You can have the gorgeous, voluminous, long hair you always dreamed of having!
Real human hair extensions have continued to grow in popularity, from celebrity movie stars to the girl next door.
It's more common and easier than you think. Whether you desire extra volume, length, or just want hair that behaves much better than your own, you'll be happy to learn it's only an appointment away at Glosshouz.
To learn more, read our Hair Extensions FAQ put together for your information below.
Have you been wondering...What type of hair extensions are there? What are the types available and what are the pros and cons of each? What styles and lengths of hair extensions are available? How long must my hair be before I can use hair extensions? How many/much do I need and what are the costs? Are they hard to maintain and what is the maintenance cost?
Then scroll below to learn the answers to these questions and more!
So, what type of hair extensions are there?
Synthetic versus Real Hair Extensions - The first thing to notice is that there are synthetic low cost extensions and there are quality real human hair extensions. Synthetic extensions may look and feel good to begin with, but they typically will not tolerate hot tools, products and processing or last through multiple washes. They will become dry and brittle and not look and feel good for very long. However, synthetic hair is typically less than half the cost of real hair extensions! Synthetic hair also may have its benefits. It can be used to play around with as clip-ins just to see how you like them or to add volume or length for a one-night updo or ponytail for a special occasion.
To give you an idea, at Glosshouz, one synthetic clip-in 16" length average price is $7.50 while a real human hair extension clip-in same length is $15.
What are the application types for hair extensions?
Halo, Clip-in, Tape-in, Beaded, Bonded, Sewn-in - There are numerous kinds of hair extension products that are designed according to the various methods used to apply them. For example, there are halo, clip-in, tape-in, beaded (aka micro-loop), glued-in (aka Keratin bonded), and weave or sewn-in types. At Glosshouz, we offer the first 4 types, but not the last two.
Halo hair extensions: The Halo is a complete set of hair extensions providing both volume and length that are applied by you, yourself, in less than 5 minutes! It is a very good option as a temporary occasional solution.
The Halo is made with an invisible wire (think fishing line) that is positioned discretely on the top of your head about an inch or two back from your forehead. The hair extensions drape down from the bottom of the halo ring and are hidden within the back of your own head and within your real shorter hair. Wa la! simple as that. Glosshouz offers quality Halo extensions in various lengths and colors.
Clip-in Hair Extensions: Clip-in hair extensions come in both synthetic and real quality hair with prices to match. Clip-ins are also a short term temporary solution. And, just as they sound, they are clipped-in to your own hair with a barrette style clip close to your scalp. Applying clip-ins is very easy and also takes only about 5 mins - with a little practice! Clip-ins are great options to use for updos and changing your hair style around frequently. Want an Ariana Grande look? you can do that with some lengthy clip-ins! Glosshouz stocks some clip-ins of various lengths and colors just for such an occasion. We can add these to your special occasion style (SOS) to create a fancy updo.
Tape-in Hair Extensions: Tape-in hair extensions are semi-permanent hair extensions that you can wear daily just as your own hair. If applied and blended properly, they look very real and no one would even be able to tell you have them! Tape-in hair extensions are, basically, taped onto about a one and a half-inch strip of your own real hair. They can be installed like a sandwich back to back for volume or they can be applied in singles and spread around more if extra volume is not what you are after.
Tape-in real hair extensions are a popular choice since they do not typically compromise the health of your own real hair. They can also be installed adding very light weight and onto very thin-haired persons.
To maintenance tape-in hair extensions, the tape is loosened and removed with a liquid solution, new tape is re-applied to the hair pieces, and then they are re-installed higher up toward the scalp. Initial installation of tape-in hair extensions along with blending/styling with your own hair will typically take about 90 mins. Maintenance of tape-in hair extensions also takes from 90 mins to 2 hours (due to re-taping washing etc.) Maintenance for tape-in hair extensions is typically done every 4-6 weeks once your hair is grown out.
Beaded (micro-link) hair extensions: Beaded type of hair extensions are applied in tiny hair bundles onto a small group of your own real hair. There is a tiny ring that is crimped simultaneously onto the top of the hair extension and a small piece of your own hair creating a temporary mechanical bond.
Beaded hair extensions are nice because since there are so many (80-120 pieces typically) and they are much smaller than tape-ins they move and act more like your own real hair. This is to say, they are easier to hide when pulling your hair into a high ponytail.
To maintenance the beaded type of hair extension, each ring is un-crimped with a tool, which allows the ring and hair extension to be moved up closer to the scalp. Beaded hair extensions application can take from 90 mins to 2 hours depending on how much hair is applied. Maintenance time of beaded hair extensions is about the same but you might be able to go bit longer, up to 8-12 weeks.
Keratin fusion and sewn-in hair extensions - Keratin fusion extensions are a similar form as beaded hair extension pieces, but instead of being mechanically crimped on, they are glued into your hair with hot glue. Lastly, sewn-in hair extensions are installed just as the name implies, by creating a tight braid and then "sewing the hair pieces" onto the braid. Glosshouz does not offer Keratin glued or sewn-in type of hair extensions.
