Keep your Clip-In's Looking Good with Easy Maintenance Tips!

www.rapunzelrapunzel.co.uk

Posted by Melanie Johnson on March 23, 2010 Stars like Jessica Lucas may use clip-in's as an easy way to change up their hair but their stylists know that in order to keep them looking polished and glossy for as long as possible, it's important to look after them! Nights out and environmental stresses such as wind, rain and pollution can leave even the highest quality human hair looking dull unless it is properly maintained. Luckily for those of us without a team of professionals to look after our hair clip-ins- unlike bonded extensions- can be washed, conditioned and even styled without even getting your own hair wet! The best way to wash clip-in extensions is with a good quality moisturizing shampoo. Bearing in mind that there is no glue involved in this method of extensions you can wash them right up to the weft, smoothing shampoo downwards in the direction of the cuticle. Rich conditioners can also be used so long as you remember to rinse thoroughly. For a real treat or if the ends of your extensions begin to feel a little dry over time, try using a sachet of deep-conditioning treatment and leaving it on the extensions for ten to fifteen minutes. To avoid hours in front of the mirror (and make styling the back of your own head easier!) try curling your extensions before you put them in. The easiest way to do this is to clip them onto something secure at a comfortable height (personally I use a scarf with one end shut in a drawer, but something a little more sophisticated like a clothes airer would do just as well!) then style them as usual, not forgetting to spritz them with a little heat protectant or serum before using hot tongs orstraighteners to keep them looking silky. Comments

Transforming Super-Short Hair Into Glamorous Lengths Like Rumer Willis

www.rapunzelrapunzel.co.uk

Posted by Melanie Johnson on March 3, 2010

Cropped styles may be chic and easy but sometimes the difficult growing-out phases of shorter styles can be unbearably long. Whether you're regretting a big change or simply fancy something a bit more extravagant for a big event, extensions could be the answer to your hair prayers. We've all seen the pictures of Britney Spears' visible bonds- living proof that for individual bonded extensions to look natural, they must have at least four inches of hair to hold on to and be attached well away from the hair's ‘edges' by a skilled professional- but stars like Rumer Willis get it right using clip-in's and bonded wefts which are attached closer to the scalp and can be removed easily to reveal your short cut.

Bear in mind that wherever you place the top row of your extensions, the hair must be long enough to cover the bonded area or clips (anything less than a couple of inches just wont lie flat enough) and your own hair must be blended carefully with the extensions to avoid a ‘seam'. The best way to do this usually involves combing the hair together and securing with hairspray. Curly and wavy styles often blend better with short hair and the blurred edges disguise any shorter layers. Try curling the hair first, then running your fingers through it to get looser waves. The extensions can then either be left loose or gathered to one side as in Rumer's picture and secured with pins or a decorative clip or comb.

If you decide to go for the longer-lasting glued-weft method, bear in mind that you will need to layer the extensions in order to get a more natural look. If your own hair is very short it is often better not to go for the 20 inch mermaid-hair look, but something funkier around collarbone length or slightly longer to get a more undetectable look.

Comments

Clean Up Your Act - The Best Way To Wash Your Extensions

www.rapunzelrapunzel.co.uk

Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 24, 2010

One of the main reasons many women are reluctant to wear bonded extensions is that they worry about maintenance, however with the right washing and drying tips (and some styling tips from our articles on curling and putting up your hair!) there's no reason for extensions to be any harder to look after than naturally long locks. Follow in the footsteps of stars like Kirsten Dunst who sport healthy, well-maintained extensions, and groom them with these simple steps:

To begin with, choose the right shampoo. The best to use are frequent-use or any mild shampoos. The best ones are sulfate and silicone free, as these ingredients can weaken the bonds and make the hair slippery. Put your hair behind your shoulders so that it falls downwards, then wet it and smooth the shampoo on gently from the top to mid-lengths. When you rinse, the water will carry the shampoo to the ends of your hair without drying them out.

Next, select a good quality, moisturizing conditioner (again, sulfate free products are best) and smooth it down from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, taking care to avoid the root area where the bonds are. Allow to sit on the hair for the recommended length of time before rinsing. Using cool water for a final rinse is a great tip for added shine!

When it comes to drying, pat your hair as dry as you can with a towel before blow-drying. When towel drying, avoid rubbing the hair and be as gentle as possible to avoid tangling. It's a great idea to use an anti-frizz serum on the ends of your extensions to keep them soft, shiny and neat.

Food for thought....

In an effort to prove myself capable of writing about more than just hair extensions (a comfortable, yet somewhat vacuous topic....) I decided a little while back to volunteer for a couple more freelance opportunities and luckily for me, the lovely people at 'quirkyrestaurantlover' didn't think I was too appalling! As a result of their charitable natures I am now a contributor on the site and will be writing about all sorts of weird and wonderful restaurants in the upcoming months.

