Are Hair Extensions Right For You?

In my early 20s, I got my hair professionally cut into a cute bob. I LOVED IT. I wish I'd taken more pics of my hair back then. : \ I don't really have any pics of that cut. After I got bored with that, I soon found a girl to install half-a-head weaves aka hair extensions into my hair. One of my friends even said to me, "So you cut your hair JUST to put a weave in it??" What can I say! I get bored very easily with my hair. Ya'll know this! And I'm impulsive. If I want to change it, that's exactly what I do. I have fun with my hair! For me, it's just another accessory. :D 

The weave game sucked me in. I got tired of having to chase my "weave installer" around, so I learned how to sew the hair in myself. I prefer sewing because in high school I had a very bad experience with hair glue. I ended up losing A LOT (to me) of hair. Lesson learned. I had an unhealthy addiction to weaves because it was my access to long hair which at the time I thought I would never truly have. If you've been following my blog, you know those feelings are a distant thing of the past. ;-)

Quick Tips if You're Considering Hair Extensions 

 

1. Have fun with them! There are so many styles to choose from. 

2. Don't become attached to them. Think of them as an exciting, but temporary change. 

3. Genuinely get to know & love the hair that's growing out of your scalp. A weave will never replace that.

Weave days....

So how do you find the right hair extensions? Find out the Philip James way. Read on!

 

A Guide To Hair Extensions

There are many things that you can do with hair extensions as they can serve many purposes in regards to your hairstyle. Hair extensions not only add length and volume to your hair, but they also provide a means for experimenting with different looks and styles for your hair. There is a wide variety of different types of hair extensions that serve different purposes and made for certain types of hair, so it is important to figure out which hair extensions are the best fit for you and your hairstyle.

The hair extensions experts at Philip James Salon in Chicago have created this guide to hair extensions that is a visual resource that helps to identify the different types of hair extensions and why they might be the right type for your hairstyle. I like how you can see the breakdown of the different types of extensions side by side to really compare the different options you have in regards to choosing hair extensions.  Below is some of the more interesting information that I found useful from the graphic below.  

What information did you find to be most interesting?

• There are so many options for hair extensions including fusion, micro link, braidless sew-in, skin weft and clip in and clip on extensions. 

• There are hair extensions that are meant for long term use that can range anywhere from 2-4 months and there also hair extensions that are not advised for everyday wear.
• All hair extensions require some sort of maintenance.  Most require some sort of daily brushing where others require a higher degree of maintenance to ensure they last.

• Hair extensions like micro link extensions and sew-in extensions fit just about all hair types. If you have damaged or over processed hair be sure to try fusion extensions

 

 

           For more information, visit http://www.philipjamessalon.com

             The chart & guide can be found here:

             http://www.philipjamessalon.com/extensions/hair-extension-guide/

 

 
This is a sponsored post & I was compensated. As always, the opinions are my own.


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The Design Essentials Spring Hair Giveaway!

Heyyyyyyy guys! :D

As promised via my Facebook page, I'm back today with a giveaway sponsored by Design Essentials! You guys already know that I met the hard working & sweet Design Essentials team at 'Fro Fashion Week in February. I thought it would fun to partner up with DE for a cool spring giveaway. They have a line for natural hair & one lucky lady will win this gift set...

Featured here are: Design Essentials Natural Curl Enhancing Mouse 
                 & the Natural Twist and Set Setting Lotion.

Here's what you have to do....

• Simply like HairGurl on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

• Tweet me or write on my wall, "My hair wants that Design Essentials gift set!" along with a photo of your hair. I can't wait to see your hair ladies! ;-)

Only open to U.S. residents. Contest will end on May 3rd! Good luck ladies! 

Remember to check Design Essentials out on Facebook: facebook.com/designessentialshaircare
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I used Random.org as usual & the winner is.........Ja'me Hunter Davis!! Congratulations sweetie! Email me at: thehairgurl@yahoo.com with your mailing info. Thanks to all of you who entered. Stay tunnnnnned for more giveaways!! :D

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Hair on Fire!

