Who me? Hehe.... I was there yesterday. They had a lot of interesting stuff but it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. As far as extensions go they had Balmain, Cinderella, Hair Locs, and Hella Hair. I got talking to the person at Hella Hair because their product looked just like Hair Locks... The lady told me that Hella Hair was the first to have the locking technique and they are sueing the pants off Hair Locks.... Hahaha.... Both systems looked identicle except Hella Hair didn't crimp the links flat, they had a special tool to bend them in a U shape which they claimed held better. It might hold better but how the heck would you get that out?!?!? Hmmmm.... My only problem with all these systems is that the hair looks like crap. When it's brand new it's supposed to look the best right??? All the hair they had out for demonstration didn't look like anything I'd want to use in my hair....
That's so funny about the Hella Hair v. Hairlocs thing. Awhile ago, Eurolocs said they were suing Hairlocs for the same thing. I'm no fan of Hairlocs at all, but I think all this "we had it first," patent stuff is a little much. I can see when something is truly revolutionary in its design and its result, but how about the first company to create hair extensions in the first place. (Was that Dome?) Can they sue everyone who's come into the fold since? As I've always understood it, with intellectual property/patents, it's not only that the object itself has an inherent difference; it's use has to serve a unique purpose or produce a unique end as well. I'm not a lawyer, however. :)
Hellas Hair is a distributor for Eurolocs. At the show, you probably talked to Tony, he owns the distributorship for Eurolocs and he named his company 'Hellas Hair' (because he is Greek, that' s why he chose the name 'Hellas)
Anyway, the eurolocs do have a double crimp method which makes them stay in better than hairlocs, but they also cause breakage just like the hairlocs do.
You guys, I don't think metal in the hair is a good thing. You put a hard metal against soft , fiberous hair, and over time the hard metal is going to chew into the soft hair, and then you have breakage.
The hair Tony sells he gets directly from Eurolocs, and it is pretty good quality. I haven't had a bad batch. I just don't do that method anymore due to the breakage factor. Tony is a nice guy, and he most always sends you your hair order via overnight delivery, and he doesn't charge for delivery.
I met him when I attended the training class in Arizona, that's where he is headquartered. He's nice, the hair's nice, but the method is not nice.
If you want, I'll take a picture of my eurolocs tool so you can see what it looks like , just let me know.
Thanks for clarifying Metalgirl. So did you spend $1,500 to take the Eurolocks course and get the kit? If so, are you upset that you spent all that money on a "hair damaging" system?
Yes, I spent $1500 to learn Eurolocs plus the cost of a plane ticket and hotel to go to Arizona for the class.
No, I'm not really upset. First of all, it was a tax write off, so that's ok. I have just decided that most of these extension companies will tell you anything to get your money. I also paid $1200 for the Balmain class which was a waste of money, and for $1400 for the Invisible Hair class which was also a waste. In total, I have probably spent $10,000 on hair extension training over the last 10 years.
I think that in any case, I'm on a quest to find the best, least damaging extension method for my clients (and myself) and by this process of elimination, at least you know what doesn't work.
You mentioned the invisible method. Is that anything like microillusions? I remember someone inquired about the invisible method awhile ago, but I don't thinkn we ever really established what it was.
I just saw your post about Invisible Hair.....That was another
class I was looking at taking.So It's just a waste Metalgirl? What
didn't you like about it?I was interested in taking the class
because it was supposed to be more for hair loss clients, which
I thought would be great to learn for them.
Thanks
The Invisible Hair extension method is a method where the hair extension pieces are really hair pieces that are bonded onto the scalp.
It's a polyurathane base with the hair injected into it. They are about 12" long by 1"wide (hair length is 18")
I won't go into all the detail, but here are the basic steps: *To apply you put red liner hair piece tape on the back of extension piece. *part hair where you want to place extension *hold extension piece on head where you want it, and trace around it with a marker, eye liner, etc. * set down extension piece for now. You now have an outline on the head of where you want to put the extension. You basically slather (in a systematic way) that area with hair piece glue called Max bond *also put Max bond on to back of extension piece * bond the extension onto the glue slathered area of the head
Why I didn't like it:
* I wore it for two weeks myself. The extension pieces are just basically 'hair grafts' like the thin skin grafts they use for men's hair pieces. The extension strips are curved and supposed to conform better to the shape of the head.
