Hair Care

Hot Trend: Hair Extensions on the Cheap

First there was The Dry Bar. Then braid and bang bars started popping up. Now? Hair extensions only salons. We had to try one

by Cinya Burton

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When an email hit my inbox announcing that Just Extensions -- a salon that, as the name suggests, just does hair extensions -- was opening in Los Angeles, I was really reluctant to be the office tester monkey.

To be completely honest, I was terrified.

I'd seen nightmare images of hair extensions before and after. The pictures of Naomi Campbell and Britney Spears' bald spots are permanently burned into my brain. Plus, I didn't want (nor did I think my hair could handle) any more damage. I'm already making up for using relaxers for years.

Skip ahead to see my hair extensions transformation.

But I decided to take one for the team and make an appointment. After all, specialty salons like Just Extensions are popping up like Starbucks and Micki Ds. The Dry Bar seemed to start the trend, and braid bars and bang bars were soon to follow. In fact, these cheap, quick-service salons quickly became one of the biggest beauty trends of 2012, and the fad is only growing in 2013.

So, do hair extensions actually look good when they only cost $150? Did they make my hair fall out? Keep clicking to see my hair extensions before and after photos.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Me, with my shoulder-length cut

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Older comments

Interesting

by Mollysunshine Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 02:20AM Report as inappropriate

Cool article and her hair came out so nice ! My hair has grown over the years from not using heat, plus leaving my hair in it's natural state. Would I ever do extensions again...Maybe with caution being as though I have so many salon horror stories !

by applepiealamode Monday, April 8, 2013 at 07:29AM Report as inappropriate

They look good but you gotta be careful with extensions. They can damage your hair.

by LittleBunny Monday, March 25, 2013 at 06:30PM Report as inappropriate

Could've used another layer of extensions but I agree with everyone, they do look nice.

by olga_cirlugea Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 10:26PM Report as inappropriate

These look great. Very pretty.

by Chica181 Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 08:58PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for showing the step-by-steps!

by bjgovern Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 05:28PM Report as inappropriate

Very nice!

by EricaC123 Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 03:25PM Report as inappropriate

Those look pretty good on you! Given your lifestyle and type of hair clip-ins might be the best option. You can just attach them yourself whenever needed.

by venenumletalis Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 07:06AM Report as inappropriate

It came out really nice. I'm kind of new to extensions but I make my own clip ins. I thought I would give it a try thanks to all those youtube videos I came across :)

by Monique3 Friday, March 15, 2013 at 08:44AM Report as inappropriate