Women Hair Extensions
HOW HAIR EXTENSIONS ARE MADE
Human hair extensions are exactly what they sound like. They are made from real, human hair from top to bottom, collected from a donor. Remy hair means all the cuticles (the outer layer of the hair) are intact, running in the same direction at the time of collection. This allows for almost no tangling and ensures that the extensions remain smooth and silky throughout their lifetime.
Synthetic hair, on the other hand, is made from various synthetic, blended fibres, and contains no human hair. These fibres are usually very fine, plastic fibres that are manufactured to imitate real human hair.
Reinvent yourself by experimenting with extensions at CMC.
LOOK & FEEL
Both real and synthetic extensions come in many styles, colours, and different forms of application. The quality of synthetic fibres can vary, but they are generally stiff and move differently from human hair, so they don’t blend as well with your natural hair. They sometimes have a wiry or coarse feel to the touch. Real hair looks and feels real (because it is!) and therefore blends more naturally with your hair.
COLORING & STYLING
Human hair extensions can be treated just like your own natural hair. You can straighten, curl, blow dry, color them, and apply hair products. With synthetic hair, you cannot color the hair as most dyes contain ammonia or bleach, which would destroy the synthetic hair. Additionally, you cannot style synthetic hair the same way as your real hair because heat can damage them so curling irons, straighteners and blow dryers are a no go, as they will melt or severely damage the hair. Other factors such as sun, friction, or harsh hair products can also damage synthetic hair extensions.
1. Clip-in Hair Extensions
Clip-in wefts, also known as clip–in hair extensions come in a strand of contoured pieces, attached at the base with either fabric or silicone. Clips are attached to this base and come ready to use. All you have to do is clip the pieces to your natural hair all on your own! Each clip snaps open and close with ease. With proper care and regular wear, clip-ins last anywhere from 3 – 6 months, up to a year and sometimes even longer.
2. Tape-In Hair Extensions
Tape-in hair extensions are exactly what they sound like. The extensions are pre-taped and then taped/glued together on either side of your own hair. Typically a hairdresser would apply tape-ins for you because you need to align them with the roots and they are applied with a heated tool that heats up the glue. Additionally, you would need to have them removed (with glue remover) and then reinstalled. Tape-ins are considered semi-permanent. Typically, they last 4 – 8 weeks before you need to remove and re-apply them.
3. Sew-In Hair Extensions/Weave
Weave hair is applied by braiding the natural hair into cornrows first, then using a needle and thread to sew the weave into the braid or cornrow. Weave hair extensions are predominantly used for people with thicker hair because of the way they are applied. This method is applied by an experienced hairdresser, as it is a very technical and difficult application that needs to be sewn in by a professional. It is recommended to remove the weave every 6 – 8 weeks, especially if you are trying to grow your own hair.
4. Fusion & Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions
Fusion hair extensions (also known as bonding or pre-bonded) are fused to natural hair using different adhesives such as glue. Applying pre-bonded hair extensions take approximately 3-4 hours to apply and are also applied by a hairdresser. Fusion extensions might not be suitable for all clients as this type of application is very damaging to your natural hair. They are considered semi-permanent as they stay in your hair for up to 4 months.
5. Microlink Hair Extensions
Microlink hair extensions are also known as micro bead hair extensions or micro loop hair extensions. These are applied by attaching tiny wefts of hair to small sections of the natural hair with a small silicone-lined bead. Microlink hair extensions are considered semi-permanent, and they generally last up to 4 months.
6. Wigs & Hair Pieces
Wigs and hair pieces come in different forms and are applied to hair topically. Long, full wigs are made to cover your entire head. This also includes wigs that are called “lace fronts” or “netting”—these are just methods for how the wigs are made. Wigs act as a replacement for your own hair and are meant to cover your entire head. Wigs can be used for many reasons such as hair loss, balding, or simply to change up your look. It depends on whether they are real or synthetic and once again the way you take care of them greatly affects their lifespan as well. Typically, real human full wigs can last for up to one year if you take good care of them. The smaller pieces are usually synthetic and typically don’t last more than one month of use.
