The
Long and Short
of Hair Extensions
Hair
Extensions can
now be applied
by a stylist
in less than
two hours, and
the results
can last anywhere
from six to
eight months
with the proper
care and maintenance.
There are numerous
benefits to
extensions;
the obvious
benefit is added
length. However,
they also add
fullness to
fine hair, and
with the wide
assortment of
colors available,
can be used
for highlighting
purposes as
well. They are
also great for
people who don't
have the patience
to grow out
a short hairstyle.
Hair Extensions
are the Stylists
latest tool
and most profitable
one too! Yatin
Deshpande, the
man behind Mumbai
based Allure
Hair, shares
his knowledge
with our readers
in this two
part article.
Hair extensions
have been popular
for several
years abroad
but have gained
popularity in
India in the
last few years
only. Once a
celebrity secret,
clip on extensions
have become
a fashion accessory
available to
everyone, and
are capable
of adding thickness,
length and color,
all in a short
matter time.
Movie stars
like Bipasha
Basu have managed
to have a short
hairstyle and
long hair simultaneously
for movie roles.
The instant
way to having
long hair is
extensions.
Hair extensions
can be made
from 100% natural
human hair,
100% synthetic
hair or a mixture
of human, synthetic,
and animal hair.
They are available
in just about
any color, texture,
or length.
Human hair extensions
are available
in two basic
types- Individual
strands and
wefts. The strands
format involves
adding small
sections of
hair to your
existing hair.
Wefts are larger
widths of hair
which looks
like curtain
of hair attached
around the head.
Human hair extensions
can be applied
in a variety
of ways. One
popular method
is to glue the
extensions wefts.
Professionals
will often apply
strands with
subtle color
variations -
this tends to
give the extensions
a more natural
look. Hair extensions
can also be
weaved, braided,
fused, clamped,
or glued.
There are many
varieties of
Hair Extensions
available, but
the best is
Natural or Human
Hair Extensions
and two main
types of application
methods: Individual
Strands and
Hair weft Extensions
which are covered
here.
It is essential
to know about
hair and its
different types
used to make
the extensions
at first.
Different types
and qualities
of hair are
used for hair
extensions today
-European hair.
Chinese hair.
Brushed Indian
hair. Indian
Temple hair.
European hair-
Unsuitable for
hair extensions.
European hair
is very fine
and is available
only in very
small quantities.
Very few European
women grow their
hair long. As
it is necessary
to use virgin
hair for making
hair extensions
it is almost
impossible to
get hair that
never have been
chemically treated.
Chinese hair-
is not preferred
for hair extensions.
Chinese hair
is available
in large quantities.
This type of
hair is too
thick and rigid
to blend with
European hair.
Chinese hair
differs from
European hair
as it has a
round cross-section
as against the
oval shape of
Caucasian hair.
This kind of
hair can be
used for making
wigs and toupees
but not hair
extensions.
Brushed Indian
hair- Unsuitable
for hair extensions.
Thousands of
Indian women
gather the hair
that is collected
in their brushes,
hair of different
lengths, thicknesses
and color. The
hair lies unorganized
in two directions
because of which
it tangles easily.
The different
directions the
hair is in,
and in order
to be able to
use it, it is
necessary to
treat it with
an aggressive
chemical treatment
to strip it
of its cuticle
layer and prevent
it from tangling.
The chemical
treatment that
destroys the
hair cuticle
layer, leaves
it thin, opaque
and fragile.
The hair is
then coated
with silicon
layer which
makes it softer
and gives it
a healthy look.
This coating
has a short
life and gets
depleted with
a few washes.
Indian
Temple hair-
Indian hair
is highly regarded
in the hair
industry because
of its flexibility,
durability,
and texture.
Indian hair
is naturally
thick and lustrous,
so it gives
best possible
styling and
installation
options for
extensions.
The hair is
also naturally
dark, so it
works great
with most braiding
and weaving
applications
for women. Allure
Hair uses 100%
human hair in
virgin condition
of the best
quality. Genetically,
Indian hair
is very similar
to Caucasian
hair in its
basic structure.
It is never
exposed to harsh
chemical treatments.
As the hair
is not chemically
processed in
any way, there
is no damage
to the cuticle.
Indian hair
is preferred
for the manufacturing
of hair extensions.
Our Company,
Allure Hair
utilizes only
hair that has
all the cuticle
layers facing
in the same
direction from
root to end
and, therefore,
do not tangle.
This also ensures
that the extensions
behave exactly
like your own
hair, blending
in perfectly
with your own
hair, looking
natural and
undetectable.
The hair is
much better
suited for coloring,
perming or straightening
if necessary.
Synthetic Hair
This man made
hair is much
cheaper as there
is no limit
to the supply.
It does have
other drawbacks
though; the
most obvious
being that it
will never perfectly
match your own
hair. For someone
wanting to change
his look without
much expense
this is a good
option.
On the maintenance
side, synthetic
hair does have
a tendency to
matt excessively
if you shampoo
it therefore
it's only really
suitable for
adding strands
to the rest
of your hair.
Care has to
be taken when
blow drying
as this type
of hair can
easily burn,
causing it to
frizz. Extra
products are
needed to help
get your brush
through the
hair to prevent
it from tangling.
Natural
or Human Hair
Natural or human
hair used for
the purpose
of making wigs
or extensions
comes in many
varieties, and
looks the most
natural. The
major advantage
of natural hair
is that it can
be treated and
maintained just
as you would
maintain your
own hair. But
it does have
a tendency to
tangle together
only if not
cared for properly.
The cost varies
according to
quality.
This article
is Part 1 of
the 3 part series
on Hair Extensions
and is written
by Yatin Deshpande,
a well known
Hair Stylist,
Make up Artist
& Cosmetologist.
Presently, his
company Allure
Hair manufactures
premium quality
natural hair
wigs, Hair Extensions
and other human
hair hand crafted
products for
hair salons,
beauty &
barber supply
houses, Hospital
& Health
Care ( Cancer,
Chemotherapy/
Alopecia patients
), hair replacement
centers, Film,
Television,
Theatre &
entertainment
industry.
He can be contacted
on 9820045882/
9869076812,
E-mail - allurehair@in.com,
yatindeshpande@indiatimes.com
/ www.allurehair.co.in
for more details
