Extensions uncovered

All you’ll ever need to know about giving good length, great colour and generous volume.

Hair extensions don't have to be a WAG cliché; they're far more versatile and adaptable than we give them credit for. Volume, texture, fringes, curl and risk free colour can all be achieved with enough subtlety and sophistication to make a glamour model wince.

Even the too-cool-for-school A list brigade aren't immune to their charms, Mischa Barton, Kate Moss, Angelina Jolie and Kirsten Dunst have all brought that extra something to the red carpet, when the occasion demands nothing less than tress perfection.

 

Less is more

The swing away from a full head of extensions to partial placement creates more natural looking effects, is more lifestyle friendly, as there are less issues with maintenance, and is also easier on the finances. Leading hair extension manufacturers, including American Dream, Balmain, Cinderella Hair, Great Lengths, Hairaisers and Racoon, are encouraging salons to use extensions more diversely inspired by editorial looks created by leading hairdressers. These include the likes of Michael Barnes - who used Cinderella extensions to transform Keira Knightley into a modern day mermaid for a stunning underwater photo shoot for his salon; Andrew Barton, Beverly C, and current British Hairdresser of the Year, Angelo Seminara.

 

Getting your money's worth

The cost for a full head of human hair extensions is typically £800+, for half a head £500+. For synthetic extensions the price for a full head is around £500, half a head £200 - £300. However, prices will vary, depending on the type and quality of the extensions, the location of the salon, and also on the method of attachment. Some techniques are quicker than others and that will have a bearing on how much you end up paying for the hairdresser's time. Single extensions cost upwards of £10 each, plus the cost of having them attached.

 
The life span of hair extensions is approximately three - four months, depending on how you've looked after them. Specialist shampoos, conditioners, masques and hairbrushes will make this task easier. Never try to remove bonded hair extensions yourself, always return to the salon.

 

Ethics and synthetics 

Human hair extensions tend to be more widely available than their synthetic alternative, because they can be treated in exactly the same way as your own hair, heat styled with impunity and so on. However, concerns about the hair trade in India have been raised. The unregulated environment encourages illegal practices by amateur hair pickers and small time exporters who bypass the temples, where traditionally Hindus have their heads shaved in honour of the god Vishnu and the off-cuts are then sold on to the West. Closer to home, girls in Russia can be paid as little as £1.40 for a ponytail's worth of hair. Knowing that the human hair extensions you're wearing are ethically sourced, should be as much a concern as their quality, so stick to established, reputable brands who have the resources to keep a global eye on their suppliers.

 

There are none of these issues attached to synthetic hair, but you don't have carte blanche with high temperatures, and should where possible leave wefts or extensions to dry naturally. Monofibre from Dome domecosmetics.com is man-made and mimics the look and feel of natural, healthy hair with the advantage that it's both lighter and less expensive and is neither prone to split ends, nor colour fade. Peaches Geldof has been their poster girl, and the product has a pedigree stretching back to 1980s pop royalty.

 

Clip and create

Hairaisers' latest innovations focus on the fashion accessory element of extensions. The Pink Label collection of 100 % human hair clip-in extensions, from £118, hairaisers.co.uk, add glamour without commitment, and will appeal as much to brides as to fashion chameleons. The Funky Diva Clip In One, £42, is made from the finest hair available, and contains just one weft of hair with six clips, making the extension extremely easy to apply. Funky Diva Clip and Go, £47, is made from fibre hair and is available in two lengths, in an array of natural shades and fashion colours, and in two textures, natural straight, and wavy.

 

Home help

If you prefer to bypass the salon in your quest for reinvention, BaByliss Styleable Clip In Hair Extensions, £30, exclusively at Boots, 0870 513 3191, come in two complete hair pieces that can be fitted in under 5 minutes. Made from quality faux hair the extensions can nevertheless be heat styled to temperatures up to 180C°, the highest on the market for faux hair extensions. Award winning celebrity hairdresser, Beverly C comments, "BaByliss Styleable Clip-In Kits should be an essential part of everyone's home styling kit - simple to clip in and out, with all the styling benefits of real hair. In just one kit you have everything you need for a re-style as often as you want."

 

hairdo extensions are the handiwork of actress Jessica Simpson and her hairstylist extraordinaire, Ken Pavés. Made from one multi-level piece, rather than individual wefts, the 18" Wavy clip-in extensions, £65, and 19" Layered straight clip-in extensions, £65, are available in 16 natural colours and attach and remove easily in minutes. hothair.co.uk or 020 7403 4422.

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Need more of an extensions fix? Then see our celebrity extensions - the good, the bad and the downright offensive here 

 

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