Hi,

I am about to start up a hair extensions saloon and retail shop, and I would really appreciate some tips on the way, since I have never runned my own company in the UK before.

Does anyone now where I can get additional education within the UK to attach hair extensions, or where to learn new technicues etc.?

I would really appreciate your advice, by surfin around on this forum I can tell that you all know a lot about hair extensions and application methods etc...

Best regards,

Camilla

I am not a professional but I have did a few sew-ins for friends.  I learned how to do it by watching.  It seems to me that fusion, microrings, and shrinkies are not complicated methods, so I suggest you get a manniquin head and practice before you try a new method on a client.  Pinch braids look difficult to me, but I am sure that this method is not even that hard with practice.  If you can microbraid extensions you can do this method, but I can't do micros with extension hair.

If you go to the other Hair Extensions section (Facts and FAQs) you will find a lot of links that show good photos of each method.

Good luck on starting your business :)

Thank you for your answer.

I know how to make extensions with the micro rings technique, but I would like to learn to do it with shrinkies...

Does anyone know if I need any special certificates to run a hair extension saloon in the UK? Maybee that would be good to find out before opening...

Well if you know how to do micro rings, you almost already have the tecnique down already!:D just instead of the metal clamp , you use a heat wand to shrink it down...Its sooo easy!:D

I dont know about certification in the Uk...but i think our laws are quite similar..., i dont think you can do chemical services to peoples hair without being proffesional..O.o i dunno

But the african salongs dont need any certicicates i think?

As long as I am not cutting peoples hair I should be fine, I think, will check it up tomorrow anyways...

Thank you for your respond!

Just some tougths that came in my head....

Most people when dealing with theire hair need to feel safe and secure about the stylist abilities and skill.  And also when it comes to expensive and posh tings like extensions they want it to look and be as expensive as it is.

It helps if you have like a way cool design and outlook of your saloon. Its all about how you sell your product...:D

But i can not stress enough about educating your self...:D

"Live as you where going to die tomorrow, LEARN as if you where going to live for ever!"

So i would recomend you to take as many classes you can cause you always gonna learn something new! Also Pratice pratice pratcise!

Make a good portfolio that you can show to future costumers to show your previous work.

Thank you for that Moffpoff!

Anybody that knows where to find good classes in the UK, preferably in the South-East?

Thanks,

Camilla

Hi Camilla, welcome to the board.  Im from the Uk also and do extensions and sell the products.

My best advice would be to throughly research any hair you are going to offer before making a big investment.

I can also recommend some Professional training courses for you.  Where are you located exactly?

Hi again, all!

I am based in Portsmouth, Hants.

How is the quality of the hair bought from China? I have been in contact with a supplier there that says that he has Indian hair as well.

I also have a good direct-channel from India, do anyone of you know any good manufacturer or supplier of hair extensions products in India?

please please please learn as much as you possibly can before working on clients!

I second that Kate...^^  Buy a few practise heads and cut them in different lengths and styles....

Example :

1: A short bob, maby 4 inches and thin it out a bit:P that should give you a real hard time xD But tests your skill

2: A shoulderlengt weary thick hair style...make blending hard.

Im not going to rant on here...you understand my point,....try making different hairtypes on the practise heads...:D when you feel like you have practise enough, i would recomned that you cut one style reeealy short , and then apply Extensions...:D

Practise and learn everything possible....:D read trough the old treads here..its sooh helpful:D

hi lamplight, i have been self employed for years now and am a fully qualified hair technician and extensionist. i have undergone a huge amount of extra training and been on loads of courses to be able to produce the standard of work i do today. for the sake of your prospective clients please at least qualify to level 2 nvq hairdressing before you start!! cutting and styling extension hair is an art in itself as myself and amanda will tell you the techniques used to cut extension hair is completely different to cutting normal hair and there is nothing that ruins a good set of extensions more than them being cut wrongly!! also when the extensions craze dies down a bit then you need to be able to offer other hairdressing services or your business could nosedive!! professionalism really counts as extensions can so easily ruin peoples hair if the techniques are wrong. train train train!! you can never know too much!! hair extension training is provided within the nvq 3 advanced level cirriculum, after all other hairdressing skills are learnt, for a reason. good luck with your venture xx

I know in fact that I am able to fit hair extensions, since it has been a big hobby of mine for many years now (I actually have learned my boyfriend to fit my own as well... lol)

But maybe you are right that I need education before opening my own extension shop and salon?

I think I have to sit down and think about if it is worth the money...

But in the other hand, my future plans is to start to sell most of the hair over the internet to good prices, as well as wholesale to other salons.

Thank you for all your comments, it has helped a lot, and I will let you know what I decide to do...

Best,

Camilla