Austin Hair Extensions at Salon Cherie

When it comes to hair extensions, owner Cheri Gifford is the best of the best. She is being featured in an upcoming article in "Behind the Chair" along with other top stylists and extensionists around the country discussing their success stories with Great Lengths Hair Extensions. She will later be flown to Rome to tour the Great Lengths factory and see the step by step process of how the extensions are made! After having done hundreds upon hundreds of beautiful heads around Texas and beyond, Cheri knows a thing or two about extensions. In 2009 her extension business increased 100%. Her only method, by choice, is fusion technology, specifically from Great Lengths.

Thinking about extensions for yourself? There are so many reasons to consider them! If you have fine or thinning hair, you can add fullness and body. If your hair doesn't grow past a certain length, you can instantly take your locks to where you want them to be. Want the perfect look for your wedding? You can do a lot by just adding a clip in, or by creating the perfect style with a great set of long, flowing strands that are bonded to your own. Before you make a decision, there are a few things to consider. Here's our cheat sheet for you!

First things first. Are you looking for something temporary or permanent?

Clip in extensions are a good quick fix for a night out if you want to add length or volume to your own hair. This type of extension comes in both human and synthetic hair. Keep in mind that while synthetic hair is less expensive, it can't be styled.

Once you've decided to look towards something a little more permanent, you have even more options available to you. Woven, braided, bonded and fused extensions all last 3 months or even longer assuming you care for them well. So what are the pros and cons about these different methods? It depends on what you're looking for.

Woven and Braided hair extensions are a bit less expensive (you can probably get a full head done for less than $1000). It is possible to tighten the extensions to prolong their life. They are applied right at the root of the hair. The thing is not only are they painful because they're applied so close to the scalp, but they're also VERY damaging to your hair! Unless you have super strong healthy hair, steer clear from this option! Not a good fix for someone with thinning or fine hair.

Bonded extensions are applied up to ½ inch from the scalp in various methods. Glue, Hot and Cold fusion are the most common. Gluing can be a faster and less expensive option, but special bonding glue (or any glue, for that matter) can cause breakage where applied and very often the glue will break down and you will lose extensions faster than if you had tried a fusion method. Fusion uses a tool to soften a keratin (protein) tipped extension about ¼" from the scalp. While fused extensions tend to be the most expensive (typically between $1200-$2000), they are also the top of the line when it comes to any type of extension. Here's why:

- Keratin bonds don't cause damage if hair and extensions are well cared for and applied properly.
- Extensions can last up to 6 months, depending on how fast hair grows, and how well they are maintained.
- Because they come in separate bundles and tiny strands, it is easy to get a perfect match to your own hair color, or customize your color to your liking.
- Good extension hair, like Great Lengths, starts with Indian Temple Remi hair. "Remi" hair means the cuticle all lies in the same direction. Temple hair has never been chemically treated. Virgin Indian hair is great because of its thickness and strength.
- Brushed hair that is collected needs to be chemically treated to lie flat, and is usually colored the same way your own hair is. This results in frizzy, unmanageable hair that fades over time. Rather than coloring the hair, Great lengths uses a bleach-free de-pigmentation process that doesn't cause damage, and is followed with a dye process much like textile dying, which won't fade or discolor over time.

Basically, you get what you pay for. It may be a slightly more expensive investment to go with superior quality extensions, but keep in mind that they may be on your head for up to 6 months! Wouldn't you rather pay for the best hair you can get that will last longer, rather than having to shell out too much money more often for hair that will fade, frizz, and damage your own?

Do your research on your extensionist! There are a lot of stylists out there who don't take the time to properly apply the strands. It's easy to find extension jobs out there where the bonds are too thick and too far from the scalp. You might end up with poofy, bumpy, funky looking hair. Or your strands may start slipping out right after you get them in! Research the product that they use too, and the tools used to apply it. You'll be happier if you do your homework! And please, never try to attach anything besides a clip-in extension to your own hair. At Salon Chérie, Cheri always takes the time to make sure you look and feel beautiful. She'll make sure you're a good candidate for extensions, and show you how to properly care for them.

Take a look at our Austin hair extensions gallery and see the results for yourself! She has multiple clients who have had 10+ sets applied because they love them so much.

Hair extensions are awesome and can do so much to change your appearance and give you confidence. Just be sure to look at your options before you make a decision on such a dramatic change!