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Monday, October 17, 2011

Fall/Winter Hair Extension Trends

Fall Fashion1Hair style trends for Fall and Winter this year showed us Braids and Hair Extensions. Looking at the NY Fashion week runway shows we saw lots of texture and volume using combinations of braiding of own hair, braiding with hair extensions, layering in hair extensions, textured ponytails and what must have been lots of dry shampoo. The braided hair looks were the most fascinating, with different twists, colors and placement.

Some are calling this a low maintenance style: A laid back look with a natural windswept appearance and soft frizzy hair. I think every hair stylist out there knows how much work this look can take to achieve. How much time and care it must take to install and style the hair extensions, not to mention some fancy textured braiding. It’s beautiful and adds another great trend for the hair extension stylist.

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Article reposted by permission of Hair & Compounds

Monday, October 3, 2011

Does the hair come from dead people??

imageThis is one of our top favorite questions about the origins of our hair extensions. Or perhaps they are questioning our collection methods of the elusive Russian or Eastern European Caucasian virgin hair? By now, most people are educated about the origins of Indian hair and the temple customs of a people that sacrifice their beauty. But when it comes to Caucasian hair and its country status we still get that whispered question. I can practically see their imagination running with images of secret hair collectors dressed in black, sharp shears in hand sneaking into cemeteries.

Hair collecting is actually much more mundane. Local beauty salons post a sign offering money for hair, which is freshly cut from a woman who is willing to trade for about a month’s income, and when the salon has collected a few ponytails they call a known contact that then comes out and buys the lot. They in turn sell to an exporter and these ponytails make their way to hair importers or hair extension suppliers.

It is true that we occasionally get an “old” ponytail. Meaning the hair is dry and musty and usually ends up tossed in the garbage. This means that someone’s grandmother cut their hair, wrapped it up in ribbons and a satchel and saved it in a drawer for a couple decades. In tough times with people offering to buy hair, this must seem like a great time to sell grandmother’s hair.

In the US, it has become common to donate one’s hair, in excess of a foot of healthy growth, to several non-profit organizations that provide wigs for cancer patients. So the practice of donating, either for cash or charity, is not as morbid as some imagine.

Article reposted from Hair Compounds; A Hair Supplier

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Use Vinegar as a Natural Remedy for Smooth Shiny Hair

Smooth Shiny Hair

A great home remedy for shiny hair is a vinegar rinse. Each hair has an outer layer of hair called cuticles. The cuticle is made of overlapping layers of long scales that lie along the surface of each strand of hair. When we shampoo our hair, the shafts open and residual ingredients get trapped underneath it, resulting in ragged uneven hair.

How does vinegar help? The properties in vinegar removes shampoo and other product build up underneath that makes hair dull. Most shampoos and soaps are alkaline; vinegar has an acidic property which will control the PH balance in hair.

After shampooing, mix one cup of either white or apple cider vinegar with one cup water and pour over hair then rinse thoroughly. Once the vinegar rinses all the debris, the hairs cuticles close resulting in smooth and shiny hair. For an even bold effect rinse with a blast of cold water to seal those cuticles.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Balancing Liquid Tension to Hair Energy

Surface tension is a property of the surface of a liquid. It is what causes the surface portion of liquid to be attracted to a solid surface. Surface energy is the property of a solid. There must be a perfect balance of the two for maximum bonding.

Liquid Tension

Extensions are manufactured hair that goes through a rigorous chemical process that changes the amount of energy on the surface of the hair. Every surface has a measurement of energy and every liquid has a measurement of tension based on ions. Since the surface energy has changed, the surface tension in products needs to be changed to properly affect this specific type of hair. If the balance of the product is not right for the hair, the product will either slide off without affecting the hair or bond too strongly creating build up.

Because hair has a negative charge, manufacturers design their shampoos to have a negative charge, so that shampoo will not adhere and absorb into the hair. Conditioners are designed to have a positive charge so that it will adhere with the negatively charged surface of the hair without leaving deposits.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Flat Iron Hair Extensions Safely

Straight hair

Moisture loss is the main cause of hair extensions to lose luster, resulting in dry frizzy hair. The best way to maintain the quality of hair extensions while still using styling tools is to use little to no heat. The occasional use of your flat iron on extensions is okay in most cases.
 
If you do decide to use a flat iron or curling iron, its ideal to follow these guidelines to prevent as much damage as possible to your extensions.
 
1) Always use a heat protector like Pureology’s Nano Glaze, and
only flat iron freshly shampooed dry hair. If your hair is dirty, the oils will adhere to the iron causing it to burn as it straightens.
 
2) Limit the frequency of use to reduce the amount of damage it can cause.
 
3) Make sure your hair is completely dry by letting it air dry, or blow dry sections before ironing.
 
4) Keep the temperature on low to medium heat and work with small sections. This allows you to achieve straight hair with less heat.
 
5) Be sure to use proper styling tools. Flat irons with tourmaline, ceramic and titanium metals tends to heat more evenly and are less likely to cause damage to processed hair.

 

Monday, February 28, 2011

Tousled, Sexy Locks

The hottest hair trend on the runway (and the Red Carpet) is the perfectly tousled look.  Sexy rumbled tresses is not a new style - it can be attributed to the 1970's natural flowing, textured (and sometimes wavy) hairstyle that borders on the side of 'bed head'.  Kate Moss has effortlessly brought this look back in vogue.  In recent Fall runway shows, hairstylists were using Kate's tousled look as inspiration.

The secret to getting it right is using our layered hair extensions to create volume and layers and the right styling tools and products.

tousled hair

Kate Moss (left), the inspiration. Jessica Biel (right), gets an A+ for her interpretation.  Article provided by Hair & Compounds

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Value of Extending Hair Extensions' Life

short hair saleAs a hair stylist, it is very important to understand that keeping your current clients is much easier than to finding new ones. This is especially true now that the economic climate has challenged the salon industry. Many stylists get comfortable with their services offered and end up losing valuable clients. Keeping clients happy (and loyal) is all about providing them with extras and adding value.

 

One way we at Vanity Hair Extensions add value is to extend the life of our clients' hair extensions. We use cylinder extensions have a finely engineered tip that can be reattached without cracking or losing its shape. However, tips that no longer hold their shape can be replaced by a simple process called cylinder re-tipping. By making this process a part of our services offered, we are showing commitment to providing our clients with value and cheaper alternatives.