Everything You Need to Know About Hair Extensions

As you saw at the Emmys (did you even recognize Breaking Bad's Anna Gunn let's just say she went a little over board), hair extensions can do wonders.  For me, they add fullness to my hair, which is essential for on camera work.  When I wrote about Kelly Ripa's extensions, you all went nuts, because those were done right! Well, now, NYC's master extension artist (my girl), JanMarie Arteca, gave me the scoop on everything you need to know about bonded hair extensions.  You know, in case you're interested in making a commitment.

The Bond...

Great Lengths uses a Keratin bond that is molded to the hair strand. Keratin is a protein that your hair naturally has so that is doesn't cause damage or irritation when applied. The machines used to apply the extensions can be adjusted so there is no heat damage done to the hair either. There should be just enough heat applied to make the keratin bond pliable to the hair.

The Damage or Lack There Of...

When attached properly there will be no damage to your hair. I find that any damaged caused by extensions usually happens in the application stage (not being done properly) or in the maintenance and removal stage.

Bonded extensions can be damaging if they are not maintained properly. The recommended time on these extensions is usually 3-4months. Some clients will keep them in longer than that. The risk in doing so is matting of the hair (think dreadlocks), which can cause problems in the removal of the extension sometime involving hair loss or breakage. Brushing the extensions with a boar and nylon bristle brush will help prevent that. Sleeping with your hair in a loose bun or braid will also help prevent matting.

The Extension Artist...

If you are interested in extensions do some research. Find a salon that is certified in the extensions that you want to have. Go for a consultation, feel the hair, see the machine and get to know your extension artist. Most stylist also have a portfolio of their work, ask to see it! Make sure you like what you see. Lastly, ask for referrals. It's the best way to find someone to do your hair.

The Protection Factor...

Some clients have fine, brittle hair (think hair that just snaps at the touch) or work in fields where their hair is constantly being worked on with heat tools (models/actresses/fashion) applying extensions can help protect your hair from over exposure to heat tools that can cause damage to the hair. When applied they can actually protect your natural hair from being over processed since all the styling work is being done on extension hair leading to less damaged hair.

The Use...

Think outside of the box with extensions. They don't have to be used for just achieving Kim Kardashianesqe volumes of hair. A few bonds can help to enhance a bob or can be used to fill-in a fine hairline. Pastel color is also a major hair trend right now, if you aren't sure you want to commit to the color change ask your stylist about applying a few lilac strands to your look. Having fun with color without the risk of damaging or staining your hair with certain products. Men are also getting into extensions (Steven Tyler) adding a few strand to thinning hair can make all the difference guys!

Jan-Marie Arteca works at the Jeff Chastain Parlor in NYC.  Email her at janmarteca@gmail.com to schedule an extension consultation.

Kelly Ripa's Hairstylist Explains Her Hair Extensions & How You Can Get Them

Ever since Kelly Ripa took off her Wigstad on Live with Kelly & Michael I've been after more answers for you and am excited to let you know that I spoke once again to her hairstylist, Ryan Trygstad of the Marie Robinson Salon in NYC to find out more about what exactly she wears and how you can get the look for less. I previously posted about TryBeautyFalls (see here) before Kelly made the switch to actually wearing them.  Well, TryBeautyFalls is her Wigstad, which she called Wigston on TV.  "It's great for celebrities because it helps hold the style that is put in the hair and adds a nice boost," Trygstad comments.  

He came up with the wig-like extension piece and custom makes them according to his clients head size, color and cut.  "It just floats on the head shape using invisible wig thread," he explains.

As of right now he is the only one making them at the Marie Robinson Salon in NYC and they run about $500 per piece, but he does have hopes of making a mass line in the future.

To get the look, Trygstad recommends getting human hair clip in extensions.  With human hair you can wash and heat style it just like Wigstad.  Clip them in for special events and pop them out to sleep or go to the gym.  The thicker your hair is, the more tracks you need.  Try these from Sally Beauty Supply or a set from any beauty supply store.

Hair Extensions Are A Girl's Best Friend... How An Added Boost Can Make A Huge Impact

I'm back!  I'm back to being Jeannine Morris, the beauty blogger with long, full hair and I love it!  If you're a consistent reader of BeautySweetSpot you know that I've always toyed with hair extensions, from glue in to clip on and of course, the creme de la creme... Great Lengths.  I've been relying heavily on my clip ins for the past year, because with all of the on camera work I do, added hair is always an added bonus.  A visit to the Jeff Chaistain Parlor two weeks ago pushed me over the edge when my colorist, Jan Marie Arteca convinced me once again that it was time... go big or go home.  

That first salon visit ended in adding depth to my single processed chocolate brown hair with lighter brown highlights.  I loved it.  Dimension was needed, but now, so was more hair.  I'm addicted.  Jan put in the order for Great Lengths like she did before (see post) and I found myself back in her chair two weeks later.

