Why are my Nano beads losing their colour?

August 2, 2018August 2, 2018Leave a comment

Our beads are very good quality, but you may every once in a while have a client mention their beads have turned gold – or perhaps you’ve had it happen to yourself. This is caused by the paint literally being stripped off the bead usually from an additive in your shampoo. Yes, even if you have an amazing, salon quality, big name, shampoo, with the highest approval ratings, that all the celebs use, this can still happen. And it is no dis on the shampoo at all – we know there are super amazing shampoos out there (like in some of the Moroccan oil line) that have these additives.

Their purpose in shampoo ranges from to create a lather, or act as a thickening agent, or even to keep it from freezing during shipping. There are such small amount of these chemicals that they aren’t going to ruin your hair, by no means, however, there is enough to strip the paint off the beads after a few washes. If you notice this happening, or a client mentions it – that should be the very first thing that comes to mind. Especially since if it were a common problem (batch issue) on our end, it would be happening to everyone, not just one girl, every once in a while.

I did a quick experiment where I submerged half a dozen of our non-silicone nano beads into a container of acetone (nail polish remover), a container of water with purple shampoo, and one with water with hand soap. After an hour, nothing had happened so I left them overnight. By the next morning, all of the beads remained unscathed, in fact the only thing that happened was the acetone had eaten a hole through the plastic container and melted a bead into the jar yet beads remained exactly the same. Not a speck of paint had deteriorated.

Medications and Drugs
Another reason beads may change colour, is from chemicals being carried to the hair follicle through the bloodstream. Several medications, like antidepressants, birth controls, and acne medications, can be the culprits of this, as can Vitamin A, and narcotics. These toxins are so potent, that they will not wash out, and in fact, hair follicle drug testing is a much more effective and reliable method than blood and/or urine testing (for drugs), and can detect toxins that have been in the follicle for months.

I hope this gives you a different perspective on why beads may lose their colour – and as always,

Purple Shampoo and Hair Extensions

February 11, 2018March 22, 2018Leave a comment

Purple shampoo, the staple product for all of you beautiful blondes. With those icy tones trending big time, a good purple shampoo is a MUST and it’s all about the pigment.

What is purple shampoo?

If you are a blonde you should know what purple shampoo is and if you don’t, you’ve been missing out. Purple shampoo is used to make blonde hair ashier ( think more grey or silver and less yellow). You may think why do I need this? But if you have ever coloured your hair blonde you may have noticed that when it was freshly done the blonde was a perfect cool ashy blonde. But with time your blonde faded to a yellow blonde that you weren’t so fond of. Well purple shampoo can help your hair from turning the dreaded yellow colour and keep it nice and ashy if that’s the look you desire.

Using purple shampoo on your hair extensions

Can purple shampoo be used on extensions? Well yes of course but there are a few things you need to know beforehand.

Keep in mind that purple shampoo isn’t intended for daily use. Wash your hair with purple shampoo once a week or whenever your hair needs it, and keep using your regular shampoo between uses.
Hair extensions are very porous, so purple shampoo will deposit fast. That means that you shouldn’t leave the shampoo on too long otherwise your blonde can turn grey. Apply shampoo liberally to your hair and let it sit for 1 to 5 minutes. If your hair is very yellow, let the purple shampoo sit for about 5-7 minutes. If it still isnt the colour you want then apply again. Rinse your hair with luke warm, or cool water. This will close the cuticle of the hair, sealing in the colour and leaving hair smoother and shinier.
Overuse of purple shampoo can have damaging effects on hair extension bonds. Dont use it too regularly and try to keep it away from the bonds and just use it on the lengths of your extensions. Below is an example of a hair extension bond that has been weakened and is breaking down because of the overuse of purple shampoo.
Make sure your purple shampoo is sulfate free and a professional line. Purple shampoo can be very drying and using a cheap brand will not only wreck your bonds but also dry out your extensions.

What if your hair extensions turn grey or purple?

In the event your extensions soaked up too much of the pigment, another wash or two with a clarifying shampoo will remove the excess purple, keeping in mind clarifying shampoo isn’t necessarily healthy for your hair either, so try and avoid getting yourself into that situation.

Pre-applying purple shampoo to hair extensions

Most hair extension colours are naturally warm (yellow) so you may want to pre purple shampoo the extensions before installing them. Here are a few tips if you want to apply purple shampoo to extensions before they are installed.

Start off by making sure the extensions are bundled, brushed out, and have some sort of protection around the bond area. In the picture below you’ll see one bundle of Hair Flair Extensions nano links in #60, platinum blonde. We have secured the bond area with a paper towel held in place with an elastic band.

