some time!
<3
P.S.
If you have any other questions about hair extensions comment below and let me know!!