QuoteReplyTopic: New to extensions. I beg of you, help! Posted: July 29 2007 at 10:46pm
Sorry for this, it's a very long post, but I figured the explaination was needed. PLEASE HELP!
Awhile back I had decided to get hair extensions. After doing a ton of research on prices, brands, lengths, colors, methods, and reading many of the posts on this website (which I LOVE), I had finally decided. For me it would be Bohyme 18" French refined in an ashblonde color. This would be perfect because all I would need to do in the morning is to scrunch my hair a little and go, no product needed.
All that was left was to find the salon. That was such a pain. I went throught the 2 whole phonebooks of beauty salon sections and called each place. In the end I came up with 2.
The first salon I had been to before, and the woman who did extensions, had previously styled my hair. But she said the whole process with out supplying the hair would be $300. (for me that's expensive). But I told her I would call back later to make sure of everything.
The second place that was available said that the process would cost $200 or less depending on the amount of tracks necessary.
I then asked her what she recomended in my hair, just incase. She told me to forget about Bohyme because it was too expensive and that I wouldn't be able to take care of them properly (because I'm a bit young). Like I didn't know not to condition the roots, not put oil in it or not use alcohol based products. Then she recomended that I go to a place in the capital city and find cheaper hair, for around $50 dollars. I brought up the fact that most cheaper hair has no cuticle and might tangle faster. She said it was a better idea. Then she told me that I would need to buy 2 packs of hair along with a pack of synthetic hair so she could weave it. Like the synthetic would hold the braids better. And she also mentioned the fact that my braids would hurt because of the scalp tension.
After all of this I'm not sure exactly what to do. When an extension artist does tracks do they need the synthetic hair? Are the braids suppose to be pulled so tightly they hurt? Should I get the cheaper hair? Should I just go to the first salon? Who's right?
There's a lot of folks out there (stylists and extensions wearers) who still do NOT understand the value of investing in better quality hair.. I used to have a stylist like this.. I didn't hold it against them because they were still a very skillful stylist, and I knew they meant well.. I purchased and used the hair I wanted to use, and in the end this stylist still installed the hair I purchased, and still did an EXCELLENT job on the install.. So I would not concern myself with the stylists opinions on the hair you use. As long as she has no REAL issue with you bringing the hair you want to use, her opinion is hers to have..
One small caveat: Some stylists will not work with low quality hair, and I understand why. However, I would be leary of a stylist who insisted that you use a particular brand. (Especially if they are insisting on using a low quality brand)
The braids are not supposed to hurt. They should be tight, and may be slightly uncomfrotable when first installed, but they should not hurt. The use of synthetic hair is to help create less "slip" in the braids for those with silkier textured hair. It's not always needed, but if you've never had a sew-in done before, you might want to err on the side of caution and use the synthetic hair just to be safe..
Go with the stylist who made you feel at ease.. I'm of the mindset that you and your stylist should "vibe".. Talk to the stylists you spoke to and express your concerns (about the hair and the pain factor).. If neither one of them is making you feel at ease, then find someone else.. HTH
Edited by Divavocals - July 29 2007 at 11:56pm
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
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First off, I am so glad you sought advice before making a decision you were unsure of. Many women won't do that. Secondly, I agree with Diva, braids should not be painful but for the first few days the may be a little uncomfortable. Adding synth hair is normal, I had to have it done when I wore tracks in my hair.
Where do you live, we may be able to help you find another stylist who's less expensive but more supporting. Both prices that were quoted are reasonable if they included the full service, shampooing etc.
Another options is one of your local beauty schools. The prices are cheaper and they usually take walk ins. I know some people shun schools but the stylist are seniors and the instructors are right there to assist them.
I sympathize with you. It can be a daunting experience getting extensions for the first time. There are sooo many types of hair and methods.
