3 questions about extensions
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Hair Extension Topics
Forum Name: Hair Extensions
Forum Description: Hair Extensions can be the quick fix for short hair.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=20439
Printed Date: July 29 2025 at 1:27am
Topic: 3 questions about extensions
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Subject: 3 questions about extensions
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 10:23am
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I had extensions (synth) put in for the first time a few days ago to sort out a stupid short hair mistake. Anyway the girl who was doing it said that because my hair has been bleached and then dyed red again it isn't very strong, plus it is only about 5-6cm at the longest so for now I can only have short extensions - so I have a bob. Which I am okay about, but I would like to go longer. My questions are: 1. was she right about keeping my extensions short for now? 2. stupid this, but do synth extensions fade in the sun? 3. how difficult and expensive is it to do your own extensions? That really appeals and a lot women on here seem to be doing their own. I am going to be sticking with extensions for a while until my natural hair grows out, so thanks to anyone who bothers to read this and reply. |
Replies:
Posted By: Jenny_RR
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 10:41am
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Hey Sarah, Do you know what kind of synth it is? Is it monofiber, like ProStyles, Dome, Trimco, or PlastikHaar? 1. It's hard to say without seeing your hair, but sometimes the shorter styles blend better with shorter hair and are easier to maintain. I do think, however, if you wanted a layered style, that would certainly be possible. Again, it's hard to say without seeing your hair. 2. I don't think the colors fade in the sun (although I could be wrong), but the shine does fade after a few washes. 3. It all depends. Some techniques, such as extendtubes, shrinkies, or pretipped fusion, are pretty easy for a beginner to learn. It also helps if you have someone to assist you with the back of your head, although you could do it yourself. Other techniques, such as heat sealing or pinchbraids, are a lot trickier to learn, imo. Hand fusion would fall somewhere in between. As far as expense, it all depends on what you want, but high-quality synth hair is very inexpensive (from $40 to $60 for your whole head, including shipping); start-up supplies for shrinkies (including the pretipping glue) would probably run you about $150; for extendtubes, around $100. There are ways to cut corners and do this even cheaper, but that's a general guide anyway. For a list of tutorials and sellers, check out the Extensions 101 and Bridget threads at the top of the page. Good luck! :) ------------- http://www.beautyaddictmag.com - www.beautyaddictmag.com |
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 11:02am
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Hi Jenny_RR, Thanks for the quick reply! The girl who did my hair wasn't exactly talkative but I think it is monofiber. That's why I would rather do it myself if possible, I can have it the way I want it, you know? The cost aspect as well, the salon was ridiculously expensive for what they did and they were not keen to answer my questions. I will study the threads and links you suggested. I don't know about posting 'photos, I am really reluctant to do that on an open forum, but then again it's difficult for people to give advice when they can't see me!  ------------- |
Posted By: Jenny_RR
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 11:06am
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Yeah, you can always post photos of the back of your head or white out your face or something. Or, you can just point us toward some Internet photos that look like your hair. Do you know what method the salon used? How much did they charge? :) ------------- http://www.beautyaddictmag.com - www.beautyaddictmag.com |
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 12:23pm
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Good idea about the photos, I will try and find some photos of hair like mine. The girl at the salon glued the extensions in with a glue-gun thingy, sorry I don't know what the method is called though, I am still a bit dense when it comes to extensions, but I am trying to learn! I have been reading on the thread about shrinkies and they seem to be the way to go for DIY or am I wrong? The extensions were a birthday present a couple of days ago so I don't know exactly what they cost, but I have had enough hints to know it was a lot! ------------- |
Posted By: Jenny_RR
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 12:32pm
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Yeah, I think shrinkies or extendtubes are both good choices for DIY, and there's plenty of info. here, including tutorials, for each technique. Shinkies have the advantage of being a bit more undectable, plus you have a little more flexibility with the pretipping because the shrinks are large enough and flexible enough to shrink to size. You should make sure to do test strands first, though, for best results. Good luck! :) ------------- http://www.beautyaddictmag.com - www.beautyaddictmag.com |
