Do you ever dream of fabulous hair and wonder how those celebs manage to always have such perfect locks?
Well it may be because they are wearing hair extensions and today we’re diving into the world of bonded keratin hair extensions!
Here’s the lowdown on benefits, hair types, possible hiccups, and ideas on what can influence the cost of your bonded hair extensions.
Firstly what are bonded hair extensions?
There are many types of bonded hair extensions.
Here are a few of the different names which refer to the varying shapes of the keratin bonds which are attached to the hair extensions.
- K tips
- Flat tips
- Nail tips
- U tips
- Fusion bonds
- Keratin bonds
- Pre bonded
- V light
The alternative ways which bonded hair extensions can be attached are:
- Using a tool or machine the stylist will melt the bond and attach the hair extensions via either hot or cold fusion.
- Using hair without a tip called bulk hair the stylist will create bonds using a silicone pad, heat gun and melted keratin.
- Using a V light method ultraviolet (UV light) the stylist will attach the hair using adhesive then set it after using the light.
Here are some frequently asked questions about bonded hair extensions.
What are the benefits of bonded hair extensions?
- They can provide a natural look that can feel like your own.
- They are versatile and can provide length, thickness or colour.
- When applied correctly they will look great for many weeks.
- They provide style freedom and can be placed to suit your needs.
Which hair types are most suitable for bonded hair extensions?
- Fine Hair: Bonded hair extensions are ideal for fine hair due to their lightweight nature and small connections. They provide volume and length without weighing hair down. They can also be cut in half to create micro bonds for really fine hair.
- Medium hair: Bonded hair extensions are also perfect for medium hair thickness but you just need to bear in mind that more hair will be required to blend in.
- Thick Hair: Bonded hair extensions can be used for thick hair but be warned as quite a few will need to be applied to fully integrate and blend in.
How Many Strands of bonded hair extensions will I need?
- For fine hair:
- 75 strands for volume; 100 – 125 strands for length and volume.
- Medium to Thick Hair:
- 150-175 strands
- Thick Hair:
- 200-225 or more strands
How much do bonded hair extensions cost?
Here are some factors which effect the price you will typically pay for bonded hair extensions.
- Hair Quality is a big influencer on price as the better the quality, the longer the hair will last.
- Top-notch hair might mean paying more but it can be re tipped and reused again and again.
- Length and Volume also impacts on the price.
- Longer hair is always more expensive than shorter. Also the amount of strands you need will also effect the price. So if your hair is short you may need more strands or if your hair is thick it will require more too.
- If your hair is fine you will need less hair and often will be able to have half bonds where a single bond is cut in two.
- Professional installation.
- Pros come at a price, so like always expertise will always impact prices but when your having fusion hair extensions it’s always better to choose quality of workmanship over price.
- Brand names may effect price:
- Famous names may cost more, and big brands will too as they have marketing overheads and larger running costs to factor their prices. It’s always best to check out reviews and speak to your hair stylist as sometimes smaller brands can be amazing quality but not as expensive.
Now we’ll cover some potential problems with bonded hair extensions plus how to prevent issues from arising.
- Just like all long hair, tangles can occur if not cared for correctly
- Grab a wide-tooth comb, start from the ends, work your way up supporting the bonds and say goodbye to tangles.
- Shedding if not applied or cared for correctly.
- Finding an expert to carry out your installation plus gentle care and drying the bonds thoroughly will help to keep shedding at bay.
- Heat Damage can happen with all hair extensions.
- Heat protection can really help, along with not over doing it on the heat settings.
Additional tips:
Do some research into the best person to do your hair extensions, check out their work and reviews to make sure they are the pest person to suit your needs.
- Book in for a consultation:
- Hair stylists get busy so it’s never a good idea to show up unannounced. Booking a time in your hair stylists diary to discuss your hair needs and allow them to check your hair for suitability to bonded hair extensions is a way that you can ask prices, have a colour match and find out what will be required for your hair extension upkeep.
- TLC Maintenance:
- Factor in some love and time for your maintenance and plan this in your budget as you’ll need to return to your stylist to have the bonded hair extensions removed and re applied once they start to grow out.
- You may need to book two separate appointments. One to have the hair removed then sent away to be re bonded if you wish to re use the same hair and your stylist does not offer a rebounding service at the salon. The second appointment would be re install the hair again.
- Alternatively you may opt for new hair and have it all done in one appointment.