Machine weft is attached using Microlinks. Lays much flatter without the bulk of conrows. Needs to be tightened periodically, hair can be re-used. Aside from making hair longer,fuller or both a bad hair cut can be remedied instantly .Middle stage of growing out can be avioded .If you’re always trying to get more fullness,washing every day to get volume -you can put an end to this and not have to continual styling stress your hair.Some believe hair extensions are high maintainence ,but in reality they can actually save a lot of people time otherwise spend styling .If extensions are installed incorrectly ,it could cause damage . If they aren’t cared for ,or are left in too long extensions could cause damage .Be careful buying your own hair,cheaper hair can tangle with itself and your hair.

Hair care has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar industry ,thanks in no small part to the widespread embrace recently of wigs and extensions as fashion accessories . Unfortunately,there is a tremendous range in the quality of what you’re likely to encounter out there on the street ,with some women sporting seamless pieces you can’t tell it’s fake while others quite frankly look like they have a dead pet draped over their heads.The good news is that help has arrived .You cannot be a top hair stylist today without working with some type of wigs or hair extensions…..I have been blessed to work on some of the best in the fashion,Film and Music industries .

One thing i see all the time is everyday women trying to recreate looks I have done ,without great success. wearing wigs and extensions can be very embarrassing ,if the hair is not being worn correctly.On the other hand ,if you know how to apply your hair correctly ,you can make an amazing transformation.Most frequently asked about lace wigs ,including “How long will my wig last?””Will lace wigs damage my hairline ?”A bad wig day is improperly securing your wig.

I just want to introduce my custom lace hairpieces and wigs “Tousled by Nicola” . In order to feel fabulous, your hair must be fabulous. For the past ten years I have enjoyed making women feel confident about themselves when facing challenging situations. Many of my clients suffer from alopecia, thinning hair, and permenent hair loss due to heredity conditions or cancer related problems. It has always been ultimate goal to enhance my clients self confidence when they are in my chair. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a change in hair style or dealing with one of life difficult changes, I make sure you leave my chair feeling better about your appearance . So , through supply and demand I’ve developed my own custom lace hairpieces and wigs Tousled by Nicola. I’ve notice that certain types of textured hair calls for certain types of hairpieces . That is why all my hairpieces are customized and personalized .I sit down with all of my clients and develop a style and fit from cap size, density,texture and length.All of my hairpieces are then cut and styled.Each wig is made of 100% quality human hair on fine quality special lace. Nicolalacewigs.com/Nicolaaugustinehair.com thanks you for your continuing support.

Lace Front wigs can be comfortable, affordable, gorgeous to behold, virtually maintenance-free practical,and just downright pleasant to own for us . But when you just paid little for them,what you didn’t realize was how poor quality they were and could easily have been cheated without any recourse

There are many prices in between, different qualities of hair and different ways to do them ,which can increase or decrease the cost.The important point to the buyers is to make up their mind and understand a lace wig is not like a dress that will be out of fashion next season.Nicola lace wigs are not one style only .It can be style and cut in many different ways.

Golden Globe beauty: Who had your favorite Hair and makeup look on the red carpet? Hollywood waves and smoky eyes were the name of the game at the Golden Globe Awards last night.Take a look at hair and makeup looks from the red carpet and decide which one win the prize for best hair of the night !

Let’s start with the basics-shampooing. Be sure to use a rather gentle shampoo and conditioner. Don’t ruin your hair and/or extensions by trying to save a couple of dollars on the super cheap stuff. I have read in a couple of places that some of the really high priced shampoos may actually speed up the rate at which the bonder is broken down. If you do start to have extensions falling out far before their “expiration date”, take a look at your shampoo and give your stylist a call. It may be as simple to fix as using a non-conditioning shampoo or simply a different brand. Now, if your extensions are sewn in, you do not need to be as concerned about this type of reaction occurring. After your shower, feel free to dry your hair the same way you would have dried your own natural hair. However, an ionic dryer is highly recommended.

