Extension Links & Trades

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Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: Sep 25, 2007 at 12:28am

QAC AD @E

Posted By: sherrie215
Date Posted: Sep 25, 2007 at 6:24pm

hi misfitns, I say keep the hair...can never have enough hair in the shrine (as mshoney calls it!)

I could certainly see how Bohyme French Refined would be much coarser than russian hair, as the french refined is processed for texture.

$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .64b" !( %($%,!)$!!!!8br 0

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Sep 26, 2007 at 8:13pm

I am sort of weird about hair also. If I buy it, it MUST all go on my head in some shape or form even if it wont fit.

I made the mistake of improperly measuring my head and then I ordered a custom weft that costed more and I didnt need all that. I learned my lesson though. Use a cloth tape measure and dont try to guestimate it lol!

Posted By: mokipono
Date Posted: Sep 27, 2007 at 1:12am

Misfitn,

I agree, keep the hair. Russian hair is going up on price every few months, and it's not coming down any time soon. If this hair gets any more pricey it will become for movie stars and the very wealthy only. By next year when you are ready to reorder the cost will be so high you will want to kick yourself for selling it.

$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.(!%!))!,(!) %8`` #(

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Sep 28, 2007 at 10:55am

I wish it was not so pricey but the trade off for that seems to be hair that lasts, and lasts and lasts until you cut it or destroy it with over processing. The only reason I can see for the high cost is that it

Posted By: malibu
Date Posted: Sep 28, 2007 at 11:53am

d`$,$ ` %`` ` $
LOL

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Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Sep 28, 2007 at 11:58am

Are those good laughs or bad laughs? lol. I probably should not even ask. You need to remember here that I am not a stylist, lord knows. I am a client and usually lost and confused when it comes to hair so I have latched onto ANY and all information I can find on these forums. Then I try my best to do research but at some point you just need to throw some money down and get hair. I probably only got lucky hehe. There are a lot of vendors and they make all the hair look so pretty on their websites, thats for sure. You cant go by that rule #1krimsa2007-09-28 11:58:55

Posted By: malibu
Date Posted: Sep 28, 2007 at 12:05pm

Krimsa, I've learned a lot from your posts! I really have!
You don't give yourself enough credit.

Tongue

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Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Sep 28, 2007 at 12:11pm

Well ya know when you are browsing hair vendor websites and trying to get some ideas? Doesn't it just seem really difficult to decide because of course they just show you all this beautiful, gorgeous, shiny looking hair? I want to see hair thats been on a head for a month or two dammit!! lol.

Posted By: oh*so*sassy
Date Posted: Sep 28, 2007 at 1:35pm

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Definitely.
I cannot tell you how much $$ I have thrown in the trash in the form of a matted-bunched-rodent-nest-looking hair wad.
Looked pretty in the pics. Felt pretty for a day. Or two.....
furious

$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.%%%,%)!)%$(!)0bb #.

Posted By: Frozen_Toes
Date Posted: Oct 12, 2007 at 10:11pm

Hi there. New around here but I wanted to wade into the Russian hair thing! I just had my god awful GL removed and had russian added instead! It really is gorgeous hair. Do you mind if I ask what vendor you bought from? I'm still looking around for more and I'd like to compare my prices.

Thanx a bunch!

Posted By: Sofiaone
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 12:56am

Hi Frozen Toes- what about the GL didn't you like? the hair quality or the method?

By the way, how are you installing your russian hair? What is the difference between russian hair and Indian hair? I have porous rough dry hair and most of the silky shiny hair doesn't match mine so I am looking for something that would match nicely. I think the russian sounds good ...where do you buy it and how do you install?

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 7:19am

Russian hair just has a much softer and silkier feel than MOST Indian hair. I emphasize most because you can indeed find quite fine Indian hair on the market. Russian hair to me feels almost childlike in its fineness. Like ya know how a little kid's hair feels? It

Posted By: Frozen_Toes
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 10:28am

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The GL was a disaster from the beginning! I have very fine, sleek hair but a fair amount of it. The stylist put inthe GL by cuting them into 3rds and 1/2's. By the end of the first 2 weeks I had lost close to 15 or 20. She replaced the first 10 for nothing and then proceeded to charge me HUNDREDS of dollars to keep adding them back in while telling me it was because I had 'hair issues'. Granted, I would pick at the hairs because they were uncomfortable and my hair would slip out of the bonds. Had 2 full sets put in between April and August. Then I found out a little bit ago that she was using my hair on other clients! The hair quality was awful too. The strands were full of grey hairs (it was a dark chocolate brown) and when they were colored they wouldn't hold the color. The hair was rough after a month and quite frizzy at the ends. It was only 12" long and I had to keep having trimmed to remove the fuzzy ends.

