Kimarie Teter/Hairlocs

I am considering getting Hairlocs extensions from Kimarie Teter of Hairlocs. I ahve never gotten extensions before, and her prioces are expensive, but it may be worth it. Does anyone have experience with her or the Hairlocs method?

Have you got your hair extensions yet?? I wear hairlocs, and I love them, but I hate the price. I was wondering how much she charges. I have to get mine redone about every 2 months. Please let me know if you got them yet!

I removed a lients hairlocks for her and there was quite a bit of damage done to the hair underneath. The locs pinch the hair in a little metal clamp and cause the hair to break in that spot.

I got hairlocs from kimmarie, and I would not recomend it. She charged 2000 for less than 200 strands, they sliped out alot, and when they got removed the damamge was just as bad as GLs (also very expensvie). The hair qualitiy was about the same. I've tried lots of methods--and all of them cause damage--you might as well not pay top dollar. Dont get the chepeast extentions, but don't pay more than 1,000. All of them wil damage your hair.

this comment was brought to my attention, FYI all of my clients have a signed guarantee of satisfaction while in partnership with my company, please contact me personaly to address any complaints, questions or concerns you have from your service.

Hairlocs causes lots of damage. I know plenty of women who've lost quite a bit of dimension to their own ponytail weight after removal.

Hairlocs stylists are rapidly losing credibility because of their false claims of "no damage." There's plenty of women on the Internet who are getting their story out.

Beware of the ones who don't come here to help but keep pushing their products and always link to the same web site.

No, you do not get what you pay for. Hairlocs is one of the most expensive and also the most damaging.

Anyone who pays over $1000 for extensions is getting seriously ripped off.

Cait, long before I came here, several people voiced their unhappiness with your peddling. I can see why they did now. You don't help anyone at all - you're just here to sell something.

I call it like I see it and I will continue to do so. Deal with it.

I'm not suprised to hear that so many people have had trouble with Kimarie. She totally ripped me off--for close to $3000. She makes you sign a "client contract," which supposedly protects you, but it's really designed to protect her in case you want your money back or want to sue her.

I didn't know anything about extensions when I went to Kimarie, and she had a great website and a good sales pitch, so I believed her. But soon after she applied the hairlocs, the locs rusted (turned green!), the hair wasn't at all what we had agreed upon (it tangled constantly and the texture sucked), and they slipped out all the time. They looked good when she put them in (she flatirons everything, and you're just so thrilled to have long hair!), but it's a nightmare in a matter of weeks, believe me.

I've since learned what everyone in the industry seems to know: that hairlocs (or eurolocs or microrings, which are all the same thing, by the way) just aren't secure with human hair, because when you wash human hair, it shrinks, so the hair slipps out of the locs like crazy, and before you know it, they're all gone--thousands of dollars down the drain. (This has nothing at all to do with shedding, by the way.) It's a bad system, unless you use it with synthetic hair, which isn't good for long-term use but can be good for temporary streaks, etc.

Like all extensions, hairlocs can be damaging (I still don't think they're as damaging to the hair as glue/fusion, though). But the paint chips off the copper bonds within days, the copper starts to rust, and the loc part starts to break down your real hair. You're also brushing your hair constantly to get out the knots, which will start to break off your hair in the process.

Kimaire will say she charges outrageous prices because the hair is from Italy or France or wherever (a total lie, it's from Asia, like everything else). And she'll say she's an expert, but in reality anyone can get a certificate in this process in an afternoon (it takes a whole lot longer to learn braiding and weaving, which aren't nearly as expensive).

If you still insist on trying the hairlocs process, do yourself (and your pocketbook) a big favor: Go to http://www.drlocks.net/micro.htm and buy the kit for $65, and get 200 strands of Remy hair (better than the quality Kimarie uses) for $200. Then do it yourself, or get a friend to help (believe me, it's really simple--anyone can do it, there's even demo online). Or if you really want to splurge, throw in the video tutorial http://www.drlocks.net/kits_&_videos.htm for $29.99. That's a $300 investment, and you're an expert, with supplies and hair to spare (all for the price Kimarie charges for a few hair supplies and a sateen pillowcase).

To anyone else who's been ripped off, I feel for you--I've been there. I'm still want my $3000 back....

Oh, yes. I communicated with her. And she refused to give me even a partial refund. You see, she makes you sign a contract which includes a "no-refunds policy" before she puts the hair in. So if it falls out a week later and you're dissatisfied, she's legally protected. It's garbage. NEVER SIGN A NO-REFUNDS CONTRACT for hair extensions; that's just crazy. I was an idiot to have trusted her.

