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.

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Would the REAL hair extensions junkie please stand up?!

Here I go...the 9th year developing and creating my own brand! What took so freakin long?! Trust me when I say...cracking the code to this niche market is a challenge.

Hardest part? Finding product that rocks! Developing a brand that is fierce enough that it creates positive relationships?! YES! I want to develop a brand that keeps the clients coming back to the stylist~client retention is the name of the game. And by creating a brand that is amazing, well...its a win/win.

I have been lied too, spent tens of thousands of $'s. Years of packages, Skype dates, emails and bad english/chinese conversation. I haven't given up. The more disappointed I became the more I new that I was on to something. It has fueled my obsession to find the mother ship of hair!

That said. Hair extensions are a 2 part recipe. First, the Remy hair. Second is the bond that holds the loose bulk strands together.

We source Remy hair directly from Russia and temples of India(photo below). We have also bought directly from Collectors in Brazil. Kilos of virgin hair have arrived to our offices, gorgeous colors as light as level 7.

We have touched some of the best and worst hair in the world. According to every International Sales rep, their hair is the best hair! It's been a painful process and yet so exciting.

Formulating the keratin bond required us to learn everything and anything about keratin. Keratin is Protein. There are several types of low quality keratin, keratin wax(thumbs down), keratin polymer, Italian Keratin and so on. Pre-tipped is always a keratin or poly-eurathane bond/tip. Both are ways of keeping loose hair together in the extension, so that it can be bonded to the natural hair. Being that most bonds are patented it makes it difficult to discover the magic combination of "keratin", and to make a bond that is different than the others. Our brand mustn't have any of those cheap keratin bonds attached to our hair extensions. To my surprise, there are various large companies that sell fusion hair extensions that have polymer in the bond. Polymer is a fancy word for...glue. YIKES! Polymer is made from white glue. It is the less expensive way to make a keratin bond but it is the first way to damage the natural hair.

Great hair extensions are about amazing quality Remy hair AND method of attachment. It is vital that it doesn't damage the integrity of the natural hair, undetectable appearance, quality and longevity.

We are happy to announce that we are in the final phase of creation. The method of attachment is vast. A full line of keratin bonds, tips, tapes, clip-ins and lace front wigs.

As we visit our factories, although we can't publish the names and places, we do intend to publish photos of our trip. Our hope is that one day we will be able to provide all bonding to be done in the USA. But for now, we will travel 26 hours each way! Formulating, creating and designing an all methods brand for Professional Stylists.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us or post them on this blog.