The Hair and Makeup Blog

Guess Who's Wearing Hair Extensions

There is a stereotype that only black women wear hair extensions. But that’s so untrue! Hair extensions are for any woman who wants to glam up their look without waiting for their own to grow out or in. Women (and some men!) of all colors and creeds use hair extensions to take their look to the next level. Every now and then, we here at the Look Hair and Makeup Boutique like to put a spotlight on hair extensions on celebrities you wouldn’t expect. Who’s in the spotlight now? Kourtney Kardashian.

Kourtney Kardashian is a celebutante, business owner and sometime model. As the oldest member of the Kardashian sisters, she can be seen on the reality TV show Keeping up with the Kardashians.

Kourtney has middle eastern roots and so she doesn’t fit the stereotype of a woman who wears hair extensions. However, in her blog she mentioned how she had cut her hair recently. Even though she loved it, she missed her long hair so much that she started wearing hair extensions to change up her look. Kourtney says she’s waiting for her hair to grow out and is actually being patient about it . . . thanks to hair extensions.

Are you waiting for your natural hair to grow out? Don’t wait! Get your hands on some premium hair extensions from the Look Hair and Makeup Boutique!

Chris Rock's New Hair Piece

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about Chris Rock’s new documentary Good Hair. He says that the idea to make the documentary came from his daughter asking him why she didn’t have good hair. The movie goes on to visit the iconic Atlanta hair show and even goes to the temples of India, the source of Remy hair extensions.

Although there’s some controversy over how original this movie is or what it has to say about the hair extension industry, Rock has the ability to inject humor into nearly every nook and cranny of this movie. Celebrities like Al Sharpton, Raven Simone and Ice-T all make appearances in Rock’s documentary. The movie also includes actress Nia Long, who hilariously explains what some of us have always known: all’s fair in love and hair.

But Ms. Long has also been giving plenty of interviews lately where she drops a little truth about hair extensions. They are accessories, like your bag or shoes. They add to your look and don’t try to find any other meaning than that. Changing your hair extensions is like changing your outfit. It’s glamorous and fun. And everybody’s wearing them.

Did you see Chris Rock’s Good Hair? And if you did, how do you think it portrayed the hair extension industry?

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So You're New to Hair Extensions

Last week was the premiere of this season’s America’s Next Top Model. This year, like nearly all the rest, Tyra and show’s producers made changes to each model’s look based on  what could take her modeling to the next level. For some that involved coloring or cutting their natural hair, but for many that meant hair extensions.

Every year I watch Tyra give these young girls hair extensions and watch how some of them struggle to cope with their new looks. Some adjust beautifully and begin working their new hair extensions immediately. But others show up looking worse each week with tangled, nappy hair. I can’t help but wonder if no one sits these girls down and explains to them how to care for their new ‘dos.

Well, I can’t take it anymore. Whether you’re a new model or just new to hair extensions,  here are some quick bits of advice for first time extension wearers:

• Just say no to tight braids. Crying in the beauty chair is a sign that those braids are too tight. That’s also true if you suddenly become Asian after the stylist is done. Too tight braids can damage your hair, irritate your scalp and drive you crazy.

• Avoid tangles by any means necessary. Put your hair in a loose braid and tie it up at night to avoid waking up with nappy extensions.

• Do your best to avoid scratching at the braids underneath. It will just irritate your scalp.

• When you wash your hair extensions, allow the shampoo to seep down into the braid underneath. Let that sit for a bit and then rinse them thoroughly. Washing your extensions at home is just fine but you may want to have a professional do it for the most thorough job.

• You may really like the way you look with hair extensions. More than one woman has gotten addicted to the full, fierce look that comes with them. When it’s time to get them redone, be sure to buy premium human hair extensions for a longer lasting look.

Whether you’re new to wearing hair extensions or you’re an old pro, for all the products you need to glam up your look, head over the Look Hair and Makeup Online Store.

Tips for Wearing Braid Extensions

One of the most overlooked areas of hair extensions is hair braiding. Hair braiding allows you to have an ethnic look with all the benefits of wearing hair extensions. Here are some tips for wearing braided hairstyles.

Buy Quality Hair

We cannot say this enough. Whether you are wearing hairpieces, sew-ins or microbraids, you have to buy quality hair extensions if you expect your style to be versatile and long lasting. Cheap hair will never give you the glam style you are going for.

