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? 

 

 

Your hair peer,

who's desperate for opinions,

                   Andieplease

                                                        

 

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

  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.