Everything You Need to Know About Hand- Tied Extensions.
The truth is the Honest Blonde is not a natural blonde. Although I was a blonde kid I started to go dark in elementary school. I was 16 years old when my friends brought over a box of bleach and decided to dye my hair. I had just gotten my braces off so I think in a way this was a reinvention of Meg. After hours of burning my scalp, we had finally transformed my long and extremely thick hair white. I fell in love with the idea that I could change my look with my hair color. As I got older, I spent every winter dying my hair black and every summer dying it back blonde. My hairdressers would say, ” you’re going to lose the integrity of your hair.” I didn’t listen and I didn’t care.
About four years ago, I started to realize my hair wasn’t as thick as it used to be and it wasn’t growing past my shoulders. I started wearing clip-in extensions occasionally, but that was a hassle. This is when tape in extensions became popular, so I decided to take the plunge. After years of doing the tape-ins, I was finally sick of not being able to put my hair up without them showing. I decided to make the switch to hand-tied extensions and I’m about to tell you why. If you are anything like me and have lost the integrity of your hair, listen up! AND, if you are someone who currently gets tape in extensions they’re great, but I think you might be interested in hearing about how this can simplify your life.
Dayna Bushong, from Privé Salon and Style Bar, had some tea to dish out on hand-tied extensions versus tape-ins and here’s what she has to say:
I want to squash a common MYTH. Hair extensions do not damage your hair or stunt its growth! Because the fake hair is on top of your real hair it is protecting your real hair from any hot tool that you are using.
How often you have to buy hair for hand-tied extensions and how often do you need to get them moved up?
These extensions last up to a year! Although they are slightly more expensive than tape-ins upfront. Tape-in extensions often shed and become dingy after two or three uses. You only have to move these extensions up every 8-12 weeks! Tape-in extensions have to be moved up every four, and adjusting your extensions cost money. When tape-ins grow out they twirl, mat, and dread. Because hand-tied extensions are rows haloing the head, when they grow out you see your root versus tape-ins, you’re just seeing the dangling tape and oh, they’re not going to fall out of your head 🙂
How do you maintain them?
Use a wet brush! Sleep with a low pony or braid. Although using a non- sulfate shampoo and conditioner is always a good idea, if you don’t use a non-sulfate, it will not turn the tape in adhesive to gook! Use a silk pillowcase which is great for not only your hair but face. You should also consider using a leave-in conditioner. Because you have fake hair, you will not be producing moisture which is why leave-in conditioner is key after the shower! I highly recommend the following: Kerastase Discipline, Kevin Murphy Smooth Again, Kerastase Resistance, and Redken One United. ( All can be purchased at Prive Salon and Style Bar.)
Why are hand tied extensions better and healthier for your hair?
There is no adhesive building a track with your own hair. They are less harsh. If you notice when you take out a tape in extension you lose clumps of hair with it. However, fun fact, you lose 100 hairs a day and when you have extensions there’s no where for that hair to go so when you take them out you appear to be losing more than you actually are, but hand tied extensions eliminate any hair tear that you may experience when removing them. You also stop pulling at the short pieces of hair that you are trying to blend in. With hand tied extensions you can put them farther up your head because you wont be revealing tapes so this eliminates flat ironing and gives your hair a break and allows it to grow back.
Why are hand-tied extensions better and healthier for your hair?
There is no adhesive building a track with your hair. They are less harsh. If you notice when you take out a tape in extensions you lose clumps of hair with it. However, fun fact, you lose 100 hairs a day and when you have extensions there’s nowhere for that hair to go so when you take them out you appear to be losing more than you are, but hand-tied extensions eliminate any hair tear that you may experience when removing them. You also stop pulling at the short pieces of hair that you are trying to blend in. With hand-tied extensions, you can put them farther up your head because you won’t be revealing tapes so this eliminates flat ironing and gives your hair a break and allows it to grow back.
What are some tips and tricks on how to maintain the integrity of your hair?
Patience! Use the right tools. Be sure to use the nozzle tip on your blow dryer, it keeps airflow in the right direction and protects you from the metal plate. Invest in good products, ask for samples so you can try stuff out! Use a good shampoo and conditioner. Try using a thicker hair mask once a week in the shower. After towel drying, apply your leave-in conditioner and oil serum, prep your hair with a wet brush and blow dryer. This will eliminate frizz and give smoothness throughout. After hair is 80% dry, lower the heat and hit your baby hairs or bangs, do the hairline first. Section your hair up with clips to keep it organized. When all is said and done, use a pea-size drop of serum to calm frizz and add shine.
There you have it, folks! Call Privé Salon and Style Bar today and ask for Dayna. If you mention my name you will get 15% off your service!!
Please comment below any hair remedies you have that you believe have made your hair healthier, and don’t be afraid to ask any questions about the extension process.
Cheers to a future filled with healthy hair!
XO The Honest Blonde