Posted By: sherrie215
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 1:04pm
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heres the thing that gets me....they tell you that you cant have longer length becuase your hair is bleached, dyed and isnt very strong, yet use a fusion method to attach extensions? ------------- www.hairextensions101.com - www.hairextensions101.com www.mybeautyaddiction.com - www.mybeautyaddiction.com |
Posted By: Jenny_RR
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 1:22pm
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It seems strange to me, too. In fact, I didn't think fusion was used very often with synth; you think it's possible they were heat-seals instead? :) ------------- http://www.beautyaddictmag.com - www.beautyaddictmag.com |
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 2:04pm
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I will give the salon a call tomorrow and find out what method they used and let you know. Sorry to be so vague but this is all new to me! ------------- |
Posted By: sherrie215
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 7:23pm
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You may be right Jenny it may not be fusion, but I have heard of it being done with synthetic, just not the norm. Hey redhairedgirl, your not being vague, you were just not very well informed of the process they did on you. Thats not your fault! Its hard to know what all to ask when you dont know much about it. The stylist should have explained everything to you and gave you some type of written information or care sheets or something that may have explained the process a bit. Youve come to a great place to find information, Im sure you will find lots of useful info and what you dont find just ask, youll get help here! ------------- www.hairextensions101.com - www.hairextensions101.com www.mybeautyaddiction.com - www.mybeautyaddiction.com |
Posted By: zapevaj
Date Posted: February 27 2005 at 11:38pm
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It's not your fault, it's the salon's. I have a special form of suspicion reserved for salons and stylists who won't talk openly about their methods. I mean, sheesh, you're the one who's gonna have to wear it, so shouldn't they tell you, of all people, what they're doing? Anyway, no, synth won't fade. And it is kind of true about the weight and keeping the hair short, though I think a bob is kind of extreme; loose extensions are pretty light, so I think you could get away with shoulder-length or a few inches past it. Extensions are very possible to DIY, though they require a fair amount of effort to get right. I'd recommend practicing on a cheap wig before doing it on your own head- or perhaps trying an easier method first, like bonded wefts. -Rae ------------- http://www.hairalchemy.net - Hair Alchemy |
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 12:55pm
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Thanks for the replies, you are all so nice on here! Right, I 'phoned the salon and spoke to the girl who did my hair (the one who doesn't like to talk). She said that she used profibre extensions and that they were put in using the fusion method because this type of synth can take high temperatures (?). I am quoting what she said here but that doesn't mean I understand it! I am a bit worried now because does that mean it wasn't done properly or that my hair will start to break off? I have only washed it once since it was done using the shampoo and conditioner that they gave me at the salon and it seems ok. They said that the extensions should last about 2 months by which time all my hair should be long enough for them if I want (I only had about 2 thirds done this time) and if I go to them it will cost £400, which I suppose is about $650-700, does that sound expensive. There's no way I can afford that (I am a student) so I wll definitely have to DIY next time. How do I find a colour match to my hair for DIY? ------------- |
Posted By: darthmom
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 12:58pm
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That much for synthetic is absurd, I believe. But I may be wrong Profibre... www.prohair.us maybe? Sounds like the hair itself melts to your hair?! That is a new one for me. But then again, I am a newbie ------------- |
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 1:24pm
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I am thinking perhaps I should go to another salon for a 2nd opinion. I am getting quite worried now that maybe they didn't know what they were doing. My hair feels ok (great in fact!), but if it has damaged my natural hair then I want to know! ------------- |
Posted By: darthmom
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 1:52pm
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Oh, don't get upset...I am sure it is a fine method. There are tons of ways out there, all have their pros and cons. Even if this one has some problems, you may still be fine. None are foolproof, but if they know what they are doing, you could be fine. The woman sounds as though she was very cautious in wanting your hair to be a shorter length, that is a good sign. ------------- |
