Cosmetology: Hair Extensions 2.0

Contributor Erin Calvin started the discussion on hair extensions here, but see what else she had to say. We'd love to hear your two cents!

Consumerism gone wild?

I’m not going to fib. Hair extensions are a pretty major investment both in time and money. This isn’t an area where you want to scrimp because doing so may not only lead to less than satisfying results but could also damage your own hair in the process. The list of available options with their respective pros and cons could fill up an entire magazine. So, for now, let’s focus on Thomas and why she chooses to use HairDreams so you’ll know what to look for when shopping around.

HairDreams uses a nylon bond which is super-strong and resilient. Yes, keratin bonds may be all natural and bond with the keratin in your real hair. But this is actually a downside. “When the time comes to remove the extension, and it will, “ says Thomas, “your keratin is removed along with the kertain bond which weakens your hair strand where the bond was placed.” For those of us fighting damage as our hair grows, this is not good news.

When a woman sells her hair to HairDreams, they band it (think ponytail) before cutting it to ensure that all cuticles are facing down which is important because up-facing cuticles are split-ends in the making. “Imagine that one stand of hair was flipped and each time you ran flat iron over it you were actually peeling off the split ends. Not the pretty hair you paid for,” advises Thomas.

Finally, HairDreams has a strict quality control regimen that begins with how the hair is treated before it gets to you, your stylist is trained by them to ensure the best possible application, and they give you all the tools you need to maintain your hair including products and care advice.

It was during one of my “maintenance checks” (see inset for full list) that I noticed just how dark some of these individual strands are. Winona Ryder jet black dark. After feeling relieved that I wasn’t too far off my rocker to choose that color. I started to feel uneasy about my hair.

Well, not about the hair specifically, but what it represents in a global economy. Somewhere, more than 8,000 miles away, women are cutting their hair for what? Because I can’t get over myself and be comfortable and confident with what is IN my noggin’ rather than what is growing out of it? Shouldn’t I be content in the fact that I am blessed to live in a culture where I can pursue a career and am not forced to resort to methods such as cutting my hair to feed my family?

Yes, yes I should count my blessings. One of which is the financial ability to support a company that honestly and fairly compensates women with limited ways to earn money. The other is that I live in a society that allows me to choose my own standard of beauty.

When it comes to a beauty regimen, to each her own, and part of my own is making sure that the products I use are fair trade, which these are and I decide I can feel good about that.

I simultaneously vow to travel more and farther.