Banishing Bad Hair Days since 1997!™
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Brigid's Fusion Install
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Brigid's Fusion Install

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Karen Shelton View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: November 26 2000
Status: Offline
Points: 4521
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Karen Shelton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Brigid's Fusion Install
    Posted: September 13 2007 at 6:46pm
Hi,
 
No Brigid did not do this by herself but yes Do It Yourself as represented by all the DIY shows on cable & related media can mean doing it with the help of a few friends.  Brigid does hope to eventually do installs completely by herself.  I think as we move forward she probably will be able to be 100% DIY.  For now, we are still learning.
 
The kit was from Academy Hair.  It included 100 pre-tipped Keratin Human Hair strands, a few templates, clips, brush, sectioning comb and a fusion tool.  The hair was 16" long and we weighed the strands before they were put into Brigid's hair.  They weighed .2 ounces for a total of 2 ounces for the 100 pieces.  The hair was Grade A hair...meaning all the lengths were the same and it was Remy or cuticle hair.  It was classified as "European hair" but really nice hair. 
 
Academy Hair Kit With Pretipped Hair, Clips, Comb, Brush & Fusion Tool
 
The install only took 3 1/2 hours BUT after the first day, it was agreed Brigid need more strands added to the original 80 for a total of 100.  It was also agreed a trim was needed along the ends which Billy trimmed into a U shape.  Blonde, multiple shades of brunette and a few red were added to match Brigid's current highlight pattern.
 
I have lots of photos so I hope they all show up.
 
Brigid Before Fusion Install - Front View
 
Brigid Before Fusion Install - Back View
 
 
Brigid With First Section 
 
Brigid After Sides And Several Back Strands Applied
 
Billy cut the strands in half and then mixed brunette with blonde or red to create real life highlights to match Brigid's current hair color scheme.
 
Brigid After 80 Strands Before Final Hair Cut
 
 
Brigid After 80 Strands Added Before Hair Cut - Back View
 
Notice how her there appeared to be blending issues along the bottom.  Adding 20 more strands to fill in and blend did the trick.
 
 
 
Brigid After 20 Additional Strands (100 Total) & Final Hair Trim
 
It was agreed by all that Brigid needed more blonde to even out the front highlights so Billy added mostly blonde for the 20 additional strands.
 
 
 
Brigid & Billy After 100 Total Strands Added & Final HairCut
 
Brigid is beyond thrilled.  Brigid helped Billy throughout the install. 
 
My role?  Taking lots of notes and photos as well as suggesting the additional 20 strands to add better blending.
 
Kudos to B&B for being willing to share their latest install.


Edited by Karen Shelton - September 13 2007 at 7:13pm
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)
Back to Top
DanaCO View Drop Down
Junior Member
Junior Member
Avatar

Joined: April 09 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 141
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DanaCO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 13 2007 at 6:52pm

Great job!

Back to Top
Divavocals View Drop Down
Elite Member
Elite Member
Avatar

Joined: February 13 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 2351
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Divavocals Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 13 2007 at 6:52pm
Yeah for Billy & Brigid!!! We LOVE them!!! I like this hair much better on Brigid!!!!
Check out the 5th So Cal offline luncheon?? For more info: divahairtalk.overthehillweb.com/lunch.html

Links to my fav vendors & hair albums + Weave 101 information: divahairtalk.overthehillweb.com
Back to Top
malibu View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 17 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1531
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote malibu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 13 2007 at 6:59pm
NICE!!! G R E A T ********  W O R K!! 

I think you nailed it this time guys! Brigid your hair looks completely natural! I love the colors.

Enjoy your hair Brigid!!

Back to Top
stormchaser View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: February 15 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 11
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stormchaser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 13 2007 at 7:05pm
The install looks great on you. It changes your looks so much. That smile says it all. There seems to be a real glow of happiest there.
Great Jobs to all of you!!!!!!!
Thanks for continuing to do the reviews!!!!!!!!!!
Back to Top
sherrie215 View Drop Down
Super Elite Member
Super Elite Member
Avatar

Joined: December 21 2004
Status: Offline
Points: 4424
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sherrie215 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 13 2007 at 7:09pm

SMOKIN' HOT!!! GORGEOUS install!

GREAT job Billy and Brigid!!
 