Anyway, she knew that the hair was falling out, that the locs were tarnishing, that it looked horrible, and she said she had no idea why it was happening--that none of her other clients had any problems. What a lie! She said she'd just replace the ones that fell out at our next appointment (meanwhile I would just keep dropping the money...).

The locs and hair were falling out on a daily basis, so unless she was going to move in with me and redo them every morning, that wasn't a solution. I just wanted my money back--I still do--and she refused.

Regarding the celebrities, those are B-level celeb clients that she's done for photo shoots or movie parts--not people who need to wear them on a daily basis. What do they care if they fall out? It's just a bad system for long-term use. Also, most of those pictures on the site are quite old; it's obvious her clients don't stick around very long (unless they work for her).

And about the company, Kimarie actually said she would contact "the company" (she's actually their "director of education" or something, so there's really no difference between her and the company) about the probelms I had had (as if she didn't know these things happen all the time).

In any business, you need to be fair, honest, and ethical, or it will catch up with you in the long run; it's just karma. Kimaire should do some serious soul-searching, and think about the clients she's swindled out of thousands of dollars. Then, she should give them all refunds.

No, that's OK--I don't want anything to do with the Hairlocs method or company ever again. But I'm glad the method is working for you.

i had a consult with kimmarie last year and she quoted me $2400 so i shopped around and found another hairlocs stylist who did it for $1850. i had the same problems everyone desrcibed and i found out i could do it myself so I got the kit with the rings and the needles and the closer for about $100 and a full hair of pretipped remy for about $250. ive been wearing them ever since. i agree with jenniferR but i like the hairpiece extentubes better than doclocks microrings. teh paint doesnt chip off as fast.

Cool Janine! I'm a Do-It-Yourselfer too!

I can't believe the price quote you got. That's so outrageous.

You can also make your own pre-bonded hair. Just buy the remi hair in bulk or cut it off the weft and dip it in the glue. I use the fusion glue.

So 20 bucks for the rings,
$200 for good quality hair
and another $25 for misc. supplies,

And one can save a few thousand dollars.

They're so easy to apply it should be a sin.

Hello, I work with Kimarie, and the only thing I can say is... you get what you pay for. I was amazed at her knowledge in hair. She does everything custom, so it's not cheap. The quality of the hair, and her experience with Hairlocs is awesome. Very few hair extension artists guarantee their work, and she is one of them. I am proud to work with her, and her love for people is amazing. I also wear 350 hairlocs in my hair. No damage what so ever. My clients have followed me for that past 11 years. Do your research, and make an informed decision on who you think is best suited to work on your hair. Happy Hair to all. In Christ, Nicholle
www.hairangel.net

Kimarie is awesome. I work with her in Santa Monica. You get what you pay for. Her experience and love for people is worth every penny!
In Christ, Nicholle www.hairangel.net

i have to disagree with you there...you don't get what you pay for when kimmaire charges you $2400 for the same process that you can get and maintain your self for $400...and the hairlocs bonds rust because theyre copper...the ones you can buy from hairpiece.com dont rust because theyre metal...kimarie never did my hair but just search these boards and youll see a lot of horror stories...and no offense but if you work with her and use hairlcos youre probably not the most objective judge...charging $2400, sometimes $3000, for these things isnt a love of people, imo....

Just because someone is "certified" doesn't mean they have hair extension experience!!!!

I have been doing hair extensions for 16 years. I also wear a full head of HAIRLOCS. If done properly, braided hairweaving, and Hairlocs are the safest method to use.
I personally work with Kimarie Teter, and I think she is one of the most experienced Hairlocs artist there is. You get what you pay for. She isn't cheap, but I see the "behind the scene" work she goes thru to satisfy our clients.
She guarantees her work, and very few of us do that. I do research in everything I do, and when I met Kimarie, I knew she was the type of stylist I could work with. We both love hair, and love people.
I am sorry for those who have had a bad hair experience, but it's up to YOU to get the facts, and to make the decision that is best for you. Me personally, I don't mind paying for the best! Service, quality, experience, atmosphere, and integrity.
In Christ, Nicholle www.HairAngel.net

Image By Kimarie here - these comments were brought to our attention and we thought we should reply.
We know some of the people posting the negative messages on this site. Kimarie, or our studio, have nothing to hide. We also have over 50 satisfied clients in LA and another 40 in New York who will be happy to speak to anyone serious about getting extensions. Couple claims to debunk:
1. Kimarie is not currently teaching for Hairlocs or part of the "company". We buy hair and supplies from hairlocs just like many other certified stylists.
2. The hair we use is not from Asia or India. However that texture is available if you need it.
3. All extensions can damage hair - loc-ing, linking and braiding are the safest options in our opinion. It does take a partnership with your stylist to ensure success which is the purpose of our client agreement.
4. We do have several repeat celebrity clients and some ask to remain private. This should not be why you choose a stylist though.
5. We also fix bad hair extensions done by other salons quite often - we know we do quality work and stand behind it - our karma is just fine thanks.

