Hair Extensions - a Quick Way to a Glamorous Head of Hair

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Have you ever wondered how a celebrity can go from having short hair one week to long, flowing hair the next? The answer lies in hair extensions. Hair extensions can give you instant length, volume, thickness or highlights with just a few short hours spent at the salon. Although most people get hair extensions to add length to their hair, they are also a popular way of adding volume or making hair fuller, or as a quick way to add highlights or color to your hair without making a permanent change.

There are a number of different types of hair extensions available as well as many different techniques for applying them. Hair extensions are either made from synthetic hair, human hair, or a combination of both. Typically the price of human hair extensions is much higher than for synthetic extensions; however the extra cost is almost always worth it since the texture of the human hair extensions will match your own hair much more closely.

When it comes to application techniques, the main techniques used to apply hair extensions are through weaving, bonding, fusion or with clip in extensions. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and each works differently with different types of hair. A hair stylist will be able to advise you on which application method will work best with your hair and give you the most natural results.

Weaving is one of the most common techniques for attaching hair extensions. This process involves attaching wefts of hair to a tiny braid of your own hair. The stylist will braid your hair in cornrows or "tracks" that run horizontally across your head. Wefts of either synthetic or human hair are then sewn onto the braids to give you the look of longer hair. Over time as your hair grows the braids will loosen from your scalp. At this point you need to head back to the salon where they will remove the wefts and examine them for build up or damage. They will then re-braid your hair so it is tight to your scalp again and reattach the wefts of hair on the new braids.

Another common technique for attaching hair extensions is the fusion method. With fusion hair extensions human hair extensions are attached to individual strands of your own hair using glue. Most fusion hair extensions are attached using glue that is hot, although some hair extensions use cold fusion techniques as well. This is the most expensive and time consuming technique for applying hair extensions. You can expect to pay anywhere from about $700-$2000 depending upon how many extensions you get added to your hair. Along with that you should plan to spend many hours at the salon getting it done. Despite the high cost and labor intensive application, fusion hair extensions will give you the most natural looking and believable results. When done correctly fusion hair extensions are nearly indistinguishable from your own hair.

If you are looking for a less permanent option clip-in hair extensions are the ticket. Clip-in hair extensions can be used to add length, color or volume to your hair and are a wonderful option for a single event such as a wedding or prom. Clip-in extensions can be found both in synthetic hair and human hair. The extensions come with a pressure sensitive clip already attached which you can just clip under your hair yourself. For fast, easy hair styles you can also look into clip-on ponytails or buns. To use these extensions you just pull your own hair back into a ponytail and clip the extension over the top. It instantly gives you the look of long hair pulled back into a pretty ponytail. This is the ultimate solution for bad hair days!

No matter what type of extension you choose they are fun way to completely change your look in an instant. Make sure to talk to a stylist about which type of hair extension will work best for your hair type and will help you achieve the look you want.