And we are back...

While overseas, our limitations to social media and blogging were unexpected. Happy to be home and on our own soil. That said, our trip to China was eye-opening. Everyone was more than accommodating.

Our days were filled with factory tours, meetings and eccentric lunches. My diet consisted of tea and rice. I was not as open minded with eating as my associates. I made the mistake of mentioning that I wanted to have “authentic” chinese food. My own stupidity, thinking that authentic meant fried rice and Sweet & Sour Chicken. I felt like Andrew Zimmerman from Bizarre Foods; without the desire to actually eat anything in front of me.

Years I have viewed photos of so called “Factories”. I wouldn’t say it’s a “factory”, however, it’s more like a workshop employing over 150 men and women. Each piece, made by hand. An art form, in it’s own way! I have waited since 2002 for this journey. This trip was a dream come true for me. My eyes began to water as soon as I witnessed men and women working with their hands, creating something that means SO much to me.

I shared smiles with the workers. Of course, doing business in China is unlike the norm. I have spent years living in Japan and Hong Kong. I am familiar with the Asian business culture. A female business owner with 20+ years of experience doesn’t instantly receive respect. Nor did I imagine I would. I am highly educated and experienced within the Hair Extensions Industry. I know when I am being lied too. I remain humble in those thoughts, as I still appreciate the time that was given to me by each and every person. I flew 17 hours for a reason. To network, meet, create and learn. I did not come to China to be arrogant. I wanted to make sure that if I partner with a particular company, that I would be employing fairly. Fair trade is not just for large companies. It’s for a small business entrepreneur, like myself, to make sure that workers are happy and enjoying their daily grind. It’s a karmatic approach to business. I witnessed smiles, lunch breaks, laughter and great working conditions. I also am wowed by how closely men and women work. Literally inches apart. Dare I say that in America, we require so much more personal space?! With specific demands, my focus is stronger than ever. I have created a career for myself, with raw materials. The material just happens to come from a human. And the story of women surrendering their hair to “God” and it making it to my salon is something that I cherish. The journey from point a-z of hair extensions is unique. The amount of labour that goes into each and every piece is mind blowing. Consider the initial source and all the steps it takes to produce quality hair extensions…it makes complete sense why hair extensions are a luxury item. To have the best raw material, the source is first considered. Followed by how many hands actually work and process the hair. It would be fair to say that each extension goes through 10+ pairs of hands before it arrives to the salon! Even the beginning stages of storage to assure it is remy is a vital process that takes time. With that, I have a whole new UBER sense of respect for a industry that I am already in love with.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

As I sit here at the airport...I look around and take in my surroundings. I quickly notice a lady reading the latest Victoria Secret Catalogue and another reading Cosmo. Earlier I was in the magazine shop and fixated on the covers of what seemed to be hundreds of magazines. Most covers have a beautiful female with perfect skin, body and hair.

Such a big shoe to fill. The need for females to live up to what appears to be the norm. To fulfill what we, as women, think men want. Or even, what we wish we would look like. A challenge when females have to work full time jobs, take care of children, membership in the PTA, non-profits and so on...

The models on 90% of the magazines are wearing Hair Extensions. False lashes, fake tan and YUP hair extensions.

The photo below is from back stage at a Victoria Secret Fashion show. The top portion of the hair extensions is sprayed with a colored power to give the appearance of a natural root line and also for undetectable extensions.

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I also see men that have very little hair, no hair, tons of hair and one man...earlier...who had a toupee. OH I can spot them a mile away. How is it that he can't see what I can?! YIKES.

My reasoning for comparing men to women is this...and please don't hate on me for saying this. But, the facts are facts. Men CAN get away with what woman can't. If a man is bald, overweight and can make a lady laugh...chances are...he is not a lonely man. If he has a small or large resemblance of a "crome dome" aka "bald spot", BUT has cash in his wallet and a bit of wit, charm and knows how to treat a lady...HE IS NOT LONELY.

I digress. If a lady is bald, overweight and funny...she IS lonely. She probably will not leave her home. Men are not attracted to her. IF he is attracted to her, and there are few, he is one of those amazing men that loves her for her completely. The reality is black and white.