 Tamika, one of the owners of Natural Resources Salon, rocking the mess out of this updo! Isn't it pretty!?


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Rock Climbing Hair

Can you find my hair??? lol!

Me climbing!

The hubs helping Khlo Face climb. :-)

Bopee Bo!! She kicked off her shoes per usual...

I'm new to rock climbing....and ya'll I didn't make it to the top at all! LOL I'm going to try again one day though. I'm obviously still on a twist out high from 'Fro Fashion Week. I wore a twist out that immediately frizzed up before we left the house due to my hair still being damp. Then, it was raining when we got to the place. I used Beautiful Textures Whipped Curl Creme. I can be a bit heavy handed so because of that I used way too much, but after my hair absorbed the excess the next day it was extremely soft. Have you guys used any of the Beautiful Textures line?? I only hear great things about it. Can't wait to try the rest of the line! :D

Make sure you are following me on Twitter & Facebook for more of my ramblings about hair and anything else I want to talk about. :-) 

Hair Stare of the Week: Rocquelle

1. Who styled your hair? I did. It was an experiment that turned out great, lol.

2. How long can you uphold this style? With proper maintenance, maybe a week. I am not very good at tying my hair up, so I only kept it up 4 days.

3. How do you maintain it? I didn't really do any maintaining of this style, but for someone who wants it to last, I recommend tying it up nightly.

4. Finally, what city can we find you rocking this style in? Lol, HOUSTON

 You may remember seeing Rocquelle from the Green & Glamorous Recap post. Yep, I just met her & she's already on the blog! lol She tweeted some photos of this hairstyle & I was in awe. I just had to share this style with you ladies. It was too pretty not to! Tweet her @considermeluvly for additional questions on creating this beautiful hairstyle for yourself & also check out her fantastic vintage inspired fashion blog: considermelovely.com! Thanks Rocquelle!

If you wanna show off that fabulous hairstyle submit your pics to be considered for Hair Stare of the Week! Email me at thehairgurl@yahoo.com.

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2nd Bantu Knot Out/Maternity Dress Remixed

Hey ladies!

As you all know, I posted my birthday outfit (the other way around outfit) last week. If you're a long time reader, you know that is something I normally don't do. I save the outfits for Ex-Thrift Store Snob (which I've been seriously neglecting) which I started last spring after falling in love with thrift stores. I went out on a whim & just decided to post the 'fit on here & I got some great feedback from you guys! Thanks so much! :-) I have to admit I was a little nervous about the reaction I would get. So a few days ago I posted on the fan page about combining HairGurl with my other blog, Ex-Thrift Store Snob. It would be so much easier. HG will not be turning into a fashion blog though. I would love to just add in my style sometimes. So anyway... The consensus on Facebook voted yes so here's my 2nd attempt to combine hair with my very inexpensive outfits...but first the hair. 

This is the bantu knot out I wore for the hubs birthday on Monday. This time I used DIY Apricot Mango Extra Rich Butter on my hair after it dried....smells divine & made my hair feel so moisturized.

I pinned up one side w/ bobby pins.

Ya'll remember this dress? This is the only maternity dress I bought while being preggie. Got it from Burlington Coat Factory for $10. I actually bought this dress and my I Love My Bump shirt (for $5 from Burlington Coat Factory too). I found that I didn't like most maternity clothes so I just sized up in my regular clothes. I tied a knot into my maternity dress after getting the idea from here. :-) I love it & I think I'm gonna keep it tied like this. This is a great idea if you're looking to spice up your maxi dress and show off some leg. haha.

Although you can't see it that well, this is a diy dress that I made into a handbag last summer. I'll post a better pic in another post. I got the idea from Love Maegan. :-)

My 93 cents NYC Times Square Tangerine Creme nail polish

So...what do you ladies think??? It's too hard keeping up with HairGurl, The Leo Duo, and the Ex-Thrift Store Snob...and ya'll know HairGurl isn't going anywhere. ;-)  I won't be doing these all of the time. Just when I want to show off a outfit/diy project/accessory I got for the low. Please let me know your thoughts! Yay or nay??

