hair extensions, explained!
photo credit: @hairbyandrewthomas instagram
Hair extensions have *constantly* evolved since they first burst onto the hair scene. Gone are the days of obvious extensions & bald patches and now we find them used as a life changing tool used to give people confidence back when they are having their own hair issues. There is so much about hair extensions we don’t know, unless of course you are a professional like Andrew Thomas (@hairbyandrewthomas) - here at the LOXX we reached out to Andrew to answer our questions and give you all an insight into the world of hair extensions.
Tell me about when you’ve seen extensions completely transform someones life…
Two stories always come to mind; My sister's first ever set we went from short, jaw length hair to flowing long hair and we all cried and it gave her the biggest confidence boost ever, it was amazing to see the transformation in the chair from when she arrived to when she left - so much can change in that appointment time. My second is a client of mine who's hair had thinned a lot due to medication and adding the volume and length back into her hair gave her this huge push of self-confidence made her feel so good. I love being able to help people in that way.
In what ways can extensions benefit someones hair?
The possibilities are endless with extensions, from adding a little volume to all out length but my personal favourite is making something look as natural as possible so no-one would ever know they're there. It really gives someone that confidence boost. Hair extensions are an incredible tool when applied and maintained professionally and really can help so many people in one way or another.
Are extensions a good way to change the colour of your hair without actually colouring it?
Extensions are a great way of adding in more depth or creating a brighter lighter blend in your hair without having to process it with colour. Its a great alternative which is really great for finer, more fragile hair or people who have allergies to colour or are nervous about hair colour in general.
What is the difference between tape extensions and bonded extensions?
Tapes are applied in little sandwiches, require maintenance more often but they can be reused. They are also considered an ‘express’ way to apply hair extensions as they don’t take as long to apply as classic keratin bonds. They’re a great ‘quick fix’ for adding instant length and volume throughout the hair.
Keratin bonds are made of hard keratin, which is what your hair, skin and nails are made up of and can be size customised and personalised so they're more discreet and not heavy on the hair. I find keratin bonds are more discreet in general if you are someone who wears your hair in lots of different styles or have slightly finer hair.
How often do you need hair extension maintenance?
Each method has a different maintenance window. A tape extension would be every 6 weeks whereas a keratin bond will last around 4 months in between needing a salon visit. Maintenance depends of course on how well you look after your own hair and every extension expert should always explain how to get the most out of your hair.
Its really important to highlight the importance of using a hairdressing tool to completely change somebodies confidence. The use of the right services is not just surface level but can really help bring out an inner-confidence and help peoples worries and issues with their own hair. Extensions are a great way to increase volume, length & thickness and when done correctly by an expert really are a super tool that most people could benefit from in some way.
@hairbyandrewthomas
@theloxxuk