Hair extensions are available in many types. So, if you want to know about bonded hair extensions and how you can choose the best ones for your hair to make it look runway-ready, then here is everything you need to know before visiting a hair extensions salon.
What Are Bonded Hair Extensions?
Bonded hair extensions are hair extensions that are made out of keratin tips, and this tip is what “bonds” the extensions to the hair and makes them look amazing.
The most unique characteristic of bonded hair extensions is that they come in various fusion methods. They can either be:
- Hot-bonded hair extensions
- Cold-bonded hair extensions
Hot-bonded or fusion hair extensions are extensions that can be bonded on the mane by melting the adhesive keratin tip with the help of a heating tool.
As for cold-bonded or fusion hair extensions, they are secured to the hair via micro rings, tapes, and even sewing.
Another thing that makes bonded hair extensions unique is the fact that they come in individual strands or wefts instead of a bunch of wefts secured together, as you normally see, leading to a better, seamless and almost invisible application.
Bonded hair extensions are of several types, depending on how the tips are designed. There are U-tips, then there are K-tips and I-tips, and there’s also keratin fusion extensions.
Choosing Bonded Hair Extensions
So, now that you know the nitty-gritty of what bonded hair extensions are, the next and probably the most important thing that you have to do is make the right decision when it comes to choosing the extensions for your hair. This will give you the best results and you will see the difference for yourself. So, here is what you should keep in mind.
Hair Texture & Color
For bonded extensions or any extensions for that matter, you want to ensure one thing. If you are going to apply extensions on the hair then you have to make sure that the color and the texture of the hair extensions match your natural hair to a T.
This is really important, because you are literally putting a foreign thing on your natural hair and if you’re not careful about matching things perfectly, then it is going to stand out and not in a good way. It will look fake and everyone will know that you’re wearing extensions. So, you want to take color and texture matching very seriously.
The Right Length
The next thing you want to figure out is the length of the hair extensions and your natural hair. Again, this is really important. You can’t go for mismatched hair extensions that look choppy and just aren’t the same length as the rest of the hair.
You want everything to look seamless and that is possible when you match the length of the wefts to your natural hair. That is going to look amazing in the end.
The Fusion Method
Bonded hair extensions can be applied to the mane using two primary fusion methods. A fusion method is basically the way in which an extension weft adheres to the hair, so it is kinda important. You have the hot fusion method in which the hair extensions are secured on the head with the help of a heating tool.
The heating tool melts the keratin bond on the top of the extensions and that is what makes the hair extensions secure on the mane. As for the cold fusion method, it can either be done by clipping, taping, or simply sewing the extensions on. There is no use of a heating tool involved.
Synthetic Or Real Hair
This is also something that you have to be aware of when you’re choosing a certain type of bonded hair extensions. Do you want to go for synthetic hair extensions or do you want to opt for human hair extensions? Both options are available and they both have their own merits and demerits.
For instance, synthetic hair extensions can look a bit fake, especially with that synthetic hair shine that doesn’t mix well with your natural hair, but on the flip side, they are extremely reasonable in price.
As for human hair extensions, they can be customized to any color, texture, and length you want, and you can also dye them like your natural hair by going to a Balayage salon Potomac. But they can run a bit expensive and they are not always readily available, since they are made out of real human hair, and that is a limited resource.
How Much Volume You Want
When getting hair extensions, you also want to think about the volume of the hair and how many wefts of hair extensions you want to go for. Depending on the volume, you can choose more or less number of wefts, or you can also go for thicker or thinner wefts if that is what you prefer, but it is important that you hone in on this detail.
How To Apply Bonded Hair Extensions?
Here is a step-by-step guide on how bonded hair extensions are applied to the hair to give the best results.
Prep
First, your washed and dried hair will be sectioned off into small pieces. This is like preparing the foundation for the hair extensions. Your hair extensions can’t be applied to the hair on a whim. You need to perfectly section your hair to give the extensions a place to adhere and stay hidden.
Depending on the number of wefts you want in your hair for volume, more sections will be made to get the most bang for your buck.
Fusing The Hair
Next, the extensions will be laid out and the fusion method will be chosen. If you’re going for a hot fusion method (via a flat iron or other heating tool), then the application of the extensions will take longer because each section has to be stuck on and it needs to be perfectly secure before you move on to the next step.
If you’re choosing the cold fusion method, then you can go for the extension application directly. There is no need to prepare any tool or anything like that. You can just clip or tape them on and you are good to go.
Once that is done, you are going to move on to the next section of hair. The same process will be repeated until all of the extensions are in the hair and you’re happy with the length and volume of the hair.
Styling
Lastly, and this is completely optional, depending on which salon you choose and how the services vary, your hair will be styled with the extensions. This isn’t necessary, but hey, no one ever turns down good hair styling and it adds that extra bit of oomph to the hair, and now, you are done with the application of bonded hair extensions.
Conclusion
Bonded hair extensions are seriously a game-changer when it comes permanent extensions. You will be in awe of your hair once you choose the right one for your hair type and texture. So, consult a hairstylist at salons that do hair extensions Potomac to get started.