Blending the two shades to continue the added depth she already started, she worked quickly and strategically and five hours later (yes, five hours and that's quick) I had the hair I always wanted.  Isn't it funny how much we let our hair define our image?  I mean, look at my before and afters!

I will say that if I wasn't on camera I wouldn't have gotten them.  My hair is long, but very fine.  When on camera it looks finer.  With the way my career is heading (and I hope it continues to steer this way), if added hair can help, I'm adding hair.  Don't let people trick you.  It's not just a celebrity thing.  Everyone in TV adds hair.  Check out the post I did on Kelly Ripa's new hair.   The added boost makes a huge impact.

Now let me tell you about Great Lengths.  I've had them twice before and fall in love with them over and over again.  The quality of the hair is the best I've ever come across in all of my experiments with extensions.  It comes from India and it's real.  Yes, it can be washed and styled and last about three months.  The bonds are made of keratin and don't damage your real hair, but care is crucial.

If you're looking for a boost, I would recommend starting with clip in extensions made of real hair.  They work so well and can be washed and styled.  I got mine at the Helena Collection in NYC.  They match your color and texture so well and can easily be popped in and out.  My only fear with the Great Lengths is that I'll be revolving my workouts around my blowouts!  That's what tends to happen.  Not this time I keep telling myself.  Not. This. Time!

I have to thank Jan Marie for always making me look fab!  The Jeff Chaistan Parlor is located at 29 W. 17th St. NY, NY 10011.

The Scoop on Kelly Ripa's Extensions & How to Get the Look without Commitment: Enter TryBeauty Falls

Every morning as I sit at my desk I have a very strict morning show routine to accompany my cup of coffee.  First up, Kelly Ripa is in my living room.  Religiously.  She doesn't know it yet, but we're BFF's.  If you watch too, you'll know that she's been experimenting with hair extensions this year and is now addicted.  Being that I'm a huge fan of hers and love the natural boost her extensions added I had to find out the scoop!  I spoke with her extension guru, Ryan Trygstad from the Marie Robinson Salon in NYC and he spilled! "The first time Kelly and I met was the first time she got extensions and ever since I have been doing her a lot for different events the last few months," Trygstad commented.  "I consider her a friend, a really funny friend."

Kelly wanted both fullness and some length.  Trygstad used Great Lengths, because the keratin bond is safe and the color and texture selection is vast.  I had Great Lengths before and was completely obsessed with them!

"Being on a daily talk show her hair is heat styled everyday and it was in so need of some help to bring some life back to it!"

For the everyday girl, Trygstad suggests using clip-ins to get Kelly's look, but make sure they're real hair so you can style them just like your own hair.  For those who would like to make a little bit of an investment he recommends trying his customized extensions, TryBeauty Falls.  They fit on top of your head with a fishing-line like halo that allows it to just sit securely without glue or clips.  I'm thinking about going for a consultation since I'm obsessed with my clip-ins and am always looking for the next best thing.

A New Wave in Hair Accessories: Crystal, Tinsel and Feathers

The words "hair accessory" are taking on a whole new meaning.  Inspired by some of our favorite rockstars creative hair 'do's , Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, we can now experiment with our locks in brand new ways.  Great Lengths recently introduced Swarovski Crystal Extensions and feather and tinsel hair extensions are also all the rage. "Women are seeing celebrities experiment with their hair and think it's beautiful and attainable," commented Jan Marie Marteca of the Ted Gibson Salon.  "They're going to start to embrace everything from pastel pink highlighted extensions to pops of tinsel."

The Swarovski crystal extensions last as long as regular Great Length extensions (about three to four months) and are bonded to your hair.  I first saw the feather hair extension while at the Sundance Film festival and think it looks best when the feather is the same tone as your hair.  For instance, if you have brown hair, go with a brown feather so it blends nicely and acts as an accent and doesn't look cheesy.

Beyonce sported gold tinsel at the Grammys this year and Jan spotted tinsel extensions at this year's Hair Show. They're finely knotted around a few strands of your hair and last a few weeks.  The accent may look cute for a special occasion (Grammys anyone?).

Long, Full Hair is Mine Thanks to the Ted Gibson Salon & Great Lengths

I'm so excited because I just got home from the Ted Gibson Salon where Jan-Marie Arteca hooked me up with Great Length extensions!  I feel like whipping my hair back and forth!  Yes, I noticed I'm using a lot of exclamation points already, but I literally just got home and am that happy. As you know, I've expirimented with extensions before and have taken a break for quite some time.  Most recently, I've been wearing clip in extensions for TV segments and spokesperson gigs to add fullness and length to fine hair.  I feel like having good hair makes a big difference in how I carry myself.  Therefore, when having the chance to get Great Lengths I jumped!  In case you're unfamiliar, Great Lengths are real human hair that's bonded to hair through a protein bond.

