Kim Lake: 206-992-9907 for appointments.
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Hair Extensions
Types of Hair Extensions:
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Fusion
This is strand by strand method where hair is fused to your hair with a bonding material. There are several different kinds of methods and bonding material used for this process. Great Lengths, Hair Dreams, Cinderella, SoCap, Cold Fusion and numerous others are considered to be a fusion method. The tips can be I - tip, U - tipped(or "fingernail" because of the shape), and V - tipped. It can be done with a number of different resins or keratin glue, either hot melt or pre tipped. Some Brand Names are not desirable if they are pre tipped because I need to do custom color blends or custom texture blends or both.
The hair bonding material that hair extensions are tipped with and the "glue" that is used to bond the hair with are all different forms of polymer thermoplastics that hair extension makers term "keratin". Keratin is the fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair, feathers, hoofs, claws, horns, etc. These are ingredients used in the production of polymer thermoplastics because they contain large macromolecule chains that lock together to make the polymer bind together.
The "keratin" used by different companies are generally the same, but there are differences in properties, qualities, colors, and wearability. Different types of removers are used.
Because of my experience with the different types of bonding material, I have seen the differences in the way these different companies bond wear over time. My question to myself of "Why these differences?" has led me to begin an in depth study of the "Science of Polymers". This, along with my ongoing hair extensions research for newer and improved technologies has brought me to a point where the road ends and I must begin. Great technologies but no creativity with pre tipped hair extensions.
So I create my own custom blended color combinations using the best technologies in polymer science, and I use several different hair vendors to give me the variety and top quality for whatever hair type and texture that I need to match for my clients.
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Custom Color Blends that match highlighted hair perfectly.
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Cold Fusion
The cold fusion method is fast rising in popularity. It uses the ultrasonic welding technology of thermoplastics. The keratin bond (a type of polymer thermoplastic) on the hair tip is melted with ultrasonic waves instead of heat to fuse the hair extensions to your hair. The idea is that there is a less likely chance of burning ones scalp and the bond can be attached much closer.
Cold fusion term had also been used to describe the technique using metal tubes, rings, or "locs" because there is no heat used.
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This is also custom blended color with just a little of a darker blond to give it a healthy glow instead of an over processed blond color.
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Double Hair
This is a combination of a weft and fusion. Small hand tied weft piece are laid into the hair with a fusion method. This can be done several ways, but the "Double Hair" brand by Balmain is gaining fast popularity. It is faster and less expensive than other full fusion methods. It may not last as long, up to two months, and if done with silicone lined locs, it can be tightened with maintenance and the hair can be reused.
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Macrame or Knotted
This is a very unique method of fusion. No metal, no glue, no heat. The extension hair is tipped in string that is knotted or tied with a macrame technique into the hair. It is relatively seemless and undetectable. My experience is that you should never knot the clients hair. In the demonstration, when the hair was removed, there was a cutting of the client's hair and I do not think that even a little bit of damage like that is OK. It builds up over time and cause the client to become dependent on hair extensions when they they otherwise would not have to be. Because of the unique manufacturing of this, meaning that I can not easily duplicate it, it means that I can not customize my color blending, which is the cornerstone of my business. The colors available are too limited.
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Shrink Tubing
These are the individual strand type. This is a softer, flexible bond used with pre-tipped hair. They could be refered to as shrinks, shrinkies, shrink locs, plastic tubes. They are little plastic tubes that are formulated to shrink in size from ratios 2:1 to 4:1, by applying heat. They form a pressurized bond that holds the hair strands in place. This avoids shedding from some fusion methods. It is also smooth and not scratchy feeling. Some fusion methods have rough edges that act like velcro to the hair and can influence hairs tangling and extension pieces sticking together.
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Locs, Links, Metal Cylinder, Rings
These are also the individual strand type. A small copper or aluminum cylinder is pinched or tightened to attach the hair. These can withstand heat and are nice with textured hair that must be styled more. A high heat resistant pretipped bond on the hair can be used. There is some controversy with this because of the uneven tension that may cause hair to slip out. It works either flawlessly and the hair stays in or it may all slip out the next day. In the last week I've redone two of these from other salons. I like to use an aluminum tube with silicone lining that grips the hair without causing damage. I have seen tubes that are metal and threaded like a screw on the inside(supposably to grip the hair better). These are dangerous and can cut the hair.