Kudos to the notes/picture taker too! Wink
Back to Top
Amira View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: September 10 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 24
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Amira Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 13 2007 at 8:47pm
Very, very natural look. Awesome color choice too. Well done!
Back to Top
Bridget View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: January 07 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 616
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bridget Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 13 2007 at 10:15pm
wow, that extra 20 really made a big difference... looks great!
Back to Top
Karen Shelton View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: November 26 2000
Status: Offline
Points: 4521
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Karen Shelton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 13 2007 at 10:51pm
Thank you all for your feedback.  It is very much appreciated.  Thank you also for all your help, support and encouragement.
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)
Back to Top
KidRobot View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: September 05 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 42
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KidRobot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 1:05am
OMG - WOW it looks so GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big%20smile
I am so happy for Brigid - she seems happy too! 
Billy looks proud of his work - as he should be. 
Great job guys!
cheer
Back to Top
oh*so*sassy View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: July 06 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 93
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oh*so*sassy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 8:05am
Wow- looks great! Job well done.Thumbs%20Up
I really like the colors, and the long length does suit her well. Enjoy!
Back to Top
FinaFina View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: February 12 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 585
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FinaFina Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 9:03am
Where did you buy the Academy Hair Kit? How much was it? The install looks *GREAT* and I totally agree with the fact that the additional 20 strands made a *huge* difference. That's generally the case with all installs. . .when blending seems to be an issue there's usually not enough hair.
 
As usual I want to know how the bonds wear. . .this is always the "Holy Grail" for me with fusion. While I hate the expense of Great Lengths I've yet to find bonds that wear as well (i.e. don't swell then come out easily).
 
Keep us posted!!!
Back to Top
krimsa View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: April 25 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 702
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote krimsa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 11:52am
Smokin! I like the way its kind of fine an silky lookin and not overly heavy. To me that always looks a bit more natural especially if your natural hair is fine. Its almost just how it would be if you grew it out on your own. Good job!
Back to Top
Ms.Honey View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 12 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1108
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ms.Honey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 2:46pm
perfect, perfect, perfect. You guys did a great jobClap. I bet this was much easier wasn't it?
ALL EYES ON ME
Back to Top
asinnamon View Drop Down
Junior Member
Junior Member
Avatar

Joined: April 02 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 350
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote asinnamon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 14 2007 at 2:54pm
Hey Karen!  Yup, I agree with everyone else!!  The install looks wonderful, Billy did a great job.  His sections look great and the extra 20 tips made a huge difference!
 
I too want to know where you got the hair!!
Back to Top
Karen Shelton View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: November 26 2000
Status: Offline
Points: 4521
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Karen Shelton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 12:50pm
Originally posted by FinaFina FinaFina wrote:

Where did you buy the Academy Hair Kit? How much was it? The install looks *GREAT* and I totally agree with the fact that the additional 20 strands made a *huge* difference. That's generally the case with all installs. . .when blending seems to be an issue there's usually not enough hair.
 
As usual I want to know how the bonds wear. . .this is always the "Holy Grail" for me with fusion. While I hate the expense of Great Lengths I've yet to find bonds that wear as well (i.e. don't swell then come out easily).
 
Keep us posted!!!
 
Hi FinaFina,
 
My friend Barbara Lhotan who is a hairstylist & salon manager at Elie Elie Salon in Winchester, Virginia and a Paul Mitchell educator arranged for us to acquire the kit.  The kit cost approximately $450 which included all the items in the kit, all the hair we used and training from Barbara.
 
I talked to the manufacturer of the kit on the phone late yesterday (he is in the New York area) and he told me that their "official" policy is to only sell the Academy Hair kits to either cosmo students (me) or stylists (Billy).
 
He did tell me when I asked where the hair was from that he got the hair for our kit from Donna Bella and it is from India.  Academy Hair does not use any Asian hair in their kits.  He did say that they are always searching for other hair suppliers because they want the highest quality but that the hair we had was definitely DB.  He spoke very highly of Donna Bella hair and said it has a very high consistency for being top quality.
 
I do have to say that the hair was gorgeous.  Really silky and soft and compared to Angie's Chinese hair, a much finer texture, which worked perfectly for Brigid's fine hair.  Of course Angie has thick and somewhat coarse hair so the Chinese was a good match for Angie.
 
