The Decision to Get Hair Extensions

I Was Tired of Bad Hair Days!

I was tired of not being able to go out in the wind, let alone if it was sprinkling here in the Northwest. I was really tired of spending 30 minutes on my hair – every day – and still not being happy.

Yikes – Before.  July 2008, my 50th birthday (hence the glassy eyes). This hair style required me to dry my baby fine hair upside down immediately after washing. Then a round brush and a hair dryer while spraying with Shaper Plus… back comb the crown a little, more spray, hope the wind doesn’t blow and no one touches it.  And ‘maybe’ it would look good all day.

…….From THIS

……To THIS – In Under Two Hours!

Me, the day of the event!!!  Here’s the progression…  They wash and ‘clarify’ my hair, then blow it as straight as possible.  Lovely don’t you think?!?!

Starting at the base, they attached the strands of hair with a heat clamp.  Then twist it a bit with their fingers and finish with a cold pliers-type device.

The gals work two at a time to really speed things up.

Here’s a close up of one of the clamps.

They chose the colors carefully to match my existing highlights.

Of course, no one ‘finishes’ my hair like I do – so this looks awkward to me, but they did do a great job!

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This photo is why I went back TWO additional times. Had my hair been longer and perhaps a little layered, the initial application would have been sufficient, but being able to see through the hair made me VERY self conscious – as you could imagine.  The gals were great and completely understood.  In fact, before we began they said I may not be able to get the length I wanted from the amount of strands I chose.

IMPORTANT!!! When applying the strands, they are actually cut in half at the tips – so one strand becomes 2.  When I was told I was getting ‘120 strands’ it was actually 60, split.  This is important when you’re pricing your service.  By the time I was finished with 3 applications, I got a total of 140 split strands. And I wouldn’t mind getting another 40-50.

April 9th, 2009.  It only took an hour and a half to wash, attach and style my new locks of hair.  Mermaid Hair Extensions in Kirkland Washington specializes in these. So its no wonder the team of 2 and even sometimes 3 performed like clockwork. The were right on the money when they said that it would be ‘iffy’ if the $750 package I chose would be enough to actually give me length.  It included 120 strands and sure enough – I ordered up another 20 on the spot.  And yesterday I called in for yet another 20-30 because I can see too much of my one length bob through the back.

Keep in mind that I later found out the 120 strands were 60 strands, split.  This is normal. So when researching be sure to ask questions. I’ve since found someone that will do it for about half the price and will write more when I go for a consult.Over all I’m very happy with the service provided, the professional application, the speed in which they worked and the care to make sure I understood just how to keep my hair looking its best the longest.

Owner Cindy suggested I scrunch my hair while letting it dry naturally.  I’ve never done such a thing -unfinished hair- in my life.  Having been a hair dresser in the 70’s with such names as Gene Juarez, I’m all too comfortable with a round brush, hot rollers and a curling iron. And lots of hair spray.  But one morning I thought I’d give it a go. Cindy after all, suggested it more than once.  I applied my favorite AlfaParf mouse, scrunched and went about my morning routine.  Amazing.  No, AMAZING!  I felt the urge to finish the ends with a curling iron but there was really no need.

2nd Week

I’m into my 2nd week of real hair, below my shoulders.  I have to tell you, I’ve never had an easier more feminine hairstyle.  The days of my permed mid back length hair were my favorite.  But they were far too much work.  The service I selected attached real human hair that is slightly curly/waving.  All I do is scrunch it. It still looks best in a low pony or a French braid for now because I’m super self conscious of the underlying bob cut.  I need a bit more.It does tend to tangle more than real hair.  Not just little tangles – its not silky smooth, even though I’ve used the conditioner they gave me at Mermaid Hair Extensions.  It cannot contain oil and I have to keep my hair very clean – therefore the natural scalp oils don’t get a chance to go to the ends.

Brushing. And brushing and brushing….

My hair was below my waist until mid way through the 2nd grade.  Every morning and every night my mother would brush my hair using a “Fuller Brush” natural bristle pain inducing, scalp scraping methodical motion. Apparently she got tired of hitting me on the head with the darn thing every time I’d say ‘ouch’.  Once cut, I don’t think I’ve brushed it since.  Until now.The gals at Mermaid Hair Extensions made it perfectly clear that I must brush my new hair every morning and every night. And not just brush it… get right down to the scalp, under the layers, and REALLY brush it.  Or the affects of the area from the scalp to the attached extensions could be dread-lock like.

Not really loosing too much.  Certainly not more than I expected.  Only now it hurts knowing that those little darlings aren’t growing back until I pay for them to grow back….

3 Months In