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Skin Weft or Seamless Hair Extensions
Wefts of hair are seamless, unlike the regular machine wefted of hand tied wefts of hair used for weaving or sewing tracks into the hair on a braid. These wefts are taped with double-sided tape on to this parting of hair. This adds tracks that are seamless without the lumpiness of braided tracks. This method last 1 to 2 months.
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Braided or Tracks
This is when an entire weft is sewn onto a braid. This used more often with ethnic hair. It tends to slip more on fine, straighter hair. I do not do this kind.
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Temporary Hair Extensions
These are good for times when you need or want longer or thicker hair or even color pieces added. for a specific occasion and don't need or want them stuck in your head long term, for a photoshoot, one scene, a party, to create more hair in an updo, just to try out long or thicker hair, whatever the reason. The technique of taping or special adhesive can last up to a week or so depending how well you maintain it. Several different types or human and synthetic hair can be used by laying down sewn wefts of hair into partings of your own in different layouts to create different effect. You can add highlights, texture, and length.
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Clip In Temporary Hair Extensions
Wefts of hair can be simply placed within the layers of your hair with little comb like clips that hold them in. These are worn for just a day, an event, an occasion. They can be easily taken out and put in yourself. These can be custom made to match hair color and style and you can use them over and over.
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Synthetic Hair
Most of the types I just went over are usually used with real hair. Synthetic hair is a nylon base. These applications lead to a variety of looks. The hair can come in fashion colors that are vibriant beyond that which can be attained with real human hair. It is fused to hair, individual pieces with a unique technique of braiding and heat. It can not be styled in the manner that human hair can be, but it also can offer looks that that you might not be able to obtain otherwise. These are sometimes fun just to add color.
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Highlights
Hair extensions can be added to create highlights without coloring the person's own hair. Light pieces in individual strands or in wefts can be added for bits of color and a shine effect with glowing light reflections. Fashion colors in bright reds, blues, yellows, greens, oranges, white, purples, and combinations can be used along with different textures.
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Thickening
Hair extensions can be added to add volume and texture. I match the color and texture perfectly or design a blended texture to emphasize a new style we can design. This doesn't always require a full head. Sometimes only a few pieces, or just a row is all that is needed to add a bit of fullness.
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Before. Layered too thin with chunk fringe and no sides.
After. 3 row set for thickening to correct the layers.
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Extensions For Prom
For a prom style, you can have temporary extensions that are easily installed and are easy to remove for the day. The cost will depend on the type of extensions and how elaborate the prom style is. In the consultation, I can draw up several ideas for designs and give you options to choose from
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Before. Layered too thin with chunk fringe and no sides.
After. 3 row set for thickening to correct the layers.
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The Complete Look
When I do hair extension, I also require that I create the entire look, from the color to the cut, only if color is necessary. I am also a colorist and was an educator and show stylist for L'Oreal Professionnel, so I am able to blend the hair extensions to match your color perfectly. Also, cutting hair extensions requires specialized technique for it to blend well to your own hair and be able to look natual. My work is detailed and neet in every aspect. My work is clean and intricate. Also, the color of the hair extensions hair is processed differently. The results of color will vary too greatly between your hair and the hair extensions hair. The hair extension hair is sometimes thicker or more porous and you may not get the proper results. Hair extension hair does not lighten the same, It may not lift or it will go too deep. When I create your hair extension design, I will color your hair first (if you color your hair) and then I will put the colors in that I need that come to me colored or I mix to blend the right color to form the exact match of your extensions. Hair extensions also require a specific way of being cut that is different from a regular haircut in order to make it blend just right. I'm working with an integration of two sets of hair.
Pricing
Because of the many factors involved with hair extensions, prices can only be determined with a consultation, which is no charge. "Hair extensions" can mean from anything from a few pieces added to correct a faulty cut, to a full head of lengthening that will last 3 months or more. I charge by the piece, by the row, buy the method, the products used, and so on.
The factors included are:
¥ Method of hair extensions.
¥ Type of hair.
¥ Quality of hair.
¥ Length of desired look.
¥ Color, whether highlighted or not.
¥ Texture; curly, straight...?
¥ Thickness of hair.
¥ Thickness of hair.
Traveling
Kim can travel and come to your city and do hair extensions Puyallup, Bellevue, Tacoma, Seattle, Auburn, Bremerton, Federal Way, Kent, Beverly Hills, and Orange County in California.
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