He did confirm that the hair we received was 100% Remy HH classified as Type A hair with all the strands the same length.  We talked about the weight of the hair but I was confused because he was converting everything into grams.  I need to work on understanding all the different measurements (grams, ounces, bags...etc.,)
 
He also said that they normally require anyone using the Academy Hair kits take an official class first before they sell the kit.  Since Barbara came to Dallas and spent time teaching Billy and I how to use the fusion kit they decided to count that as the official class requirement. 
 
The kit manufacturer told me that they primarily market to cosmo students and hair stylists in the Northeast. 
 
Unfortunately at this time they do not currently sell directly to consumers although I think they are considering possible options for the future.  I did discuss what it might take to sell to consumers. 
 
The concern of all this kit manufactuers as well as the makers of other professional kits that I have talked to is that unlike the highly sophisticated DIYers who visit BHM, HB and 101, average consumers might have problems if they bought a kit and did not have proper support and education.
 
I have mixed opinions but understand their concerns.  My friend who is the hair broker in Dallas and I have had several conversations about his hair and kits and he has expressed major concerns about unhappy customers if he sold direct to consumers.
 
What do you guys think?
 
 
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)
Back to Top
Karen Shelton View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: November 26 2000
Status: Offline
Points: 4521
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Karen Shelton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 12:52pm
Originally posted by krimsa krimsa wrote:

Smokin! I like the way its kind of fine an silky lookin and not overly heavy. To me that always looks a bit more natural especially if your natural hair is fine. Its almost just how it would be if you grew it out on your own. Good job!
 
Hi Krimsa,
 
Thank you so much for your feedback.  It really is fine and silky.  Brigid has fine hair and is really happy with the results.  She said is feels very light.  She was going out of town to Houston for a big wedding this weekend and was so thrilled that she had "new hair" to wear with her new outfit she bought for the wedding. 
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)
Back to Top
Karen Shelton View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: November 26 2000
Status: Offline
Points: 4521
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Karen Shelton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 12:53pm
Originally posted by Ms.Honey Ms.Honey wrote:

perfect, perfect, perfect. You guys did a great jobClap. I bet this was much easier wasn't it?
 
Hi Ms. Honey,
 
Glad you are back!  Thanks for the feedback.  It was very fast.  Billy keeps getting faster and faster.  I bet the next time he could do it even better.  The beauty of trial and error...you learn as you fall down. 
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)
Back to Top
Karen Shelton View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: November 26 2000
Status: Offline
Points: 4521
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Karen Shelton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 12:59pm
Originally posted by asinnamon asinnamon wrote:

Hey Karen!  Yup, I agree with everyone else!!  The install looks wonderful, Billy did a great job.  His sections look great and the extra 20 tips made a huge difference!
 
I too want to know where you got the hair!!
 
Hi Asinnamon,
 
Thank you so much.  Yes, the 20 tips made a huge difference.
 
When she came to work on Friday, the 2nd day after the install, she reported that she had lost 4 strands in the shower.  She of course brought the strands in for Billy and I to see.  We think we know what happened, Billy cut some of the strands in half so that he could match a blonde to a brunette strand to give that highlight effect.  In cutting the keratin at the top, it appears that maybe too much was cut off and the tips did not bond as well.
 
Brigid has learned to be very careful when washing her hair and was a little upset that a few strands popped out.  When she was wearing her previous install she lost a few strands but not in the shower.  She traveled to Australia while wearing her previous install and slept for over 12 hours on the plane both ways.  That is when the strands came out. 
 
With your expertise with keratin would you think that cutting too much off the pre-tip would cause the strands to drop?
 
Also, when I talked to the kit manufacturer he told me that recommend that people use shampoo and conditioners for colored treated hair.  He did not mention a specific brand.  He said it was because the hair is actually colored treated and color shampoo/conditioners are more gentle.
 
Brigid was careful not to get conditioner near her bonds, washed in lukewarm water and was careful when detangling.  She did use a blow dryer though so that might have had an impact?
 
The hair was Bella Donna from India.
 
Thanks again for your feedback and your help.
That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or drives you totally insane. :-)
Back to Top
asinnamon View Drop Down
Junior Member
Junior Member
Avatar

Joined: April 02 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 350
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote asinnamon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2007 at 10:23pm
I think it can be typical to lose a few strands.  The first thing that would come to mind would be too small of a section of natural hair, but I would say that cutting too much off a tip, especially if you were using a flat or U shaped tip could effect the outcome.  
 
I have heard great things about the Donna Bella hair and bonds too!!  Let us know how they perform over time!!
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down