As far as coloring your hair and extensions, plan ahead. Color your natural hair the desired color before your extensions are applied. Your stylist will then color match your extensions, whether synthetic or real, to your new color to make your purchased hair look like the real thing. Highlights can even be added by adding different colored extensions in the same randomness as highlights applied to hair pulled through a cap. If your roots need a touchup before you need to change your extensions, play it safe and leave the coloring to your stylist.

When it comes to styling your hair it totally depends on the type of lengthener you have. If you have real hair, most of your styling tools can still be used in the same fashion. However, with some types of synthetic hair extensions, more care needs to be taken. As with everything else, talk to your stylist. He or she will be able to tell you all of the styling rules specific to your type of extension. Also, feel free to put your hair in ponytails, braids, buns and barrettes as you would have normally.

With summer coming you will not want to miss out in dips in the pool or ocean because of your new hair. Be sure to always wear a swim cap made of latex. Carefully comb out any tangles that may be present starting from the bottom and working your way up. Once the hair has been detangled braid the hair in two braids to ensure that all of the hair is protected and tucked neatly under the cap. Following your dip, be sure to wash your hair immediately to remove any damaging chemical that may have snuck under your cap. Use your creativity and make your cap your own. Add some sparkle or bling so your swim cap shows your personality.

Now, when it is time to remove the hair extensions you can do it in a couple of different ways. The quickest way would be to cut them out, however, that would leave with quite a short do. A more preferable method, most likely, would be to let your stylist take them out. If you have synthetic locks, the area that is bonded will be heated up slightly which will loosen the glue’s hold on the hair. With natural extensions a special solvent is applied to the connection which helps to release the bond. From there the ball is in your court. If everything was done properly and your natural hair and scalp is still in good condition, you may choose to have new extensions added on the same day. If there is damage to either, it would be advisable to fix the problem before adding more hair.

I hate to sound like a broken record, or should I say a skipping CD, but talk to your stylist a lot and often to ensure a good experience with your journey into Rapunzelville. There are many things that could go wrong so do your homework and find a stylist that you know is experienced and one that you trust. I would also strongly suggest asking for references, see if you can speak to clients who have had hair extensions applied and ask to see pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words. If you look at an “after” picture and like the “before” look better-move on to another salon. Remember you are paying the salon so make them work for you!

Welcome to my new blog. This past year has been absolutely amazing. I thank God for bringing me so many wonderful clients. Thanks to all of you I have seen my career blossom right before my eyes. Hair is my love- my passion, and I’m so blessed that I’m able to do what I love for a living. I have tons of news and announcements to share with you all, and figured that the best way to share this info with all of you is to create a new hair blog, where I’ll post info- from client and backstage videos from set, to hair design and style inspirations, to information about how to best care for your hair extensions. Please feel free to contact me with questions regarding any of your hair needs. And you can always comment here or email me. Don’t forget to add this page to your RSS feed for instant gratification!

God Bless. And ladies, always keep it lookin’ fab and fierce.

Luv,

Nicola Augustine

There are different hair extension techniques available in the market right now. With the fast growing of the hair extension fads, more and more brands are coming out with their own style and techniques of hairs-from curly to straight, from red to blonde, from clip-on to glued and many more. With all these choices available it could be quite difficult to choose the right one suited for you.

Some will just choose to get the cheaper cost rather than choosing the type of hair and others would look into what they need to achieve in their hairstyle.

Below are 5 techniques of hair extensions you can choose from;

1. Hair Pieces – You can find a lot of hair piece styles from rear hair attachments to pony tails in different colors and style. You can also find specialist hair pieces suitable for those with thin hair which would help them hide the thinning problem. The only problem with hair pieces is it’s not quite secure and leaves the user a bit discomfort. The ponytails would be a good choice for this one since they can be fixed securely.
2. Hair Strand – This is a strand by strand technique used with a glue gun. The process is done with the use of a hot bond to bond small section of hair to the hair of the recipient. This can actually give you the appearance of a flyaway hair that you’d be able to run your fingers through. This technique basically last for three to four months.
3. Integrated Weaves – This is a technique when weft hairs are sewn onto a fine cornrow and then hidden underneath your real hair. It’s very popular due to the fact that it looks natural and gives a full-bodied and secure hair enhancement. You can even reuse this when it loosens up and just have it re fastened.
4. Clip On – This type of hair extension technique has been quite popular. This is used in providing extra length to your shoulder length hair. It wouldn’t look well on people with short hair because it will just look bulky. This doesn’t also offer security unless a professional has done the fitting. For security a very small cornrow is made wherein the clips are slipped through for additional security. It is not advised though for long term use.
5. Pre-Tips – This consist of small hair pieces that are bonded together. This is used for thickening thinning hair. It is applied with the use of heat, micro rings or elastic bands. This can only be applied and removed by a professional.