We live in this so-called perfect world. Those that grace the covers of magazines would hardly be noticed at the grocery store. Victoria Secret models do not have all that hair. I have seen the videos of what goes on back stage. I am fascinated with the whole "concept" of what Victoria Secret hair represents don't get me wrong! But what I am saying here is this...men think, society thinks...that that is her hair. They think that her low protein diet, all the time under heat lamps, wear and tear from numerous photo shoots, heat tools and over cleansing that her hair really is THAT shiny, THAT full and THAT long! WOW.

If I were to take the layers off. She would also have freckles (like most of us from sun damage), wrinkles, cellulite and much thinner dare i say shorter hair than what you would think.

For years I have said "I am like Sampson in the Bible. You cut my hair, you take my power!".

Don't judge a book by it's cover!

A good "head" on my shoulders...

Providing women with the hair they have always dreamed of is an opportunity of a life time.  Sure you can say that this is a HUGE exaggeration. However, roll with me here...

If you came to me and said you wanted to lose weight, knowing that I am a BCRPA Certified Trainer.  I would guide you to the ways of weight loss that would be healthy, increase your metabolism and practical. I would also kick your butt in the gym. Personal Training was my first real job, or was it my second? I have had so many jobs.  I think somewhere in there I worked at McDonalds and Wendy's for a hot minute.  I have been working since I was old enough to have a paper route.  ANYWAYS.

What I know to be true is this...goals takes time.  Plastic surgery we have to heal, actually first we have to save the money.  Followed by take time off work, then the surgery and finally healing time.  Weight loss is similar.  If you want to lose 10 pounds, I am going say give it two weeks and here is the detailed plan.  There are no short cuts or overnight success stories in fitness and nutrition.

That said, in less than 2 hours I can change your life.  Sure that may seem like a stretch.  But I have found this statement to be more true than not.  A "bad hair day" turns into being a "bad day".  This phrase hit in the 80's.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Bad Hair Day hats, t-shirts, websites...

I have never NOT had hair extensions.  I actually don't own photos nor have I taken a photo (for that matter) of myself without hair extensions.  Call it what you will.  I am honest in my lack of confidence with out some type of extension.  I have had and worn it all.  Weaves, wigs, clip-ons, synthetic bang pieces(huge mistake), wrap around pony's and last but not least...used to make my own fusion hair extensions from bulk hair.  Why?  Because I have hair of a little girl.  My pony tail resembles a 3 year old.  Cute on a little girl, not so cute on a 30 something (ok almost 40) year old.  The good news of this is...I can relate.

When a female calls, visits or emails and shares her challenges, I instantly want to be the one to give her what God didn't.  A Good head of hair!  I joke and say that God couldn't' give me this wowing personality and a good head of hair at the same time because it wouldn't be fair to others.  This always makes me feel better when I see a gorgeous Brazilian lady walking down the street wearing a size 0 pant and has a full head of gorgeous hair!  SO unfair.  Why her?  How come she has the Victoria Secret hair without the clip-ins that the Victoria Secret models wear to get that hair?!

Ok back to the point...

Once I have provided her with the perfect set of Tresses, blended, cut and styled her hair; she now has volume, length and the hair she always dreamed of.  She will walk taller, look and feel younger and have a sense about herself that she didn't have before.  Her stress level is minimized and so are the hours she used to spend trying to get ready every day.  Trying to manipulate thin fine hair to do "something"/"anything" is a challenge.  I have seen the transition with with my own eyes.  Phone calls, emails and testimonials back up what I am sharing.  The key is selecting the right technique, texture of hair and placement of extensions.  Of course always protecting the integrity of the clients hair first and foremost.

Having a good head on my shoulders simply is the new way of turning something negative into a positive. Bad hair days are a thing of the past.  We all should have a good head on OUR shoulders.  And by that I mean, we all deserve a good head of hair.

Hair Gone Wrong! Hair Extensions drama

Recently I met someone who "appeared" to have great extensions.

As a salon owner/Platinum Extensionist, I was interested in finding out more about her stylist and the method/product used. I was also in desperate need of someone to actually do my hair, that I trusted.

I announced my name to the salon and booked an apt. I was eager to have my own hair done and hopefully, if this was a good thing, have something new to offer at Studio She. I am all about working together - there are enough women who want "good hair days" and I love to share my passion with other stylists.

I drove 2.5 hours to the destination. Finally, I thought I had found someone who has shares the same JOY for extending hair. I was elated to have someone pamper me because usually it is the other way around. Excited to finally have someone do my hair!