2. Fill your sink or wash station with a few inches of hot water and pour the purple shampoo into the hot water. Mix up the shampoo in the water until there are no clumps of shampoo and the water and shampoo is mixed thoroughly. Keep your extensions bundled and just swirl the hair through water. This will allow the colour to deposit evenly from root to end.

3. Once you achieve a colour that you like rinse the shampoo off to see what the underlying colour is. If you are not happy with it, put the bundle back in the purple shampoo. Repeat this until you are happy with the colour after washing away the purple shampoo. The longer you do this/ leave the hair in the water, more product will be deposited in the extensions. It doesn’t take long for them to go from icy blonde, to purplish – grey, so keep an eye on them.

Result:
Regular Hair Flair bundle of #60 on the left, toned bundle of Hair Flair #60 to the right.

What purple shampoo should I use?

When it comes to purple shampoo, money talks. Professional and salon brands are going to give you better results, so keep this in mind when you make your purchase. Some blondes swear by locking it in with a purple conditioner, however, as the purple shampoo does most of the work, we think it’s OK to use any conditioner you like. Check out our recommendations for purple shampoo here

Halloween Costumes that will cost you virtually nothing! (Part 2)

October 16, 2017November 13, 2017Leave a comment

Last year we presented you with a variety of Halloween ideas that would cost you virtually nothing (show me last year’s styles!) save the time it would take to style your hair. This year, we’re back with even more cool, hair inspiring, money-saving costumes for all of our talented and creative ladies out there!

Remember; you don’t need to spend a fortune to make a big impact. Let your hair do the talking.

Scorpion

This one may look intimidating, but invite a friend over, pour a couple of glasses of wine, and start braiding. You can definitely dumb it down, and improvise, while still maintaining the spirit of the original. Tip: Use household items in your hair to hold the shape i.e: clothes hangers, foam etc.

Sea Goddess

Another one that looks too scary to attempt at first glance, but when you really look at it, it’s not so bad. Not everyone has a spare schooner floating around, we get that, but use your imagination – it’s Halloween! The hair strands, or Giant Squid tentacles, whimsically become intertwined with the ship. Simply use pipe cleaners in a similar colour to your hair, little clips to hold them, and a ton of hairspray. The rest is up to you!

Maleficent

There are some pretty cool and super easy tutorials online on how to make Maleficent’s horns. We really love the look of the horns wrapped in hair like in the photo.

Snapchat filter gold butterfly

Why not skip the Snapchat filter this Halloween, and just become one! While this costume doesn’t involve styling your hair per se, it uses hair as its focal point. Trace some butterflies onto yellow or gold paper or craft foam and glue to bobby pins or clips, and add a few gold jewels (or use makeup) to mimic the golden glow.

Mary (There’s Something about Mary)

All you need for this one is some really strong spray, mousse, or gel, and a great sense of humour!

Lydia Deetz (Beetlejuice)

For this, you’ll just need a high half pony and a lot of teasing. There are a lot of really great tutorials on YouTube for Lydia like this one as well.

Must Have Hair for Back to School

August 16, 2017November 13, 2017Leave a comment

Step up your hair game for back to school! Your Hair Flair extensions can look even more amazing than normal when you pair them up with some of these brand new styling ideas.

Topknot with a Train

Kendall Jenner and other A-listers have been rocking this ultra-modern and trendy trained topknot around Beverly Hills lately, and we know it’s only a matter of time before everyone else jumps on the bandwagon. Set the trend at your school!

Pinned-back Volume

For best results, chose either a tight spiraled curl, or a soft, loose wave to compliment this effortlessly cute style. Once you have achieved your curl, simply pin the sides back behind your ears. Tease the remaining hair for XL volume.

Messy Milkmaid Braid

Pull your hair to one side and style into a normal braid or a fishtail braid. Bring it around the front of your hairline, secure it behind your ear, pull at some of the layers, take out some face-framing wisps, and there you have it! A perfectly undone, gorgeous milkmaid braid.

Sleek Pony

Be a fierce, kick-ass force to be reckoned with this school year by rocking a high, sleek pony. Start by flat ironing all of your hair, then polish it with a glossy serum. Pull it up in a super high pony, and wrap some of the hair around the base. Slick back any fly-aways. Perfection!

Barely there Waves

Get the vibe of this chic style by using a flat iron. All you need to do after blow-drying is to use your straightener to subtly “bend” your hair. Mess it up with your fingers and some pomade.

Girly Bun

We really like the effect of teasing the top of your hair then brushing it back into a cute bun. Pull down some face-framing wispies and add a bow. Adorable!

Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam

May 13, 2017November 18, 2017Leave a comment

Called a “total game changer” by Vogue, this Cosmopolitan Beauty Award winner (for the best dry shampoo) is nothing less than amazing and super fun to use. Unlike other dry shampoos that can leave your hair chalky with residue, Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam is super lightweight, leaving the hair with that “just-showered” shine, and the best sent EVER!!!

To use: apply a ping pong ball-sized amount into the palm of your hand. Emulsify, then apply to the crown area, along your part, and on the sides. The faster you rub this amazing product in the quicker it dries. MAGIC.

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Creating Hair Art with your Hair Extensions

April 4, 2017October 26, 2017Leave a comment

Hair has become such a staple of one’s personality: it gives you lots of room to showcase your creativity, and gives others a first impression of who you are. We at Hair Flair Extensions know that whether you wear your extensions ultra long or in a cute bob, hair is important. Below are some easy peasy styles that anyone can do to add a little dash of individuality to their hair extensions.

All about bobby pins: Colours

Grab your nail polish and paint away! Ombre, rainbow, metallic; it’s completely up to you.

All about bobby pins: Shapes

Easily create simple geometric shapes like triangles, diamonds, and squares.

All about bobby pins: The more, the merrier

These designs require a lot of pins but are simple enough to achieve. I love the results!

Best Purple Shampoo for Hair Extensions

March 7, 2017January 14, 2018Leave a comment

Schwarzkopf Color Freeze

This is a gentle shampoo for colour-treated hair and extensions which brings hair to its optimal pH 4.5 level to perfectly freeze pigments. For long-lasting intense colour. Ideal for use in post-colour service and home maintenance. Schwarzkopf Colour Freeze is where it’s at when looking for a high pigmented purple shampoo, but use caution: this stuff works, and it works quickly!

Price point: $40

Where to buy: professional salons

Light Blue Shade Conditioner

This is a brand designed especially for white, blonde and silver hair. Its innovative new formula features Oxydrate technology, which deeply nourishes and hydrates your hair, enhancing its sheen and bounce. This is an easy to come by big bottle of super affordable purple shampoo that works very well with our hair extensions. It’s cruelty-free and contains sunscreen to help protect hair from damage caused by UV rays.

Price point: $10

Where to buy: drugstores and big box stores like Walmart

Joico Color Endure Sulfate-Free Violet Shampoo

This multi-spectrum defense complex comes to the rescue with anti-oxidants and UV protectants that fight fading, and tonal changes that can affect the purity of cool hair colour. Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex adds molecular strength and reconstruction from cuticle to cortex. Rich violet: the classic counterpoint that banishes oxidized yellowing, maintains the integrity of your hair extensions, and even turns into an instant at-the-sink toner following a blonde colour service.

Price point: $13.95 – $16.95

Where to buy: Trade Secrets, Amazon.ca

Celeb Luxury FLAWLESS DIAMOND™ Anti Yellow Whitener

Maintain brightness and bring out reflective facets in all blondes, whites and silvers, foil highlights or balayage.

Excellent for men and women to maintain whiteness, help neutralize unwanted yellow tones on natural grey, white and blonde hair.

Price point: $40

Where to buy: CosmoProf, eBay.com

Have a purple shampoo you love using on extensions? Let us know what it is by leaving a comment below.

Best Shampoo for Hair Extensions

January 3, 2017November 13, 2017Leave a comment

Your new Hair Flair extensions are of the absolute best quality, crème de la crème, the Rolls Royce of hair extensions. So obviously you want to take proper care to ensure they last for a long, long, time. Shampoo is one of the most important products for doing just that, but if you aren’t careful, your shampoo can actually aid in the premature deterioration of your gorgeous locks.

What are sulfates, and why don’t we like them?

You’ve probably heard of sulfate-free products, but why should you care?… at the very least, when it comes to your hair extensions? Sulfates are chemical detergents that very effectively cleanse the hair follicles… to the point they strip your hair of essential oils and degrade the surface tension for moisture. They are also known to irritate your scalp and eyes, cause tangles and split ends, and with long term use will certainly have a negative effect on the overall health of your hair, and therefore, your hair extensions.

OGX Coconut Miracle Oil

While this entire line is sulfate-free, this one is an extra strength formula for damaged hair. It contains coconut oil and smells like warm vanilla cookies.

Where to buy: Shoppers Drug Mart, Ulta.com
Price point: $6.99-$11.99

Nexxus Color Assure

This sulfate- and silicone-free shampoo is infused with white orchid extract, almond, Argan, and coconut oils. Result? Well-nourished, healthy, soft hair.

