Chat with us, powered by LiveChat


EXTENSION FAQs







EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO KNOW
AND MORE!



and if you have more questions just,,,,


call us!

FAQ’s about Hair Extensions



So you’ve decided to spend the money and get hair extensions….or you’re thinking about it. This is a big decision, and not an easy one. There are many hair salons in Vancouver now offering the service since it has become increasingly popular.



We recommend you do your research, make sure you are getting someone with experience and then go to a few consultations before you make your decision.





HOW DO I KNOW MY EXTENSION TECHNICIAN IS GOOD?



Now this is a hard one. Not all extension technicians are created equal, so you really need to do your homework.

Extensionists should be licensed stylists. Since there are many methods of applying hair extensions (and many types of hair extensions) it’s to your advantage to find a salon that offers several different methods, and not just one. Also, the extensionist should be able to show you certificates received from classes taken for each method. Ask for a photos and see if you can’t chat with a few clients who have extensions of the type and method recommended to you.

How many people should they have done extensions on before being considered experienced enough to be able to perform this service? Experts say a good answer is somewhere near thirty at minimum. A really experienced extension technician will have hundreds under their belt.



ASK TO SEE PHOTOS (before/after)

Now more than ever, salons and stylists utilize social media to show their work. If there are no photos of any of your technicians work there is a problem! Make sure you see their work and you like it before you commit to having it done.


LOOK AT REVIEWS

In this world of technology, it is easy to find out what an extension salon’s reputation is. If they have been in business long enough there will be reviews from extension clients and other information out there. Be wary if there are too many bad reviews. On the other hand, if there are absolutely no reviews that should make you wonder too. Salons that have been in the extension business long enough will have some feedback out there on the web.


ASK HOW MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE THE EXTENSION ARTIST HAS

Where they trained, and if he/she has any certification. You can confirm any information by calling to check. Great Lengths, for example, has very strict rules about their extensions being used only by certified technicians who have gone through their mandatory training. You can easily call them and confirm your stylist’s credentials.


YOU SHOULD GET A FIRM WRITTEN QUOTE

You should get a firm written quote. A good technician will know how much hair you need and what it will cost based on your desired look. A quote should never change at the time of your appointment unless you both decide to change what you originally talked about doing. The extension technician should stand by his/her quote so if you cannot get it in writing then be wary.


THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE YOU FEEL RUSHED

through your consultation. A good extension person will want to make sure you are properly informed and will want to answer all your questions. If you feel like you are being rushed out the door, think twice.


HONESTY IS CRUCIAL

Make sure your technician is telling you everything you need to know to help you in making your decision and to take care of them. You want all the facts, and not have them sugar-coated. The fact is that extensions do take some maintenance, but it doesn’t have to be that difficult if you are given proper instruction. Wrong information can cause you to be disappointed and to not look after them properly.


A GOOD EXTENSION PERSON WILL ....

have accurate and neat placement technique. He/she will also have mastery at colour blending, which is crucial to making the extensions look like your own. More than one colour of extension is used, and these are all mixed together to imitate your own colouring. The combination of placement and colour blending take skill and experience and are crucial to obtaining a seamless, natural look. With improper installation the extensions will pull and cause discomfort and can damage the hair as well. Besides the pain, they can look very unnatural. The application technique and skill level are what differentiates one extension technician from another.


SPEAK TO 2 OR 3 PROFESSIONALS

about your specific needs and concerns and get a written estimate of what they would do and how much it would cost. It's always wise to get more than one opinion before committing to something that will represent a substantial investment of time and money.


CHECK CREDENTIALS

Ask where they trained and get confirmation of that. Any good technician will have done a certified course of some sort, and the salon should be approved by a credible organization or company supplying the hair.


FIND OUT WHERE THE HAIR COMES FROM

Not all hair is created equal. Bad quality hair can appear to be good quality since it is coated with products that make it look healthy and shiny. A few washes will reveal how good or bad the quality is. Bad extension hair will matt very shortly after installation because the cuticle of the hair strands have not been preserved.


FOLLOW YOUR TECHNICIAN'S INSTRUCTIONS

This is very important in order to be able to guarantee that your extensions will look good for the entire time they are in your hair and to prevent any damage to your own hair. Make sure you get written instructions because you likely will not remember everything.


BACK TO INDEX



HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?



Each look is custom and so it will vary greatly. The price can range from a few hundred to over fifteen hundred. It will depend on the type of extensions you are having done, whether you want the extensions for length, volume or both and how much hair you need depending on the thickness of your own hair and the desired result. The consult is necessary to give you options and costs for different solutions. As a rule of thumb, If you have thick hair or short hair you will need a larger amount of extension hair. If you do not put enough in, the hair will look too thin on the bottom and will not blend as well, especially with shorter hair. Differences in price are also directly related to quality/type of hair and method of attachment.