So I grabbed what was left of my hair from her and went to my very good friend who owns a salon but hasn't done extensions since she was in school. She used my fusion iron and the Keratin u-tipped Russian (that I am a little embarrased to admit I bought off of eBay

)and had all the hair installed in very short order. The hair was 20" long and so very silky. It wasn't the right color so I colored myself at home

I took the hair into her yesterday and it looks amazing. It is a little longer than I would like or am used to but she wanted to let me try it out before we cut a whole bunch off. It is so thick and silky with a bit of a wave to it. The diameter of the hair is at least twice GL. I had asked my GL stylist to order me a thicker hair and she said my hair wouldn't support it. All totgether I have spent $2474.00 at that salon. My friend put in the Russian for $150.00 and the hair and iron cost me $200.00. Unfortunately there are very few extensionists in my area; one does GL and the other 2 do Euroloks.

I know that you do get what you pay for but eBay was the only place I could find to buy hair because I'm not a licensed stylist. But my friend is going to help me with that and buy what I need through her shop.

I have found such a wealth of info on this forum and I thank you all for helping me finally get it through my head that it isn't totally the fault of my hair but that the GL don't work for everyone.

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 12:45pm

I had the exact same issues with the GL hair. Exactly! rough, course, tangled, didnt match my natural hair. It only got worse after a few shampoos! I know exactly how you feel! And those ends! Forget it! They turn into fuzz!

Posted By: mokipono
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 3:44pm

There was a topic on this board a couple of years ago about GL hair and its origin. Collectivly, we found out the hair was Indian, and had a very interesting coloring process. Appearently, the hair is decolorized by shaking it!! Anybody remember that one?

GL admitted the hair was being decolorized, and recolored by the exact same process that is used to decolor wool from sheeps hair, and recolored for sweaters and other wool clothing.

This process is suppose to be very gentle on the hair!!??!

$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.(!%!))!,(!) %8`` #(

Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 5:53pm

Do they shake the ladies while the hair is still on their heads to decolorize it? Ms.Honey2007-10-13 17:54:32 QAC AD @E

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 7:39pm

I dont know what they do. I was fooled by their website and information. Basically they describe it as "Indian Temple Hair" and lead you to believe its the dope. It is in fact, processed hair that is not in very good shape by the time it goes on your head. I admit I was stupid and fell for their advertising. I now know what to look for in better hair that has not been damaged prior to install. Its a learning process but I wasted a lot of money.

Posted By: mokipono
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 9:20pm

Hey Ms. Honey, Yeah they shake the crap out of em' $- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.(!%!))!,(!) %8`` #(

Posted By: sherrie215
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 10:23pm

a few years ago, GL hair got very very good reviews. Its only been in the past year or so, that the hair quality isnt getting such great reviews ...maybe they are shaking it a lil' too hard.... $- P cn`dp0% 00BB .64b" !( %($%,!)$!!!!8br 0

Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 10:48pm

!p & @.(!p H

And those poor sheep

QAC AD @E

Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 10:50pm

d`& !$` `a`

Maybe they shouldn't shake them but stir

QAC AD @E

Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 10:51pm

They've probably switched suppliers. QAC AD @E

Posted By: Frozen_Toes
Date Posted: Oct 13, 2007 at 11:31pm

Whatever they have done with it has not been a good thing.

Day 2 with the Russian and it still feels so good!! It does need a little extra moisture and the bonds on it are if-y but otherwise the hair is great. These bonds seem to have a very low melting point (Wal-Mart straightening iron low to be specific) but they are holding so far. Any tips on re-tipping and good products to use would be greatly appreciated!

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 14, 2007 at 8:59am

The Russian should last you a while provided you got good non-coated virgin stuff. Let

Posted By: Sofiaone
Date Posted: Oct 14, 2007 at 12:31pm

thanks frozen toes for the detailed feedback. It sounds like the GL hair was not a match at all for your hair. I think with everyhair method, if the hair doesn't match your own hair in texture, feel, and porosity, then it will suck. I don't have naturally silk hair (its curly and has to be flat-ironed to look smooth) so for me anyone putting in silky smooth hair would suck.

I think you stylist unfortuately didn't take the time to match your hair type and recommend another hair method or option to you since your hair is not a match for GL. I am glad you are happy now and doing well with the russian hair. I am sure if you tried the dream catchers hair (Paris hiltons brand) you would love it too since it is gorgeous silky russian hair....totally unilike mine :). It also sounds like when she noticed you were loosing so many strands that the bonding method for GL didn't work in your silky hair and she should have offered you a partial refund at least.

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 14, 2007 at 4:38pm

Dreamcatchers uses Russian hair specific to that system? Hmm. Did not know that.

Posted By: msfitns72
Date Posted: Oct 20, 2007 at 5:19pm

Well, I am hoing into 4 weeks with the Russian hair and it is just the same as when I bought it. Some days, I dont even run a brush through it before I'm out the door! It has been worth every darn penny! here are a few pics I promised: Excuse the content...but they were the best pics of the hair! LOL

msfitns722007-10-20 17:31:24

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 20, 2007 at 8:47pm

Are you a lady wrestler! Wow! How is your Russian hair attached and how many ounces are you wearing? It looks like a lot of it.

Posted By: TanglesRC
Date Posted: Oct 20, 2007 at 9:16pm

you look GREAT!!! ), Ahg `dapd , .,` % $ ` $)-%,,, , ,"

Posted By: msfitns72
Date Posted: Oct 20, 2007 at 9:59pm

Lady wrestler? ROFL!!! yeah-- all 5'2" 110 lbs of me! No-- I work as a model for the bodybuilding/fitness industry.

Thanks for the compliments though! I am wearing just under 6 ounces of the Russian hair. It is pinchbraided in. Pinchbraids are little individual braids tied off with string.It sounds weird but it's the most secure method I've worn. I have been using this method for over a year and love it. A good pinchbraider is hard to find....so if you do, put a ball and chain on her and threaten her life if she ever thinks about retiring from doing your hair! LOL

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 21, 2007 at 8:20am

Ahh okay thanks. I wore pinchbraids many years ago. It was actually the very first extension method I tried. I wasnt really happy with it simply because my head is kind of small and the braids seemed too bulky. That was just in my case though and Im sure it works great for others.

Well your Russian looks fantastic. It has encouraged me to try maybe 4 oz. Im only wearing 3 or probably less than that now and its nice hair but I would like a little more. I wear wefts. I will see what can be done to ad in more when I get new hair. Thanks!krimsa2007-10-21 08:21:21

Posted By: msfitns72
Date Posted: Oct 21, 2007 at 8:31am

yes-- you are right about the braids being bulky for most. Fortunately, I found the MASTER GENIUS of all pinchbraiding! I drive 4 hours to a gal in Atlanta get my pinchbraids done. She is amazing at creating small, secure braids that are just perfect! The smaller braids are very difficult to achieve for most pinchbraiders, as you must have superior finger dexterity and a lot of focus ( and time!) She makes them a little larger on the bottom rows and gets smaller as she goes up. Thats the key, I think! :)
Good luck with your Russian! Post pics if you can!

Posted By: ikki
Date Posted: Oct 21, 2007 at 9:16am

Your hair looks so beautiful! cdadd d ! .(bb .$`` (

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 21, 2007 at 10:20am

Yeah I was having my pinch braids done by Hair Police. They are supposed to be the masters of the technique and they probably are quite good but my feeling was their specialty was more along the lines of the synthetic dreads and the more fanciful hair dos and less with the natural, undetectable looks. So perhaps if I could find someone who was able to do the smaller braids like yours, it would work out better. It can be hard to find anyone who specializes in a given technique and I need to drive 2 hours as it is now to get a sew in weave!

You look like you have more hair than I do up top also and it

Posted By: FinaFina
Date Posted: Oct 25, 2007 at 12:30pm

day-um girlie! You look awesome and so does your hair!!! SO GLAD it's working out!!! And thanks for the pinchbraid plug. . .it DOES SO ROCK. . .I FLEW to Atlanta to get my hair done by Heather, and yes, she does an AMAZING job. I think the hairpolice do do much thicker braids. I've had it done there too.

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 25, 2007 at 12:50pm

Yeah I remember the Hair Police braids as being much too thick for fine hair that is.

Posted By: Sofiaone
Date Posted: Oct 25, 2007 at 4:27pm

msftns72.....I love your hair. Would you mind posting pics of how your pinch braids look? are they the size of a pencil top? similar to locs in size? I have never seen them in person and am curious to see if this would be a method for me to try.

thanks

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 25, 2007 at 5:37pm

Yeah that would be great! Like try to lift up your own hair and take a photo. I know thats easier said than done and especially hard with brunette hair as it all blends in lol.

Posted By: msfitns72
Date Posted: Oct 29, 2007 at 8:09pm

Hi all--
Thanks Fina! I am definitely loving this install! I dont know what I'd do if Heather went out of business! God forbid!

Sofia-- I would take some pics but I let my brother borrow my camera as he just had a baby and is snap happy with the photos right now. I would say the bottom to mid braids are about the size of a pencil top. ( good comparison!) but as they go up, they get smaller and smaller...probably the size of Hairlocs locs...just not as flat. The braids are certainly rounder... so if you have SUPER fine, sparse hair on top, you could possibly have trouble with a few poking out. The good thing is-- they look like little braids...not weird pieces of metal.

Posted By: mokipono
Date Posted: Oct 29, 2007 at 9:43pm

Hi Misfitin~~~~

Thanks for the beautiful pics! You are gorgeous! Maybe you can answer a question for me.

With Pinchbraids the hair is usually doubled over at the braid to give it more strength.

But how does the virgin Russian hair keep from matting with the small part that's doubled over. Wouldn't the hair be going in 2 different directions??

Chime in here girls~~~

Fina Fina do you know what I am talking about?

$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.(!%!))!,(!) %8`` #(

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Oct 30, 2007 at 6:53am

That's a good question. I am thinking back to my Hair Police pinchbraids and how they looked and felt and I cant imagine trying to use Russian hair for that method. It seems like it just wouldn't hold in a braid and would slip constantly but hey, if it works, it works. krimsa2007-10-30 06:54:05

Posted By: Ms.Honey
Date Posted: Oct 30, 2007 at 1:44pm

Yes, I would love to know too. QAC AD @E

Posted By: msfitns72
Date Posted: Oct 31, 2007 at 2:21pm

Ok....you hungry knowledge hounds! lol
The deal is-- the russian hair CAN be used as long as great care is put into minimizing the foldover where the braid is done. Heather loves to fold the hair over...but with this hair, she was sure to cut the "tails" to no more than about 2 inches. They give me no problems at all being that small. I was worried they would bunch and mangle, but it works out fine. Fina told me that she definitely experienced "bunching" problems when she folded the russian hair...so be sure those tails are CUT!
Also-- for some reason, though I am used to DOUBLED over strands, this install feels just as thick as usual and has stayed put with minimal slippage. Its been 5 weeks and I've lost 2. ( very average for me). the hair isnt coated...so although it's fine, it's not limp and slick as to slip out of the braids. I was worried about that in the beginning too!
I am going next Friday to have them tightened ( I go every 6 weeks because I'm a freak about keeping re-growth in check so my hair isnt HANGING there being stressed)I am using the same hair. It looks just the same as the day it was installed. :)

Posted By: mokipono
Date Posted: Nov 1, 2007 at 4:48am

MAHALO MSFITNS! THAT CLEARS IT UP ABOUT THE FOLD OVER......THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!!!

$- P cn`dp0% 00BB .(4`p /.(!%!))!,(!) %8`` #(

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Nov 1, 2007 at 7:30am

Hmm interesting. You also have a lot of Russian on it looks like. 5 0z or so. It looks fantastic!

Posted By: FinaFina
Date Posted: Nov 1, 2007 at 10:44am

Yeah, even a small amount of foldover caused me great troubles when I had the Russian hair installed. I'm surprised you even have 2 inches. Even that small amount bunched up on me.

Posted By: msfitns72
Date Posted: Nov 1, 2007 at 11:23am

Yeah--it's almost 6 oz.
The tiny tails havent caused a problem. Some are shorter than 2 inches but I have found a few that are about that...and no bunching! Fina~
I wonder why a little bit of "tail" gave you such a hard time? Ah...the mysteries of hair behavior on different people huh? lol

Posted By: krimsa
Date Posted: Nov 1, 2007 at 12:57pm

Whoa 6 oz! Im wearing about 3 but thats all I can fit on my head using wefts! lol. It looks nice just not thick thick. Im gonna push for 4 next install. I guess I can always remove a weft if its too bunchy or not working. No harm, no foul. Youve inspired me! I also LOVE your colors. So was that a mixture of dark brown and auburn i think you said? I will need to scroll up. Did you color the hair yourself? Is it ALL colored or did you leave some of it the natural color and mixed it?

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