5 Things to Know About Clip In Hair Extensions
Can you believe this year is already almost over! I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have SERIOUSLY lived in 2021 --- through the pandemic that never seems to end, a long-waited dream destination wedding, and a move with my husband to a new country and a new life. This year has been scary, crazy, hard, and exciting, and I for one am ready to celebrate the wins, reflect on the lessons and ring in 2022 in style!
This will be my first New Year’s partying in a new country, and I can’t wait to kick it off in Beirut. We have plans that I’m crazy excited about, so if you don’t follow me on Instagram, make sure you do so you don’t miss the fun! But for now, I am working on the last-minute details of my look, and the major piece of that puzzle is the hair!
I have mostly been wearing wigs, weaves, and braids since I moved to Lebanon, but I wanted to mix it up and try something new. I have experimented off and on with clip in hair extensions but always had trouble finding a good texture match and blending them in. But when Perfect Locks approached me, I decided to give them a try, and I have to say I’m hooked! Perfect Locks is a premium hair company specializing in top quality hair extensions of all types – wigs, weft bundles for weaves, and clip in or tape in extensions. All their products begin with premium quality 100% Authentic Virgin Indian Remy Hair that is ethically sourced and goes through a rigorous process from assembly to coloring. They sent me a package of their Relaxed Straight Lace Clip in Extensions for review and I had so much fun playing with them.
Here are 5 things I learned about styling clip in hair extensions that you need to know!
5 Things to Know About Clip In Hair Extensions!
Make sure you find the perfect match for your hair.
Clip ins look way more natural than lace front wigs or closure weaves, but only if they blend with your hair! Since you clip the pieces in between layers of your natural hair, if they don’t match color and texture, it’s not going to work! Perfect Locks has a lot of different color and texture options to choose from, and they can also help you texture match your hair if you send them a picture. I chose Relaxed Straight since it seemed the closest match to what my natural hair looked like when it was blown out and flat ironed. Even though all the colors and textures look beautiful, don’t be tempted! If it doesn’t match your natural hair, they will not blend. If you want to experiment with different colors and textures, stick to wigs or full head weaves so you won’t have to worry about blending color and texture.
You can customize your clip ins to get your dream look.
Clip ins are versatile, and part of the styling process should be making them work for you! You can play with the placement of each clip in for a different look, have them cut for a length you love or to create layers, or even get them customize the color. You can do that yourself or take them to a salon and have them professionally colored or highlighted. The possibilities are endless.
If DIY styling isn’t your thing, you can have a pro install them
I have played with clip ins before and found them so challenging to work with! Granted that set was not a great texture match for me so it just looked crazy. But clip in extensions have to be installed and also styled, flat ironed, or curled to get the final look. Even if you find your perfect match, you may want to get some help with installation and styling, especially if you aren’t big on DIY styling. Last time I was at a hair salon I saw a woman getting beautifully custom colored clip in extensions and they were installed flawlessly! I think for when I’m wearing them for a special occasion, like New Year’s Eve, I’ll enlist a pro, just to make sure everything looks perfectly naturally.
You can use as much or as little as you want
You might be tempted to use every single clip in that comes in your set, but you don’t have to! My Perfect Locks set included 7 pieces so you can customize the installation for the best placement. It gives you the option to add them all over for lots of volume, or just a little bit for some extra length. If you overdo it you will risk losing the smooth, natural look so be sure to keep that in mind.
Clip ins can also work for updos
Did you know that you can use clip ins for updos and other styles? In addition to adding pieces for length, you can clip them in to add volume or height to your updos. The trick is to clip them in upside down against the roots, so the hair is facing up instead of down. Then just continue pulling your hair up into the style you want! Clip ins are known for being versatile so have fun with them!
Have you tried clip in extensions? Be sure to check out Perfect Locks and stay tuned for my New Year’s Eve look! And thanks again to the Perfect Locks team for gifting me my set of clip in hair extensions!
3 Fun & Easy Ways to Have Perfect Holiday Hair!
This shop has been compensated by Inmar Intelligence and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ILookGoody
Are you getting ready for the holidays? I’m slowly catching the holiday spirit and trying to find ways to keep the positive vibes going! But my décor is almost done and my shopping is in progress, so I’m turning my attention to my outfit and hairstyles. I partnered with Goody to create some timeless hairstyles using some of their essential products!
Goody products are just what you need to unleash your style with confidence. They innovate function and fashion, making it easy to quickly create a look that is uniquely you. Plus no matter what your hair type, they’ve got something for you. Goody is an innovative and inclusive brand - all hair types and textures are welcome here!
3 Fun & Easy Ways to Have Perfect Holiday Hair!
Statement Styling with Bobby Pins
Statement bobby pin looks have been a major runway trend the past few seasons. I was inspired by some of the amazing high fashion hairstyles, and Goody makes it easy to get the runway look. I used the Goody® SlideProof Bobby Pins for this look. They are perfect for securing updos, flyaways, and layers, and you can stack them for creative styling. Plus they have a SlideProof grip to keep styles in place and a comfort tip for pain-free wear. Get creative with how you stack them – make a fun pattern or trade the simple black ones for something metallic or in color.