I agree here with the ladies that it’s better to get the best quality hair you can to start off with. It might cost you a little more but when you weigh the pros and cons, you come out ahead monetarily with better quality hair. It will last longer and will remain nicer for the life of the install. There is nothing worse than having a nasty, tangly mess on your head not even a month into it which can happen. This can also turn you off extensions.
Sew ins are nice. I am wearing one now with 3 tracks that cost me $100. I LOVE it! It’s just very secure and non- detectible. For me personally it has worked better than any other method I’ve used in the past. Granted the time in between re-positioning is a little shorter with a weave but it’s more comfortable to wear I feel. My favorite part of it is I can really brush when I want to. I don’t have to worry about little bonds catching and pulling out. I can grab the hair, pin it up, and be a little rougher than I was able to with bonds. That’s just been my experience with it. Good luck and let us know what you choose.
Also, I don’t think they should hurt. The tracks should feel snug but not to the point of giving you headaches or real pain. Some people have more sensitive scalps than others and the stylist should be conscious of this. I was afraid mine would fall out so I said go as tight as you can and that might have been a mistake lol but the tense feeling went away after about a week. The braiding hair was not used on my install. She only used thread and small rubber bands. The tracks have stayed secure thus far without it but I am looking into using this braiding hair on my re-position as it seems recommended by a lot of stylists. She may have just not used it on me because I didn’t know to provide it. I don’t know.
She may have just not used it on me because I didn’t know to provide it. I don’t know.
Krimsa you crack me up girl.. Now that my hair has grown out.. I don't use the synthetic hair in my braids anymore, but when my stylist did use it in my braids, she always provided the synthetic hair.. I NEVER had a stylist not provide the synthetic hair.. Check with your stylist to be sure.. I would be surprised if she expected you to provide the synthetic hair.. BUT if she does, it's cheap as heck to buy and it shoould get you through MANY installs..
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
Cool. Thanks Diva. I dont know honestly. She was sort of magical and mysterious lol. She was behind me so i could not tell what she was doing but sort of saw her pulling something threadlike and then wrapping rubber bands. She never mentioned braiding hair or anything like that. is it possible she used it? Does it kind of look like thread? Lol Im clueless. This was my first weave. All i know is it did feel tight but I told her go tight because I knew I would have to go a ways in between installs. She pulled tight and I was sore for a while. It has not come loose in the slightest though. I will find out what she did when I go back heheh.
http://www.nvmyhair.piczo.com/?cr=4&rfm=y
Thats her site. You probably cant tell what she does just from photos though. Shes in Dorchester near Boston and she works out of her house but has a cool set up. Shes really good.
Cool. Thanks Diva. I dont know honestly. She was sort of magical and mysterious lol. She was behind me so i could not tell what she was doing but sort of saw her pulling something threadlike and then wrapping rubber bands. She never mentioned braiding hair or anything like that. is it possible she used it? Does it kind of look like thread? Lol Im clueless. This was my first weave. All i know is it did feel tight but I told her go tight because I knew I would have to go a ways in between installs. She pulled tight and I was sore for a while. It has not come loose in the slightest though. I will find out what she did when I go back heheh.
http://www.nvmyhair.piczo.com/?cr=4&rfm=y
Thats her site. You probably cant tell what she does just from photos though. Shes in Dorchester near Boston and she works out of her house but has a cool set up. Shes really good.
You are funny girl!! Mysterious huh?? It doesn't sound like she used synthetic, but heck who knows... A SMALL amount of it might like thread.. Ask her girl! I always ask my stylist questions if I see them doing something that looks a little new..
Edited by Divavocals - July 30 2007 at 5:22pm
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
I will next time. We were sort of shooting the breeze and stuff because she wants to move to New Hampshire (Hope she does!) heheh so it was social kind of thing the first time but next time I will.
She didnt really like the feel of the Russian hair though and said it will look too thin. It was fine once installed though. She offered to ad in a weft of hair she had for free which was very nice but i thought it was okay. I wasnt going for a lot of volume.
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krimsa wrote:
