Questions to think about before getting extensions:
How much am I willing to spend to start the process of having extensions?
Deciding how much you are willing to spend on extensions will not only help you set a budget but it will allow you to figure out what hair and type of extension is within that budget.
What about my color re-growth?
If you are one of those girls that can’t stand having any re-growth you might want to talk to you stylist about what your options are for your color up keep in between tightening your extensions.
How long do they last, before having to get them tightened?
Some extensions can be worn for only a short period of time before having to get tightened while others it can be a couple months. This will help you decide how much maintenance you will have to have with the type of extension you choose. It will also give you an idea of the cost.
Am I ready for the extra maintenance that comes along with having extensions?
Having extensions isn’t something that’s easy, but it’s not hard either. It just requires a little extra time. For example blow drying your hair will take a little while longer just because its not your natural hair. Swimming and sleep are also something you have to take extra precautions on. When you are swimming (if you can swim in your extensions) you will have to take care to not just let your extensions be loose they either need to be braided or put into a tight bun to protect the hair. Same as when you are sleeping to prevent unnecessary tangeling.
Is my hair in the right condition for hair extensions? Can it handle the stress that they may cause?
If you hair is too damaged you might not what to put your hair under that much stress. The extra weight of the extensions might cause more breakage then you would have if your hair was healthy
How long do I want my extensions?
This will help both you and your stylist figure out what length of hair you need to purchase. Because hair comes in many different lengths, if you are just adding them for extra volume or a little length you won’t need to buy the longest hair they have which in turn will save you a bit of cash/.
Am I looking to add length, fullness, or both?
This question just as the question above with help you figure out what hair you need to buy and how much you will need.
Is this a onetime thing or is it a more permanent change?
If your extensions are just a onetime thing or are for a special occasion you might want to look into something less permanent like clip ins or tape ins rather that the strand by strand.
How often am I dyeing my hair a new color?
If you are the type of person who has a new color of hair everytime you go into a salon extensions might be a little hard for you. Not because you can’t color extension hair but because it will become more expensive and more of a challenge, along with damaging the extensions hair faster.
Questions to ask your stylist before getting extensions:
What method are you trained in? Are you trained in more than one method? If so what is the one that will work best for me?
Knowing what method your stylist is trained in will allow you to have confidence in them. If they tell you they haven’t ever done them before but would love to learn see if you can get a discounted or model price because of the fact that they are in a sense playing with your hair so they can get a feel for what they are doing.
How do I take care of that type of extension?
Some extensions have certain things that need to have a little special attention. For example a special brush or a smoothing serum.
Ask to see before and after pictures of what they stylist has done.
This way you know what they stylist work looks like.
How often am I going to need to come in and get them tightened?
This will help you know how much you are going spend each month or every other month on getting them tightened. As well as how much time you are going to have to spend in the salon.
What products are best for this type of hair?
Asking what product your stylist would recommend is going to help you prolong the life of your hair if you choose to use that product and care for you extensions as suggested.
How much is the initial cost going to be? The cost for getting them tightened?
You want to be sure you aren’t spending an outrageous amount for something you aren’t sure about. Talk about this with your stylist and find out how long she has been doing them and how many of her extensions clients come back after the first time.
Is the hair colorable?
Most human hair is able to be colored. Some stylist say its not good for the hair to be colored, and in reality it does shorten the life of the hair. But extension hair can be colored. You just need to know what the up keep is and if the color is going to stay in the extensions.
How are they removed?
If the extension you are using are a glue based bond, find out what they use to remove the actual extension. Then do a little research yourself and find out if there is a safer or less harmful way, but usually the stylist uses the best way they know of
Do they leave a residue on the hair when they are removed?
Make sure you know of any residue that the glue from the extension might leave behind. If it you do notice some and the stylist didn’t mention in the consultation or when she removed them. Call and find out if its normal.
What is better for me synthetic or human hair? If Human what type of human hair?
Now they do have heat friendly synthetic hair but you still have to be super careful when you use heat on them. If they are for a onetime thing or just for fun then synthetic might not be a bad idea but if you want them for awhile I would invest in good quality human hair.
Can I Color or Relax my hair with the extensions in?
If those are something you do regularly you want to find out what your stylist suggests you do when the time comes for a touch up, you want to find this out before you put the extensions in so you can think about that before that time comes
Can I wash my hair normally with extensions in?
This question might sound silly but some synthetic hair can’t be washed and dried like normal hair. You will want to ask and find out the best way to care for your extensions.
Can I use all the same styling tools that I use on my hair on a daily basis?
Again, with synthetic hair you might have a problem or just have to lower the heat dramatically on you heat styling tools. But ask before you try so you don’t ruin the hair.
Can I swim with my extensions in? If so what do I need to do to take care of them?
Most extensions don’t have a problem with swimming, or the chemicals that inside of the pools. Some glue that extensions companies use though might be more sensitive to the chemicals and will need extra care. Make sure you find out what you should do from your stylist before you go swimming.
How much damage will extensions cause on my own hair?
This questions will have to be asked during the consultation for the reason that they stylist needs to look at the quality of your hair before he/she can answer that question accurately.