How do you know if you’re investing in high quality hair extensions?

The hair extension market is extremely saturated, and as a client it can be overwhelming to even know where to begin. The biggest recommendation I have is to choose a stylist who truly specializes in hair extension services. You want to ask to see their certification, and research whatever method they are certified in. You want to know what the installation process will look like and if it will be safe and comfortable for you to wear. 

There are several types of hair extension installation methods, with more appearing all the time. Some of the main installation methods are beaded row extensions, tape-in extensions, keratin tip or k-tip extensions, and so on. Then it comes to the actual hair used to make the hair extensions.  Maybe your stylist chooses it for you and you have no idea what brand it is, where it came from, and what the quality of it will be. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! High quality hair extensions are not cheap and you need to know as much info as possible in order to make sure your investment is worth the price. 

You want to know what brand it is, and what type of weft you are getting. There are a few different types of wefts available on the market- hand-tied wefts, micro or genius wefts, and machine tied wefts. Lots of brands will intermix different titles for these main three categories, but those are the main ones. They each provide different benefits and come in at different price points, and there is a time and a place for each.

Hand-tied wefts are actually made by hand, and each little individual bundle of hair is tied onto a thread and tied off by hand, making these wefts lay extremely flat, but also making them very tedious to make and somewhat fragile when compared to other weft types. They cannot be cut along the weft line because they will unravel, and the weft line contains a “mustache” or return hairs, which is where the hair is tied around the thread. This weft line must be dried 100% every time you wash it or get it wet. These wefts do give slightly more volume at the root due to the return hair, making them great for someone looking for extra fullness. 

Micro or genius wefts are the newest innovation, and they are awesome because they lay as flat as a hand-tied weft, but the weft line is sealed and therefore doesn’t have to be dried 100% every time. They do not have a “mustache” or return hair, and they’re great for someone who needs to air dry their hair- especially with a wavy texture. 

Machine tied wefts are much thicker and bulkier, because they are made with a sewing machine and they come much bulkier/thicker than a hand-tied weft. These are great because they are typically more cost effective, but not as comfortable or seamless to wear. 

Then it comes to the actual hair that is used to make the wefts. Hair can be sourced from many different places all around the world, and it can be natural or synthetic. You always want to look for 100% human hair that is ethically sourced- meaning the donors were paid for donating it. You also want to look for “remy” hair- coming from the French word ‘Remettre’, meaning ‘to out back’. This means that all of the hair strands are ‘put back’ to the original direction it grew in, preventing tangling that occurs when the hair strands are going in opposite directions. 

Another factor to consider is texture. Hair extensions come in all textures and curl patterns- fine, coarse, straight, wavy, and curly. You want to look for a texture that matches your natural hair the most, that way the texture of the extensions is as close to your natural hair as possible, making the blend even more seamless. 

This is definitely a lot of information, and it can be very overwhelming when you are in the process of investing in hair extensions- especially for the first time. It is so common for people to jump right in because they see the beautiful before and after photos, only to quickly realize that the hair extensions they invested in were not what they expected at all. Unfortunately by that point it is often too late if the hair was not the best quality or if the install was damaging or uncomfortable. 

One of the things I love most about Invisible Bead Extensions is that they carry a few different brands of hair extensions that are available for us as stylists to purchase. They come in multiple textures and weft types, and they only source the highest quality hair. I personally only carry brands that I fully trust and have seen how they withstand over time. I have clients who have worn the same hair extensions for over a year- which used to be completely unheard of. I want to make sure that my clients get the most out of their investment, and this only happens by using really high quality hair. My biggest piece of advice is to choose a hair stylist that truly does specialize in hair extensions, and continues investing in their education to stay current on all of the latest trends in the hair extension industry so that you can rest assured that they are choosing the best hair and method for you!