These techniques are just some of the available techniques in hair extension. There are a few more that you can inquire about when you are looking into giving your hair some added look to it. Price shouldn’t be the option here; it should be the security and longevity of the hair extension you choose to have.

You can find more information online on hair extensions or you could just go to your local hair salons to inquire on what would be best for you.

No, not ALL sew in weaves are bad; the main thing you have to remember when wearing a weave is to TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN HAIR!!! Sew in weaves won’t give you freedom from your own hair, but if anything it kind of gives you more reasons to pay attention to your hair. Sew in, just like any other weave, has its ups and downs. They can protect your hair but if not “installed” correctly it can damage or break your hair. If you’re trying to grow your hair out it’s recommended that you install a “full head” of weave (which means none of the clients hair is left out.). Even though this may make it harder to shampoo the crown of the head, it keeps the hair growing at the same rate and it can be used as a protective style. Extracurricular activities such as working out etc may not affect this style as much. When doing a “partial sew in” the crown of the clients hair is left out, then flat ironed or “hot combed” to blend in with the weave and then used to cover the tracks, this gives the client a more natural look. But, this can cause breakage on the client’s hair because you would have to flat iron your hair to keep it blended. And the big thing that comes along with breakage; no growth. So, while the braided hair is growing, the hair at the crown is broken and not growing because of heat damage.

Now for a little Sew in 101; Some FAQs about getting sew ins.

1. How long do they last? It’s recommended that you get a new sew in about every 8 weeks and allow your hair to breathe for a few days. Once you feel the braids getting loose, and starting to hang because of the new growth, get a new install!
2. How do you maintain the hair under the sew in? It’s your hair do it just like you would do your hair if it wasn’t under the weave. You should still wash and condition your hair about every two weeks and dry under a hooded or bonnet dryer. Important note: Make sure your hair is dry before getting from under the dryer; don’t feel the weave to determine if your hair is dry. It’s important that your hair is dry first; it may take longer for your hair to dry because it’s braided and under the weave. If your hair isn’t completely dry then it can cause mildew in your hair because the weave is covering your hair and its not getting any air. Also, remember to dry your hair using the medium setting.
3. What kind of hair should I buy? Honestly, if you’re going to go buy the 12.99 pack of yaki hair that you used back in the day for a ponytail, that’s EXACTLY what you’re going to get. Some 13 dollar quality hair, don’t be surprised if it sheds a lot and tangles. Try buying a more expensive type of hair such as Remy hair. This hair is more expensive but it doesn’t shed as much, hardly won’t tangle and its reusable (if you want to reuse it).
4. How tight should your hair be braided? If it hurts, it’s too tight. Just like with regular braids, braiding too tight causes a strain on your hair. If you feel your stylist braiding your hair too tight, SAY SOMETHING! It’s your hair. (Do the “eyebrow check”, if you raise your eyebrows and you feel the braids pulling at your scalp, this means the braids are Way Too Tight and you need to contact your stylist ASAP!
5. What kind of products should I use on my weave? You don’t want anything too heavy or oily that will weigh your hair down, you can use the same products you use on your regular hair just don’t get heavy handed as this will weigh the hair down and cause it to appear oily and thin. A little goes a long way. Since it’s a weave it won’t respond to products the way your normal hair will, so you won’t have to use a lot.