Styles of Real Hair Extensions
Did you know there are beautiful Ombre and multi-color extensions? This makes it very easy to blend and style with your own hair. No color processing required!
Ombre styles come in both light and dark colors and have a graduated dark to light color at the ends.
Multi-color styles look more like traditional highlighted hair and are very nice to blend into your own real hair.
How much do hair extensions cost?
To give you an idea, a full set of hair extensions at regular volume and 18" length (about to the middle of your shoulder blades) may be from $600-700. Keep in mind that if extra volume is what you are after or longer length then the cost might be more. Glosshouz sometimes offers special or introductory pricing on Hair Extensions, so be sure to call and ask.
When we offer hair extensions at Glosshouz, the quoted price includes the color-matching, installation, and the eventual blending (cutting and trimming to blend in with your own hair) and styling with your own hair. This way we can ensure your extensions look very real and beautiful with your own hair.
If you'd like Tape-in or Beaded type, then the maintenance price for hair extensions is also a consideration. This is required for both Tape-in (every 4-6 weeks) or Beaded type (every 8-10 weeks) and the cost at Glosshouz is $125-150.
What is the process for getting Hair Extensions at Glosshouz?
When you come in for a no-charge consult about hair extensions at Glosshouz, we'll show you samples in store of the various types and styles which we offer. We'll also do a color-matching to your own hair with our swatches. We'll help you decide which type and style is best for your lifestyle. We will then figure out how much hair and length you would like and offer you a quotation.
If you decide you'd like to get hair extensions, you will pay 50% of the price up front. Then we will schedule your appointment to come back and have the hair extensions applied in just a few days.
How real do hair extensions look, and can people tell I have them in?
The hair extensions that we would provide will be perfectly matched to your own real hair color. Therefore, the hair extensions will look very real and no one should be able to tell that you have them in - unless you tell them!
Will they damage my real hair?
Persons that have worn hair extensions for years sometimes report that their hair is a bit compromised from wearing the extensions. Or if your hair is naturally very thin or fragile, then you may need to be careful wearing extensions. If this is the case, our stylist will discuss it with you and will help you decide on the right hair extensions for you. Most of the time, tape-in hair extensions are the best option for persons with thinning, fragile hair. If you have thin or fragile hair, you may be a good candidate for tape-in hair extensions. Tape-in hair extensions can be applied as singles or doubles sandwiched onto your own hair. For thin-haired persons, it is a good option to install the extensions as singles to lesson the weight of each extension piece onto your own hair. When we maintenance the extensions, a solvent is used to remove the tape carefully and this should not damage your own real hair.
How does it feel to have hair extensions?
Depending on which type of hair extensions you decide upon the feel of them may be significant (like with a halo, or long clip-ins) or it may be negligent (as with tape-ins that you can barely feel besides the length of them). Beaded hair extensions installation does sometimes make your scalp a bit sore for a few days while you are getting used to them. If this happens to you, you should be able to take pain reliever to alleviate the soreness while you sleep. The soreness from a new installation of beaded hair extensions typically will go away in just a few days. If this is a deciding factor for you, probably the tape-in hair extensions are your best option as these lay flat on your head and are not as noticeable.
Can I flat iron and curl hair extensions?
Yes. Hair extensions are made of real human hair. So, they can be washed and styled just the same as you would your own real hair. Of course, that being said, you shouldn't use too high of heat, or over-process them - just as you wouldn't do this to your own hair. You should use a good leave-in conditioner to keep them feeling extra soft. For this, we recommend UNITE Leave-in Detangler that will not weigh down your hair and takes care of any fly-aways.
Can I ski, swim, shower, and shampoo with them in?
Yes. You can.
Can I wear a ponytail with my hair extensions?
Yes, you can. The beaded style of hair extensions is probably the best and least detectable type of hair extensions to wear with a high ponytail, just because the hair pieces flow into the ponytail direction most naturally. However, even tape-in extensions that match your root hair color very well are hard to detect.
Can I color or highlight hair extensions myself?
If you color your hair yourself, probably the beaded style of hair extensions is the best option for you. It is easier to apply hair color around the beaded hair extension pieces than it is to fully saturate tape-in hair extensions. That being said, we can always color or highlight your extensions for you!
Will the hair extensions fall out randomly?
It is not uncommon to lose a few pieces of extensions along the way, prior to your maintenance appointment. Of course, you should have quite a few pieces in, so it is unlikely this will noticeable at all from another person's perspective. If you do lose a few pieces at any time, you can always just pop in to Glosshouz and we'll be able to put them back in for you at no charge.
How long do hair extensions last?
You should be able to get at least 6 months to one year of use out of your hair extensions. This depends on how you take care of them. After a time, depending on how well you've taken care of them at home, the hair extensions will become worn and not as soft as they once were, or they may become damaged with too much heat processing.
Do you have more questions?
Then click to book a no-charge hair consult, or just call us at 303-459-4210