4 weeks later - I have spent a little less than $1000.00 and I am totally not satisfied. The hair I am wearing is probably from China. All the silicone that the hair was soaked in has come off, which has led me with hair that knots easy and feels awful. The color matching was less than perfect.

My point is this...there are so many salons out there that claim great reviews. But at the end of the day, when it comes to good hair extensions you have to do your research. The stylist told me that I could re-use this hair - her placement was amazing but what good is placement if the hair is bad quality?

It just makes me wonder - clients - are to make happy and to continue to bring them back over and over again. Trust is a huge word, especially when spending money!

Get to know your stylist and ask for testimonials.

Even though I am a stylist, I still sit in the same "client" chair and I understand the feeling of being let down when it comes to wasting money on something I really wanted. Not to mention - it is just another company that doesn't get the "seal of approval".

Strand by Strand Hair Extensions

Strand by Strand So.Cap Hair Extensions

Transform a bad hair day with confidence. Strand by Strand So.Cap Hair Extensions add volume and length and are also fade resistant. With 90+ colors to work with, color matching is perfect!

The hair you have always dreamed of is absolutely possible. Strand by Strand Hair Extensions are undetectable and allow you to wear your hair up or down. Styling with strand by strand extensions is absolutely a huge time saver. The extensions hold curl longer than our own hair, which makes gorgeous curls possible with holding power!

So.Cap Hair Extensions are 100% Remy human hair (the cuticle is going in the same direction). This is very important, as typically lower grade extensions that tangle are usually not Remy and after a few weeks typically look and feel like a “hot mess”. The bond is pre-dipped in keratin (protein) which is then warm or cold fused to the hair cuticle. Unlike competitors, So.Cap has zero polymer in the bond which helps with minimal damage and long lasting extensions.

It is no surprise why the biggest stars of the entertainment industry are among its loyal users.

So.Cap extensions are not re-usable and are taken out with a professional remover solution and tool. Damage can be done during this process so it is very important that it is done by a Certified So.Cap Extensionist.
Protecting your investment is vital. Using So.Cap 4 U products is important to care for your extensions.

Change Your Look With Hair Extensions

Switch it up with Hair Extensions


Hair extensions can be a great change to your look and style! Using Hair Extensions will give you the makeover that you have been searching for.

The decision to get hair extensions is constantly on the rise. Hair extensions are the simple answer to all of your hair challenges. Not only do they allow us to experiment with our style, they also give us the option of adding length and volume. Simple to advanced layers, color dimension and curls are all options without doing anything to our own hair. This is the key to obtaining the best of both worlds! Get the style you want without damaging your own hair.

Since the popularity of Pixie Cuts, Rhianna/Posh Spice Inspired Elongated Bobs we have noticed an increase of those that want hair extensions. Why? Simply put, not everyone has the “face” or “hair” for the short sassy cut. That said, once the mistake has been made the best option is some form of hair extension.

Another great way to achieve highlights and color is to use fade resistant hair extensions. This is great because your own hair will not be damaged while the cuticle usually is being broken down during color processing.

For those that have thin, fine hair (like myself), hair extensions are one stop shopping. You will get the volume you wish God blessed you with and you will also be able to style your hair and have the “look” last. What a concept! If you struggle with lifeless hair then you completely know what I am saying.

If you are considering hair extensions but you’re unsure about the aftercare that is involved be sure you speak to your stylist. These types of questions should be answered fully the day of your Hair Extension Consultation. It is also suggested that you have an “aftercare sheet” to help guide you and to help protect your investment. I will say this, using products that are not created for hair extensions can cause shedding, dryness and slippage. If your Stylist is saying to use any products on the extensions then I would keep searching. Oil is the number one cause of losing extensions and 99.9% of products out there contain oil.

Styling hair extensions is typically the same as styling your hair without extensions. However, hair is dead and the heavy use of blowdryers, curling irons, flat irons etc are not suggested. Basically, if you want to protect your investment and your hair you need to back off on all the heat. I am assuming that we are talking about human hair during this article. If you have synthetic hair, you are advised to not use any form of heat as typically the hair will melt. There are a few companies on the market that have synthetic hair extensions but they usually lack in the color matching department.

