Wedding Wednesday....The secret behind hair extensions (Part 1)

The hair industry is a multi-billion dollar business. It has become an obsession, everybody wants the best quality extensions at the lowest price. It is over-saturated with people trying get a piece of the billion dollar pie.

Years ago the market was much harder to tap into. There was only a few people that had access to get the hair directly and they in turn would sell it wholesale to individual distributers. The hair quality was raw, unprocessed and would last for multiple installs. 

The hair is mass produced because of supply and demand. Hair extensions have been machine processed for years. The hair that is sold in beauty supplies has been artificially manufactured for more than a 2 decades. When the hair started coming from India and sold through individual distributers, then the hair industry blossomed. 

That's when you noticed that every one that you knew became hair distributers. People that had never been knowledgeable in the hair industry could tap into it. 

Hair could be sold to anyone that wanted to buy it. You didn't need a permit or license to buy hair and distribute it. People are making as much as $100,000 a month just selling hair extensions. They are becoming instant millionaires, thanks to the hair industry. 

I don't understand why people don't respect people that are haircare professionals. 

There is a lot of value in our craft. Hairstylist that are doing bare minimum can easily make $50,000 a year. If you incorporate doing extensions and distributing hair you can quadruple that number. 

The market generates $1.5-2 billion dollars in the United States as of 2013. 

Wedding Wednesday...Hair Accessories (Veil vs. The Fascinator)

Have you come to the stage wear you are looking for the right hair accessory?

This is just as much of a task as finding the right wedding day jewelry. I feel that choosing the right hair piece should be based on the type of dress you are wearing. Not all dresses look good with a 'birdcage veil', the same with wearing a fascinator. You don't want people to be distracted from the focal point (which is you) because you have over-accessorized. 

Depending on your nationality, it may be necessary for you to have a more dramatic look. Culturally  it's justified but if that doesn't apply to you then don't over do it. 

For example Indian weddings are detailed and have many traditions. The brides are generally dressed in traditional garments, elaborate head pieces and henna tattoos. It's so beautiful. I've had the pleasure of styling hair for an Indian wedding, so I'm familiar with some of their traditions. 

If your dress is more simple then you can accessorize a bit more. If your dress has more of a vintage feel to it, I love either the birdcage veil or the fascinator. 

If you have alot of beading detail on your dress, then jewelry should be minimal. A cathedral veil will soften your look a bit. It gives a traditional feel to a more modern look. It's a great contrast. 

Whatever head piece you are leaning towards make sure it compliments your dress. 

It's a very important finishing touch to your look. It has to be Right. 

I'm a stickler about dramatic earrings and necklaces paired together.  

Rule: If you are wearing a dramatic earring do not pair a necklace with it. It's too much! If you want to wear a dramatic necklace, pair studs with it.

The Right Way.

The Wrong Way.

Happy New Year!!!

 Happy New Year everyone. I'm so happy to be connected with you all another year. I hope that you all had an amazing holiday with your family and friends.

I'm looking forward to another year to carry out my vision and to use my platform to make a difference. 

Photography by Jeremy Blake 

I learned so much in 2013, it's truly a blessing how much I've grown. I've learned so many things that I can implement on my journey throughout life. 

The biggest lesson that I learned, is to accept that Every person comes in your life for a reason. It's always something that you can gain from every person and every experience that you have in your life. What you gain is a useful tool that you can utilize along your journey.  

That was something that I learned on my own, my own perspective. 

  

Photography by Jeremy Blake 

Photography by Jeremy Blake 

New Year, New You!!!

It's a new year so why not go for a new look? I always encourage people to try something new, especially around the holidays.  It's a way to refresh yourself. The change doesn't have to be drastic, just something new and fresh. I personally know when I change my look, I feel empowered. I find most of my inspiration on Fashion blogs, Instagram (Follow me @Tressarthair) , and in Magazines. Here are a few looks that I did over the holidays that I just love. My beautiful clients are the best, some drive me nuts but I'm so grateful for them.


Natural Hair, Highlights and base change, Pressed and ceramic curled

Partial Sew-in Extensions, Peruvian extensions (ihearthaircrush.com), Blow-dried, Ceramic curled

 Natural Hair, Pressed, curled, styled

Natural hair, Base change (color correction), trimmed, Blow-dried

Partial Sew-in extensions, Virgin Indian extension (www.wagmanshair.com), cut, ceramic curled and styled

Natural Hair, Pressed, trimmed, and ceramic curled

Micro-Bead Extensions, Pressed, ceramic curled, and styled

 Partial Sew-in Extensions, Brazilian extensions (www.ihearthaircrush.com), cut, ceramic curled, and styled

Holiday Hair Ideas

It's that time of year again, which might I add came up really fast.  I'm sure many of you are finalizing travel plans, or trying to figure out what plans should be made. Of course the even bigger question is "What should I do with my hair?" I'm here to help you figure it out. Whether it's an simple up-do, color, silk press, extensions, braids, etc... I'll give you a few looks that may help you with your decision. Some of you will be in the kitchen cooking, socializing with friends/family, traveling, or maybe just relaxing. If you will be in the kitchen, a simple, heat resistant hairstyle would be the most practical. A great solution would be a sleek ponytail or an low maintenance up-do.
As for those of you who will be entertaining friends/family, a statement hairstyle would work best. You'll be doing a lot of talking, playing games, possibly even dancing, so you want that hair to have movement.
Even if you will be traveling or relaxing, you want versatility but also something you can maintain on your own. Braids, natural (heatless) style, or even extensions could be the route you want to go.
Whichever holiday plans that you settle on, make sure that your  hairstyle is easy for you to maintain.

Happy Holidays from Serena Hampton the Tress Artist

Credit: Triplemaxtons.com

Credit: Theybf.com

Credit: More.com

Credit: Makeupforlife.net

Credit: Soulfulbeauty.com

Credit: Juxtapost.com

Micro Bead Extensions (Part 2)

I've noticed that many people all over the world are intrigued by the micro-bead technique. Since I started my blog this particular subject has always received the most views. Since you all want to know more, I'm going to give you more.
Micro Bead extensions have been around for a few years now, however only select stylist provide the service. I enjoy doing this technique on clients who want versatility in styling, but also want to add length and fullness. MicroBeads are hard to detect and blend well if proper extension texture is used.
I recommend a couple of extension companies. They are reliable and quality hair is always produced. Buying extensions can be quite an investment but it's worth it to buy quality hair because it can be reused if you maintain the hair properly. I use a few sites, but my 2 favorites are www.wagmanshair.com and www.indiquehair.com. I can always count on them to deliver excellent customer service and quality hair extensions.
MicroBead extensions are a nice alternative to many other weaving techniques, in that you can maintain the care of your natural hair while they are installed. Haircare is my main priority so I like to provide services that protect a persons natural hair.
 If this is a service that you may be interested in make sure you take into account that this is a high maintenance hairstyle. You can't apply the same force that you would say if you had sew-in extensions. The beads are small and will loosen up if too much force is applied. The beads should be tightened once a month. With proper care this technique can last up to 3 months and sometimes even 4.



First look

Client is natural. Hair is pressed, precision layered cut, and ceramic curled. Extensions are from Indique.

Before 

After extensions are applied, hair can be worn up or down

Beads are barely noticeable

After
Hair is flawless

Second look

Client is relaxed. Hair was relaxed a week prior to micro bead application. Extensions are from Wagmans.
Hair is ceramic straightened, precision layered cut, and ceramic curled

Before