Where to buy: Walmart, Amazon, Ulta.com
Price point: $15

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisturizing Lather Shampoo

This gentle shampoo will not only hydrate your hair and extensions, but also rebuild and repair damaged, dry, or brittle strands.

Where to buy: available at fine salons, Ulta.com, Cosmoprof, Amazon etc.
Price point: $30

Make a huge impact with your hair this holiday season – for free!

December 20, 2016November 13, 2017Leave a comment

Sure, putting on a new dress, glamming out on your makeup, or stepping into those amazing – er, uncomfortable – stilettos, can make you feel like a million bucks, and all ready to conquer the night, but we think your hair deserves the spotlight every once in a while.

Check out these unique head-turning, spotlight-stealing ‘dos that will definitely get people talking and pulses racing. Best of all, these styles will cost you virtually nothing, and you’ve gotta like that! We hope you enjoy.

Hair Bows

Depending on your skill level, you can create look “A” using any ribbon you like, and fashion it into a bow using hot glue and a clip for the back. Voila!

If you are less crafty but more talented with styling your hair, then look “B” may be more suited for you. If you love look “B” but are afraid it’ll be too difficult to recreate, fear not! There are plenty of great tutorials like this one to help you succeed.

Stars

I am not normally one to go for tinsel extensions or glitter-part types of trends, but when I saw this I thought it was not only really pretty and different, but also so easy and inexpensive! Cute, right?!

If you hate the idea of anything being adhered to your hair, try some awesome and easy DIY star hair bands! Similar look and super inexpensive!

Candy Cane

Have light coloured hair, and some pink or red chalk kickin’ around? Well my friends, that sounds like the perfect recipe for some delicious candy cane inspired hair (as worn above by the ever trendy Gwen Stefani)!

Deck your hair with boughs of holly…

Did you start singing “fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la?” Sorry about that.

What we aren’t sorry about is this soft, feminine, holiday look. Oh, those loose curls, and that braid, with the holly embellishment! This is something you could find at any shop that sells artificial flowers or Christmas crafts. Again, you would need some bobby pins or hair clips and hot glue to pull it all together. Of course you could always try the look with real holly — it is inexpensive but be warned: the leaves are sharp!

Dry Shampoo Product Reviews and our Best Tips for Using It

December 15, 2016November 18, 2017Leave a comment

If you are anything like me, you would be lost without a little bottle of sunshine, better known as dry shampoo. It changes everything! This gem of an invention allows you to keep your hair looking fresh and clean, even if you haven’t washed your hair in days! Plus, it gives your hair a boost of volume and texture.

What you probably don’t know about dry shampoo is that there is a specific way to use it. Let me enlighten you.

I’ve tested several brands of dry shampoo over the past couple of months. You should know a couple of things before I get into the results. First, I left my hair for five days without washing or dry shampooing (I dry shampooed on the sixth day) because I wanted the dry shampoo to have to work for my money. Secondly, I had used product in my hair in the days leading up to the dry wash (hairspray, serums, etc.). Plus, I’m really bad for touching/playing with my hair, which only adds more oily grossness.

I found that Nexxus and Joico were a little less “chalky” than some of the other dry shampoos, and were pretty even as far as “refreshing” my hair was concerned. I found they did the best job of making my greasy hair feel clean.

Batiste. I have been using this brand the longest (before I started this research project) so maybe I’m a bit biased. However, for the price and variety, and most importantly, the results, I find this one hard to beat. And their scents alone make my heart smile. The best.

TRESemmé, Pantene, Suave, Redken, Bedhead and Got2 Be were the others I experimented with. Aside from scent, I didn’t notice much, if any, difference as far as results are concerned.

Professional Tip #1

If you already know you’re going to be dry shampooing the next day, do it the night before instead and sleep with it in. The results are SO much better this way. If this isn’t possible, you should let it sit in your hair untouched for at least 5-10 minutes before you massage it in.

Professional Tip #2

If you put too much dry shampoo in your hair, briefly put the blow dryer through it.

Professional Tip #3

Once you’ve massaged the dry shampoo into your hair, try not to touch it — your fingers will make it greasy again.

Professional Tip #4

A natural bristle brush is better with dry shampoo because it helps work in the formula in a much more effective way.

Professional Tip #5

Don’t waste your dry shampoo – you only need to spray your roots. Part to each side, spray the roots, and do the same in the front and back.

We highly recommend using dry shampoo with our hair extensions. By utilizing these tips you will not only require less time to shampoo, you will actually be promoting the health and wellness of your hair, and you’ll be extending the life of your hair extensions.

Find out more about how to wash your hair extensions.

Do you have any dry shampoo tips? Share below!