Textured Waves and Layered Headbands
This style is super chic and classic, and a breeze to put together. I curled my hair with a small curling iron and mussed the curls just to get some texture. Spritz on some hair spray to help keep hold the style all day. Then I added a few of the Goody® SlideProof™ Thin Silicone Headwraps. These thin black head bands are soft, stretchy, and durable enough to endure high impact sports and workouts, but they look super cute on a dressy style as well. They feature SlideProof silicone spikes to lock your hair in place, while still offering a gentle hold that won't tug your hair.
Dreamy Half Updo
A half up half down hairstyle is the perfect, unfussy way to elevate your look. If a full updo isn’t your thing, try gathering just the upper half of your hair and securing it with a clip. I kept it low key, using one of the Goody® SlideProof Claw Clips . These classic claw clips are great for everything from a super sleek twist or the effortless, just threw my hair up look I’m going for. And they have a SlideProof grip for all-day stay!
New Year New Look: My New Healthy Hair Routine for 2019
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HaircareWithIntegrity #CollectiveBias
How is the first week of 2019 treating you? Hopefully you are recovered from plenty of time spent ringing in the New Year, and are ready to start the new year with a bang! This time of year is great for reflecting on all the changes the previous year, diving into your goals, and trying something new. I’m not particularly one for New Years Resolutions, but I did set one that I’m going to try to keep – take better care of my hair! It may sound shallow compared to people that are setting career, fitness and other big life goals. But self-care is important, and it goes for both the inside and out. I have to admit that I was not the best to my hair in 2018!
I experimented with color and a chemical treatment, and did way more straightening than I used to. By the end of the year my strands were, dry, frizzy, full of breakage and desperately needing some TLC. I decided that I’m going to dedicate the first half of 2019 to restoring the health and strength of my hair. Part of that journey means lots of protective styling to give my hair the break it needs. Protective styling breaks are essential for naturally kinky textures since our hair tends to be drier, more coarse and prone to damage from frequent manipulation. So you will see me wearing lots more protective styles like braids and wigs, which still allow for flexibility and fun with your hair, but they keep your natural hair safe from damage causing elements. I also found some new star products that so far have been a hero for my hair!
Hover over the image below to start shopping the products!
Biotera Natural Origin Collection features seven color-safe products that gently restore beauty and radiance, delivering the honest-to-goodness healthy hair you need to achieve salon perfection. The products feature up to 97% naturally derived ingredients, offering a high quality alternative to some premium products for a fraction of the cost.
I’ve been using the NURTURE Conditioner and Masque, which is perfect for dry hair. It’s enriched with nourishing Coconut Oil and Honey and smells just delicious! I alternate the NURTURE line with the RESTORE strengthening line, which repairs damaged hair. It’s enriched with nutrient-rich Goji Berry and Chia Extract, and all their products are free from silicones, sulfates, parabens and dyes. They also use biodegradable formulas and 100% recyclable packaging, so you can care for your hair and the Earth at the same time. Here’s a quick tutorial on my new healthy hair routine and how I’m saving my strands without compromising my style!
Sunday’s are wash day so I start by gently detangling my hair using the Biotera Nuture Conditioner. I separate my curls into small sections and using just a little bit of my homemade spritz (aloe vera juice & rosewater) and a lot of the conditioner, I gently finger detangle each section. I do not use a comb or any styling tools, just my fingers and a lot of patience. Then I pop on a plastic cap and let that sit for a bit, mostly just to give my arms a break! Then shampoo and follow with a deep conditioning mask. I alternate between the Nuture and Restore Masques to balance moisturization and strengthening. As far as styling, I’m keeping that super simple! My hair hangs out in braids or twists and during the week I play with fun hair accessories, headwraps, or wigs so I always look cute and stylish. The routine is easy, simple, and keeping my hair healthy.
Let me know what your 2019 resolutions are, for beauty, hair, health or whatever!
At Home Hair Care with Yeluchi by Un-Ruly!
This post is sponsored by Yeluchi by Un-Ruly. All opinions are my own
This summer has been one of various hair styles for me! There has been the balayage color I did in Spring, then the Brazilian Blowout, the natural curls, and of course, various braided styles. I tend to rely on protective styles more in the winter, but braids are becoming a new go-to for summer. They are chic and stylish and let you hop out of bed with your hair done for weeks on end. What's not to love!
I was researching hair braiders looking for a stylist and some inspiration for my next style when I found Yeluchi by Unruly.
