Short, Long or Extensions?

Short hair is a great option, but sometimes we have the desire to start growing it out and we're stuck in an awkward phase. Now what?

You want that long hair but it's going to likely take another year or two. 

Are you willing to wait?

Can you afford to wait that long?

Are you running in an election, are you applying for a new job, are you attending an important conference?

Sometimes leaving your hair to grow is worse than cutting it short.

There are ways to remedy the silly hair.

OPTION A: Short Ponytail 

If your hair is long enough, you can wear your hair back in a short ponytail and avoid showing the grown-out layers. Don't wear your hair down, instead pull it back and wear fresh make-up. 

OPTION B: Extension on Ponytail

This is a good way to build on Option A. You can tie back your hair as usual, but if there's an extra special meeting or event coming up, you can opt for a hassle-free extension ponytail or bun clip-in or elastic.

You can invest in a ponytail extension if you ever want to look like you have longer hair.

There are several ways to secure an extension on your short ponytail. Some are sold as clips or elastics in various styles, including messy buns, curly buns, classy buns and long ponytails, wavy ponytails. 

The clip or elastic hangs on your own securely tied hair, so it's not extremely noticeable or too uncomfortable. 

The options are endless.

There are so many options. Honestly. You can buy synthetic or human hair for these ponytail extensions -no problem- just double-check that the hair is not unnaturally shiny because then it will be obvious it is not your hair. Also, be careful, not all synthetic hair pieces can withstand heat. Do not use your curling or straightening iron unless the product specifies that it is heat-resistant.

OPTION C: Clip-In Extensions

(Ow, these really hurt sometimes). If your scalp is sensitive this may not be a viable option for you. Don't buy a whole set of these if you know yourself to have a sensitive scalp. The clips can clench your scalp and irritate you from wearing them all day. You will want to scratch your head endlessly.

DO NOT BUY BEFORE YOU TEST OR TRY.

If you have fine hair this is also a bad option, because the clips will weigh down your hair, slip off and clench your hair or damage it. Sometimes the clip is very difficult to hide and peeks out, especially on fine light coloured hair.

Can you spot the clip-in? The wind can always blow your hair and reveal your secret.

A lot of women have tutorials online on how to best wear these extensions. They are not as easy to wear as they look. They take a lot of time to put on and get uncomfortable and itchy during the day, and sometimes get revealed with the elements like rain and wind blowing your hair off the hidden extension. I personally find clip-in extensions can make you more self-conscious (because they may un-clip or show) than if you wore your natural length that day. 

However....Do Try Clip-In Extensions, and even order them in human hair for a long-lasting investment if you have:

Thick or Medium Hair Clip-in extensions do work really well if you can handle them and like them. Thick hair, medium length hair is great for clip-in extensions. Short hair often looks scraggly when long clip-in extensions are added and have  a mullet-like appearance. Medium to long hair is best for adding clip-in extensions.  There are so many styles and often synthetic extensions look great too, as long as the synthetic strands are high quality. If you are a clip-in extensions veteran, you may want to invest in buying a whole set of human hair clip-ins. They come in all colour and highlight combinations to look natural.

Invest in a set of high-quality human extensions if you like to wear clip-ins.

Colour Clip-in extensions are also wonderful ways to experiment with colour streaks without damaging your own hair.

Longer term solutions coming up....

Weaves, fusion and microloop extensions are all long-term extension solutions if you want length and have minimal patience for constant styling and application in the morning. These belong to a group of extension products that appear and act like your own hair. You sleep, shower and exercise with these in your own hair, and therefore they present their own challenges and maintenance- if you want them to last for several months.

The main difference between  the three is the method of application and how they are attached to your hair. What works best depends entirely individual hair texture and thickness, as well as personal preferences and past experiences.

OPTION D: Weaves

Weaves generally are recommended for people with very curly and coarse hair. The chances of tangling by weave are minimized because natural hair is braided into rows and the weave extensions are sewn into the braids in rows. The curly or coarse hair is more likely to stay in place as a braid.

Individuals with fine hair often find their natural hair slipping out of the braids and the weave loosening as a result. If you have straight hair and specifically straight smooth fine hair, weaves are not likely a great option for you.

Note: Weaves are also uncomfortable and take some getting used to. They can be itchy and pull on your scalp and natural hair.  If you have thin or fine hair you will find this method especially unbearable.

The Weave Method: The application takes around two hours to get your weave sewn in, and usually costs  $100-$300, including the hair. The cost depends on the hair you select and on the price of the application. 

Weave tracks are sewn into braids of your own hair. The tracks are layered around your head to have a full head of extensions. 

In the photo a woman is seen with blonde weave tracks partially sewn into the braids. She has a weave done only for the lower half of her head, likely for increasing length only. She has long hair but wants to have extra-long hair, therefore only getting the application for lower half of her head.

In the photo a woman with straight hair is seen with blonde weave tracks partially sewn into her braids. She has long hair but wants to have extra-long hair, therefore only getting the application for lower half of her head.

You can opt for buying hair in a beauty shop such as Clore Beauty (Dufferin and Bloor) or Sally Beauty Supply (various locations) and going to a black beauty salon, 

OR you can go to a black beauty salon and purchase the hair from the salon as you get your weave.

I recommend going to a black or ethnic beauty salon for a weave-extension application because they are the experts in this extension procedure. They are the masters of taming curly hair, and often the best professionals to help you blend your hair with the weave.

