Ever get so sick of your hair you just start buying cheap wigs off of amazon or you spontaneously buy a box of purple hair dye from target because YOU JUST NEED A CHANGE!? Well that was me haha I have been wanting to do something different with my hair for some time now! I usually only do something with my hair once a year, my mom always raised me to keep my hair as natural as possible but it was time for a change.
I was looking at getting a blonde balayage but I had gotten that in the past, after my mom passed away I was having a crisis and just wanted to change something about myself so I started looking at pinterest and thought about extensions!
I was pretty familiar with extensions I bought some in the past and my mom always had tape ins but this time I was going to be blonde and wanted to have my hair stylist cut them for me to blend with my hair! (Don't ask about the horrible choppy haircut I gave my first set with some fabric scissors *eye roll*)
I was so happy when Hairby_RandiFuller reached out to collaborate with me. She is such a sweetheart and seriously so talented! Her work, her braids, and her awesome attitude will take her far in life!
Randi is a mom with two beautiful boys working part time at Clearwater salon and med spa in Williams Bay, Wisconsin! I knew I wanted extensions but since it was harder for Randi and I to meet in person before my appointment we messaged over instagram some of my hair goals! I sent her a picture of my then current hair and of the extensions I was deciding between. Randi was honest with me and told me which ones she could match my hair with so I ordered the extensions and waited for our appointment!
I am honestly so embarrassed to show my before pictures of my hair! Randi transformed me into a new woman! Randi boosted my confidence levels and just made me feel like I could do anything with my new hair! She is unbelievably talented and worked all my extensions into my hair and managed to do a bunch of beautiful braided looks! Randi is available for weddings, proms and other special occasions in the Milwaukee and Lake Geneva area!
SO
Lets talk about extensions
Extensions are such an awesome way to not only add length to your hair but volume as well. They're great for people with thin hair (like me) who are looking for both, but also good for people with thicker short hair who want to add some length. They are also an easy way to spice up your braids, updos, or just everyday looks. The reason I wanted extensions was because I have thin, curly, mid-length hair and I absolutely love braids but can't always get them to look how I want with my own hair. Extensions allow you to have so much fun and get creative with your hair! With so many options; clip ins, tape ins, hand tied, micro beaded extensions and fusion extensions, how do you know which ones to choose? For me it was pretty easy, clip ins were within my budget and the most convenient because of their ability to take in and take out.
My clip ins are from Barefoot Blonde Hair
Why did I choose Barefoot Blonde Hair?
I chose BFBHair because I am a huge fan of Amber Fillerup , if you do not know who Amber is, she is an OG blogger from 2010 she paved the way for bloggers and instagrammers to be able to turn their names into brands! She is an inspiration to me and I love to support her. It also helps that I have bought extensions from her website before and was pretty satisfied with them! Amber also has a wide selection of extensions on her website including the BFB Up and fill ins. You can find out what these are if you keep reading!
What did I get?
I got the Classic honey dipped seamless set. 10 wefts, 160 grams.
These pictures are after they have been worn a few times!
When you're first sent the box, you are sent a sample piece to open to see if that matches your hair. If it doesn't then you can return the unopened extensions. However if you open the larger pack they are no longer returnable. You also get a cute little pamphlet on how and where to place all of the extensions. I love the experience you get with buying these extensions!
Overall thoughts so far?
Like I said I have had Ambers hair extensions in the past and love them! These ones are so seamless they almost look like tape ins. They are so natural and perfect for braiding my hair or doing beach waves for shoots. The wefts are sturdy and the hair doesn't really fall out much. It's pretty easy to work with and you get a lot of pieces. I usually only wear 5-6 pieces depending on my hairstyle. However like most extensions they do get pretty heavy after a long day!
I plan on doing a separate blog post to show you how I care for my extensions, where to place them and more! :)
Check out what an incredible job Randi did with these extensions!
So... interested in extensions?
I got a lot of questions about extensions when I posted on my story about getting my hair done with Randi a few weeks ago so I just wanted to share some information on extensions for those of you who are interested in hearing more about the fascinating world of hair!
Please note I am not a hair extensions expert whatsoever, I did not go to school for hair and this is all my own research and opinions!
As I stated earlier with so many options; clip ins, tape ins, hand tied, micro beaded extensions and fusion extensions, how do you know which ones to choose? Lets start with the basics.
