Back in early December I went from being a short hair girly to having long locks (I’m sure you didn’t notice that subtle shift on your own, right?). Well it has been a big adjustment to say the least, but one that has been a really fun change! Over the last 6 or so weeks I’ve had lots of questions from people so I figured I would make a hair extensions FAQ/tell-all blog post in case you were considering getting them yourself!
Q: Do you miss your short hair?
A: I loved my short hair (realllllly short, like jaw length). It was fun and spunky and I got compliments often on how “cute” it was. And it was!!! CUTE. But the long hair is a different type of pretty in my experience. I get compliments on this hair, too, but it’s no longer “cute,” but “wow, your hair is so pretty.” It looks healthy and thick (more on that later) and it just hits different. So yes, sometimes I miss the short hair because I think different hair lengths allow you to try and be successful with other beauty and fashion looks, but overall, I think the long hair is a fun change and I DEFINITELY do not miss the in-between growing out stage which is what I was in when I got the extensions. For me, these are a potentially temporary stepping stone to getting my natural long locks back (which I haven’t had since early 2020).
Q: What is the daily/weekly maintenance?
A: Daily maintenance = brushing morning and night (and I actually have started carrying a mini brush in my car so I can brush out any tangles throughout the day too) and oil, which I am not quite as good about. This keeps the extensions hydrated and super smooth. Weekly maintenance = washing it (either yourself or by getting a blowout). I have only gotten one blowout in my 6 weeks, and while I loved having someone else tackle it for me, I honestly don’t love appointments of any kind so I’m trying my best to take care of the wash days myself. For a special treat or occasion, I would definitely get a blowout and some extension girls make it a weekly thing which is why my salon actually offers a blowout membership for the regulars. To each their own!
Q: What have you NOT liked about your extensions?
A: I think in general it has just been a big adjustment to go from very fine short hair to very thick long hair. The first two weeks or so it just felt HEAVY to me. Now I’m used to the weight, but I still think I’m going to have my stylist (she is THE SWEETEST) remove some of the wefts (the strips of hair) to lighten it up. This will be person-specific based on so many factors, so my experience will not necessarily be the same for everyone. I have a sort of small head (like, I can wear kids’ baseball caps) and so the normal amount of hair for a full install like mine is just probably a *titch* too much hair for my little bean. Today’s adjustment should take care of that small issue! Aside from that, blow drying and styling really is a much lengthier (pun intended) event. I used to be able to dry and style my hair in 15-20 minutes, and that definitely is not the case anymore BUT on the flip side, you can go way more days between styling so it all kind of evens out.
Q: What type of length/how many rows do you have?
A: I got 18″ extensions, 2 rows, and Kenzie cut about 2” off at my first appointment.
Q: Does your natural hair feel like it has thinned at all?
A: Not at all from what I can tell! However, I’ve heard from other extensions peeps that when your wefts are removed for either a break or a move-up you feel like you don’t have any hair. If you’re getting hand sewn extensions like I am, that is NOT because of any damage to your natural hair, but just the contrast between having so much extra hair and then going back to the natural volume. This is an incredibly healthy way to add length and volume without damaging your natural locks, especially because the need for daily heat is so dramatically reduced. Also, I am still religiously consuming my nightly collagen for two reasons: to support my OTHER systems like skin, nails, joints, etc. but also to continue supporting hair growth so that when I remove the extensions later in the Spring my natural hair has still been cared for. If you’re interested in adding collagen to your routine, this link will get you $10 off your first order.
Q: How long will you keep the extensions?
A: The hair itself should last 9-12 months if properly cared for. Proper care, however, includes keeping them out of salt water and chlorine as much as you can. So I plan to have them removed for our Spring Break vacation where I will be in the water constantly. After we return from vacation I’ll have them put back in, so that will be a 2-part appointment, but worth it to not have to baby my hair on vacation (low ponytails will be the name of the game!). Then I’ll have them removed right before Summer for the same reasons as we head back to Michigan and spend a lot of time in our pool. Barring any damage to the hair, I should be able to put them back in if I want to in the Fall, and by then I may have gained enough length that I only want one row for added volume. We’ll see!
Q: Does it bother you to feel the beads?
A: I can’t feel the beads! The first week after install or a tightening, your hair feels a little tight like you’ve had a tight ponytail in, but I don’t think it’s uncomfortable. This hand sewn method means I feel the wefts, but I don’t feel the beads themselves, so it’s actually incredibly natural and comfortable once you get used to it.
Q: How do you wash your hair so your scalp gets clean?
A: With the hand sewn extensions, you can really get in there and scrub without causing damage. I kind of go in with my fingertips sideways and scrub between the rows. Feels squeaky clean once I’m done! I also have become a big fan of the top wash, where I section off just the top of my hair and wash only that. Makes my drying time a FRACTION of what it would be if I washed my entire head. I use this shampoo which is what my salon uses.
And now the BIGGEST question everyone wants to know…
Q: How much does it cost?
A: It depends. I’m sorry, I know that’s such an annoying answer! But there are so many factors. How many rows? What length? Do you want highlights too? How experienced is your install artist? Where in the country do you live? Seriously every single one of these factors plays a part. You’ll need to research artists in your area and do your homework, but I can tell you my original install with deposit and hair and all that jazz was around $1,800. Move ups are a few hundred dollars, color is a few hundred dollars…. it’s definitely not cheap. Which is why it’s special and a splurge and maybe it’s worth it to you, but maybe it’s not! It’s not a service that fits everybody, and we all have things we find valuable, and those things change from season to season. There have been seasons in my life where I found nail services to be not worth it and seasons where I make it a regular maintenance thing; same with waxing (which I do not currently do), same with lash extensions (which I do not currently do), etc. It’s all just personal preference and right now, it’s a fun splurge. Will I always have them? Probably not. But for now, it’s a fun indulgence.
Did I miss any questions?? Feel free to drop them in the comments section if I did and I’ll get back to you!
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