Friday, January 24, 2014

Hair Extensions For My Little Pony Fans - Is This Too Young?

by Melissa L. White
Certified Hair Extension Artist, Licensed Stylist

I've addressed this question in the past. Moms with teenagers often struggle with what is an appropriate age to allow your daughter to get their first set of human hair extensions. But what if it was your five or six year old asking for extensions?


Apparently, the appropriateness isn't a major concern to Hasbro, who announced in December that it would be releasing a collection of hair extensions to young girls. The single and multi-colored clip-in hair extensions are being launched as "My Little Pony" hair extensions. You KNOW that this will appeal to little girls everywhere. What little girl doesn't love ponies!

And, the marketing doesn't stop there. There are also accessories like hair charms and cutie marks accented with crystals. The pint size fans will be able to accessorize to look like their favorite My Little Pony character. According to Kidada Jones, "My Little Pony-inspired hair styles and hair accessories allow fans to channel their inner pony." Fans are encouraged to visit the My Little Pony Parlor website and share it with their friends.

What do YOU think? Are these children simply too young to be marketing this type of product to? Or, do you feel there's nothing wrong with it? Let me know.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of exquisite hair extensions. Melissa has over 14 years of extensive training with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 8 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and accord the hair of their dreams...thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Harry Potter Star Dons "Man-xtensions" As Hair Extensions For Men Hits Hollywood

by Melissa L. White
Certified Hair Extension Artist

Photo credit: eonline.com
Yes, male stars are wearing extensions! Danielle Radcliffe proudly showed off his mane of thick locks recently in a screening for his new film "Kill Your Darlings". The 24 year old star of Harry Potter fame has certainly changed up his looks when getting into his new character for a film based on the old Frankenstein stories.

This is no surprise to the Londoners who attended the event. As I've previously written, the U.K. trend of male hair extensions is rising so fast that hair extension manufacturers are scrambling to get hold of a promising new source of business.

And, as I wrote last week, the trend does seem to be making its way into America, as evident in New York City, and in Hollywood. This will be something we'll be seeing more of no doubt. The new trend of male hair extensions can actually look as natural on men as they do on women, although the styles are not as long on men.

What do you think of Radcliffe's new hair extensions?


REFERENCE:
eonline.com - Daniel Radcliffe Reveals New Hair Extensions For Upcoming Frankenstein Role
EOY - Hair Extensions For Men In San Antonio?
EOY -

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of exquisite hair extensions. Melissa has over 12 years of extensive training with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 10 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and accord the hair of their dreams...thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Some Say Creating Voluminous Hair Is Effortless, But IS it?

by Melissa L. White
Certified Hair Extension Artist, Licensed Stylist

On Monday, popular blog StyleList put out a post entitled, "Getting glam voluminous hair like Blake Lively is effortless."  Since creating and maintaining volume has always been one of the more difficult things for my clients, I couldn't resist saying something about this.

Photo credit: Pinterest.com
For those of us with thin hair, thinning hair, or sometimes just heavy long hair, creating volume can sometimes seem impossible. Yes, there are root boosters, root lifters, volumizers and a host of products with dozens of names, all claiming to help us do the impossible. So just what is effortless about this jumble of choices and uncertainty?

Some people are blessed with thick, voluminous hair that doesn't require a lot of work to create full-bodied hairstyles that look fabulous (grrrr!). Others grow tired of spending hours creating a great look that will inevitably fall flat within hours. Others turn to longer lasting solutions to thin hair by investing in hair extensions, which is an excellent solution for many at my San Antonio salon. Even so, many still want to be able to create volume at their roots. Whether you have hair extensions or not, a good product is usually necessary in order to achieve lift and body at the roots.

As a licensed hair stylist, my experience has shown that no single product will work 100% for everyone. Everyone's hair is unique, and needs product that will interact with their own hair. While one particular root booster will work for one, it will fall flat for others who may need something with a bit more substance and holding power. And, let's face it, products that claim to perform the same task often behave quite different. They may apply differently, dry differently, or even change after styling or applying hair spray. Some are messy, sticky, smelly, or are just plain difficult to apply yourself.

It can also become quite expensive to continually try different brands and all of their different products. So, how do you weed through the hundreds, if not thousands of products?

First, find out what is required for the particular hair style that you are trying to create or that you prefer to wear. One hair style may require stiff control, while another may need to remain soft and brushable. When you visit your stylist and they suggest a new style, ask in advance what will be required to maintain the style once you get home and are doing it on your own. A good stylist will always make sure you are able to re-create the look.

Sometimes, reading up on different products and what they are used for can only confuse you and leave you with a cabinet full of unused or unliked product. Learning the difference between gels, lotions, serums, sprays, conditioners, leave-in conditioners, root boosters, volumizers, hair sprays, and other products can be overwhelming. You're better off asking your stylist for his/her recommendations.