You need to get these pieces bonded down perfectly flat on the head or else you'll have moisture get in there and the bacteria will cause mad itching.
After a few days, my extension 'grafts' lifted, and my whole head itched like crazy, 24/7 so much that I couldn't sleep at night. It did not let up. It's the bacteria trapped under the moist extension that causes the itching. I called Dawn (the inventor) at Invisible Hair to ask about this. She said it was a common problem, and I should soak my head in vinegar to stop the itching. She assured me that with practice, you could apply these pieces so they won't lift and cause all that itching. (vinegar did not help itching, by the way...)
I put these god aweful things of 2 clients who also had mad itching and the hair shed a lot too.
I followed her technique for removal, but on myself as well as my two clients, it ripped out hair like crazy when I tried to remove them. With my one client in particular, during the removal, I was actually hiding the hair that was ripped from her head in my pockets because I was panicking and shocked at so much hair loss. Fortunately this client loves me, and didn't get mad.
There's way too much glue to get out of hair, and trust me, this stuff is strong and gummy. It's what they use to bond on men's hair pieces.
This method was basically just like bonding a wig directly onto your scalp. And just like when you are wearing a wig, it was hot underneath all that too.
Eww, that sounds terrible. And I thought the itching was bad when I put microrings in the first time. I don't want things glue onto my scalp. And wouldn't an oily scalp really kill that method?
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My hubby wears a hair piece, which was made by JA Alternatives in New York. I just remove it, clean off the bond with C22 remover and glue back on. You would never know he was wearing a system. He says he only feels itchy on a hot day but other than that no problems at all. Sometimes the corners may lift after a few weeks but we just touch it up with a dab of glue.
I once went to an evening at the Holiday Inn, which was held by Hair Systems Of Long Island. They had all their models there to show you the hair systems, which were all bonded on. They looked really good. One of the ladies was right up next to me and let me touch the attachment. You would never have known that she was wearing one. I was very impressed!! So my hubby got one from them but it didn't look as good as the ladies did. That's when we found JA Alternatives, which I think has more men clients and the hair system was made a little better.
I would love to learn more about these systems. I know bonding isn't for everyone, although if it's done correctly it can look really good.
We still have to find a good place in CA. I have heard Farrell is one of the better hair replacement companies out here. It may be a little on the pricey side though.
If you're a licensed cosmetologist, you can order directly from the hairpiece companies at wholesale prices.
Wholesale, most men's pieces run about $99-$200 and you can also send them your specs if you want a custom piece.
I have ordered from:
International Hair Goods New Concepts Hair Goods Onrite/ Gemtress
I wish my hubby would wear a piece! He's 36 now and getting very thin on top. When we met, his hair was thick and down to the middle of the back (he's a drummer in a metal band-those damn musicans always steal your heart....)
I'll post more info about the companies later, but I have to go to work now!
Syren123: I took a look at that BoogieMama's site from the above post and I was amazed that the hair was synthetic. Mind you I haven't ventured into the synthetic side of things. The one thing I'm skepticle about is that I didn't see any before shots, only after shots.... Their hair looks gorgeous but who knows what it could have looked like before.... Heck, for all I know they could have just added a little thickness with synthetic hair therefor barely changing the persons look.... who knows.... anyways, If I somehow missed the before picture I would love your help directing me to it.
Kristin~Did you by any chance see any new designed Flat
Irons at the show? I'm bummed, I had a 3 day pass for the ISSE
show but got bogged down with some work at home and wasn't
able to make it. You said it wasn't what you thought, so It
sounds like I didn't really miss much then. Thanks
I couldn't find the before shots for the links that were given to me above..... has anyone seen the befores for those?
I saw lots of straightners at the show but I've got to say that I'm totally stuch on the CHI straightner. I've had mine for about 4 years now and I love it. All of my friends have it too.... maybe it's an Orange County thing... LOL... Btw, the show I went to was at the convention center next to Disneyland. I am also aware that there was one in Long Beach that I didn't get tickets to.... which one were you going to go to?
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