Purchasing Hair for Your Weave: There are endless options for weaves in a beauty supply outlet store like Chlore. Chlore has high quality human hair premium options. Opt to buy human hair for your weave or a human hair mix. If you buy synthetic hair, do so with caution and ensure it is heat-resistant because the worst you can do for yourself is get a lovely weave and not be able to straighten or curl your hair in the morning! Again, from my professional and personal experiences, human hair or human hair mix is the way to go for long-term extensions.

OPTION E: Fusion Extensions  or Hot Fusion or Keratin-Bond Extensions

Typical fusion extensions result.

Hot fusion extensions or keratin-bond extensions are the epitome of hair-extension technology. They are the most expensive, ranging from $500- $1500, because they look the most seamless and take the longest time to apply. They can last between 3 to 5 months.

Hot Fusion Method

Expect a 4 to 6 hour application as fusion extensions are applied strand-by-strand. Hot fusion extensions require U-Tip hair extensions manufactured by several big brands such as So Cap Original

and Great Lengths. U-Tip refers to the method of the bond; the hair strand is attached via a keratin bond which at the tip looks like a U-shape. Keratin bond U-tips can only be applied with a heat applicator by an extension specialist or technician, hence why this method is alternately referred to as the Hot Fusion method.

U-Tip hair extensions.

The applied strands look seamless and blend well with natural hair.

Fusion extensions are the most popular type of long-term extension solutions for celebrities and professionals. They are always human hair, and they can be applied for the full-head or half-head.

Notable celebrities who wear fusion extensions. Natalie Eva Marie, Heidi Klum, Nina Dobrev.

Lauren Conrad, Sofia Vergara and Julianne Hough are also extension divas.

Corrective Solutions: If you get a bad haircut and need to even out and add some hair in places, fusion extensions offer the flexibility to correct such mistakes seamlessly.

Rita Ora wanted length; most also use fusion to lengthen their natural hair. 

Maintenance: Fusion extensions are especially great for people with straight and fine hair because they usually come in straight styles. Wavy and curly fusion extensions are also available, however when the extensions grow out, tangling can occur at the root and can be especially difficult to contain for curly hair.

Sleep: It is extremely important to loosely tie your hair when sleeping when you have fusion extensions as tangling at the root is more likely to occur when the hair is moving in your sleep.

Washing Hair: Washing fusion extensions is almost like washing your own hair, but rinsing the roots where the bond is secured is important when you use shampoo and conditioner. Rinsing a few times will ensure you have removed all products from your hair and have a fresh clean scalp.

Fusion extensions are great for adding both length and volume.

Even really short hair can be corrected and lengthened with fusion.

Fusion extensions feel very weightless once you get used to them. It will take a day or two to get used to and then you will not notice they are there.

These extensions blend so well with natural hair, especially if your hairdresser shaped and layered the hair with a cut after the application. This allows the extensions and your hair to look seamless.

OPTION F: Cold Fusion or Microloop Extensions

Cold Fusion or Microloop Extensions are nearly identical to Hot Fusion/Keratin bond extensions, except that they're cold. They don't require heat to administer and are considered to be 'healthier' for the hair.

The Method: Cold fusion extensions use a similar strand-by-strand technique but with a different tip or bond. These bonds are referred to as I-Tip bonds and the I -Tip hair strands are pulled through a metal loop alongside the natural hair strand that  it is being attached to. Then the metal micro-loop is secured in place with the applicator.

The application similarly takes 4 to 6 hours but may be slightly cheaper than hot-fusion extensions, depending on the salon and technician.

Cold fusion is preferred by people who claim dyeing their hair  or roots is easier to do with the metal loops rather than the keratin bonds of hot fusion.

Cold fusion/Microloop is also an excellent choice for people who like using heat for their hairstyling, as sometimes  Hot Fusion/Keratin  bonds can soften under high heat.

Microloops last a little less than Hot Fusion extensions because the metal microloops often slip or can get loose over time and may need to be corrected by the technician with the applicator and squeeze the metal microloop back to its tight hold.

OPTION G: Wigs

I do not recommend wigs for most women who are not used to wearing them who want length. They are itchy, uncomfortable and sweaty.

If you are experiencing hair loss or partial hair loss, wigs can however be an excellent option.

Half-Wigs are a wonderful way to add length and not worry about unnatural hairlines interfering with your confidence. There are many on the market and are easier to use than clip-in extensions. Often half-wigs are secure via clips that are attached to the half-wig's mesh underbody.

Jessica Simpson's line uses half-wigs that clip in to add volume.

Lace-Front Wigs are the only type of full-head wig I recommend. They are great options because they allow for the wig to appear as if it is growing out of your natural hairline/forehead.
Many celebrities who enjoy changing their hair very often opt for Lace-Front Wigs such as Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga.

Gaga was a brunette in these photos, but the barely-there LFW transformed her into the Lady.

Frequently changing hairstyles works well with Lace-Front Wigs.

You can identify  if a wig is a Lace-Front Wig if it is sold with an inch of mesh around the hairline which you cut down to fit with your hair. Some people use cover-up to hide the mesh, but I cut the mesh cleanly to the shape of my hairline. Most people believe Lace-Front Wigs are your natural hair unless they work in the beauty industry.

These are the best options, outlined by needs and function.  THE END.

For any specific questions, feel free to leave me a message and I'll address in an upcoming post.