When researching hair extensions and acquiring quotes, make sure you get proper information and accurate estimates. Your technician makes the decision at the time of your consultation how much hair you need, and the price estimation is based on that. When you are given a quote, it should not change at the time of your appointment. You’ve had the consultation and an experienced technician will know what you need at that time. The cost is based on how much hair is needed and the time it takes to install this amount of hair. Be wary of estimates that seem too low. This may mean that you will not get enough hair installed to make the length look thick enough to match your hair. Alternatively, sometimes what can happen is that when you are having them done the technician “discovers” that you need more hair than estimated and the price suddenly goes up. What started off as a good deal can get really expensive, especially when you don’t expect it. Look for someone who will guarantee the cost based on what you want the result to be. An experienced technician will know fairly accurately how much hair is needed and what the total cost will be. We guarantee our estimates.


For the extended information on price ranges for each type of extension.....


CLICK HERE SOON!



HOW MUCH HAIR DO I NEED TO PUT IN?



The amount you need will depend on how thick your own hair is, what length it is and how long you want it to be. Great Lengths hair comes in “bundles”, for example, and it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 bundles, or sometimes more, to add length.



If you are having extensions to add length you need to make sure that enough hair is put in to make the bottom thick enough to match your own hair thickness. If there is not enough put in it will look ratty and see-through. Also, the shorter your own hair is the more bundles you will need to put in to make it blend in to your own hair. To add fullness without changing your length, the amount of hair needed will depend on how much thicker you want your hair to be. You don’t need to add as much hair as you do when adding length, and so the cost will be much less. The bottom line is, make sure enough hair is added in or it won’t look good. An experienced technician will be able to estimate the amount of hair needed during the consultation, and will be able to give you an accurate quote.





CAN I HAVE EXTENSIONS DONE JUST TO ADD THICKNESS?



Yes!



Many people have extensions put in to add fullness to hair that is thin and fine. It can really add fullness to the hair and make styling easier. If the hair is too thin, however, it can be difficult to blend the extension hair in properly. A consultation will determine what your options are. The cost of filling the hair in is much less than having it done for length.


There are many reasons for getting hair extensions besides adding length. They may be added for highlights or lowlights or to add some vibrant, funky colours when you don’t want to go through the colouring process. The cost can be about the same as it would be for getting the colour done, but it’s faster, lasts longer and won’t damage or change your own colour. If you need length on your sides–for an angled bob perhaps–then add some extensions just to your sides.


Need a little more volume? Add just a few scattered throughout. Hair extensions are a great option if you have fine, thin hair, are tired of waiting for your hair to grow, or just want a change. You can simply fill the hair in for thickness, or add luscious length…have the hair you always wanted!


BACK TO INDEX



can i wear my hair up?



For some types of extensions you absolutely can.



Great Lengths and Neo extensions (microbeads) can be worn up because the sections are very small. The extensions should not be applied any lower than the base of your scalp and so your hair under this point covers the extensions while you wear it in pigtails, ponytails, french twists, french braids etc. Tape in extensions are more difficult to wear up because the sections are wider and it causes pulling. You can only wear it in a low ponytail or bun, or even a loose braid.





WHAT ARE THE EXTENSION BRANDS WE USE AND WHY?



We have tried many companies in our quest for the best, most consistent high-quality extensions. Great Lengths was a pioneer in professional hair extensions, with a commitment to quality. It is the brand we started with and have always offered. They are known in the industry as having the highest quality hair and they offer both tape and fusion (keratin tip). They consistently have great quality hair and it is our "gourmet" brand. Great Lengths requires training of any professionals certified in their system and the hair salon must meet their stringent qualifications to be able to carry their product and offer the service. This ensures you are getting both quality service and product. Of course, over the last few years, so many other extension companies have popped up to try to capitalize on the popularity of hair extensions. Although there are other great brands, they are not all created equal. Through trial and error we have tried numerous other extensions and now carry the ones we deem to be the best. Other brands we have aligned with are Bellami, Hot Head and Kesh, all great companies that guarantee their product. Each brand has different textures and colours, and our extension technicians will recommend the brand that is best suited to each client based on their own hair texture, colour, desires and budget.



The benefits of our fusion hair:

  • Low maintenance for the duration of time you have them in (as long as you follow the guidelines)
  • The hair is coloured using a soaking method that does not chemically destroy the hair
  • The extension colours do not fade (with the exception of pastel shades)
  • Best for maintaining the quality of your hair
  • Extensions look just as good the day you take them out as the day you put them in
  • Minimal maintenance
  • Natural and comfortable to wear
  • Can be used to thicken up the look of your hair
  • Can be used to add highlights without the use of bleach or other harsh chemicals




can you re-use extension hair?