If you want your hair enhanced, keep doing your research as there are many false claims on the market as well as many options besides just single strand extensions.

We currently do about 15 new clients a month plus maintain about 100 repeat clients so we are not looking for new business here but felt the need to respond to the negativity and claims made here. We agree with cait, some people should lighten up.

It's very telling that none of these repeat customers have photos anywhere showing the amazing length and thickness they acquire between maintenance.

Everyone who raves about this technique are either sellers of Hairlocs or people who are posing as satisfied customers.

Hairlocs is one of the most damaging extensions on the market. The shells leave rust on the hair. If not tightened down enough, they slip out. If they're too tight, they break the hair off. The tool that opens the locks goes inside the shell and spreads it open taking your natural hair with it and ripping it apart.

If people want to spend $2,000 - $4,000 to ruin their hair, Hairlocs is the way to go.

So much for lightening up.
We actually have hundreds of photos of repeat customers at all stages of wearing the extensions that show the hair healthy and longer. Several clients have actually stopped wearing extensions because their own hair has grown out to their desired length and it's now healthier than it was prior to the extensions because they've stopped cutting it and minimized the chemical treatments. Now they come back now and then for chemical-free highlights which is another cool use for extensions.

If you (amm) would like see client photos at different stages of grow out, send an email to hairparty@imagebykimarie.com and we will reply with several, real, examples.

I also wanted to address Nicholle's statement:

Just because someone is "certified" doesn't mean they have hair extension experience!!!!

That's true, Nicholle, and it proves Hairlocs does nothing to insure their "certified" stylists have any experience or expertise.

Hairlocs will "certify" anyone who pays them the money to attend their class. Hairlocs does nothing as far as quality assurance.

There comes a point when you go to several Hairloc's stylists and each one ruins your hair that you decide it's not only the stylist that's at fault but the method of application is flawed, too.

IBK,

Send me photos in private mail? Why? Doesn't that seem odd that a company would not post them on the Internet for all to see? I'd think you'd be proud of the fact you may be the only stylists who are able to successfully have repeat Hairlocs customers with fabulous natural hair.

Post them publicly. Please. No really. Please?

I'm sure all the people with broken hair from Hairlocs would be pleased to see them.

I dont think people can be expected to lighten up when they feel theyve been ripped off for thousands...why should they?...and i agree with amm about the process...if ibk wants to be helpfyl, aside from providing photos (cause every stylist has good-looking photos) they should address the rusting problem and the fact that the locs slip out...fyi: a "client agreement" or "guarantee of work" doesnt mean much unless the client can get at least a partial refund if theyre unsatisfied...interesting that now hairlocs stylists are saying there method is "less" damaging--for years ive seen it advertised as "nondamaging"...also interesting that kimarie is not teaching for hairlocs anymore...maybe too many complaints about the process not working well???

everyone needs to make their own decisions about extensions, but if this many people are complaining about a method, its clear there''''s a problem with it...you just cant charge that much money and expect people to be happy when they wind up with damage, slipping, and rust...fyi: my hairlocs stylist told me the hair was from india (not that thats a bad thing, but you can get the hair much cheaper than the $9 or $10 kimmarie charges a strand)...

amm: i''''m curious about some of your diy methods, how youre bonding the hair yourself instead of buying pretipped...will start another thread...

well, the facts about hairlocs are out. the prices are outrageous, and there ar e major probelms with the locs.

but in the company's defense, maybe when they say the hair is italian or french or russian, and thats just the name theyre giving it. some hair on hair websites is called italian minx or french bodywave, but that just describes the style of the hair, the actual hair is from india or asia. hairlocs probably doesn't mean women in rome and paris are cutting off their 30-inch hair and selling it to the company.

no, i think theyre saying the hair is actually from italy or russia. GLs also makes ridiculous claims about their hair--that its "virgin" or whatever, even though it's been bleached, colored, straightened, and permed 1,000 times.

amm, did you ever get those pictures from ibk?