What Are Hair Extensions Made of?
Hair extensions are everywhere these days. You can go to your stylist to add-in bonded extensions, or you can purchase clip-ins pieces online. No matter which route you choose, these hair extensions are made of a variety of materials, and some of them offer you more styling opportunities – and a more realistic appearance – than others do.
Salon-Quality Extensions
When you visit a high-quality salon and ask for hair extensions, in most cases, you will receive real human hair. Oftentimes, this hair comes from Asia, where women regularly grow and then harvest their hair for profit. However, since Asian hair is typically dark and coarse in nature, many companies use a variety of chemicals and silicone to soften and lighten it. Then, once they achieve the correct color and texture, the manufacturer ships it to salons and stylists who use it to lengthen their clients’ hair.
“Over the Counter” Extensions
More and more companies create hair extensions that you can buy in a box at your local drug or department store, and you can even order them via telephone or over the internet. Oftentimes, these are made of nothing more than processed plastic, which makes them affordable. You can find them attached to thin bands of elastic, which simply allow you to secure the extension around your head with the length of it under your natural hair. You can also find clip-in plastic extensions that allow you to create various layered and chunky looks.
When You Want a Temporary Change
If you want to add hair extensions temporarily, such as for a party or an event, then the clip-in option is a great choice. They do not require any kind of permanent bonding, and you can remove them just as easily as you put them on. They come in several colors, but it is often difficult to find an exact match. For this reason, some women choose long extensions to create a temporary ombre style; they simply purchase a darker extension to put under their natural hair. Bear in mind that you cannot curl, straighten, or color these hair extensions, and shampooing often ruins them. Due to their plastic material, they melt under the heat and break down with the application of chemicals.
When You Need a Long-Term Solution
If you want to thicken your thinning hair, or if you want to add some long-term length, then salon quality real hair extensions are the way to go. Your stylist can attach them by bonding sections of extensions to clusters of existing hair.
Human hair makes the best hair extensions since you can shampoo and style it just like your own natural hair. In fact, a great stylist can hide the bonding in such a way that no one will ever know that it is not your real hair. These days, you do not have to wait for your own long, luscious locks to grow. Simply add some hair extensions, and open a brand new realm of styling possibilities.