You can find the website at www.quirkyrestaurantlover.co.uk, with upcoming articles on such gastronomic delights as The Modern Toilet, a restaurant in Tai Pei where the food is designed to be....crap! Other exciting venues include Ninja in New York where you can eat sushi in a ninja castle served by the warriors themselves and Moto, a Chicago restaurant taking molecular gastronomy and 'food science' to new levels of crazy deliciousness!

2010's Biggest Hair Trends using Extensions!

www.rapunzelrapunzel.co.uk

Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 8, 2010

As we all know hair fashions change every season, let alone every year, but for 2010 there are certain styles that will stand out head and shoulders above the rest. For the most fashion forward hair this year, try using extensions to create these trendy styles and stay ahead of the fashion pack.

Braids:
Whether you choose schoolgirl style, milkmaid braids or even one long plait to the side as seen on Alexander Wang's models, simply attach your clip-in or permanent extensions and get twisting. Extensions are an absolute must to get the right volume and length for this Rapunzel-style look.

1970's chic:
This style involves long, one-length, well-conditioned hair and can be worn either straight or slightly wavy. It is most popular with a side parting, although a center part works too. If you choose to style your lengths straight, try curving the ends in with your straightening iron to get a more retro, softer look. For the wavy look try braiding the hair loosely before bed, then simply remove your hairbands and combs your fingers through in the morning!

Buns, Chignons and Twists:
The slightly tousled up-do is a big trend for this year, as well as being extremely practical! See our previous article on ‘Using Extensions to Create Stunning Up-do's' for tips on how to achieve this look with clip-ins or permanent extensions. Top-knots are another fashionable choice and can be created my making a high ponytail on the top of your head, twisting it until it coils around on itself and then pinning securely.

The most popular colours for long hair in 2010 look set to be golden blondes, reds and peroxide platinum (as seen everywhere in 2009!).

How to Blend and Feather Your Extensions

www.rapunzelrapunzel.co.uk

Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 4, 2010

If you look at photos of short-haired celebrities who take the plunge with long, beautiful extensions, one thing you won't notice is that tell-tale ‘shelf' where their natural hair ends and the extensions begin. Even those with naturally short hair - Paris Hilton, Frankie Sandford of ‘The Saturdays' and Katie Holmes to name just a few- make sure the two are cleverly blended.

One great tip is to wait until your install is complete and then use a razor comb (gently) drawn downwards from just above the ‘join' area. This will graduate the ends of your hair as well as the top layer of the extensions. Go slowly at first- it's better to take too little than too much. You can also use this technique around the front of your hair to blend the long extensions into your natural layers, creating a ‘feathered' look to the front of your style.

Many girls love a layered look like that of Girls Aloud instead of a long, straight, blunt cut a la Lily Allen's extensions. If this is the case, try sectioning off horizontal layers of your hair and using either a razor comb or hairdressing scissors to chip into it (unevenly to avoid a ‘shelf) all the way along. Let down the next layer of hair (easy to find if you have used liquid gold and wefts or a weave!) and repeat, feathering the length slightly above the previous layer. By starting from the bottom up you can make sure not to go too short or thin.

It's always useful to have a picture of your style inspiration for reference and remember that the best tip of all for natural extensions is making sure you have added enough hair- if your own hair is particularly short and thick this may mean a full head and a half of extensions, or in rarer cases even two, in order to create that natural look! Though our full head hair extensions are suitable for 95% of users.

Using Extensions To Create Stunning Up-Do's

www.rapunzelrapunzel.co.uk

Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 1, 2010

To create a cute pony-tail with clip-in extensions, try fitting the bottom rows upside-down. This enables you to sweep them upwards without creating any unsightly bumps or visible clips. You can fit the top rows as normal or, for a 60's sex kitten look as seen on Nicole Ritchie, try back combing the top of your own hair then smoothing a comb over it to create a volume ‘bump' over your top extension rows.

This style will work just as well on bonded weft extensions, just be careful to brush your own hair back over the bonded areas (this may be easier if you make the pony-tail at mid-head level) and secure with hairspray.

If you want to create a complete up-do, try making a ponytail, then coil and pin strands of your hair around and over the band. This can be as sexily ‘mussed-up' or as neat as you like. You can even try attaching clip-ins along vertical partings down the sides of your head instead of horizontally, sweeping them back to create smooth-sided styles such as chignons without having to worry about visible attachment points. Get creative, use your imagination and with a little bit of practice you can create practically any style using extensions!

Many women love the look of long, straight or curly hair, but worry that extensions are impractical or lack versatility. Luckily this is a complete myth, as extensions can be used to create practical ponytails and stunning up-do's provided you have a few tricks up your sleeve.