Some types of extensions will allow you to reuse the hair a few times. With tape in extensions you can use the hair 3 times or more, depending on the quality of the hair to begin with and how well you take care of it. This type of extension is reusable because your stylist can easily re-tape the hair. You can also reuse the microbead extensions because they are just tightened up every few months. Eventually, for both of these methods, the hair will get too dry and/or thin to reuse so you have to get new hair. This is why it is important to take good care of your hair by not using too much heat and following the other care instructions given to you by your technician.



You can not reuse fusion extension hair. Once they grow out and you have them removed you need to get fresh hair. They are not reusable for a few reasons:

  • The ‘protein bonds’ (which attach them to the hair) are destroyed during the removal process. Those have to be cut off and the hair rebonded. No matter how good the extension technician is , the hair will shed more when it is rebonded as opposed to when it comes bonded by Great Lengths. During wear and during removal the hairs will shift and don’t all end up in the bond.
  • Because the hair sheds during the time you have it in and when it’s removed, there will be less hair to use. The hair will also be shorter because of the old bonds getting cut off.
  • Hair extensions will break down during wear, since they are not getting nutrients that your natural hair would get. Even if you do reuse the hair (as a few other companies do) the hair will always shed more, will look more dry and won’t last as long.

BACK TO INDEX



good hair / bad hair : what's the difference



Hair comes in many qualities and apart from the method of application, the quality of your hair extension hair will determine whether or not they will look real, how they feel and how long they will last.



There are a number of companies that provide human hair, ranging from low end to high end. The cheaper hair is usually over-processed, with the cuticle stripped off, so it then it needs to be coated with a silicon to imitate shine. This coating wears off quickly and the hair becomes dull and dry looking after just a few washes. At Citrus, we use brands that are of good quality and that guarantee their product. We want the hair to look natural and healthy so we want to have the best available for our clients.





is it true that extensions will damage my own hair?



They will damage your hair if they are put on poorly. If the stylist does not know what they are doing they will put too much tension on the hair and, especially if it is fine or damaged at all, it will break. It’s true that some methods of attachment are more damaging than others, but with the proper method it does not need to ruin your hair.



You just need to know when to take breaks from extensions and find a stylist who cares about your hair as much as you do 🙂 If the extensions are attached and removed properly by a trained and certified hair stylist, you have lowered your risk of any type of damage to close to zero. It is also very important to follow the care instructions given to you by your stylist and to not leave the extensions in too long.





how do i look after them?



You look after hair extensions almost the same as you would with long hair that you grew yourself. If you have never been able to grow your hair long before it is probably because you are killing it just as quickly as it grows.

Some tips:



  • Make sure you MOISTURIZE (very important). The extensions do not receive your natural scalp oils and so need to have moisture added every wash. If you don’t moisturize your hair extensions they will become brittle and break easily leading to split and ratty ends. The hair itself is not really difficult to comb, if it is quality hair. We recommend a good moisturizer for proper maintenance.
  • Treat them kindly. Just like your real hair, you want the extensions to continue to look shiny and healthy so you don’t want to yank at them with a brush, burn them with the blow dryer, or kill them with chemicals. Of course you want to be able to use flat irons, curling irons or hot rollers, but use them sparingly. You pay good money for your extensions so make sure you treat them like gold.
  • Always brush out all knots before you wash your hair, swim, or sleep. Start at the bottom and work your way up slowly using a proper brush. Do not use just any brush…we will recommend the right type of brush to use.
  • Don’t leave the extension hair in too long. The recommended amount of time is generally 3 months. Everyone loses from 50 to 150 hair a day which means that after a while there isn’t that much hair in a bond to support the weight of the extension especially with daily brushing and pulling on the extensions. If left in too long eventually your hair will break. 3 to 4 months is what most hair can handle.
  • Do not excessively scrub your hair.
  • Avoid tangles by drying your hair thoroughly before going to bed and comb with a wide tooth comb or pick, gently from ends to the scalp. Brush the extensions daily to prevent it from tangling, which causes pulling.
  • Never color, perm or use any other types of chemicals without consulting with your professional salon hair extension specialist to prevent damage to your extensions.
  • As extensions are real human hair, use common sense when caring for them as you would your natural hair, like immediately washing out chlorine water and following up with a good conditioner.


Taking special care of your new hair will ensure longevity and beauty. Make sure to get a detailed maintenance program from your extension technician.


BACK TO INDEX

have we answered all your questions?



If not....
just get in touch
to chat with one of
our Extensionistas!


EXTENDED EXTENSION PRICELIST COMING SOON!
WHY EXTENSIONS?
CALL NOW!
EMAIL US!

booking



All hair extension services are only booked by phone.
Please contact us at Citrus Salon on the
Hair Extension Lounge line.


778-379-4510

CITRUS HAIR SALON



875 Cambie Street
Vancouver

info@citrushairsalon.com


604.688.1332


BOOK!
EMAIL US!