I let my hair down... with extensions
THE long, flowing locks of celebrities are the envy of many. But could they be fake? Probably. Hair extensions are not the preserve of high-earning celebrities. Anyone can have longer locks, once they endure the installation, maintenance and cost.
Sounds more like getting a new car than a new hairstyle. I put the fad to the test.
My hair was once quite long and thick, but years of abuse at the hands of the straightener and curling tongs have left it flat and limp. Hair extensions aren’t all about length — they’re about getting thick, full hair that has instant volume and texture, with minimal effort. For some, extensions conjure images of tangled hair and masses of glue.
This is mostly due to the early days of extensions, which resulted in horror stories of people being left with a few shreds of their own hair, matted in glue. In those days, removal meant the extensions had to be cut out, which often left little tufts behind. Modern bonding methods crystallise and dissolve easily, allowing for safe and painless removal.
“These days, everyone wants to wake up with long, thick hair without having to spend hours using different styling products to achieve it,” says Cork hairdresser, Jacqui Murphy.
Ms Murphy, who has worked in the industry for 17 years, says nowadays people are willing to try anything to attain the healthy, full look.
“Hair extensions aren’t all about length; they’re about getting thick, full hair that has instant volume and texture, with minimal effort,” Ms Murphy says.
She noticed that many of her customers were travelling to London and paying up to stg£1,000 for the procedure, so she trained in extensions and offered the service here in Ireland.
Ms Murphy says women thicken their hair for many reasons. One group of clients are women whose hair thinned during pregnancy, and the extensions help boost their confidence.
Another group are brides. “It is also very popular with brides-to-be, as not only will they have perfect hair on the day, but all through their honeymoon,” she says.
“They are no longer just for teenagers or people in their 20s.”
To test out the extensions for myself, I visited Richard’s on Tuckey Street in Cork City, where Ms Murphy has a salon.
Consultation
Before you can have the extensions applied, you have to call in for a free consultation. The cost of applying the extensions is €400, so discuss with your stylist beforehand what look you need to achieve.
During the consultation, Ms Murphy hand-mixed a range of colours to match the exact colour of my hair.
The extensions she uses are called “extend magic” — a lightweight formula with very small bonds, that promises to leave the hair undamaged.
Pixie Lott, Rosanna Davison and Glenda Gilson have all used these extensions. It is important that the method used for me is a lightweight one, Ms Murphy advised, as Irish hair is very fine so it can take minimal pressure. Installing the extensions takes up to six hours, but they last up to four months.
You can choose straight, wavy or curly extensions. Your hair has to be at least four inches long for the extensions to be applied.
Procedure
The hair used is ethnically-sourced Spanish human hair. A tiny strand of my hair is taken for each extension. Protein is then added to the piece of Spanish hair to harden it and create a bond. The extensions are added half a centimetre from the scalp. The bond is then heated and attached to the hair.
The extensions are individually placed at different levels, so they fall naturally and go with the direction of the hair.
Almost 800 bonds are put in my hair, and each one is applied with precision.
The application process is painless and as I told Ms Murphy that I often tie back my hair, she ensured that none of the bonds would be placed anywhere they would be visible.
Verdict
With the process completed, I checked out my new look. The hair colour perfectly matched my hair. As my own hair was already quite long, the major difference was the increased thickness and volume. My hair, for the first time in years, looked healthy and full, a look I have long being trying to achieve.
The extensions also felt incredibly lightweight. Although there were bonds all over my hair, my hair didn’t feel any different to normal. Even with my hair scooped up into a tight bun, there was no evidence of the bonds. The only time I was aware that they were in my hair was on the first night. When I was lying down, they felt a bit tight but after a few minutes they had settled in and I haven’t felt them since.
Now, I can dye, cut, straighten and curl my hair and Ms Murphy said the most important thing is to treat it like my own. My favourite thing about the extensions is that I can wake up every morning with instant volume, instead of spending hours trying to achieve it. Although the procedure took six hours, which some people would think is an absurd amount of time to spend in the hairdressers, it was worth it. Ms Murphy and I chatted the time away and at no point was the procedure uncomfortable or painful.
WITH every application of hair extensions, you get a special shampoo and conditioner. After these have run out, you are advised to use products that are low in protein.
No heavy treatments should be used on the hair, like hot oil.
The extensions are best suited for dry or normal hair, but if you have oily hair, they will have to be washed daily.
It is best to rub your fingers through your hair at night to ensure that hair doesn’t get matted.
When blow-drying, dry the roots first and brush as you would your normal hair.
Treat your hair like it’s your own, and use conditioner and treatments just once a week.
* Jacqui’s salon is located at the rear of Richard’s on Tuckey St. To book a free consultation call 087 9220807 or visit www.jacquimurphy.com
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
