Long,voluminous hairis no longer a pipe dream.
Thanks to hair extensions, anyone can now have long hair.
As a beauty editor, Im constantly confronted with the sight of beautiful, overlong Rapunzel manes.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Extensions used to be seen as artificial, but that has changed, sayshair and makeup expert Armin Morbach.
Extensions are no longer just a trend, but an integral part of modern hair care and styling.
They provide instant volume and are ubiquitous, especially among celebrities.
Ann-Christin Traub
Do they really work for every hair throw in, and how are they installed?
Which method is right for me?
And how much time is involved in styling?
I answered all of these questions and more by getting hair extensions myself.
But first, I asked creative art director Tim Mathe from Lipperts Hairdressers in Munich for his advice.
Ahead, find out everything you’re gonna wanna know about getting hair extensions.
What are hair extensions?
Many extensions are made of human hair, says Mathe.
According to Morbach, quality is crucial.
Good extensions can be dyed, styled, and washed.
Natural-looking extensions are trendingand more common than you think.
The most common methods at a glance:
Who should get hair extensions?
Ann-Christin Traub
There are the right extensions for every concern and every color, says Mathe.
Even small holes in the bangs can now be filled.
The choice of extension punch in also depends on how often you style your hair, says Morbach.
Ann-Christin Traub
Its important to think about your own style beforehand.
Adhesive extensions:Suitable for women who usually wear their hair down.
Clip-in extensions:Ideal for flexible styles, especially if you often wear braids or pinned-up hairstyles.
Ann-Christin Traub
They can be attached to the back of the head and then styled as desired.
From disco curls to Beyonce’s Texas blowout, hair maximalism is taking over.
This works up to a light shade of about caramel blonde.
Ann-Christin Traub
This often looks like dolls hair in your own hair.
Hair extensions and coloring: How does it work?
The first step is to accurately determine yourown hair tone, says Morbach.
Ann-Christin Traub
Many people misjudge their hair color, like as dark blonde when its actually light brown.
As soon as the correct shade has been determined, you should choose extensions in exactly that color.
In general, your own hair is always prepared before insertion, adds Mathe.
Ann-Christin Traub
Pro tip:Buy individual extensions first and color them at home to the shade of your own hair.
Breaking down the key differences, according to hairstylists.
My experience getting extensions
Beauty editor Anna Bader tried out exactly how hair extensions work.
Ann-Christin Traub
Ive worn a bob and long bob for three years, but now its time for long hair.
First, stylist Tim Mathe dyes my own hair.
I opt for blonde strands inbalayageand with gentle painting powder.
Ann-Christin Traub
Dyeing must always take place before the extensions are inserted.
Next, my hair is washed.
Mathe finishes my freshly dyed blonde with a coolglossbeforehand.
Ann-Christin Traub
Mathe chooses four colors of human hair extensions for me that will perfectly complement my highlighted hair.
He then starts at the back of my head and inserts the strands.
These tapes are glued to your own hair from above and below using the sandwich technique.
Ann-Christin Traub
Its a very hair-friendly adhesive that lasts a very long time and can be removed from the hair manually.
Several rows of human hair are inserted along the back of my head in precise rows.
In my case, a total of four packs were used.
Ann-Christin Traub
If there is a lot of hair, a lot of hair needs to be inserted, says Mathe.
At the end, the sides and even the front area are inserted.
Now the hair extensions, as well as my own hair, have to be adjusted again.
Ann-Christin Traub
Mathe cuts the hair with scissors.
All in all, it takes about 25 minutes to put the extensions in.
And after a quick styling, I really do feel like I have hair on par with Jennifer Lopez.
Its so surreal that I burst out laughing for a moment.
How great is it that you’re able to get such beautiful hair in such a short time?
This is a before-and-after comparison of my hair extensions.
Styled, the hair extensions are simply amazing.
I really do feel like a celebrity!
The hair doesnt bother me at all; I dont even notice it when I sleep.
And my fear that I would now have to spend hours styling my hair has not materialized.
In fact, its the opposite: I now need less time in the bathroom.
But this ended up being the opposite: The strands I put in matched my natural hair exactly.
It even curled, and somehow fell more beautifully than before.
For special occasions, I add a few curls with thecurling ironin the face area and look perfectly styled.
Sometimes, I also wear my hair straight.
I will definitely be wearing them for as long as I can.
Good preparation and the willingness to adapt to these changes are therefore essential.
What you do for your natural hair also applies to extensions, says Morbach.
The expert recommends using special shampoo for extensions.
Your hair will also grow faster if you wash it less often, he adds.
Conditioner, hair-care products, and hairspray can be used as usual.
According to Morbach, most extensions are first bleached and then dyed to the desired color.
As a result, they can resemble heavily damaged, bleached hair and require particularly intensive care.
you’ve got the option to use them to carefully brush through the hair.
In general, combing is particularly important at the roots to prevent the hair from tangling.
Can I exercise with extensions?
Also, you shouldnt wash your hair during this time.
It can seriously impact your skin.
How long do extensions last?
It depends on the method, says Mathe.
That said, some extensions can be reused.
The best hairstyles with extensions
Extensions offer a lot of options when it comes to styling.
You should then see to it that the extension tapes are not visible when styling buns or ponytails.
You literally cant mess this up.
Wavy styles look great with the diffuser, he says.
The fact is: you’ve got the option to do anythingtreat extensions like your own hair.
How much do hair extensions cost?
Therefore the question of cost cannot be answered in general terms.
A hair-extension system with human hair starts at three packs and has a styling fee of 68 euros.
At Lipperts Hairdressers, the cost of removing the extensions is 196 euros, including washing and blow-drying.
In American dollars and measurements, that comes down to:
This article first appeared onGlamourGermany.