And before getting hair extensions, it’s imperative you talk in depth with your stylist. It’s important to remember that if a stylist sews the hair in too tight and it can break your own natural hair off. (And we’re trying to grow our hair out, and not damage it.) Don’t let a stylist take advantage of your hair,  especially if you’re new to getting extensions. Some stylists will take the short cut or do anything to make your hair look good as you walk out of the salon and they walk away with your money. Please talk with your stylist about what you need to do to maintain your OWN healthy hair under your wig or hair weave. Sometimes we get so caught up in the long, flowing hair and how much we love our new look that we forget how necessary it is we continue to maintain our own natural hair underneath.  Please don’t become a victim of “Hair Negligence,” which can result in a bad sew in, breakage, and/or possibly hair loss.

Well, that’s it for now ladies. And as always- keep it looking’ fab and fierce!!!!

Human hair extensions have a longer history than you might imagine. In centuries past, human hair extensions were sometimes made of odd materials, and the good stuff (the real hair) was always reserved for the privileged. Nowadays – anybody can purchase their own real hair extensions and look like royalty. Of course, just like any trend, real hair extensions have faded in and out of popularity, even disappearing for centuries at a time. Let’s take a journey back through time to look at the history of human hair extensions.

~100 Years Ago: The Early 1900s.

A hundred years ago, women cared about their appearance just as much as they do today. Real hair extensions were seen as a luxury, and only people who had a surplus of money could afford them. The extensions of this era were called “switches” and they were clipped into hair, just like Tousled hair today. The advertisement to the left (c. 1905) states “these switches are… made of splendid quality selected human hair, and to match any ordinary shade.” The prices ranged from 95 cents for a 2 oz. 22-inch switch all the way up to 25 bucks for a customized style (which in today’s market would come to about $2,500!)

~150 Years Ago: Victorian Era (UK) or the Gilded Age (US).

The Victorians are often remembered for their decadent tendencies, and they were no different when it came to their hair. In 1873, Britain imported an estimated 102 tons of human hair from France. In what was perhaps the heyday of human hair extensions, both men and women wore these products as a sign of beauty and wealth. Women used the extra length to create complex and opulent hairstyles like Apollo knots, which resembled the beehives of the 1950s. Let’s give a quick shout-out to the 1700s and the powdered wig (real hair extensions made with human hair) before we take a long jump back to…

~3400 BC: The Ancient Egyptians.

There’s well documented evidence that human hair extensions were widely used in ancient Egypt as cosmetic adornments. Worn by pharaohs and other important members of society, these very intricate extensions were attached to the hair using a complex system of weaves and knots. For the poorer citizens of Egypt, there were plenty of cheap knockoffs. But these weren’t human hair extensions – vegetable fibers were often used instead. Think of these as the cheap weaves we sometimes see today, the ones that use synthetic hair.

You can thank our ancient, Egyptian ancestors for the full, volumous hair flowing down your back. Five-thousand years ago they were busy laying the groundwork not just for the pyramids, but also for today’s ultra-modern hairdo’s.

According to some research from Manchester University, hair extensions have been around for a very long time. A study on mummies from the Pharaonic period has revealed that the ancient Egyptians cared just as much about their beauty regimes as we do today, using styling products, curling tongs and hair extensions to create a wide range of different looks.

The lead researcher, Dr Natalie McCreesh observed how one of the mummies in the study had quite short hair: “we joked that she looked like Marilyn Monroe” while others had longer, curlier styles “a bit like Rihanna”.

Both the products and the techniques used to style the Egyptians’ hair were basically the same as those we use ourselves, today. Hair extensions were braided in much the same way as modern wefts and their ‘gel’ was made up of a fatty substance.

The study just goes to show that beauty and styling has been an important part of our lives for a very long time now – who would have thought that the Ancient Egyptians went to such great lengths to look fabulous?

The first complaint some women have immediately after their extensions are removed, especially during washing, is a lot of their natural hair comes out. Which is usually the case, but if you have a great stylist who knows how to help perserve the natural state of your hair then don’t worry. There’s a natural reason for this occurrence; and no, you’re not going bald. What happens is the hair extensions are attached to your natural hair and after time your hair will shed, but because your hair is attached it doesn’t come out naturally and ends up staying put. Then when your hair extensions are removed and you wash your hair, all that built up hair comes loose and you think that you have thinned out and you’re going bald, when it’s just the natural process of your hair coming out in one go, rather than a usual, steady unnoticeable, occurrence.