Hi babes! If you’re following me on Instagram, you know that at the end of October I got hair extensions installed by the one and only Wendy Sanford.

Since I feel strongly about giving something a trial period before giving an opinion, I wanted to try out my new hair before writing a review. I have now had my hair for over a month, and have had one move-up… and to be honest, I already feel like an expert!

In short, I LOVE my hair extensions. While styling does take longer with all of my extra hair, I have gone from washing and styling my hair 4-5 times a week to only 1-2 times a week. So while it does take me longer on those days, overall I am saving hours each week by having less maintenance.

Now, I wanted to break down my most frequently asked questions:

1. What type of extensions do you have?
   There are several different methods of hair extensions (most common are tape-in, clip-in, fusion and sewn-in.) The type of extensions I have are considered sewn-in and the method used is called Natural Beaded Rows (aka NBR). NBR is considered the original sewn-in extension method - it was actually created nearly 10 years ago.
   

   There are also different brands of hair that can be used within this installation method. The brand that my stylist uses is Covet and Mane (this brand is very exclusive and is not offered to all stylists). What makes Covet and Mane a high-quality brand is that it does not contain a silicone coating and 90% of the hair strand is the full length desired. So if you are wanting 22” hair, you are getting 22” hair. (I.e., you’re getting what you pay for!)

2. What made you decide to get NRB over another method?
   So I did a good bit of research before getting them installed. I’ve heard horror stories about damaged hair / hair loss caused by extensions. That being said, NBR is considered the least damaging method on the market. They can actually result in healthier natural hair since I’m washing them less and putting MUCH less heat directly on my real hair
   
   In addition to that, NBR is custom-fitted based on the client’s needs. Wendy really is an installation expert and she installs them in a way that doesn’t tug and pull.
   
   

3. How difficult is the upkeep?
   In the beginning, I was really nervous about whether or not the upkeep would be difficult. To be completely transparent, I felt SO overwhelmed thinking about how I would ever be able to style all of my new hair! 
   
   However, over the next several days, I realized that it was actually so much easier than washing and styling every other day! Plus, my extensions held a curl for longer than my real hair, so now I only have to put heat on it 1-2 times a week!
   
   

4. Can you still use your normal hair products?
   Yes, I can! As long as you are using hair products that are sulfate-free, you’re good! The only other products that might be considered “mandatory” to protect your investment and give you the best experience is a conditioning oil, dry shampoo and a detangler. Personally, I use all OUAI products. However, Target carries multiple shampoos and conditioners that are sulfate-free and don’t break the bank. Wendy often suggests  Kristen Ess to anyone who is looking for an affordable option!
   
   A small disclaimer here: I would keep in mind that salon-quality products are usually better ingredients and more gentle on hair. So if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, it may be more cost-effective to purchase salon quality to keep your hair in top shape and not have to trim dried ends. At the end of the day, you want to keep the length you’ve purchased.
   

5. Do hair extensions limit how you are able to style your hair?
   With Natural Beaded Rows you can style your hair HOWEVER YOU WANT without fear of people knowing you have extensions! Unlike other types of hair extensions, NBR allows you to wear your hair half up, in a braid, or in a high pony!
   

6. Can you get extensions if you have curly hair?
   YES. Wendy can match several different curl patterns! There is also an option to perm the extensions to make changes to your curl pattern.
   

7. What are hair extensions made of?
   Real human hair!
   

8. Are hair extensions painful?
   At first, they feel a little heavy and tight on your scalp. The closest thing I can compare it to is the feeling of getting your braces tightened. It’s a little uncomfortable at first, but by the next day, you’re good to go. Now that I’ve had them a while, I don’t notice them unless I touch my scalp.
   
   My stylist told me that if they hurt longer than 48 hours, I should let her know rather than suffer in silence. It is usually a placement issue and is an easy fix!
   

9. Can you brush your hair like normal?
   Yes! At first, I felt worried that I would mess them up, but it’s actually GOOD to brush your hair regularly. You can actually do damage to the life of the extension hair if you don’t brush it. As long as you’re using your oil on the ends, brush away!
   

10. How long do they last?
    If you take good care of them, hair can last over a year! I use hair oil on the ends of my hair 1-2 times a day to keep the hair from breaking. The oil is also great for keeping the quality of the hair silky smooth!
    

11. How much hair did you get?
    While everyone’s hair needs vary, I ultimately decided to get extensions because I wanted more fullness. My hair wasn’t terribly thin, but it certainly wasn’t thick. I have two rows of hair and have a total of 11 wefts of hair. Also, my hair is 18 inches long, so it hits a little below my bra strap!
    
    However, you can get as long as 26” extensions. Wendy does an amazing job of helping her clients decide how much hair will provide the best experience. Depending on your current hair length / texture and your desired look, you can get anywhere from 1-3 rows. Each row of extensions contains anywhere from 3-7 wefts depending on what your hair can hold without damage.
    

12. How do you style your hair?
    I wand my hair! I use a 1.25 inch barrel, section my hair, and then curl it. After I let it cool, I brush it out. And that’s it! I usually do this 1-2 times a week.

Overall, hair extensions are absolutely worth the investment. I can’t imagine going back to my regular hair at this point. I think my biggest regret is not getting hair extensions before my wedding!

While there are so many different hair extension specialists, I really cannot recommend Wendy Sanford enough. She is so professional and is an absolute expert in the field.

A quick word to the wise: There are many knock-off sew-in methods offered that will cause damage and should not be confused with NBR. A lot of work goes into making sure with NBR damage is avoided and the extensions are comfortable (as well as undetectable!) Because of that, it is SO important that you do your research.

If a stylist is offering extensions for anything less than $1200 they are likely using a brand of hair that is not good quality - which may look good in pictures at the beginning but ultimately won’t last! At the end of the day, you get what you pay for, so make sure to do your research!

If you’re interested in getting extensions through Wendy, mention my name and she will give you $200 off of your first service!

If you’d like to see more of Wendy’s work, click here!

And as always, feel free to message me with any other questions you might have!

xx