Posted By: sherrie215
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 1:54pm
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The profiber is most likely prohair by prostyles. It is a good quality synthetic fiber, and yes it can be done with fusion, you just dont hear of it that much, usually fusion is done with human hair. No it does not melt into your hair. The glue is heated and when applied to the extension strand and natural hair it sets/cools very quickly. I dont know if that is expensive or not, Id say probably not that high being done professionally. Ive heard of people spending alot more than that. Its expensive to me considering that Im a DIYer and all I pay for is materials, labor is what costs so much! ------------- www.hairextensions101.com - www.hairextensions101.com www.mybeautyaddiction.com - www.mybeautyaddiction.com |
Posted By: darthmom
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 2:01pm
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I wish these stupid adverts for these places were more up front. Their application reads as such.."Unlike human hair that requires glue....Prostyles are applied using the heat clamp...which creates the heat seal from the hari fibre" ??!! ------------- |
Posted By: sherrie215
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 2:08pm
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I hear ya on that. And my biggest peeve is when they try to make something sound so scientific....such as: 'non surgical method of hair grafting', grrrr just say it dammit, its glued to your head LOL! Or.... natural organic protein bond translation=keratin glue! ------------- www.hairextensions101.com - www.hairextensions101.com www.mybeautyaddiction.com - www.mybeautyaddiction.com |
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 2:30pm
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Thank you sooo much for your reassurance!!! Means I can sleep tonight now without worrying about waking up with my hair next to me on the pillow .The uk is pretty expensive for most things., I have had a look at loads of english salon websites over the last hour and the prices are about what I was quoted. ------------- |
Posted By: darthmom
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 2:40pm
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lol...yeah I think this is why I had a hard time getting a grasp on a lot of the methods in the beginning. Would get confused after hearing you girls talking, then reading the companies ads. Oh well :) What I find most funny, is that these people straight up say "no glue" What is the adhesive they are using? ------------- |
Posted By: zapevaj
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 4:38pm
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Redhairedgirl: 400 pounds is okay for a salon price, but I know of at least three non-salon (mobile stylists) people who probably charge less, and have great portfolios. They also don't use fusion. Fusion is okay to use with synthetic hair, but it's debatable as to whether or not it damages your real hair. In any case, these three girls I know use either heat-seals or pinchbraids, which are extension methods that are certain to not cause damage. Hopefully you're near one of them- there's Snarl Hair in the Midlands, Diversity Hair in Hertsfordshire (St Albans), and the Hairbunniez in London. Let me know if any of those are near you and I'll send you their info and websites. As far as DIYing goes- it's worth a try! Many people here have been successful with doing their own shrinklink or microring extensions. (Pinchbraids and heatseals are great methods, but very hard to do on one's own head.) And since you're in the UK, you can buy ProStyles hair (the stuff you have in now) without a hairdressing license (us unlucky Americans can't). There's also Hairaisers fiber, which I've heard very good things about, and then of course Dome and Plastikhaar. Lots of options for synth! -Rae ------------- http://www.hairalchemy.net - Hair Alchemy |
Posted By: Jenny_RR
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 5:06pm
Ditto what everyone else said: ProHair is high-quality synthetic, and there are lots of comparable options. What's odd, though, is that she would say that ProHair can take high temperatures. It sorta can, in that you could blow it straight or use boiling water to curl it, but it's actually designed to melt with the heating clamp (this is how heat seals are done). I know the salon was vague with you, but do you remember if the tool used to apply them was a heated wand (this would melt the synth onto itself), or was there glue being applied from a glue gun or hotpot? :) ------------- http://www.beautyaddictmag.com - www.beautyaddictmag.com |
redhairedgirl wrote:Posted By: darthmom
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 8:28pm
So it is actually designed to melt into the hair, like I said earlier, and they say in their ad??? ------------- |
Posted By: Jenny_RR
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 8:46pm
