Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

What is one of the first characteristics you are likely to notice about someone? Their hair. Hair has caused controversy, hair has caused fights and hair has inspired artists and creative souls worldwide.

Hair is a personal matter, a point of bonding for many. I’ll bet you spent at least five minutes messing with your hair already today. Some of us spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars per year on our hair.

What is interesting about all of this is, that considering what hair really is, all of this would seem odd. Hair is essentially a dead item on your head. Sounds kind of gross huh? But, in the final analysis, that is what hair truly is. That said, let’s talk about what is going on with hair in America today.

Just like everything else these days, hair is “going green”. You may have noticed that it’s organic everything for hair. But, buyer beware as are there are big discrepancies in organic claims. Not only do you have to read your food labels these days but all of your product labels as well. There are some great lines of products out there. For example, at Fantasia, we love Pureology by Redken. The ingredients are botanical and it’s wonderful for maintaining hair color.

The look for hair is both short and long. Hair is softer today, wider instead of fuller. Simple long ponytails are in for proms and weddings as well as soft wavy hair. Swoopy bangs are in again and brushed-out curls for a relaxed look. It’s kind of like back to the 70’s for simplicity. Would you believe hot rollers are back? (Darn, I threw mine away months ago.)

Tone on tone coloring is popular. If the customers don’t want a trendy cut, perhaps they want trendy color instead. For the young, faded -out punky colors are in.

Wigs are big and Fantasia has the largest inventory of any salon in the area. Extensions are also popular, inspired by Hollywood. Celebrities are not hiding the fact that they are wearing extensions. Fantasia uses Great Lengths Extensions which are what many of your favorite celebrities are wearing.

Natural is in. Instead of “blowing out” your curly or wavy hair, embrace it. Most stylist want to work with the air as it is naturally. Most good stylists can make any haircut work with the customer’s natural hair. That’s where they really can get into the “artistry” and creativity.

It’s all good. We don’t have to spend so much time on our hair these days so that leaves time for other things!

There is a lot of buzz in the industry and on the street about hair extensions. This is a general overview of hair extensions, why you may want them, how to care for them, and where to get them.

Hair extensions can be used for several reasons. Perhaps you have never been able to have long, luxurious hair because your hair is thin and only grows to a point before breaking off. Maybe you just want long hair and you want it now. Sometimes the time and effort of growing out your hair is just too overwhelming. If you just want your hair long for an evening or special occasion, there are inexpensive clip on hair extensions available in retail stores.

If, on the other hand, you want beautiful, permanent human hair extensions, which will not harm your own hair, have a professional from the salon put your extensions in for you. Extensions are not cheap but are well worth the cost because they are just like your own hair! Some salons such as Fantasia, use Great Lengths Extensions, which are used in Hollywood. They are known as the Rolls Royce of Extensions for many reasons, but one for certain is that they don’t harm your hair.

There are actually many types of hair extensions. Some are made from 100% human hair such as the Great Lengths. Others are 100% synthetics and still others are a mixture of human and synthetic. Also, extensions are applied differently. Some are attached to a hand tied weft and sewn in. Some such as Great Lengths are bonded to your hair with a special tool and hot adhesives which come bonded to the extensions. Then there are the Accents which are cyberhair and are secured with a minuscule clamp. All of these types of hair extensions must be attached by a professional hair dresser or hair extension specialist.

The life expectancy of the extensions is typically from three to four months. Longer than this and the extensions may begin to loosen and fall off or, the hair can become matted. Really, how long the extensions are kept in is a matter of personal preference.

Your hair dresser will talk with you regarding caring for your extensions. There are some key things you must do for proper maintenance:

• Wash your hair twice weekly and follow with conditioner. A good deep conditioner is recommended.
• Care for your extensions as if they were your own hair. They will not grow back if yanked with a brush, don’t burn them with the blow dryer or kill them with chemicals.
• If you hair is long, try to always sleep with a ponytail to prevent knotting and tangling issues.
• Brush out all knots before you wash your hair or swim. Start at the bottom and work your way up, slowly, using a loop brush. Never force a knot or tangle out unless you are willing to part with that extension.
• Make sure you wash in between the bond to keep your scalp clean and free of bacteria.

Monthly, your hair grows about an inch. The extensions will still be connected to your hair but will have grown out from your scalp. At this point you should return to the salon to have the extensions checked to make sure all is well.
How long can extensions be? You can have any length you want up to about 18-24 inches. Anything longer puts extra weight on your scalp which could lead to uneven pressure and damage to your own hair. the best looking hair extensions for most women are usually around 18″.

You can wear your hair up with extensions if you allow a one inch “buffer zone”. This will assure the extensions are completely undetectable which would be what you would want. You don’t ever want anyone to complement you on your hair extensions.

Do your research when locating a salon for hair extensions. Ask questions as to the type of extensions they are using and how they are attached. Ask to see before and after photos. Make sure their cosmetology license is current. Ask how often the average client is replacing their extensions. It pays to do your due diligence as its an investment but something you will enjoy immensely if you have a good experience.

Beware if a salon is giving you extension prices over the phone. Most salon professionals will ask you to come in for a consultation so they can see exactly what you are looking to accomplish before quoting you a price. There are many variables which will determine the price for your extensions. How long is your natural hair, does your hair need to be colored, what length/style are you looking for etc.

So, if you want the long, lush hair you have been dreaming of, think hair extensions. Who says you have to wait for your hair to grow out?

There are many human hair extension products on the market today. Fantasia is thrilled to offer Great Lengths Human Hair Extensions. Whether you know it or not, you have seen many actors and performing artists, runway and print models as well as people walking down the street wearing Great Lengths! Because these human hair extensions are virtually impossible to detect and offer tremendous versatility, all you see is the glamour and beauty they create. These revolutionary hair extensions are in demand, appealing to salon customers from all age groups, all ethnic backgrounds and all walks of life.

Today’s customers can enjoy hair design options they could only once dream about. Great Lengths Hair Extensions come in 45 classic colors with fashion color updates introduced seasonally. The quality of the application surpasses and outlasts every other hair extension product available on the market today. You can have short hair today and long hair tomorrow, if you so desire.

The Great Lengths System uses only 100% human hair, healthy, soft Indian hair. Every strand is uniform in color, texture and diameter. Each strand is pre-bonded with a patented protein polymer - a chemical compound that mimics human hair’s molecular structure. The protein polymers are activated when an advanced high-frequency instrument is used to attach the strands.

Fantasia salon resisted selling extensions for some time. Since we are experts in the field of hair replacement systems, we have seen hair loss in individuals who had worn hair extensions. If done improperly, hair extensions can cause traction alopecia. It was not until Great Lengths Extensions became available that we decided to enter into the world of hair extensions as a solution for thinning hair. With Great Lengths, we can offer an extremely versatile, exceptionally safe and virtually invisible system.

At Fantasia, we truly feel that Great Lengths quality surpasses and outlast every other human hair extension product available today. Many of the stylists and staff of Fantasia either have worn or are wearing Great Lengths Hair Extensions and eagerly market them to customers because of their positive experience with them.

If you are dealing with thinning hair, or if you’ve been wanting to change your hair. Call Fantasia to schedule a consultation to discuss Great Lengths Hair Extensions. One of our experts will be happy to discuss the options with you.