Booking
It was smooth and seamless! I already had ideas for the style I wanted and using the suggestions on their site I was easily able to select the appropriate service. You can also add links to images of what you want for reference so they know what you are looking for an can accurately match you to a stylist. I was hoping for an after work appointment but couldn't find one, so settled on a Sunday morning. I did ask my stylist if they offer evening appointments and she said they do, but they tend to fill up fast so you have to book early. For the sake of research I did some digging, randomly selecting various styles and neighborhoods and checking the calender on site through October. I found nothing later than 1pm. If you don't keep standard office hours during the week that's probably fine, but if you do, plan to keep your appointment for the weekend.
The Service
My stylist Roxy was prompt, friendly and professional! I had aleady prepped an area in my living room so she would have space on the table to set up, then tuned into my favorite YouTube channels while she got to work. The only issue we had was a technicality with the style I chose. The cornrows in the inspiration photo I sent were stitch cornrows, not regular ones. If you don't know the difference, here is an example of stitch vs regular! Both cute, just different details.
They actually do not offer stitch braids, and Roxie let me know she told the company before taking the appointment but they didn't update me. So I ended up with 6 regular cornrows that we then tied together into 1 chic bunch with gold thread. It was a little disappointing because the stitch effect was the main thing I wanted, and if they would have told me in advance they couldn't do it I would have just picked a totally different style. But I didn't have time to look for a new style in that moment, and also didn't even know if time or the amount of braiding hair I had purchased would allow. I let her practice a little just to see if she could try it, but it wasn't the exact look I had in mind. However I was still happy with the results and her technique, especially how she respected my edges! I also love that she didn't know I was blogging about the experience. Sometimes companies roll out the red carpet for bloggers and you never know if the experience you are getting is the treatment everyone gets.
Final Thoughts
Overall my style was cute, trendy and got me tons of compliments! She also braided carefully and attentively, checking in to make sure it wasn't too tight. You guys know it only takes 1 aggressive braider to permanently ruin your edges so I was very happy to feel like the health of my hair and scalp was priority. It's been about a week and a half since my appointment and the style still looks great. I expected to keep it for 2 to 2.5 weeks and I'm pretty much on track for that. I will probably take down the long threaded braid and wrap the cornrowed ends into a bun just to switch things up the last week.
How to Be Your Own #HairGoals with Prose Customized Hair Care
Let's be real - we are all on the quest to have the best hair possible. However you define your best hair is up to you - whether that be short and straight, long and bouncy or kinky curly. Great hair starts with health and I've been through HUNDREDS of products looking for the ones that would keep my curls hydrated, shiny and strong enough to resist breakage and maintain length.
My products arrived a week or 2 later with a detailed guide to the ingredients chosen and why they would be good for my hair. Some of the key ingredients were argan and jojoba oils for moisture, hyaluronic acid and collagen to repair and restore, and oat lipids and sunflower seed extract for color protection. My instructions are to shampoo and condition 2x a week, use the mask once a week, and 2x a month leave the mask on overnight for some ultimate hair rehab.
I noticed a difference right away and my hair has been getting even better with continued use. I mean take a look at these curls!
The shampoo cleansed without leaving my hair feeling stripped, and the conditioner and mask are rich, creamy and super hydrating. In short, it works wonders for my hair because it's made for my hair.
Spring Ready Hair with Stylebox Salon!
So I'm sure you noticed my new look on Instagram and my stories lately, so I'm finally spilling the tea! I'd been wanting to color my hair for sometime, debating the shade, the process, and how it would effect the health of my hair overall. Luckily I had found an amazing salon and a stylist I trusted to get me to the color of my dreams!
Stylebox Salon is a new gem in Brooklyn, with friendly and attentive service, talented stylists that serve all hair types, and a fantastic bar so you can sit drink and be merry, as they say on their site! They use amazing vegan products and even keep the bathroom stocked with organic tampons!
The process started with choosing a color, so I settled on a full head of caramel blonde balayage. I'd been obsessed with the technique forever but only ever seen it on straight or wavy hair, so wasn't sure it would work on kinky textured hair.
The brighter blondes were kind of calling me, but I decided to play it safe since it was my first time coloring. Nicole carefully painted tiny stands of my hair, keeping them separated with foil. Then I hung out with a bellini while it processed!
My hair is super porous so it processed pretty quickly. However it decided on its own that I should be a redhead. My hair turned a shade of red that wasn't anywhere near any of the colors in the book! Luckily Nicole expertly toned the color down so instead of leaving looking like Ronald McDonald, I ended up with this!
And here's a close up of the finished style!
Overall I ove it and my hair feels healthy as ever! I may make a second visit in a few months to try and go lighter, but for now just going to see how my hair feels.
Have you guys tried balayage or are you debating? And check out the full Stylebox Menu for all their service options!
Something's Navy
Going monochrome makes dressing easy. When in doubt or in a rush just don the same hue head to toe for an instantly chic look. For a last minute cocktail near City Hall, I went for this silk Derek Lam dress with elegantly distressed detailing, navy Christian Louboutin slingbacks, and vintage Sergio Rossi butterfly cuffs for a bit of drama. Since it was too hot to deal with my curls, they went up into a simple crown braid. And done.
Images by Marcus Stukes of Silverscreen Productions