Hair extensions - what kind, how expensive and how long before the wedding?

I wanted extensions as well. But I chose to do the clip in ones for my wedding. They were of the highest quality and looked sooooo good. I LOVED them and didnt' wanna take them out. I have short, fine,limp,lifeless hair and the extensions really made my hair look amazing. Here are a couple pics.

@Married - I would have never guessed you had extensions - they look fab!!!

I have some and i wore them to a holiday party as a test and none of my friends could tell. They were shocked. Go to Sally Beauty at get the Euronext 14 inch human hair clip in extensions. I love them. I think they are $124 and if you sign up for their beauty club you get like 15% off. At least you used to.

Clip-ons (high quality, human hair, of course) are, in my opinion, the best in terms of minimizing cost and potential damage to your natural hair and scalp. @marriedmytruelove used them and they look great.

I'm not up on the latest attachment techniques, but I recall that there was a glue method and a weaving method. They both last for a while, but they each have their problems. I had a very good friend use the glue method several years ago, and the removal of the extensions literally caused healthy hair to come out in clumps (seriously, I almost fainted). She ended up with permanent follicle damage (to this day, she has to style her hair VERY carefully to cover patches of her scalp and she uses a topical application of Topixx). After the glue removal, she had to repurchase more hair and have it woven in. All together, the materials and labor cost close to $800.

I'd never suggest anything other than clip-on hair extensions, but that's based on my personal experience.

One of the most reputable brands I know of is Great Lengths extensions. They are real and of the best quality. Sew in extensions are very expensive . Expect to pay 300-400$ and take about four hours to apply. The average cost to get the refreshed is around 75-100$. If you live in a less populated area it might be on the lower end of that estimate. However, you can get real. Clip ins for 100-250$ and have your hairstylist cut them for you so the blend with your haircut. My stylist did this for free.

Thanks spicy and Centerpiece flowers.

Clip ins girl!! You can also go to Sallys buy hair and sew your own clips onto the hair! I do it all the time and have had some of my pieces for years and they still look amazing! Its cheaper to buy the hair and clips and sew them on yourself! And very easy!!

Get clip ins! I've had real before for a job I had and they hurt like crazy and I felt like it damaged my hair even though it shouldn't... They are also expensive from what I hear, the lady told me what I got would cost about $900 for their customers... and it took 9 hours... my scalp swelled up and I was super crabby because I couldn't sleep well with them for like a week.

They looked awesome though.. here's one of the shots.. at the time my natural hair was about shoulder length.

I'm going to get extensions but I am not going the clip in route as I mess with my hair too much and would pull them out by the end of the night... Also the clip-ins won't work for the hairdo that I want. I've done extensive research and the main thing you need to figure out is how you want to do your hair then it will help you decide what route to go. I did go see 3 different professional stylist that are know for their extensions (I live in L.A - mecca for extensions), and because of my hair style, (partially up and then take down for reception); & type of hair that I have, (thin) they recommended the micro links. They are about $700 (for the amount I want) and that includes putting them in. The other thing is that if you use the glue-in kind or shrinkies the hair is not reusable if you go the bead route they are reusable meaning they just have to pop off the bead and move up the hair. Also, I've never had extensions before and I am going to have a trial run so...(cont.)

I can use my hair again for the wedding.

With all this said the bottom line is that it TRULY depends on the hairstyle you want and what your needs are! Pick a few hairstyles and then go talk to a few different professionals and see what they recommend. The consults are almost always free - AND - you'll be able to learn a lot and narrow down what option is best for you.

I had an updo and used clip in human hair extensions. I think I paid about $100? You're in Phx, right? I went to Sunny's Hair and Wigs in Mesa (hair stylest recommended). Though Sally's has them too.

http://www.sunnyshair.com/sunnys_location.php

Thanks for the awesome answers! My budget is about $600. From everything I have heard microrings seem good?

But I sooooooo wanna try the clip ons!

So...you ladies want to know something funny!? Most of the 'human hair' extensions are mostly yak hair! They only have to have one human hair for every 100 yak hairs to call it human. My hair gal came with me to Sally's to buy mine. I thought it was interesting. But she says yak is very similar to human. I also bought extensions from Sally's, clip on...I have fine hair. I'm so glad I did!

They also make tape in. It is alot cheaper and lasts for maybe 2 months. I have had fusion extentions a few times and those are my favorite because since the are tiny sections of hair your hair can still have any hair style done to it. But clips ins are awesome for quickly adding fullness and length. Ive never had micro rings so if you do end up with them let us know how they are!

It depends on what your looking for - long term or just one day. If your looking for one day then go with clip ins. If your looking for long term go with one of the other techniques. Clip ins are GREAT because you can put them in and then take them out the next day. They are cheaper then going the other routes too and you can see if you even like them! There is NO damage to your hair - which is good esp on your wedding day! I'm a hairdresser and whenever anyone is on the fence about hair extensions I rec. clip ins.

Stay away from glue. If you want 100% human hair buy from a dealer. Don't buy from a retail store. The real deal will cost you a pretty penny.

Good luck!

I want them to last 4-6 months and be remy hair.

I would go with Micro Ring hair extensions, easily the kindest to your hair and safest. I went here (<

http://www.arabellarose.co.uk/) and would recommmend.