Jan used six bundles and three hues to seamlessly blend all of the hair into my natural hair.  "If you take care of them properly, they're not damaging to your real hair," she commented.  Since hair sheds as it grows out, it's important to brush it several times a day to free up loose strands from the bond so they don't become matted.  The proper brush is also important.  A Mason Pearson is perfect, but any mix of nylon and boar bristle paddle brush will do.  I can wash my hair regularly with a sulfate free shampoo (which is about three to four times a week) and make sure to keep conditioner away from the bond.  Another important tip is to make sure to dry the bonds as soon as I get out of the shower so they don't slip.

After all of the hair was added, stylist, Eugene Smith, cut a few inches off and added shape to them so they really look like my natural hair.  For people who don't know me, they'd never be able to tell I'm wearing extensions.  All in all, I added about four inches in length and a ton of fullness.  My Great Lengths are expected to last about three to four months depending on how well I take care of them.  Let me tell you, I'm going to baby these beauties!

*All of my before and afters will be up on my Glamour.com column soon!  Stay tuned!

Miranda's Sexy New Style

I would never normally put Sex and the City's Miranda and the word sexy in the same sentence until today.  However, today I'm going to say that Cynthia Nixon is looking pretty damn sexy with her new 'do. The star sported extensions at the premiere of Sex and the City 2 and I think she got it right.  They're perfectly color matched and and at a good length for her age.

What do you think?

My Latest Addiction: Great Lengths

I've never had long hair.  When I say long, I mean half way down my back.  It's something I've always wanted, and for years, my stylist tried to convince me to get extensions.  About two months ago, Anne Hathaway's stylist, Ted Gibson, convinced me to try Platinum Seamless extensions, which last only about two months, just to see if I liked them or not. Skeptical but curious, I took the leap and they changed my life. This week, my two months were up and I ran back to my stylist, Naomi at Gemini 14 who took my hair to another level and introduced me to the Rolls-Royce of extensions: Great Lengths.  He's been trying to convince me to get them for about four years so this was a huge deal for both of us.  The before and after pics are unbelievable... my hair grew six inches in three hours.

Gemini 14's known for doing Miley Cyrus' extensions and Naomi's known me and my hair forever so I felt like I was in the best hands for the job.

The main differences between Platinum Seamless extensions and Great Lengths are the way they're done, the movement and amount of time they last.  The Platinum Seamless are perfect for the person who is looking to add volume or length for a few special events that are all happening within a month or two.  They're about two-inch horizontal strips of hair that are adhered to your root, where as Great Lengths are individual strands of hair that are bonded to your root with heat through a keratin bond.

I am a huge fan of the Great Lengths.  For me, they will last longer and look and feel more natural.  And yes, I can wash and style it regularly.  For anyone considering extensions, both types are great, but for different people and reasons.  Here are photos from when I had the Platinum Seamless extension makeover.

My Spring Makeover

If you could change anything about your appearance what would it be?  For me, it was my hair.  After speaking with Ted Gibson about new the new platinum seamless extensions he was carrying I decided to take the plunge and surrender my hair to the man who transformed Kate Gosselin with a weave a few weeks prior.

I was treated like an A-lister and had Jason Backe apply the extensions and Ted do the shaping.  (I thought only Anne Hathaway received that kind of treatment.)  And you wouldn't believe who was sitting in the salon with me... none other than Kate Gosselin herself having her extensions redone.  Most likely preparing for her huge debut on Dancing with the Stars.

I sat in the chair as Jason and Ted consulted and came up with my coloring and decided to give me wavy hair over straight like my natural texture and mix in a lighter shade of brown in the front.  A bit skeptical at first, I knew I was in the hands of two master minds and was going to come out looking like a million dollars and I was right.  All my life I had fine, straight, dark hair and now I have what I'm calling Kardashian hair!

I got Platinum Seamless extensions, which last anywhere from six weeks to three months depending on how well they're taken care of.  They've been out for a long time, but the glue was recently reformulated and just now received met the standards of the Ted Gibson Salon.  They're strips that are about 2" each that simply stick to the root of your hair.  Compared to Great Lengths (like Kate Gosselin's), which are little individual bundles that are bonded to your hair.  A full head of Platinum Seamless costs anywhere from $950-$1,500, whereas a full head of Great Lengths varies from $3,000-$5,000.

Everyone wants what they can't have right?  Well, after speaking with Jason and Ted I realized that thanks to all of the different types of treatments available today, there's no reason you can't have the hair you want.  It's like investing in a quality pair of boots for a season.  Skip the Louboutins and go for Steve Maddens and invest in your hair once in a while.

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