Extensions for my entire life have been the bane of my existence. From being a challenge to use to never finding the right shade, I had all but given up on my journey to find extensions that would actually work for me. And I’m not the only one.
A friend of mine had a particular tragedy when she was looking to get some good extensions and was lied to by a stylist - because the stylist would make some extra money if they used this other brand - and they were great at first. But the minute she went to remove them, she realized that they had been GLUED to her actual hair so when she removed them, she lost a considerable amount of hair. So, that was a pretty good excuse to never want to use extensions again.
However, when my sister was getting married she had decided she wanted updo looks for the bridesmaids that required long hair and I had just gotten a bob. As I didn’t want to ruin her plans and concept - she was stressed enough as it was - I took to the Internet to do some extension research. After trolling through what felt like hundreds of sites and Instagram sponsorship pages, I decided to ring my stylist and see what she thought would be a good option for me.
I needed something that was easy, something I could do myself, and ability to travel considering the distance I would be traveling. Immediately my stylist suggested that I check out Great Lengths Hair Extensions.
Founded in London back in 1991, Great Lengths has become one of the most respected lines in over 50 countries and remains a leader in the industry to this day. The Great Lengths concept originates from the textile industry taking inspiration from the heat transfer system which bonded fabric to fabric on a molecular level; this was an attractive idea for Great Lengths who then started testing, and later adapting it to hair extensions, creating and patenting a method that molecularly bonded extensions to natural hair aiming to an extremely resistant but gentle attachment. At first, this idea concerned me, based on my friend’s prior experience, but my stylist let me know that this is one of the safest and one of the more healthy options for my hair.
After pursuing their website and the options they offer, it became clear that these were the extensions for me. If you are looking for extensions, I’ve compiled a list of questions I had before purchasing them below that will hopefully aid you in your extension journey:
FAQ’s
Great Lengths Service cost can vary greatly from client to client because each is truly a custom service. There are also many GL application options to be considered such as lengthening, full volumizing, zonal volumizing, dimensional color work or special needs applications. For the most accurate answer, based upon the density of your natural hair and desired result, schedule a consultation with a Great Lengths Certified Stylist. They do run a bit more expensive than clip in extensions, but the payoff is well worth it and they last much longer and blend much more seamlessly with your natural hair.
Quality extensions may last up to about 6 months. This depends on how fast your hair grows. If your hair grows quickly they may last less and vice versa. It is recommended that you remove the extensions every 4 to 6 months, depending upon the type of application performed (i.e. lengthening, more volume), the state/condition of the natural hair, and their lifestyle. There should also be a period of rest for your hair in between applications to maintain natural hair entegrity.
Removal of the Great Lengths strands is relatively quick and easy. Your hairdresser will apply a special gel on the bonds removing them with a tool. What usually creates a challenge is matting. Matting is due to non-proper or careless maintenance, so be careful with how you care for your extensions. Never remove your hair extensions yourself. Always return to the salon to have your hair extensions professionally removed as Great Lengths extensionists have all been trained to remove the hair extensions using only Great Lengths removal solution and using anything else will damage the extension and your natural hair.
Yes, the heat should not be a problem for the extensions if you use a curling iron or a straightener, but most people who have these extensions tend to wear them in the natural wave them come with.
As long as you wash them with the suggested shampoo and conditioner, the seamless application of these extensions will go unnoticed by everyone. The care is very simple and does not take a huge amount of time, making it a simple addition to your current beauty routine.
Click here to find a Great Lengths salon near you!