Your experience with hair extensions?

indiemiss

I'm looking into getting hair extensions for my wedding and a little after that. From my research I've learned overwhelmingly that Remy clip-ins are preferred, so I may look into those...However, I'm concerned about having to take them in and out (such as before sleeping), so I'm keeping my options open to a more semi-permanent method. That way I can wear them throughout the honeymoon (just a week long or so) and not have to worry about them all the time. 

Did you get hair extensions for your wedding, and if so, did they work for you? Could you comfortably wear them to bed/in the shower? And how much did yours cost?

Thanks for your input!

indiemiss

Anyone?

yellowrose314

I have a set of clip in's that I absolutely love. They're incredibly easy to put in and I find they're easier to take care of than the glue in's or a weave (I've tried both). Don't worry about having to take put them in and take them out, it takes maybe 5 minutes once you get the hang of it and where to place it.

If you get some, and they're a bit longer (don't know how long your hair is), you might want to take them to your hair stylist and get them trimmed and layered a bit to blend them into your natural hair. I would not recommend wearing them in the shower, you have to wash them seperate about every 4-6 weeks. ALWAYS use heat protectant on them if you heat style them.

There are TONS of places to order them from online, I got mine from Foxy Locks, a UK company. They're amazing quality and 100% remy virgin hair. I highly recommend them.

indiemiss

Thank you sooo much for your advice from someone who's been there. My hair is almost shoulder-length so I'm looking to add volume/length. 

I hear clip-ins are a lot less expensive, but my main concern was the maintenance/upkeep. Good to know about the shower thing. I know it's not reccomended because they tangle easily, but is there any way to sleep with them comfortably? 

yellowrose314

I honestly couldn't tell you, I've never slept with them in. However, once I have mine in, I don't even feel them anymore. The clips on them are great, they have a silicone strip that keeps them from pulling or breaking your hair. I guess you'd just have to try sleeping in them when you get them to see if they're comfortable or not. I really wouldn't advise it though, seeing as when you brush your hair in the morning, they're more likely to tangle and snag, and you run the risk of thinning them out prematurely. 

yellowrose314

Also... few other tips...

- Don't buy in to the "hair extention" brushes. I've never seen any difference with them. I just use a boar bristle paddle brush, just be gentle with them.

- Make sure you're using sulfate free shampoos/conditioners/styling products on them. The hair extensions don't have the natural oils your own hair has, if you use non sulfafe free stuff, you'll notice the extensions get extremely dry and the color dulls a lot quicker. 

- Invest in a really great moisturizing treatment, like a thick conditioning hair mask. Everytime I wash mine I put it on them and let it sit for like 20 minutes before rinsing them again, totally makes a difference in their moisture and shine and helps them last longer.

- Even if you're not wearing them everyday, moisturize them at least 2 times per week. I use Moraccanoil, the light version. Makes them smell amazing and keeps them hydrated. It's also a partial heat protectant. 

Hope this helps, any more questions, just ask

semi891

I would use clip-ins.  They can be strategically placed by your stylist to suit whatever style you have.  I find weaves can look almost ratty after a few washes, and I know the braids can be uncomfortable.  Bonds or other kinds of extensions can also be really expensive.  Most brides I've styled (I'm a hairstylist) have used the clip ins and they always look great! And once you get used to them, they are really quick and easy to put in yourself.

Extensions are more prone to damage as the cuticle has been removed.  They have been treated numerous times with chemicals, so be careful with coloring them.  If you have to color them to match your hair, it's better to get lighter ones and go darker than get darker ones and have to go lighter.  I've seen extensions go pink when being lightened.  Or color your hair to match your extensions Definitely have your stylist cut/layer them so they blend with your hair.

indiemiss

Thanks for all the tips! I think I will get clip-ins and have them professionally styled/colored I will also take care with the treatments you reccomended. Do you think they'd be too much maintenance during a honeymoon? I definitely don't plan on swimming in them or anything, but glad to hear they are comfortable enough you can't feel them!

sunnilove

if you can get a stylist to do them , theres extentions that lay flat and are by far the best theyre like double sided glue but they lay flat and if placed properly youll never see them, they look a lot mor enatural then the clip ins

s-aries8990

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_hair-411-pantene_your-experience-with-hair-extensions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:f05386ae-e822-4076-916f-0d897a736679Discussion:2e58255a-bf96-409d-a3bc-bc0e709ebdc8Post:4bf2d0c7-4fba-4feb-af5e-94c98cfa77f3">Re: Your experience with hair extensions?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for all the tips! I think I will get clip-ins and have them professionally styled/colored :) I will also take care with the treatments you reccomended. Do you think they'd be too much maintenance during a honeymoon? I definitely don't plan on swimming in them or anything, but glad to hear they are comfortable enough you can't feel them!
Posted by indiemiss[/QUOTE]

If I were you I'd purchase them and try them out IRL before taking them to the stylist, etc. Just wear them around to see how they feel. Friends of mine that have used clip-ins usually take them out after the night is done and have only slept in them if they fell asleep before they took them out. I think that they might be the best bang for your buck considering the amount of use they can get over one-time extensions.

julespinkribbon

hey!! I have done every kind of extension you can think of. The only ones that have worked for me and that I swear by are clip ins. So convenient and I wear them whenever I feel like. I had extensions sewn in a few years ago for a sorority formal and they were itchy. I had extensions glued in for another formal and I pulled them off my head in the bathroom in the middle of the formal they hurt so bad. I do not suggest anything but clip ins. If you get them, I agree that you should go to the hair stylist and get them cut and styled to your hair. I have a graduated bob hair style that is now just above shoulder length and i have 14 inch and 18 inch extensions that youd never know werent my real hair! But wear them around as much as you can before the wedding and honey moon to get used to them. I think you will love them.
best of luck xoxo

indiemiss

Just an update -

After much research I have decided to go with Sally's Euronext clip-in extensions (they get great reviews) and have my hair dyed to match and the extensions cut and styled at the salon. 

Thanks for all your advice, ladies!