Confession: I have had hair extensions for the past 7 months. If you didn't know, now you know! In reality, regardless if you are my closest friend or a stranger on the street, if you've asked me about my hair you know they're extensions. I never want to give the impression I have naturally perfect long hair because I don't want to be a part of the problem of Instagram society! So whenever someone makes the comment "wow your hair is so long and luscious" my first comment always is: "Thank you! It isn't real!" Why be fake, am I right?
ANYWAY. I've been absolutely obsessed with my extensions. They've improved my life and my style. They're SO easy to maintain (besides combing and brushing your hair for at least 10 minutes everyday). Most importantly, they look so real. I can't tell anymore what is my real hair and what is fake when I try to show people! I know hair extensions are something so many people are curious about and I'm here to answer all the questions if you have them. I'll start off with the easiest part! Here are 5 ways hair extensions improve your quality of life:
1. Never Having a Bad Hair Day
Humidity and hat hair factors aside... having extensions mean being able to do any hair style you want and have it look 10x more fabulous. Want to go all out? Curl your extensions and look like a mermaid for 3 days. Not feeling it? Throw them in a half or full pony and have full on Ariana Grande status hair.
2. Self-Confidence Boost
Not a day goes by that I don't feel confident about my hair or that someone recognizes it. I'm not a big compliment seeker but if this is something that makes your day than hair extensions are right for you (not that this should be the only reason). My hair is SUPER thin and I don't have much of it so it was something I was always conscious about, especially when growing it long and having the ends get very sparse (as you can see below). Extensions added all the volume and extra length I craved which amounted to increased self-confidence.
3. More Volume and More Hair
Going off of what I mentioned before: extensions are perfect if you want extra length and volume to your hair. Even if your hair is super thin, the beading used to secure them isn't visible underneath your natural hair and your stylist will make sure of this. Mine filled in all the spots I was wanting extra volume in and I even see more growth in my natural hair from not wearing it up as much and as tight as I normally would!
4. Perfect Addition To Any Look
Nothing compliments a look more than great hair!
5. Less Maintenance Than Clip-Ins
I went through a clip-in extension phase of my life and after that never wanted extensions again. They were so hard to install, pulled down on my hair, and I ALWAYS ended up with a headache. Permanent (or semi-permanent I guess you could say?) extensions are way less maintenance than temporary clip-ins and you don't even think about them most of the day.
Before and Afters:
photos credit of @mermaidhairbynicole
The Nitty-Gritty of it All:
- Extensions are a heavy investment. Quality ones can run upward of $1,000 but you are absolutely getting what you pay for!
- The install process can be the definition of "beauty is pain". If you have a sensitive scalp, as I do, you will feel them the day after. This is nothing that Advil won't fix but something to be prepared for!
- You can do everything to your extensions that you already do to your natural hair! I do the exact same process to my extensions as I would have prior, with the exception of deep conditioning, and they are still in impeccable condition. You don't ever have to worry about heat styling either as they hold up to this as well.
- They are WAY less maintenance than you expect them to be. My hair stylist told me that if I don't want to apply heat every day I don't have to to make them look great! Just braid your slightly damp hair the night before and you still wake up with mermaid hair.
- Extensions (specifically the Mermaid Hair ones I have) are naturally wavy so for sure something that will blend in if you have naturally wavy hair. They may be slightly more maintenance if your hair is naturally straight.
What do you think?! If you want to see more amazing transformations. Follow my girl @mermaidhairbynicole who is the reason I have such great hair and the reason I wanted to share my experience with everyone!
Still want to know more? Ask whatever you want in the comments below 😉