Clip Ins
Clip ins are an amazing, quick and less expensive way to add length and volume to your hair. They are a great alternative to their high end sisters! There is no commitment, put them in and out whenever you want!
My clip ins are from Barefoot Blonde Hair .
Price range: $60-$215
Pros (based on website not product on hand):
-Variety of hair extensions including classic clip ins, fill ins for thinner hair, and the "BFB Up" for up dos
Cons (based on website not product on hand):
-Not a large selection of colors and all of the classics are one weight (160 grams)
More clip in brands
Price Range: $130-$320
Pros:
-Large variety of clip in pony tails, bangs, curly hair and wigs. Usually always a sale on their site.
Cons:
-Website is very overwhelming.
Price Range: $139-$259
Pros:
-Large selection of extensions including a balayage collection, different weight for different hair types and a review section!
Cons:
-Not that large variety of shades otherwise overall really impressive but pricey.
Tape Ins
Tape in hair extensions are thin tape wefts, that get “taped-in” between your own hair like a sandwich. These are great for people who do not have the time or want to put in hair extensions everyday, they rest completely flat against your head. These are great for thinner hair because they are so seamless while still lasting a months.
Pros of tape ins
-Easy and fast installation compared to other methods.
-Usually cheaper than beaded and hand tied.
-Do it yourself! (Not always recommended)
Cons of tape ins
-You must take care of the hair-you cannot just throw your hair up and go- unless your hair is naturally straight, you'll always have to style it.
-Head is a bit heavier.
-Not as easy to remove.
Price Range: Each person is different, depending on the area you go, your budget, goals and other factors but tape ins can start anywhere between $500-$600, an hourly fee, and tip! You can end up paying up to $1000 depending on many factors.
Micro Beaded extensions
Micro-beaded extensions are extensions that involve attaching the hair to a small color matched beads.The extensions are attached to the hair at the scalp, as the hair grows, (about every 4-6 weeks) you will usually need your extensions adjusted (pushed up). Beaded extensions are recommended for thick or coarse hair. According to Hairextensionmagazine.com with proper maintenance micro beaded extensions can last months with regular maintenance.
Pros of micro beading
-You can add as much length as you want
-Still throw your hair up in top knots, buns, ponys etc.. (easier to get ready and go)
-You can dye them, heat, and treat them as you would your own hair
-You can keep reusing that hair!
Cons of micro beading
-More expensive than tape ins
-Keep up with them every 4-6 weeks
-Some pieces can fall out when brushing
Price Range: Each person is different, depending on the area you go, your budget, goals and other factors but micro beading can start at $800, an hourly fee, and tip! You can end up paying up to $1500 depending on many factors.
Hand tied extensions
Hand-Tied extensions are where the wefts are added to your hair by beading in rows and then hand-tying the wefts to your natural hair. They can be washed, dyed, straighten and curled with heating tools.
Pros of hand tied extensions
-They can last for months if cared for properly
-This is said to be the least damaging extension
-Best for thicker hair
Cons of hand tied extensions
-You will need to have the rows tightened about every 6 weeks
-Requires a LOT of maintenance
-Pulling and tightness on the scalp
-It can be harder to find someone who does hand tying
So with all of these methods, what salons in the Milwaukee/Chicago area offer them?
There are a variety of places in the Milwaukee and Chicago area that offer tape in, beaded and hand tied extensions with free consultations! Many places do not offer online pricing as it is very individualized based on each persons own hair, budget and goals. Below is a list of awesome salons that offer either of the three extensions we talked about.
Milwaukee
Chicago
Hair extensions are such a fun way to add length and volume to your hair! Clip ins are my personal favorite but there are so many options out there. I hope you learned something new or are now interested in learning more about extensions! I had such a great time working with Randi and cannot wait to show more of her work on my page in the future! Make sure you guys follow her on instagram @Hairby_RandiFuller. She made me feel like such a princess and I feel so lucky to have gained a new friend! If you're looking for beautiful prom or wedding braids make sure you reach out to her ladies!
I had so much fun changing up my hair with color and extensions! If you have any other questions about hair or extensions feel free to comment down below or DM me or Randi on instagram! Thank you guys so much for following along. Be sure to subscribe to stay updated!