If you follow me on Instagram you know I recently got hand-tied hair extensions. I wanted to write a post explaining how the process works and the most common questions and answers.
This is a before photo. You can see my current hair length. My hair is damaged some from the last extensions. The first photo is before we colored my hair.
ARE YOUR EXTENSIONS SEWN IN?
Yes. They placed beads on sections of my natural hair then she sewed the wefts onto the beads creating two rows. There is no glue, heat or tape involved. This is a good thing. The hair extensions are 100% human hair. They can be washed, dyed, straighten and curled with heating tools.
WHAT BRAND ARE YOUR EXTENSIONS?
The brand I am using is by Hair Compounds. At my consultation, I also went with two different colors. A blonde and brown color. Again, these are 100% human hair.
HOW MANY ROWS DID YOU GET?
I have 2 rows. My hair is so full now and it only takes up a small portion of my head. The last extensions I had covered my entire head.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
It only took 1.5 hours to put in the hair extensions. We colored the hair before we started and that took about 45 minutes. The last extensions I had I spent usually 8 hours at the salon. This was so much quicker.
DOES IT HURT?
Not at all! It was so easy and painless.
DOES YOUR HAIR BLEND WITH THE EXTENSIONS?
Yes, they will blend your hair and the extensions so they flow nicely together.
CAN YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR IN A TOP KNOT OR HIGH PONYTAIL?
Yes! Yes Yes! I wear my hair into a top knot/messy bun and ponytail a lot. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to try the hand ties extensions, You can even wear braids.
HOW DO THEY FEEL AFTERWARDS?
You can definitely feel something in your hair, but you get used to it after a couple of days. I was used to having extensions so it felt normal to me. They do feel a little tight at first, but after a couple days they will loosen and feel less tight.
HOW DO THEY FEEL TO SLEEP ON?
I was so surprised how well I slept the first night. I was excepting it to feel uncomfortable and possible hard to sleep. It was the complete opposite. I slept
HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?
The extensions can last between 4 to 6 months if cared for properly. After that, you will need to purchase a new set of extensions.
WHAT IS THE MAINTENANCE?
You will need to get the rows tightened every 6 weeks or so. You will also have your color touched up at that time.
DO THEY DAMAGE YOUR HAIR?
I feel this type of hair extension will cause the least amount of damage because there is no heat, glue or tape involved. But anything you do to your hair that isn’t natural can cause some damage. Just like coloring your hair. So with that said I think the hand-tied extensions is
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Most clients spend between $200-600 for the actual hair extensions. This all depends on the length of hair you are wanting as well as how much hair you will need.
It is $170 per row to install.
When you go back to have the rows tighten the cost is $120 per row.
Photo Credit of showing the extensions being placed goes to Heidi Drexler Photography.
WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR USING WHILE HAVING EXTENSIONS?
Only use Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioners. Here are my current favorites & what I’m using:
WHAT OTHER TYPES OF EXTENSIONS HAVE YOU HAD?
My first extensions were Tape-In’s. My next was the heated beaded bond and then my Flat-Tip extensions. You can read about them here.
MY OVERALL THOUGHTS.
I am so in love with my new Hand-Tied Hair Extensions! They are seriously amazing! I only wish I would have tried them sooner.
Photo Credit for Photos below: Ashley Michele Photography
Amy – The new extensions look great! I have thin/fine hair, but lots of it, and I also have blonde highlights (it is mostly blonde now), but I’m naturally a brunette and I’ve been coloring my hair for decades. I’ve always had shoulder length or shorter hair styles for most of my life. About 1-1/2 years ago I had my stylist use Babe tape-ins to add a little length and mainly fullness (to hid layers) to accelerate a short hairstyle “grow out” to a below the chin bob… She only used 4 or 5 on each side (none required in the back) to created a longer angled bob. I loved it. However, after almost 1 year, the tape-in maintenance began to annoy me especially in the Summer months – and I notice my hair was breaking in between re-placements, especially near the scalp line where I already have a slight receding hair line – and couldn’t afford to lose anymore hair ;)! … So – I stopped using the extensions…and decided to give my hair a “break” (no pun intended ;)). I’m going to a new hair stylist this Friday and I’ve been told that she is an expert with color and extensions. My hair is now touching my shoulders and the few ‘broken hair’ areas are finally growing out. I am undecided as to what to do as far as using extensions again for more fullness and length…as I still do have some left over in my Babe box at my salon, but not crazy about going back to tape-ins. I’m worried about hair breakage – even with the tie-in type – for fine hair types because it looks like a lot of weight in those extensions on the natural hair/scalp. So – my question is: During your consultation, did your hair stylist say anything about the tie-in type extensions not being good for fine hair? I was just curious. Thanks for posting!
Hi Tracy,
She actually said these extensions can and do work with thinner hair. A friend of mine actually has very thin hair and she was able to get the same extensions as mine. Your stylist should definitely be able to tell you at your consultation if you are a good candidate. I am so in love with my extensions. My only regret is waiting as long as I did to try them. 🙂 Good luck!
Question. I have these type of extensions. Did you get any on the sides of your head or just the back I. Two rows ?
The two rows go around to each side of your head.
Hi Amy- Just found your blog and love it! Do you or your stylist know how to go about finding a stylist in my area that does the hand tie technique using the Hair Compounds brand?
Thanks!
Becky
Hi Becky, Hmm I am not sure. I would just google it and see if anyone comes up in your area. 🙂
I do, I am at Salon Artiste in Chesterfield MO. Thank You Cindy Voss
I have tried a few versions of extensions. Old school beaded from maybe 6 years ago, They stayed in too long and my hair was very damaged after.
I left them out, got myhair back in shape and did the tape ins. These were so annoying. I felt like the maintenance was alot. Just didnt like them.
I use the clip on extensions when I want more hair like on special occasions. I am looking to put extensions back in but am concerned about the damage after they come out. Is that still the same or have things gotten better. I am 49 and have been dying my hair with blonde highlights for years.
please advise on hand tied or beaded?
I don’t recommend the beads because they use so many pieces of hair. It caused a lot of damage to my hair. I have a post about it. I feel like the hand tied extensions are less damaging. However, anything you do to your hair will cause some type of damage. I love love my hand tied extensions. 🙂 I hope that helps.
Your so gorgeous! Just wanna share my experience with my Fro Out Kinky Straight Tape Hair Extensions from Onyc.The quality is so impressive, really natural-looking, and it’s amazing. Love your blog btw☺
I have had mine ten days and have been back twice! They are slipping!!
Hey Amy, just found your blog! I just had extensions out in for the first time and I LOVE them, like you. They are sewn in using the thread, but they are sewn in to beads that were placed onto sections of my hair first, then the wefts were sewn onto those beaded sections. I haven’t had to have them removed or moved up yet as I’ve had them only a couple of weeks, but my concern is that when I DO have to have them pulled out, a lot of my own hair will be pulled out with it! I have heard a few say that they experienced hair loss with their hair coming out because the beads don’t come out easily, they are tight and pull your hair out as well. Is this true??
I’m nervous about this because my hair was thinning in spots to begin with because of a thyroid issue, which is the reason why I got the extensions. Now I’m afraid it may get worse when the extensions have to come out. Do you know, have you had yours taken out yet?
Thanks!
Carolyn
Please tell me how you do a messy bun with the extensions. I just got extensions like these but I’m not sure how to pull it all up to the top.