Most women are familiar with hair extensions. Women mostly use this type of extension to make their hair look longer or add volume if one has thinner hair. Today, quality hair extensions are used to enhance beauty or for other personal reasons best known to oneself using them.

Hair extensions have been in the market for quite some time, and most people embrace them. Having good hair boosts people’s confidence, besides improving their overall presentation.

Basics of Hair Extensions

If you happen to be a beginner at using hair extensions, choosing what is right for you and your hair can be quite tricky.

Synthetic Hair Extensions and Real Hair Extensions

How can you differentiate between the two? Synthetic hair extensions are usually made from synthetic fibers that look like hair, and the quality is usually cheaper. Synthetic hair extensions tend to tangle faster and are limited to the number of things one can do to them.

Synthetic hair extensions are much cheaper, but they have a downside where they do not last as they are easily damaged from factors like heat, hair products, and the sun. Just as the name suggests, real hair extensions look real as they are made from natural hair.

They can easily frizz, just like normal hair, but their beauty is that they can be detangled easily and not get damaged. Real hair extensions are quite pricey but worth every dime as they last longer. In general, synthetic hair extensions can only last up to a few months, while real hair extensions can last up to years if well taken care of.

Texture and Look of Real and Synthetic

Synthetic and Real hair extensions come in many colors and styles like straight, curly, or wavy. Real extensions blend easily with your hair as they have the same texture and look like your hair, whereas, on the other hand, synthetic extensions’ quality varies. However, they are mostly stiff and act differently from normal human hair, thus making it hard to blend with one’s natural hair.

Styling and Coloring of Real vs. Synthetic Hair Extension

The real hair extensions can be straightened, colored, curled up, and blow-dried, and hair products can be applied to them just like normal hair. You can get quality hair extensions in New Jersey from a few reliable salons. For synthetic hair, one cannot dye or color them, as dyes contain bleach elements that will destroy them.

Synthetic extensions cannot be styled like our real hair. Heat damages them easily, so no use of flat irons or blow-dries on synthetic extensions. Harsh hair products are likely to damage synthetic hair if they get any kind of friction.

Mistakes to Avoid

Do not use poor-quality hair extensions. It is better to invest in quality hair extensions that will serve you for a long time and will match your hair. Make sure that the hair extensions match your natural hair color to blend in easily. Make sure that you can blend the hair extensions to the hair rightly.

A hair extension with too much texture, cut, or color will not be a good fit for your hairstyle. Make sure you attach a larger strand for smaller sections in your natural hair. The use of longer strands of extensions makes it heavy on natural hair.

Different Types of Hair Extensions with Their Pros and Cons

Sew-in Hair Extension or Weave

Just as the name suggests, the sew-in hair extension is sewed onto one’s hair after some cornrows have been braided. They use a thread and a needle to sew in the weave. It is most suitable for people with thick hair instead of those with thinner hair due to how it is installed as it puts some strain on the scalp.

They are technically difficult, so they need to be installed by an experienced hairdresser. The weaves can also come in the form of wigs. The good thing with sew-ins is that they cannot fall or come off as they are sewed to your hair.

Fusion and Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions

Pre-Bonded hair extensions are attached to the natural hair by using an adhesive such as hair glue. They are not suitable for everyone as the type of application here can damage the natural hair, so your hairdresser will advise accordingly.

They glue the hair to individual strands of your natural hair using a machine that looks like a hot glue gun, which melts the glue to the hair. However, the adhesive used here has many chemicals, and it easily causes hair breakage, irritation of the scalp, and sometimes you can get hair loss.

Micro-link Hair Extensions

Micro-link extensions are applied to natural hair by attaching the tiny wefts of hair too small sections with a small silicone-lined bead. A special tool is used to help secure the bead onto the hair and tighten it into place.

If they are not installed correctly, they can damage the hair. They can last up to 4 months, and they can be washed and used with the same styling products as your natural hair.

Clip-in Hair Extensions

This type of hair extension comes in a stranded contoured piece, which has fabric or silicone on its base. They are usually ready to use as it is easy to open and close each clip. They are the least permanent, as they can be put in and removed however and whenever you want. They will not damage your hair as no use of heat or installation method is required.

Wigs and Hair Pieces

For wigs, they are installed onto your natural hair topically. They come in different forms, from long to full lace fronts. They can be used for reasons like if one has hair loss, they are trying to change up a look, or they are bald. On the other hand, hairpieces are used to sometimes create a different hairstyle, for example, having a full ponytail or making your natural hair longer.

Many times, getting a reliable hair salon isn’t easy. Some hairstyle service providers don’t meet their client’s demands. If you’re looking for a reliable hair salon for hair extensions in New Jersey or any hairstyle mentioned here, check our services page.