Bad experience with hair extension

 I had Great lengths put in my hair last april from a so called experienced technician. She chaged me $1800 for a full head ( which by the way we argued over because the back of my head had some bare spots ) when I went back to the salon I found out the tech went back to Russia, and no one else there really knew about them. She told me they would last 6 months but I found out after about 2 months, they started to break off and slip out. I finally found another salon in my area  that knew someone about them and after 4 months convinced me to take them out because they were breaking my hair. after all the pulling and detangling I was left with alot of damaged hair that had to be cut off! Since August of last year I had to continualy cut my hair and I hate it. I am intrested in hair extensions again. can someone recommend a different, less damaging, way cheaper approach? 

I had Great Lengths the first time I ever had extensions when I did not know better, even though the hair itself was awsome the damage they caused me was not, my tech told me the same thing that you could keep them in 6 months the first install I had in about 5 and during the second install I has a lot of them breaking right off my real hair, at this time is when I found this web site, I took the second install out and the back of my head had a lot of breakage, it looked so bad,...I tried shrinkies those where ok, but I started using wefts with the pro tape and LG and that is what I have been using for over a year now and love it, I wear clip ins in between installs to recolor my hair and give it a break for a couple weeks and a install last me 4 to 6 weeks I am actually getting my hair to look like it did before Great Lengths...I love the tape and LG method quick easy and looks great!!!

I find the maintence using sew-ins/braiding is much easier than glues which always leave sticky residues (if you ever do go with glue NEVER used a latex based on, there are worse stories about that than GL). You can easily comparison shop around to find a braider near you. There are also braid metods that use loose hair called pinch-braiding - it uses strand by strand rather than a weft. I think buying the hair yourself is always a good option or at least going to the salon and having a consultation before hand, seeing photos of their work, and seeing the hair they use. but getting your own you have more choices and probably a better price in that respect.

I use about 4oz for a full head (which is about average), but it depends on the length of your hair, the thickness of your own hair, and how thick would would want the overall look to be. I think one of the best investments out there is  a good quality russian hair - its becomming very popular (DIYextensions.net has a LOT of Russian followers). it requires more of a starting investment but if you're using sew-ins/wefts it will last you litterally years and dosent' require the maintence routine many proceessed hair types do.

Hand wefts are considered to be a higher quality of weft, they have less shedding - however they cannot be cut to fit your head, which is why many more specialisized companies do custom hand-wefting in different lengths.  If you're getting a sew-in there isn't anything else really :) just a good braider! 

I had GL's in for my 2nd install of extentions ,beginning of Feb and they started to come out 2-3weeks after.  I was unhappy w/it all. Spent $1500 not including tip.  I had SOCap , for my 1st extention and was much happier w/those.  I think that was $700 w/tip and supplies etc.

yes me too mshoney. me too. i honestly thought "oh the stars wear them so you know they are great!"  yeah ok sure- they can afford to get new ones put in anytime they want. 

When I used to apply GL their way I got alot of tangles and they were always stringy.  Then I took the socap class and adjusted my technique between the two techniques and have no problems at all like I used to. If your bonds fell out after 2 weeks, or if it broke your hair that is the technician not any specific extensions company.   Hands down the GL hair looks better in the long run than socap, but socaps bonds are stronger and you don't need to use antitap.  Get a referral in your local area... Call salons and ask if thier stylists have them in and go look to see how they look.  I had a wave of people who came in to get their tangles... and I mean beehive mats... taken our right after sallys came out with those new tracks.  People would do them to themselves, and then take them out, but didn't remove all the glue, and when they would go to wash they would glue all their hair together. 

tinker2 wrote: Leducred,   I just had SOCap put in two weeks ago. The hair is two different textures after washing it, and so far 2 have come out by the roots (I have worn extensions for years and am very gentle when brushing my hair). The stylist charged me over 1100 dollars, including the hair (she said it was european) for a half a head, and probably won't even last three months (she said it would last for 6 months at the least). I'm not pleased at all. Will probably go back to my weave, has always been the safest bet for me.

take lots of pics, every angle, every row if you have to.

Hi P.I.P. You have to very gently pull them apart. From now on you will need to finger comb your hair at the roots several times a day, it'll only take a minute or so. If your bonds start to twist together often that may be a sign to have your monthly/bi-monthly maintance done because they've begun to grow out. It has to be part of your daily maintenance and will add to the longevity of your fusion.