Hair Extensions: Q & A

I've had just about every type of hair extension you can think of: beaded, tape in, weft, and clip ins (which are great for everyday or special occasion use).

Since I've been getting extensions consistently for seven years, I wanted to share a full break down of common questions I've been asked as well as the truth to help guide you into making the right decision for yourself.

Though I've had many different types, I want to focus on the two I loved the most: Natural Beaded Row Weft Extensions and Tape In Extensions.

*PSA: Extension cost, move up of extension cost, and stylist fees will vary based off of salon, experience of stylist, and the hair brand. These numbers are from my personal experience. Please contact your stylist to have a consultation and walk through of your individual cost!

Natural Beaded Row Weft Extensions:

These are the extensions I've had since August 2020- I LOVE them. I can wear my hair any way I want (even when the extensions are grown out!) and you can barely see them. I see Adriana Martinez from Revel Workshop in Dallas and she does the most amazing job. Couldn't recommend her more!

FAQ on Natural Beaded Row Weft Extensions:

What brand are your extensions?

Natural Beaded Row extensions (NBR for short) and they are hand-tied.

What length are your extensions?

I got 18 inch extensions back in August of 2020, but the next time I buy a pack of hair I'm thinking mermaid hair (IE 20-22 inches!) Each time I go in for a hair appointment, we trim the ends so they get a little bit shorter each time.

How many rows do you have?

I have 2 rows of NBR extensions!

Do they damage your hair?

Nope! In fact, my natural hair has become stronger since getting Natural Beaded Row Extensions. They are sewn into the hair, so there is no glue, beads attached to individual strands, or severe tension on your hair.

How much do the extensions cost?

*Cost varies based off of your salon and stylist. However, speaking from experience, the cost of new extensions are around $625 per row and I buy two rows once a year.

How much are move ups?

*Cost varies based off of your salon and stylist. Mine are around $250 for move ups of both rows.

How often do you need to go in and get your hair moved up?

This answer will vary based off of how fast your hair grows! For me, I am comfortable going in for move ups around 9-10 weeks from the last reinstallation.

How long do the hair appointments take?

If you are coloring your hair (full or partial hair coloring), plan to be there most of the day! For extensions alone, the removal is really quick and takes around 5 minutes since all the stylist has to do is clip the knot holding it together. I would estimate that the entire process takes around 3 hours from removal to reinstallation.

How often do you need to buy new hair?

As long as you take excellent care of your extensions, it should be once MAYBE twice a year. So far, I am on track to get my new set installed in August 2021 which would be exactly one year.

How does the hairstylist attach the extensions?

(Found this great description from PerfectLocks.com) "There are a couple of ways to install hand-tied rows; the Natural Beaded Row Method (aka NBR Method) or a weaving/sewing method. For the NBR Method, you use microbeads for the installation. Your stylist will attach beads with some thread to your head creating rows on your natural hair, then they will place the wefts accordingly, and attach the hair with pliers onto the rows. This method consists of creating braided rows of your natural hair across your head. Then your stylist will take a curved needle and thread and weave the weft with your hair, creating a bond."

How often do you wash your hair?

I can go about 5 days on average without washing my hair. For days 1-3, I try not to use any products (that includes restricted use of dry shampoo, texture spray, dry conditioner, etc.). I blow dry my hair within an hour of washing, and I avoid all uses of a straightener or curling iron for 3 days to prolong the length of time I can go without washing. For days 4-5, I'll usually wear my hair in a ponytail or bun and use a little bit of dry shampoo on my roots.

How do you sleep with extensions?

I put my hair in a low ponytail and wrap a giant scrunchie around it twice. I use big scrunchies over hair ties to reduce the risk of having a hair-tie line across my hair! Try as often as you can not to sleep without your hair braided or in a low ponytail- leaving your hair down as you sleep can cause knots, dreads, or slippage.

Can you workout with NBR extensions?

Yes! I work out every day with my NBR extensions without any issues. If I sweat a lot, I immediately go home and take a blow dryer to where they are sewn in to ensure that the sweat doesn't dry. If sweat does dry, it won't cause your beaded row extensions to fall out- I just do it to avoid extra oil so that I can go longer without washing my hair.

How long does it take to dry your hair after washing?

Haha, a while- so be prepared for that! After I wash my hair, I wrap in a towel to try and remove as much excess moisture as possible. Once I feel like a good amount of water has been removed, I use the "Length Goals" Hair Extension Detangler and use a giant paddle brush (I love my Framar one) to gently brush through starting with the ends of the hair.

Once the hair is gently brushed through, I add my fave leave in bonder and gently wrap my hair in a microfiber hair towel. I'll let the towel do the rest of the hair work by removing the rest of the dampness! After leaving my hair in the microfiber towel for about an hour, I'll start with a regular blow dryer to get my hair to a "damp/dry" state. Once I feel like my hair is dry enough, I'll separate my hair in half and then in half again to finish the blowdrying process. For the remainder of blow drying, I love using my Drybar Blow Dry Brush to get my hair extra dry and to give it a "blown out look."

