If you’re a long term reader of scarlettlondon.com, or know me personally, then you’ll have probably been notified (by me) of my never ending quest for long hair. Whether it’s trying out the new fad beauty product, which claims to speed up your hair growth (this one is the only one that works in case you were wondering) to going through several packets of hair extensions through the years, long hair has always been on the agenda for me, and although it has grown significantly in the last few years to the point I no longer turn to my beloved (now rather frazzled hair extensions), I do miss the diversity that hair extensions used to provide. Added volume, added length and usually – better hold.
So, when Lush Hair Extensions offered me the chance to try out a set of their Ultimate Double Deluxe Clip-In’s, I was really excited to jump back on the band-wagon and experiment with some new (longer) hair styles.
Although having longer hair is a novelty, I’ve never been tempted to get permanent bonded hair extensions, because I’ve seen first-hand the damage that can be done when using them. I know many salons will claim that their method is damage free, but inevitably – when you have something pulling on the roots of your hair day in day out, there is going to be damage involved, whether it’s minor – or major. Despite having a few years suffering at the hand of the ‘in-between’ length, waiting it out and growing my hair has been worth the hassle – and it’s nice to have the option to clip-in some extensions for a night out look, before taking them out for the day. Clip-in’s are easy, quick, safe and natural looking. In my eyes, the best option around.
Having previously tried several brands of clip-in’s, I was excited to see how Lush’s Hair Extensions would match up (quite literally – to my hair colour, and metaphorically, in the quality). With 10 clip-in double wefts, the thickness you get with the ultimate set is honestly unrivaled (especially with the value for money factored in) and the smooth, silky quality of the set is immediately noticeable.
Finding the best suited colour extensions for your hair is always one of the more challenging factors when buying a set of extensions, especially when you’re buying them online – however, I actually found with Lush Extensions it was extremely easy, as they have such a wide variety of colours available (with mixes of two/three shades) you’re sure to find something that matches. If you’re not confident in your own judgement, you can always ask the experts and opt for Lush’s colour match service (which I had), where they give you the correct shade based on a photograph of you. My hair is a mix of dark blonde and light blonde, with hints of brown running through it – and I have to say, the colour I received (#8/613) is an absolutely perfect match. As I’ve said previously, I have tried out other brands before, but this shade was probably the closest match I’ve had.
Whilst hair extensions will probably be noticed by friends and family (although one relative thought that my hair had grown several inches in the few weeks I hadn’t seen her), I always think it’s important to make sure they look as natural as possible. One you have got to grips with how they attach onto your hair, and you have devised a routine of which wefts go where, styling becomes the easy part.
Many people I know who have opted for clip-in’s actually asked their hairdressers to trim their new extensions slightly and cut them ‘into’ their natural hair, so that they blend more naturally – and although this is definitely worth doing, I have always done this myself (a full post about how to trim your hair extensions will be coming soon) as a way of lowering the cost and achieving the desired look I want.
The quality of Lush’s extension really impressed me, especially as the ‘Ultimate’ set I received (in length 20′) was priced at £94.99 and included a lot of hair. The brand I have previously used charged £25 for a single weft, and baring in mind you’d need at least 6 or 7, therefore worked out to be a much pricier option. I didn’t actually need all 10 of the wefts included, as my hair isn’t as thick as it used to be – so in the photographs above and below, I’m only wearing about 6 of the wefts. But it’s nice to have some spares to add in if I wanted a more dramatic look.
I know there are divided opinions with regards to hair extensions and I completely respect that. But if you are finding yourself pining for longer hair (and your natural hair doesn’t seem to be quite growing fast enough), then trying a set of clip-in’s are completely and utterly worth it. Instantly, they give your hair a boost of volume and length, and they are so so easy to style – you’ll wonder why you never gave them a try sooner!
Overall, I was really really impressed with Lush’s extensions – and I honestly mean that. I can’t fault the quality, the length, the colour or the price, as everything was spot on and I am really excited to wear them out to a ball I am attending in a few weeks (hopefully I can experiment with curls next time).
Tips for fitting your hair extensions:
– Section your hair (just as you would when blow drying) with a hair tie or a kirby grip, before then attaching the wefts in equal distribution. Sectioning your hair and spreading out the wefts evenly, means you are more likely to get a natural, evenly spaced look – in addition to hiding the clips.
– If you have particularly thick hair, and your extensions (even when fitted properly) look too sparse in comparison to your hair (this is unlikely with the ultimate kit, as there’s so much hair) one tip I learned was to plait the under-section of your hair, then secure the plait horizontally to the base of your scalp. This not only thins your hair in terms of having less to blend in, but also provides a solid base to attach the extensions too. If you’d like me to explain this in further depth, please let me know below!
– Brush each extension weft through with a hairbrush before attaching it to your head, it may seem like a simple tip – but it’s easy to forget when you’re in a hurry, and it really does make all the difference in terms of blending.
– In order to keep your extensions in tip top condition, I always condition and shampoo my extensions (once a month) as would my normal hair. Applying a tiny dollop of serum to the ends also helps to keep them shiny and in good condition.
