This is the story of my endless search for the absolute best hair in the world: Raw Virgin Russian and Eastern European Human Hair.

I cannot even begin to tell you about the hundreds of hours and hundreds of dollars I have spent on researching human hair for use in my own extensions.  I have spent so much time on the internet this past year that my husband is convinced that I am having an affair!!!!  I told him it's only and affair with hair!!!

I have used every search engine and means possible to get as much information as I could on every type and aspect of human hair used for hair extensions and wig making.  I could probably write a lengthy book on the subject, I'm just not sure who would want to buy it!

So to make a long story as short as possible,

I have been wearing extensions myself almost continuously for the last 3 years.  I am absolutely addicted to them and would not feel like myself without them.  I have fine, thin hair that just doesn't seem to want to grow, so I found this alternative. 

I have purchased through many different suppliers the many different types of hair that I have worn these past years.  Through trial and error, I have come to find out what works best for me.  I am caucasian with fine hair, so of coarse most of the hair I puchased was drastically different than my own and would take a lot of effort to make it look right and natural, and then would go to waste after the one time use.

I came to the conclusion that the best hair out there is Virgin Russian hair, which can also be obtained through some eastern european countries such as the Ukriane, Moldova, Poland, and Byelorussia.  I have found at least 10 different companies which say they supply this superior hair, and have started to ask for availability, price lists, lengths, colors, shipping information, and quality garauntees.

All of the companies will only sell hair by the kilogram. In US terms: 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds = 35.2 ounces of hair.  Some companies claim to have the best, and some companies are WAY overpriced.  Probably because they are the middleman and trying to make a little profit for themselves.  Also, almost all of the companies don't sell hair by the specific color, so you can't request it.  You can however request the length you want.  And since it is all natural and comes in the individual ponytails as they were cut off the heads, it is single drawn and in natural colors.

I have been a stay-at-home mom to my little ones, and in order to spend that kind of money on hair I've had to return to work.  My ultimate goal is to get the money to buy a kilogram of hair, find the best possible supplier with the best possible hair at the best possible price.  It is imperative that I don't get cheated because I just couldn't afford to replace it!

Then I started to see the need and want for this extremely high quality hair.  I figured stylists that do one or two clients a month that can afford and want this kind of hair really have no need for such an upfront investment.  So I thought I could purchase a kilo and part it out amongst the local stylists, saving us all a lot of money!  I would advertise by making up some pamphlets about why this hair is superior and how to go about getting it.

So this leaves me with quite a few questions.  If any of you out there could help my it would be greatly appreciated!!!

1. Would stylists want to puchase single drawn hair that they could then color themselves either before or after it was attatched to their clients head?  Or is it just more convenient to buy pre-colored hair?

2. In what types of units shoud I sell it?  The standard 4 oz. or perhaps by the ounce so they could buy exactly what they needed?

3. Would their clients know of, and appreciate, the reusability of this hair and the hair's quality?

4. Should I just go from salon to salon here in my local area, or try to start a website where sylists all over the US could purchase exactly the amount that they needed?  I am not even sure I could afford at first to supply that many people!

5. THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION!!!!!  Who is a reputable supplier?  Who can I trust?  Who really does have the good stuff?  I cannot afford to make a mistake with this!  I have a lengthy list of suppliers and e-mail addresses.

The quest continues!!!!!

Hello-

Welcome to our board, we are professionals, diyers(do it yourself ers) and people gaining info. there is lots to learn and ask here.

As a professional myself who does at least 3 full install a Week and maintance 4 days a week, i can tell u this-

i do not have the time to color or pre tip hair. IT has to be good quality and last at least 6 mths min. it cannot shed, tangle or matt. it has to be 100% human hair.

typicially i buy 200 strands per full head. so usually the hair companys sell it per strand or per pack. usually there is 100 or 200 strands per pack, unless a perticular brand has it for 25 per pack such as extensions plus or Shrinkies.net

my clients appreciate the fact that the hair is reusable, mainly because of the method i use( locs tubes and shrinkies) my clients want good hair and i do to.

i would do both- go to salons and also make a website, be prepared if u go to a salon, make sure, they do extensions so u dont waste your time, also realize anyone who does extensions is usually busy and cant take time away from clients to talk to sales people- typicially when  i do extensions, i am not ever to be interupted, all my calls are screened and stylist and receptionist know to not interupt me, its very intense detailed work, and clients are paying for my expertise, not to be talking to others while i am working on them. i would suggust you call salons who do extensions, and ask for an apointment.

the initial investment is high-

this day and age extensions are wanted by everyone and everyone is selling hair- good bad and ugly-

people who truly want to help others and make some money while do so- such as shrinkies.net and yourhairshop.com

there are others however for the most part, most people are just seeing greenbacks and selling crappy hair as you have already experienced yourself. Suppliers are plentiful, you would just have to continue researching and asking for samples. there are many places in china that sell hair, some good, some bad and some terrible. who can u trust, thats something i cannot answer. i have about three different suppliers of three different hair- all are great, and all are great prices. i HAVE to have hair in stock at all times- i hate waiting for hair to come, hoping its right, hoping its on time. i just recently purchased over 4,000 strands from two different companies- shrinkies.net being one and another supplier i just found- most stylist do not stock alot of hair so it could be possible for u to get some samples-most places latley want u to pay for samples- and contact some extensionists and get a huge order or min. order from company and start from there. there are some companies that want u to purchase 1000 strands per color, if u could do that - then u will start to build your supply. hope this helps and lots of luck to u.

S

Very well said, Tangles!

1. I don't have the time to color hair for clients, plus it's sometimes hard to get it to come out just right anyway.  I personally like double drawn hair that's already the color that I need it to be.

2. Selling hair in smaller increments, like 1 or 2 ounces would be great, since most clients wear more than one color.

3. Client's love to reuse hair!  Why wouldn't they, it saves them money in the long run.  I don't do any extension application where you can't reuse the hair at least 3 times.

4. I think a website is the best marking tool.  Also create nice brochures and send samples out to select extension salons.  Jet Set Extensions sent me a sample and a price list, I didn't ask for it, but I decided to give them a try and I was happy with their hair.

I think most stylists are too busy to be interrupted during the work day.  I would not be happy to be interupted.

5. Good supliers are hard to come by.  I agree with what Tangles said.  I don't want to have to stock an inventory, so getting quality hair with fast shipping is top priority to me.  I want to order from a company who has great hair, reasonable prices, has most colors / lengths / textures in stock, and will ship it to me fast.