If you’re new here, welcome. We’re Olivia Christensen Salon, and we have two luxury hair extension salons in New York City. We’re passionate about helping women regain their confidence and fall back in love with their hair through our high-quality i-tip hair extensions.
In this article, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about hair extensions.
At our two New York Salons, we do things differently. Our founder Christina has developed a unique technique for installing and maintaining seamless, luxury hair extensions. We love seeing each of our clients’ transformations–and it turns out that you love seeing those transformations as well.
On this blog, we aim to answer questions, offer recommendations, and help you decide which hair extension technique is right for you. In this article, we’re answering the questions we’ve been getting over the years on Instagram and in our salons.
If you’ve got questions about hair extensions, keep reading because hopefully we’ve answered them all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Extensions
What are the main types of hair extensions, and how do they differ?
The main types of hair extensions are i-tips (what we specialize in), wefts (or sew-in extensions), tape-ins, k-tips, and clip-ins. We’ve done a deep dive into the different hair extension methods and what makes each one different, so if you have more questions, you can read that article here.
How Long Do Hair Extensions Last?
So how long do hair extensions last? This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get about hair extensions, and the answer varies. How long your hair extensions last depends on factors like the hair extension technique you choose, the quality of the hair, and your at-home care routine.
At our New York salons, we specialize in luxury, high-end i-tip hair extensions. We attach these to your hair using small beads, and because we source full-culticle hair of the highest quality, your extensions can last up to 12 months. Another factor is your at-home care routine, which plays a big role in how long your extensions last.
We send every client home with a detailed, easy-to-follow care routine that helps extend the life of the hair. Then you’ll be in the salon every 4-6 weeks for regular maintenance appointments. During these appointments, we remove the extensions, comb out the hair fall, and reinstall them. This ensures the highest level of care for you and your new hair.
How Much Do Hair Extensions Cost?
We talk about how hair extensions are an investment, but how much do they really cost?
The price of hair extensions varies depending on where they’ve been sourced and what type of hair extensions they are. At our New York Salons, we install microbead or i-tip extensions with our unique blending technique. This means that you’re getting the most natural, lightweight extensions on the market.
We’re also passionate about knowing where our hair comes from and ensuring it arrives unprocessed, with the cuticle intact. This is how we offer luxury, high-end hair extensions that behave and feel like your natural hair.
At our salons, hair extensions cost between $3,000 and $6,500. But remember, this hair will last up to a year, so once you’ve paid for it, all you need to do is come in for maintenance appointments.
Are Hair Extensions Heavy?
We talked in the last point about how lightweight our hair extensions are, but that’s not always the case. Many hair extensions can feel heavy and pull on your natural hair. We chose to specialize in i-tips because they’re different from wefts and tape-ins, which can be heavier on your natural hair.
Compared to other methods, we use only small bundles of hair attached to your natural hair at evenly distributed points across your scalp. This means the extensions won’t pull and damage your natural hair; they’ll feel lightweight and style naturally.
When women switch from wefts to i-tips, usually the first thing they notice is how lightweight they feel. Of course, this means you won’t always have the dramatic transformations that wefts provide, but you’ll have a subtle and luxurious transformation, and trust us when we tell you that no one will be able to tell that you have the extensions in.
So to answer the original question: are hair extensions heavy? They can be, but our method makes for extremely lightweight extensions, especially compared to other techniques.
How do Hair Extensions Stay in Your Hair?
With our luxury i-tip hair extensions, we individually bead the extension strands through your natural hair. Basically, we securely attach the extension hair to your natural hair using small beads. With this method, we use no heat, glue, or harsh chemicals.
Other methods, like tape-ins, use strips of tape that are heated and pressed to your hair and the root, and wefts are sewn to your natural hair, also around the root. If you’d like to learn more about how extensions stay in your hair, we’ve written an article that explains them all.
Will the Extensions Match my Natural Hair Color?
This is another part of our technique that is so unique! Your hair is rarely just one color; it’s usually a blend of several different colors, and that’s why extensions tend to look so obvious–because they are just one color. But because we hand-blend every bundle of extension hair attached to your natural hair, we can custom-blend multiple colors into every strand, creating an identical color match.
This hair extension technique ensures you get the most natural-looking extensions possible.
Can I Style My Hair Extensions Like Normal?
Absolutely yes! Because we source full-cuticle, luxury hair extensions, you can treat them the same way you would your natural hair. You can curl, straighten, and style however you like; just make sure to always use a heat protectant (this one is our favorite).
We also love the styling versatility of i-tips because they’re evenly distributed around your head so that we can customize placement for specific hairstyles. For example, we won’t overload your hair at the front, so you can always wear updos and half-up, half-down styles without seeing the extension beads.
Can I Exercise With My Hair Extensions?
Again, yes! You can work out like normal with our hair extensions. We highly recommend washing your hair with our clarifying shampoo after a heavy workout, or if you tend to sweat a lot around your scalp; otherwise, you can do everything you normally would with hair extensions.
If your workout is light (like yoga, Pilates, or something that doesn’t cause excessive sweat), then you don’t need to worry about washing your hair afterward. While you need to keep your extensions clean (sweat can cause the beads to slip), you should be able to treat them the same way you treat your natural hair.
How Long Do Hair Extensions Take to Install?
You can usually expect to spend about one hour in the salon having your extensions installed. And for maintenance appointments, reinstall time is usually even quicker (unless you book treatments, color, or styling, which you’re more than welcome to do).
How Do I Care for My Hair Extensions?
Each client is sent home with detailed care instructions and a reminder of what products you can’t use with extensions, but the at-home care isn’t too complicated. We recommend washing your hair 2-3 times per week to avoid oil buildup on your scalp. You can get regular blowouts and style your hair like normal using any hot tool.
We recommend putting your hair in a loose braid at night, using a silk pillowcase, and never going to sleep with wet hair. These steps will help prevent breakage overnight. We also offer a full line of extension-safe hair products, including brushes, shampoos, and a great conditioner that keeps your hair soft and shiny between visits.
If you’d like to learn more about caring for your extensions or products we recommend, read this article next.
Which salons near me specialize in applying high-quality hair extensions?
If you’re living in the New York area, or travel into New York frequently, we’d love to invite you to Olivia Christensen for your luxury i-tip salon experience. We have a location in Manhattan and another on Long Island where you can book consultations and have your extensions installed and styled.
Where can I buy safe and long-lasting hair extension products online?
If you’re looking for extension-safe products, look no further. Our line of hair brushes, shampoos, and conditioners has been designed specifically for women wearing extensions. Our founder, Christina, has been in this industry for over a decade, and when she couldn’t find the luxury products she wanted, she decided to formulate them herself.
Shop our full range of extension-safe hair products here.
How Can I Book My First Hair Extensions Appointment?
First, book a consultation with us. At this consultation, we’ll discuss your extension goals, answer any questions you have, and color-match you to the perfect extension hair before booking your installation.
The consultation appointment is the vital first step in ensuring you’re ready for installation. You can book your consultation with our founder, Christina, here.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @oliviachristensensalon for inspiration from our recent transformations. And if you have any more questions, send a message on Instagram; that’s the perfect way to get in touch.