The use of human hair as your hair extensions means that your extensions can be treated in exactly the same as you would treat your own hair; you are able to wash them, style them and tie them back in the same way and method that you would with your natural hair.

If you are considering hair extensions, I would highly suggest going to a professional Hair Extensionist. There are several different methods on the market and not all methods are created for everyone. It is important that you are educated as to what method is right for you. Unfortunately most Stylists are only certified with one company. There are several guidelines that should be followed while deciding which type of hair extension is right for you. Selecting the right method will help you achieve your “hair goals” and also prevent damage.

Please read more of our articles about Hair Extensions I am confident in directing you to good hair days!

Hair = Power.

For more information about hair extensions and the author of this article please visit www.mylongtresses.com or www.studio-she.com or www.hairextensions619.com

Human Hair Extensions Asian Hair VS Russian Hair

Human Hair Extensions - Indian Vs European and Asian Hair
Author: Studio She
Christina Jones

As a Stylist that specializes in the art hair extensions, I found the origin of donors is of the utmost of importance to determine quality. The quality of your hair extension hair will determine whether or not they look real, and how long the hair lasts.

There are a large number of hair extension artists claiming to use virgin Indian hair for many hundreds even thousands of dollars, when in actual fact they are selling good quality European hair sourced from donors with origins in South America, Italy, Eurasian ect . This hairs cuticle has been harshly processed to strip out the very thick texture and dark colour pigments. To mimic western hair (Caucasian), the hair is re-tinted using fabric colours not hair colours to achieve the desired shade. Asian Hair Hair sourced from donors of Asian and China donors is a very course hair strand and grows naturally very dark and very straight. The pigments are stripped back to nothing then a short lasting silicon coating is added for a more realistic texture. For this reason Asian hair is usually the cheapest and most unnatural looking hair available on the market only lasting for the short term.

Raw Virgin Indian Hair has NEVER been chemically treated and the cuticle is not processed and stripped unlike Asian. The hair reacts beautifully to salon products and remains silky even after lighting and colouring. Raw virgin Russian hair is widely known as the "creme de la creme" of hair and of the finest quality. The hair not only looks the most natural but also last for years not months. Virgin Indian hair is softer, finer and more compatible with western hair allowing the hair move naturally with more volume which means less extensions and less potential damage to your own hair. Cost Factors

Due to the scarce nature of sourcing raw virgin Indian hair the initial cost can be significantly more than Asian hair. People only compare prices directly, however volume and durability should also be an important consideration. You may find that over the long term you can purchase raw virgin Indian hair for the same price as Asian hair when allowing for how long the hair will last and how many extensions you need. Chemically treated hair is flat and lifeless needing more hair to produce the same affect as non treated hair. In addition to volume, raw virgin Indian hair will last for years not months so the only cost is the cost a hair extension artist will charge for uplifting the extensions. Many well known brands do not offer uplifting due to the poor quality and durability of the product they use. If hair extension artists or salons claim to offer raw virgin Indian hair but can only guarantee the product for less than six months it is more than likely a false claim.

Quick Facts: Asian
As we know, Asian hair is NOT like our own. Did you know that Asian hair is put into a chemical bath, which breaks down the cuticle to make the hair thinner and more like our own? It is then, put in a silicone bath which gives it the appearance of healthy looking hair. However, as soon as you wash this hair you will notice that it will soon go back to "wiglike straw looking" hair. For this reason I do not use Asian hair for any other purpose than a quick fix Halloween Costume type of situation.

Hair only last in original condition for a short period Not recommended to colour as hair becomes even more porous Does not look real Not recommended to swim Frequently tangles Maintenance is very high Needs to be styled often

Quick Facts: Raw Virgin Indian hair extensions

Our supplier has a donor clinic in India. We are proud of our contact because this person supplies all the Movie Industry Stylists. Which means, that the "who's who" in the Celebrity world is wearing the same product as our clients. Our hair is re-usable and to be honest, the best on the market.

It is avail. in links, fusion and can also be sown to a weft and then used for a clip in or invisible weft.

Another great fact about this hair is that when you wet the extensions they will form a very natural wave. This is great for volume not to mention natural looking!

Please visit our website for more information http://www.mylongtresses.com/ or studio-she.com

We also train those serious individuals who are considering a future as a Professional Hair Extensionist!