Even though the hair drying process is long, if you do it well and do it right- you can wash your hair less during the week and prolong the life of your extensions.

How do you wash your extensions?

I first separate the top half of my hair that doesn't have any extensions in it. I clip that part to the top of my head so that while I shower, I can focus on really scrubbing and getting into the hair with the extensions attached. I wash my hair like you would without extensions, I'm just more gentle with my scrubbing. I usually do two rounds of shampoo and rinsing to ensure I get all the product and grease out! Once the bottom half is cleansed, I let down the top half of my hair and shampoo that section separately.

Can you curl your extension hair?

Yes! I curl and straighten my hair with my favorite irons all the time. I recommend ensuring the heat is below 450 degrees and try your best to put heat on your extensions as little as possible.

Does it hurt to get the extensions?

I wouldn't say it hurts, but rather is quite sore for the day after you get them reinstalled. It just feels a little tender and when you sleep the first night it feels like sleeping on a large bag of rice haha.

Tape In Extensions:

I had tape in extensions for about a year, and also loved them! I had the amazing Eric Vaughn from REV Salon color my hair and do my tape in extensions. He is one of THE BEST in the industry, especially when it came to coloring blondes *praise hands*

Unfortunately, I had to stop going to see Eric because it was a 4 hour drive to Houston. But, if you are a Houston girl you have to go see him!

FAQ About Tape In Extensions:

Does it hurt to get them put in?

Nope! Not one bit, and honestly didn't even feel tender or sore after the installation!

How long do they last?

Same as with weft extensions, if you take excellent care of them- once or twice a year.

Do they fall out?

I think I was a little inept with taking good care of them, so yes my tape ins did fall out at times but I believe it was due to: not blow drying enough where the tape ins sit, not getting all of the shampoo out of tape in extensions, or letting sweat dry in the tape in attachment area. As long as you pay close attention to those factors, they should not fall out for you! If one does, just put it in a plastic baggy and bring with you for the next installation!

How much do they cost?

As with weft extensions, this will vary based off of hair brand, salon, stylist, and stylists experience. I tried to find an email receipt of the cost of mine, but for some reason couldn't track it down. I can tell you I got 16 inch Bellami brand tape in extensions and they were excellent quality.

How often do you need to get them reinstalled?

On average, I went about 6-8 weeks to get them reinstalled. The number of weeks will be determined based off of the natural growth of your hair!

How are they installed?

Tape in hair extensions are thin tape wefts, 1 inch wide pre-taped hair wefts, that get “taped-in” in between your own hair in “sandwich” like bonds. As the adhesive base is very thin, tape-ins feel light, lay flat against your head, and blend in easily with natural hair. However, ensure the extensions are distributed evenly in terms of length, volume, and texture around the head for the most natural look.

How many packs of tape ins did you have?

If you have thinner hair like I do, I recommend 2-3 packs of tape in extensions to get volume and thickness.

Sleep care, workout care, and shower care:

All is the same as weft extensions in terms of care.

How long does it take to remove and reinstall extensions?

As with weft extensions, prepare to be there for a few hours! I'd say on average, it took around 1-3 hours to get them removed and reinstalled.

Can I curl and straighten tape ins?

Yes! Just be cognizant of not having the heat above 450 degrees to avoid damage. I usually keep mine around 270-300 degrees as a personal preferance.

How do I care for my tape in extensions?

Found this from LuxyHair that describes taking care of tape ins really well: "Remy human hair tape-in extensions allow for the same styling versatility as other types of extensions, meaning you can curl, straighten and even color the extensions darker. While hot styling tools can be used with tape-ins, it’s best to avoid heat near the root or bonds as this will melt or breakdown the adhesive.

It’s also recommended to keep the roots and bonds as dry as possible, this means avoiding washing around these areas as well as investing in a good dry shampoo for no-wash days.

Conditioners and oil-based products aren’t good for tape-ins either as they also interfere with the adhesive’s stickiness, especially if the tape-ins have been worn for a few weeks. Mixing with these products may cause the extensions to slip or come loose so it’s important to look for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners when washing your hair with tape-ins.

Avoiding friction with the bonds is also essential in keeping tape-ins in tact. As tape-in extensions cannot be removed and stored at the end of the day like clip in extension styles, for example, professionals recommend loosely clipping up the hair or putting it in a loose braid at night before bed.

Brushing the tape-in extensions frequently is also recommended. Make sure to do so using a paddle brush IE the Framar brush or other hairbrush designed for hair extensions to ensure it will glide through the natural hair and extensions seamlessly without tugging. Be sure to avoid brushing from the root or bond and don’t brush the hair when wet as the hair is more vulnerable and prone to breakage."

I hope this extension post helps you, especially if you were on the fence on whether or not you wanted to take the plunge! Extensions are amazing, but they are a lot of maintenance and in order to make the cost worth it- you'll need to ensure you're ready for the commitment.

If there is a question I didn't answer, please drop me a message!

X,

Stephanie

Style and Stephanie