Since March 2019, I have been officially certified in Habit Hand Tied Extensions. I am so excited about this extension method (and all the other methods I dabble in) that I had to create this page to get the information out there for those of you who are curious.
Me and the Famous Instagram Influencer @hairby_chrissy owner of Habit Salon in AZ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q) Can you wear your hair up with extensions?
A) Yes. They offer great mobility and versatility. You can wear your hair half up, in braids, and all kinds of other styles too! They are almost invisible and natural looking. They are applied in a “U shape pattern” from ear to ear basically.
Q) Are they real human hair?
A) Yes, they are 100% human Remi Russian Slavic Ethically Sourced hair. Which means that all the hair is meticulously selected and sewn into wefts with all of the cuticles facing the same way. They are extremely high quality and healthy hair. For more information click here.
Q) Can I wash, style, and brush like normal?
A) Yes, you just have to be careful and it takes some getting used to. Sometimes we use different products on clients natural hair than on the extension hair. For example, we use volumizing products on the roots and smoothing products on the ends. They can take heat from hot tools just like your real hair. Heat styling protection is always recommended.
Q) How often do I need to get them taken out and put back in?
A) On average, every 12-18 weeks. Halfway through we do a mini tightening service.
Q) How are Hand Tied Extensions applied? Do they damage the natural hair?
A) No glue, no stickiness, no fusion. It’s simple! Rows of tiny silicone-lined beads are applied to the natural hair with a looper and squeezed flat to the head with pliers. The wefts of extension hair are sewn on and between the beads with a C -shaped needle and thread that matches the color of your hair. Little to no harm is done to your natural hair. The weight is distributed evenly.
Q) How do you take them out?
A) It’s easy! We take the pliers and squeeze the beads the opposite way they were flattened which releases the hair. Then the extension hair slides out.
Q) How long does it take to put them in?
A) It depends on how big of a transformation you are going for but at the minimum it takes one hour and at the maximum it could take 5+ hours.
Q) How do you get the hair?
A) I order the hair online through a respected hair supplier. It usually takes about a week to come in the mail. Right now i use multiple a suppliers all of which are highest quality and reputable vendors.
Q) Will it match and blend with my natural hair?
A) Yes! I will match your hair to a swatch when you are in the salon during your consultation. Consultations are required in order to move forward to book the full service. It is important that you are happy with the color your hair is now. If you are wanting a big change, I recommend getting to the color you want before ordering the hair. You can not lighten the extension hair but you can color it if you need to. Coloring it is so tricky, unpredictable and time consuming that it is best to order hair that matches your hair how it is existing already.
Q) How often do you have to buy new extension hair?
A) It depends on how well the client takes care of their hair. Some people can reuse the hair for a year and some for 6 months.
AFTERCARE
• Satin pillow cases or bonnets help to prevent tangles and frizziness while sleeping. An added bonus is that it helps keep the hair style preserved so well you can rock your style for multiple days.
• The Wet Brush is super gentle. Great for in the shower when you have conditioner in your hair, out of the shower on towel dried hair when applying styling products, or for blow drying hair. Keep mini’s in your purse for mid-day brushings.
• Loosely braid your hair before you go to sleep. Never sleep with wet hair. (See my social media channels for a variety of tutorials)
• Use scrunchies or loose claw clips. Be super gentle on your hair. The extensions are secure but it doesn’t hurt to baby them.
• Brush hair thoroughly multiple times of day. Always keep a firm grip on the base of the extensions as to not pull unnecessarily. Make sure to brush between wefts and natural hair daily to prevent any matting that could occur near the scalp. Gently use your wet brush and flip hair upside down to really get in there.
• Apply serums or moisturizing creams on the ends of your extensions morning and night
• Wear your hair in a tight braided pony at the beach/lake and saturate your hair with a deep conditioning mask before swimming underwater.
• Microfiber towels are great because they don’t rough up the cuticle. The less rough you are on your hair, the more it will be shiny and soft.
• I always tell people they are a lot like eyelash extensions. It is a little weird at first but you get used to them. Then you will never want to live without them 🙂
***MOST IMPPORTANTLY***
- ONLY USE PURPLE SHAMPOO ON YOUR NATURAL HAIR! Extensions are very porous and they will soak up purple shampoo like crazy! Section out your natural hair and bend over when applying and rinsing as to not let any purple touch your extensions. Watch a demo by clicking here
- BE CAREFUL WITH SUNSCREENS! Watch this awesome video and read the caption as to how to prevent your extensions from turning ORANGE. It was created by an industry colleague and was veiwed over 1 MILLION times!
- NEVER EVER EVER SLEEP WITH WET HAIR. YOU MUST BLOW DRY IT OR ELSE IT WILL MAT UP
PRICING
The best way to explain it is to break it up in to three categories —- minimal, moderate, maximum.
The First Appointment is based on quantity of hair that has to be ordered
Cost of Hair Extensions & Install (includes dry cut for blending) varies depending on how much hair you have to order to achieve the desired look. The initial investment can be as little as $500 or as much as $3000+
Maintenance
Removal and Reinstall is based on the ROW or TAB
every 12-19 weeks
$200 for first row, $100 for each additional row
$25 per Tab
Mini Tightenings – based on the ROW or TAB
occurs halfway between the Removal and Reinstalls. So about 6-9 weeks
$75 per row
$15 per tab
Thank you for reading 🙂 I know, it’s a lot and super confusing at first. It was hard for me too! Once you get them done once or twice it’ll all make sense. I really feel like extensions are amazing because they can do a lot of the work for you. They add color and drama to your ends that would have been impossible naturally or super damaging with balayage. Fuller ponytails and braids look way more dramatic than without extensions. Once we do a consultation I can send you my pricing spreadsheet and give you a more precise estimate.
Check out my socials for more visuals of the technical process in my highlights, guides, playlists, and channels 🙂
XOXO
Rachael
@rachaeldunnhairdesign
Rachael Dunn Hair Design 