Don’t Go Too Tight or Too Small

Just because you’re wearing hair extensions doesn’t mean that you don’t love your real hair, too. That said, you need to protect it. If you get your microbraids too small or too tight, you run the risk of damaging your own hair.

Keep Your Scalp Healthy

Use a light oil product on your scalp to keep it moisturized and avoid flakes or buildup. You may also consider getting a scalp massage after you take your braids out to

Choose Your Products Carefully

Heavy gels, pomades or shampoos should be avoided when you have your hair braided. They can cause buildup and leave residue in your braids, giving you a flaky scalp. Use Morroccan Oil for styling without the buildup.

If you want the scoop on beauty tips and news, check out the Look’s monthly e-newsletter.

Solange Knowles Makes a Bold Hair Change

August was full of celebrity hair news, but none has been so shocking as Solange Knowles being photographed with a nearly all of her hair gone.

Best known for being Beyonce's little sister, Solange has been establishing herself in her own right with movies, clothing lines and two albums.

When asked about going all natural, Solange tweeted that she's not making a statement, just a change. She's done this twice before and wanted to spend a little time without her hair extensions. The later summer weather probably didn't hurt either.

Well, we here at The Look Hair and Makeup  give kudos to Solange mixing it up with her look. One of the great things about wearing hair extensions is that you have the ability to change it up any time you want.

And Solange was probably using the highest quality tangle-free, reusable hair extensions like the ones we sell. So when she's done with her nappy and happy phase, she can reuse her old extensions again.

Back to School Hair Extensions

Getting your kids ready for the coming school year can be a mission in itself, but for those of you with little girls, you have an additional task: back to school hair. Whether your daughter is starting kindergarten or on their way to the dorms, you want them to look their best and to feel great about their look. But what do you say when your daughter says “Mom, I want hair extensions, too”?

Well, you’ve upgraded your own style with premium hair extensions and your daughter has fallen in love with your softy, shiny look. Why wouldn’t she want to make a splash on the first day of school the way you do every day at work? Well, here are some questions to ask yourself before you allow your daughter to get hair extensions:

Is she old enough to take care of them?

When you have premium hair extensions, you must take care of them. If you get your daughter hair extensions, she should be old enough and mature enough to treat them well. That includes washing, brushing and wrapping your head at night. Few elementary school age children have the maturity to do that.

Does she understand the permanence of them?

Sew in hair extensions usually stay in place for six to eight weeks. That’s a long time to some children. Do you think your daughter might get tired of them after a couple of weeks? If so, maybe you should consider something less permanent, like a clip in ponytail.

Is the cost worth it?

If you’re going to get your daughter hair extensions, you must go with premium luxury tangle free ones. You have taught her about quality and that you get what you pay for so don’t go the cheap route. You want her style to last a long time and be reusable. But quality hair isn’t cheap so be prepared to spend money. If your child is old enough, maybe you can work out a deal where she shoulders some of the costs or does chores around the house in exchange.

Heading back to school? Guarantee that you’ll be at the head of the class with premium hair extensions and hair care products from the Look Hair and Makeup Boutique. And be the first in your school with the scoop on hair news with The Look’s monthly e-newsletter.

What Does Remy Mean Anyway?

Remy. That word is thrown around a lot in the hair extension world, but do you know what it means? Remy (also spelled Remi) hair extensions are considered the best hair extensions choices out there. Read on to discover the facts behind Remy hair extensions and why it should be number one on your hair extension wish list.

Remy hair extensions come from India, where most of the hair extensions are “temple” hair. Hindis, as show of faith, have their hair shaved as a sacrifice to the god Vishnu. The temple then sorts, washes and dyes their hair for sale.

You can match Remy hair extensions to nearly any hair texture. Caucasian. African American. Spanish. You name it, Remy can blend in it. And there’s nothing worse than a beautiful head of luxury hair extensions that just won’t blend in with your natural hair.

Remy hair is known for its amazing quality. It is shorn very close to the root, leaving the cuticles intact. Each strand is handpicked, guaranteeing that all the hair cuticles are facing the same way. This gives you a smooth, glossy finish that looks and feels amazing. It also doesn’t shed or fall out as you comb it.

