What You Must Know About Hair Extensions Before You Commit to Them

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Louise Loehwing thought extensions would be more trouble than they’re worth, but this Lower Nazareth native whose work brings wine tastings and non-profit fundraising together has had a change of heart (and hair!), thanks to J. Morgan Salon’s Jessica Amend. A substantial trim, expertly applied extensions and fresh color brought length and fullness to Loehwing’s locks in this multi-step makeover.

Louise Loehwing

What made you go for the extension makeover?

My hair is fine and sometimes I struggle to make it look fuller. I also wanted it to be longer—I knew extensions could help me with that issue. I always watched my friends get extensions and thought I wasn’t the type of person who could handle the maintenance or upkeep, so I would pass on the idea. That’s when I talked to Jessica and realized that maybe it’s not as complicated as I thought it would be, and I decided to go for it.

Are you often pretty brave about changing your look?

I don’t think I’m that brave about making big changes with my look. I always rely on Jessica to tell me what would look best for me and trust her advice.

Whose style do you admire?

I love JLo’s hair. I love Jennifer Aniston’s simply stated look.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Either relaxing on the couch with my dog or out with a group of friends doing something fun or different.

How much work do you usually put into your look?

I usually put in the minimal time necessary. I’m all about low maintenance.

What do you think about the finished makeover?

I absolutely love it! I had no idea how easy this would be to maintain, and it feels so natural. I finally have the volume and length I desired, and it looks healthy!

Jessica Amend

Stylist

How long do these extensions last and how can Louise best maintain them?

The life span of extensions is about 4–6 months with proper maintenance. The biggest rules are: One, always brush to help prevent matting and tangling. Two, always be sure to dry your attachment to keep it from slipping. And three, always use the proper at-home care products, from shampoo to leave-in treatments. Quality extensions are an investment of time and money. Don’t skimp on products that are going to reduce their longevity.

What kind of change are you going for with this transformation?

Louise and I had a thorough consultation and decided that she loves her long locks but needed a fresh start, so we started by cutting off five inches of winter-weathered long hair. We refreshed her color to be a lighter blonde and used 18-inch extensions to give her the long healthy hair she always wanted, with lots of added volume and some chemical-free highlights and lowlights.

What type of clients might benefit from extensions?

I’ve had clients as young as six years old, who beg mom for fun colors. We use fantasy-colored extensions for color without commitment. It’s not just for kids! It’s great for brunettes who want to add blonde without the damage of lightening, or blondes who want a lowlight for depth, and for clients looking to grow out a bad haircut or bangs. These extensions can be very small and easily hidden.

Are there different types of extensions? What kind did you use for Louise and why?

I offer a few methods to my clients: bonded extensions (thermal and cold fusion), tape-ins and hand-tied, as well as temporary pieces, such as clip-ins or hair bands. On Louise, I chose to go with the Great Lengths thermal method. These will be the least amount of in-salon maintenance and custom blend her bonded extensions prior to application.

Name a celebrity who wears extensions really well.

My favorite is Julianne Hough. We’ve seen so many style changes over the last few years, from short, textured bobs, where extensions add volume and chemical-free color, to her recent look of long copper-red locks.

What’s been your favorite look for yourself?

I’m constantly changing my color and style. I’ve been everything from jet black to platinum blonde and everything in between. And while my color might change, one thing always stays constant: I will always wear extensions.

What’s the toughest part of your job?

The biggest obstacle that I face when I do extensions is breaking the stigma that extensions can break your hair. As long as your hair is in healthy condition, your extensions are professionally applied and removed and at-home care is followed, you should not have any issues.

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