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Well, ideally no--it's designed to melt into itself, but not into anyone's real hair (although I'm sure it's possible if a mistake is made). Unlike fusion, which bonds fake hair to your real hair (sometimes with heat), with heat-sealing (aka the Dome method), the real hair is braided with the fake hair in a box (or 4-way) braid, then a small part of the synthetic hair is wrapped around the braid and melted into itself with heat, forming a seal. If done correctly, there should be no damage to the real hair underneath. (There are a few variations on this, some people use a little spirit gum, some don't, but that's the basic jist.) It's different than fusion, though, where the objective is to glue (or melt glue) directly onto the real hair. Hopefully that makes some sense. It's quite a difficult method to learn, and I've only heard of a few DIYers who do it actually, but it's the method that's recommended (I'm pretty certain) for Dome and ProHair, although you can use other methods to attach them. Boogiemama, for example, does her own version of the heat-sealing method. I have pinchbraids with Dome/PH, Kalika had shrinks with PH, and lots of people use extendtubes for this kind of hair, too. Fusion certainly wouldn't be my choice, but again, I'm sure people do that too. :) ------------- http://www.beautyaddictmag.com - www.beautyaddictmag.com |
Posted By: sherrie215
Date Posted: February 28 2005 at 9:04pm
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STS...Prostyles or Dome method of attachment is where they attach the synthetic hair with a braid. They leave a small amount of synthetic out at the top, then they braid the synthetic and real hair together for about an inch. then they wrap the loose synthetic piece that they left out around the braid. And then use the C2 clamp to yes melt it and form a seal. around the braid. If synthetic is being used to do fusion, no the synthetic is not melting into your hair. The only thing that is melted into your hair is the glue. ------------- www.hairextensions101.com - www.hairextensions101.com www.mybeautyaddiction.com - www.mybeautyaddiction.com |
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Date Posted: March 01 2005 at 5:27am
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Thanks again for the feedback everyone! I have calmed down a bit now (serious panic attack there!). Jenny - she used a hot glue gun to put them in. Rae - thank you so much for suggesting uk stylists! I do really fancy having a go at it myself though, my boyfriend says he will help although I am sure he doesn't know how long it will take. lol. A few more questions  If I am buying mail order how do I get a colour match? I want to stick with synth and I have been reading the tutorials, which is the easiest method and type of hair for a beginner? I won't be trying it for at least a month, is it right that the solvents for getting extensions out won't harm my hair? I really want to go longer next time (like down to my bra strap) is that possible when my own hair is still short? Thanks again everyone I love this forum  ------------- |
Posted By: Jenny_RR
Date Posted: March 01 2005 at 6:15am
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OK, it was definitely fusion then. The easiest methods for a beginner, imo, are extendtubes and shrinkies. If you stick with synth, you can get hair from PlastikHaar or Dome; PH is very helpful with the colors. You may need to blend a few to get the perfect match, though. The colors as they appear on screen can be a bit off, so you'll want to ask around (on the boards) about a particular shade before you buy. Purchasing human hair is a whole 'nother story, but if you're interested in that, I would recommend Bohyme (from ebonyline.com), HisandHer, or Glamourhair. You only really need solvent to remove extensions if you are dealing with a fusion/bond method. Extentubes use no glue, so there's no solvent required, and shrinkies use a tiny bit of glue, so you may need just a drop of acetone for some areas (not much, though); vegetable oil will remove most of the residue. I would not recommend doing fusion on yourself. I think it would be possible to go longer, but without seeing your hair, it's hard to say. I would suggest looking at before and after photos in extensionists' galleries. When you find one where the real hair looks like yours and you like the result, show us the link, and we'll give you an idea as to how we think it was done. Good luck! :) ------------- http://www.beautyaddictmag.com - www.beautyaddictmag.com |
Posted By: darthmom
Date Posted: March 01 2005 at 8:02am
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okey dokey guys, got it. thanks :) ------------- |
Posted By: redhairedgirl
Date Posted: March 02 2005 at 3:20am
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Thanks Jenny (you are so knowledgeable!) and everyone else for your help. I will be having a go at doing my own extensions, but not until the ones I've got start to look tatty. And I WILL post some pics when I have done them, so you can all tell me what you think. I'll keep reading the threads in the meantime and carry on asking my dumb questions when I dont understand something. lol ------------- |