Are Remy hair extensions cheap? Absolutely not. But just like anything else, you get what you pay for. If you want cheap hair, you’re going to get a cheap looking hairstyle that doesn’t last but so long. Remy hair extensions can be reused over and over again to create full, luxurious hairstyles.

For the best Remy hair extensions this side of India, check out the Look Hair and Makeup online store. And for more scoop on beauty news and trends, sign up for The Look’s monthly e-newsletter.

Tyra Gets De-Weaved

“Guess What! I'm rockin' my REAL hair on my talk show September 8th. No fake hair at all! Will be the hair coming out of my scalp! 4 all 2 C! No ponytails, no ballet bun head. hair will be out and free!”

Tyra Banks, former supermodel, creator of America’s Next Top Model and host of the Tyra Banks talk show, made a big announcement through Twitter this week. On the September 8^th premiere of her talk show, self-diagnosed weave addict will be going weave-free.

Tyra has always been open about her use of hair extensions and frequently dole them out during America’s Next Top Model makeovers. According to the talk show diva, she’s got hair extensions in every color, even Kool-Aid red. She has joked more than once that not even her mama knows what her real hair looks like.

But according to Ms. Banks, September 8, 2009 has been declared National Real Hair Day. All of her viewers will get to see exactly what she looks like without her hair extensions, ponytails or lace fronts. And she’s inviting all of her viewers to go natural with her.

And we’re all for it. Even if you’re using the best luxury hair extensions, everyone needs to give their do a little break every now and again. So go ahead and go natural on September 8^th with Tyra. Then check out The Look Hair and Makeup Boutique for 100% human, tangle free premium hair extensions on September 9^th.

For all the latest beauty scoop on news and trends, visit The Look Hair and Makeup Boutique or sign up for the monthly newsletters. Newsletter subscribers also get the first dibs discounts and sales.

Get Summer Chic with 10 inch Brazilian Hair Extensions

This summer both the Weather Channel and your body is screaming one thing: it's hot!  It's too hot to be dependent on your flat iron or hair dryer.

If you're looking for a look that's low on the maintenance and high on the sexy, the short curly bob is for you.  And while there are plenty of times that you must suffer to look fabulous, this isn't one of them.

Put away the usual straight hair extensions and break out the 10 inch Brazilian short curly hair.  short is sexy.  Just ask the gorgeous Halle Berry who went from cropped pixie do to a long luscious hair extensions and then this short curly bob. 

You know what makes this a summer sexy look?  Summer is all about comfort with a chic twist.  Your summer wardrobe is all about being casual and comfy.  A curly bob will compliment your summer look without being messy or frumpy.  Take both your comfort and your look up a notch with 10 inch Brazilian hair extensions.

Get Your Hair Extensions Ready for the Beach

We’re more than halfway through July and if you haven’t hit the beach or spent a little time poolside, you’re wasting the summer away. Whatever it is keeping you away from having a refreshing dip, it shouldn’t be your hair extensions. Sure, chlorine and salt water are big no-no’s when it comes to quality Remy hair extensions, but you can protect your hair from the elements by taking a few precautions.

The best way to protect your Remy hair extensions is by wrapping it up under a swim cap before you hit the water. Make sure that the swim cap is waterproof. For the ladies who want the added protection, wrap the hair in saran wrap under the swim cap. (Yes, you will look like Conehead in the water. But when it’s all said and done, your hair will be fabulous at the poolside bar afterwards!)

For the divas who need to always look photo ready even in the water, there is another way. After you’ve put on your swimsuit, rinse your hair extensions with fresh water and conditioner. (This will prevent your hair from absorbing so much of the chlorinated or salty water in the ocean or pool.) Then braid your hair into a loose braid and secure with a hair tie to keep your hair from being matted or tangled while you swim.

After the swim, wash your hair extensions immediately with a clarifying shampoo to get rid of all of chlorine or salt from the hair shaft. Follow that up with your normal washing routine. And if you can’t wash the hair extensions right away, at least rinse them with fresh water and put a little leave-in conditioner in until you can perform the whole wash/shampoo routine.

Did you ruin your hair extensions with an impromptu dip in the pool? Did the ocean’s salt water turn your weave into dreadlocks? This time buy quality reusable Remy hair extensions at The Look Hair and Makeup online store. And for more tips on how to keep your look luscious, sign up for the Look Newsletter.