If you've heard of a particular product that seems worth trying, ask what their experience is with the product. If it is a product that is not carried by their salon, do they have clients who have tried it? Do they have anything similar? Use the experience that your hair stylist has. Ask for help in selecting products that would be appropriate for you, and that will help you with whatever particular problem you are having with styling your hair. Your hair stylist probably sees hundreds of clients, and many different types of hair. He/she is an excellent source of information and has probably had access to dozens of different brands and types of products.

Effortless, probably not. But possible, yes. Rest assured there are products out there for just about everyone. Knowing what type of hairstyle you're trying to create will help guide you to the best product to achieve it. Getting the help of your stylist will help guide you through the maze of products that all claim they'll give you fabulous hair.

What's your story? Effortless or a struggle?

REFERENCE:
StyleList.com - Getting glam voluminous hair like Blake Lively is effortless

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of exquisite hair extensions. Melissa has over 14 years of extensive training with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 8 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and afford the hair of their dreams...thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Would You Rent Clip-On Hair Extensions?

by Melissa L. White
Licensed Hair Stylist
Certified Hair Extension Artist

One of my trade magazines had an article that caught my eye about a salon which just announced a new service of renting out clip-in hair extensions. It made me think back to my childhood and hearing from my mom how I shouldn't share a hairbrush with friends because it isn't sanitary. Sure, catching lice or some other unwanted "ichy thing" from a fellow schoolmate WAS something to avoid.

I think that, for most women, lessons learned early on do carry on to adulthood. Most women I know wouldn't share a hairbrush, much less human hair extensions that have been worn by someone else. Doesn't really matter whether they've been washed in-between, it just seems "gross".

Women who purchase real human hair extensions have already accepted a level of comfort with wearing hair that was cut from someone else. The name manufacturers of human hair extensions all follow strict procedures to properly clean and sanitize the hair before it is sold in bundles as human hair extensions.

But would a persons "comfort" extend to rented hair extensions that have been affixed and removed from the scalp of many other women?

One Beverly Hills salon, Nelson J, is boldly exploring this new concept. The new program allows salon clients to check out clip-in hair pieces for $75 a week. (Still a hefty price for high maintenance clip-in hair extensions in my opinion.)

In-Style did an on-line poll that looked at this question. As of noon on Sunday, results clearly showed the majority of people would not.

What do you think? Let me know.

REFERENCE:
InStyle.com - Rented Hair Extensions Poll

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of exquisite hair extensions. Melissa has over 14 years of extensive training with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 8 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and afford the hair of their dreams... thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.

Monday, January 13, 2014

British Men Are Wearing Hair Extensions In Record Numbers - Will The Trend Come Across The Pond?

by Melissa L.White
Licensed Hair Stylist
Certified Hair Extension Artist

Will this new trend make it "across the pond"? Time will tell, but in the meantime, it's a trend that certainly appears to be growing in the U.K. In fact, Great Lengths, which is a British hair extension company, has introduced a new line of hair extensions just for men!

Photo credit: justjared.com
Yes, hair extension companies are getting ready to take advantage of male interest in hair extensions. Great Lengths publicity releases claim that they expect that men will soon account for 10% of their total sales. While this doesn't sound like huge numbers, it is a large jump that can only continue to grow. The photos that are on their site show a bit of length and probably more important, more volume.

A recent article on mtv.com poked fun at the attempts by men to produce coiffs reminiscent of beehives worn by women in the 1960's, and blames it all on Harry Styles and his recent appearance on Good Morning America.

Dubbing their male hair extensions "Men-hancements", Great Lengths certainly appears to take the new trend seriously, even though the mtv.com article didn't. They've released publicity surrounding the U.K. craze, and have even devoted a page on their website to male hair extensions.

And, there is some evidence that this new trend has indeed made its way to America. A recent article in mainstream media outlet the New York Daily News weighed in on the phenomenon which has hit New York by storm.

As I discussed in a November 2013 article, hair extensions for men is in fact growing, not only in Great Britain, but here in the United States. Like most trends, it is getting it's roots (pun intended)  among celebrities in Hollywood. More and more men are turning to hair extensions to quickly adapt to roles in movies, plays, or appearances. And, it's likely to continue just as it did for female celebrities.

I've no doubt that the trend will continue to grow across the country as more and more men come forward and take the leap into human hair extensions. As hairstyles adapt to the trend, it could take off quickly and even be seen here on the streets of San Antonio! What do you think?

REFERENCES:
EOY -  Hair Extensions For Men In San Antonio?
mtv.com - British Men Harry Styles Extensions
Great Lengths - Men-hancements Madness
NY Daily News - Hair Extensions Help Men Go To New Lengths In Getting Good Looks

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa White is an experienced, licensed hair extension artist and stylist whose passion is to bring out the natural beauty in everyone by enhancing their own individual features with the use of exquisite hair extensions. Melissa has over 14 years of extensive training with the industries top hair extension companies in the newest techniques. Originally from Boston, Melissa has been in San Antonio for the past 8 years. She believes that everyone should be able to access and afford the hair of their dreams... thus the creation of Extensions of Yourself, San Antonio's first salon which specializes exclusively in quality hair extensions.