Sidenote: Here's some of the about me section from ETSS to give you an idea on what I'll be posting:

Here's the deal...I started ETSS in the Spring of 2010 to document my thrifty, stylish finds in the middle of brokedome. The hubs and I moved to a smaller apartment in VA (right down the street from an amazing thrift store!) to save money & I recently stopped working full-time to pursue my dream career. Now that we've made our final move to Houston, the thrift store hunts continue. I love a good deal on clothes so it's not odd to see me shopping at Ross or Marshall's & Forever 21. Even though I love a good deal, I never really gave thrift stores a chance. I grew up going to yard sales and flea markets with my mama, but somehow I strayed away from that stuff. I would always think.... "Meh...I don't want to wear somebody's old clothes." Funny how things change. Welcome to my world of $1 belts and 50 cent blazers! You'll never want to leave. ;-)

Sidenote: This blog will document my thrift store outfits & outfits that I already own. No, I don't want to work in the fashion industry. I just want to take photos of my outfit deals . I'm extremely cheap so you may not see a lot of designer wear on here. I'm not into labels... This blog is to encourage other thrift store snobs to give thrift stores a chance. I get so tired of seeing articles that say "get this outfit for under $200." That's NOT a deal! I'm going to show you some deals....

Make sure you are following me on Twitter & Facebook for more of my ramblings about hair and anything else I want to talk about. :-) 

My 1st Bantu Knot Out!

My bantu knot out! Why did it take me soooo long to try this style?! I heard out about bantu knots when I first started my hair care adventure in Aug. '07. I was like, "I'm cool on those." I pre-judged them & never thought they would look great on my relaxed hair. LOL How wrong I was ya'll...I actually did these by accident on Friday night after washing & dc'ing. Initially, I planned on doing my  birthday hairstyle again. However, I saw Eboni's hair from The Fashionista Next Door on her latest posts & her curls are so CUTE! You may remember me featuring her on HG last summer for my short lived HG Hairstyle Headliner series.  She inspired me on Twitter to give them a go & I'm so glad I did. :D

Before twisting the hair around I applied my store bought Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil & my Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil to my hair. Either I didn't use enough oil (very likely) or I should've used a thicker leave-in. Still getting to know my natural hair...

As you can see, I twisted my hair, then did the bantu knot...

The next morning...

The bantu knot out on the left is slightly picked out. The one on the right is freshly unraveled.

This was the photo i posted a couple of days ago on the fan page. Excuse my 'need to be redone' nails, lol.

I did the bantu knot out again for the hubs birthday yesterday & I styled them in this really cute style. I'm loving seeing my hair stretched out like this. I'll be posting pics tomorrow.... :D

P.S. I need more ladies to feature for the Healthy Hair Icon & Hair Stare features! Email me at thehairgurl@yahoo.com

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Hair Stare of the Week: Prissy Ma

1.Who styled your hair? Natural Hair Specialist, Treshina.  Owner of  Zelophedad's Daughter.

2. How long can you uphold this style? I'm really good at keeping styles, so this will keep about a month.

3. How do you maintain it? Maintaining is very easy, always wrapping my hair in a satin scarf also keeping my hair moisturized.

4. Finally, what city are you rocking this hairstyle in? The best city in the world, H-town!

Wanna know more? Tweet Prissy Ma @  twitter.com/prissyma

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Side Twist Up Do Turban!

 
So excited about this turban! I was up late on Friday night creating different turban styles after watching a Youtube video. LOL When you click on the link you'll see her info below the video. Why am I so late to the turban game?? That's how I am with a lot stuff though...I try things when I'm ready too! Do ya'll wear turbans? They are seriously about to be my go-to style!


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