When
it comes to getting the perfect hair, weaves and
extensions can turn your short, lackluster strands into
long and luxurious tresses in record time. But the same
weaves and extensions the celebrities sport on a daily
basis tend to be way out of the price range for everyday
people. If you’re thinking about getting a hair weave or
extensions put in, it’s important to look over your
alternatives and find out which method works best for you
and your wallet.
Both
hair weaves and extensions use synthetic (fake) or real
human hair. There are various ways to get weaves and
extensions put in but not all of them are safe or healthy
for your hair so take the time to research the different
options and talk to a professional stylist who specializes
in this practice.
Weaves
are seen as a type of extension but are already styled (like
braids), while regular extensions are just the hair itself
in its natural state. Extensions can be straight, wavy or
curly and are often very long so it can be cut to the
desired length.
The
price of getting a hair weave or extension depends on the
quality of the hair being used as well as the method used
for putting it in. Synthetic hair is the cheapest by far
but also the most likely to cause problems. For one thing,
synthetic hair tends to look fake and is not durable.
Putting any kind of heat on synthetic hair will cause it
to melt so don’t choose this type of hair if you want to
curl or style it with heated tools. For the best results,
real human hair should be used. The price varies on the
quality and the grade of the hair.
Once
you’ve chosen the type of hair you want, you’ll need to
figure out how you want to get it put in. One of the most
popular methods is the traditional sew-in weave. This
involves putting a protective net over the natural hair,
which has been braided in cornrows, keeping it separate
from the weave. The weave is then sewn into the net, so
the only thing visible is the new hairstyle. This process
is considered the safest for the hair and scalp. The only
downside is the tightness of the cornrows can cause minor
headaches and itchiness. Sew-in weaves can range in price
between $150-1,200.
The hot
fusion/bonding technique involves attaching the extensions
to the natural hair using a hot waxy adhesive. The natural
hair is wrapped around the extension and glued close to
the roots. This method is also popular but can be very bad
for your hair. Hot fusion can put your hair at great risk
for breakage. This process normally starts at $300. There
is also the cold fusion option, which is said to be
gentler on the hair. However, this process can cost
anywhere between $1,500-3,500.
Not
sure you want to go through all of that for long hair?
Then try clip-on extensions. Many hair supply stores carry
special clips that contain hair that is already cut and
styled to match your hair type. Simply put your hair up
into a secure bun, clip-on the extension and you’re good
to go! This is the cheapest way to add length and style to
your hair without involving the use of chemicals. Most
clip-on hair extensions cost between $15-20 or more.
