These two photos were taken at different times in the year, however, there is no way that my hair could have grown that long so fast.  Wanna know the secret? Hair extensions!

There are a variety of different kinds of hair extensions on the market today.  There is bonded, glued, braided, tape, clip-in, synthetic, real, etc.  There are a lot.  I do have some knowledge of semi-permanent extensions, however, I have never gotten them done myself (mostly because of price, they are very expensive).  I do know quite a lot about clip-in extensions because I have been using them for the last three years at least.

I have gone through a few pairs of extensions since I started using them. All three were different brands, different kind of hair, and weight.  Okay, say what?  If you are interested in getting hair extensions there are a few things you need to learn first.

Synthetic vs. Real Hair vs. Remy Hair

With clip-in extensions there are a few different kinds of out.  There is synthetic hair, real hair, and remy hair.   I have tried two of the three and my favourite is hands-down remy hair.  I’ll explain why.

I have never tried synthetic hair myself because you cannot curl, straighten, or use any heat on them. It will literally melt the hair.  This kind of extension is the least expensive of the three because it’s not real human hair.  The most popular brand I would say that offers synthetic hair would be Jessica Simpson’s Hairdo, which come pre-styled so you don’t have to use hot tools on it.

Real hair are probably the most common hair extensions that you will find on the market.  The hair comes from a variety of places, whether it be India, China, etc.  Usually what happens is companies will collect the hair and then tie it into a weft (a row of hair).  The problem with human hair extensions is that over time they will start to tangle and create a bird’s nest effect.  Or at least mine did.  I couldn’t wear them for 10 minutes before they would start to tangle, it’s super annoying.  The reason the hair would tangle easily is because it’s not remy hair.  Remy hair is human hair that is attached at the cuticle, so therefore the hair all runs the same way.  Okay, let’s think of it this way, the cuticle of a strand of hair is attached in your head, with remy hair, it’s similar to your actual hair, with non-remy hair the cuticles aren’t all running the same way, thus creating tangles. Because of this, remy hair is usually the most expensive of the three.  However, if you are going to get extensions, I highly recommend getting remy hair because it will last you longer and won’t tangle as much (remy hair can still tangle depending on how often you wash it).

With human hair extensions as well as remy, you can curl them, straighten them, colour them, etc.  With that being said, it is recommended that you try to find the closest match, if there is no match then choose a shade lighter and dye them to match.  Remember, like your own hair, it is easier to go darker on lighter coloured hair then it would be to go lighter on dark coloured hair.

As for washing, it is recommended that you wash them about eight to 10 uses.  I don’t wear mine everyday, I wear them probably once or twice a month (usually if I’m going out on the weekend), so I will wash them every two months or so.  It’s very important to deep condition them; if you don’t have a deep conditioner, then apply loads of conditioner, concentrating on the ends.  Also, if you use hot tools on them make sure you spray them with a heat protectant.

How Long Will Extensions Last Me?

Again, I’m talking about clip-ins here, but they can last anywhere from a year to three years depending on often you wear them, the products you use on them, if you use heat tools, etc.  There are a variety of factors involved in making the lifespan on your extensions longer.

What Should I Look Out For When Choosing Extensions?

I highly recommend remy hair extensions.  They are the pricier of the three kinds, however, if you search around you can find some great extensions for a good price.  The ones I have currently are Foxylocks Extensions, they come in two sizes (we will get to this in a bit) and are a little over $100 US and CDN (last time I checked they were $114 CDN plus shipping; they come from the UK)  I really like these and highly recommend them.  I first found out about them from the owner, Imogen, who has her own YouTube channel.  The hair is very soft and easy to work with and is thick (the best part because I have thick hair).  Other extensions I recommend (I haven’t tried these but have heard good things about them) are Luxy Hair Extensions (they also have a YouTube channel) and Dirty Looks extensions.

Okay, let’s get into weight now.  There are a variety of different kinds of weight for extensions out there. The kind I have are 160 grams (Foxylocks also come in a 120 gram set as well).  So what does that mean?  Let’s put it this way, the higher the number, the thicker the extensions.  Now, with that being said, the weight is also taking into account the clip as well, so therefore, the weight of the hair is a bit less than 160 because that number includes the clips.  I have a pair of extensions that I bought in a store here that were very thin on the ends and just looked unnatural coupled with my own hair.  Why?  Because I have quite thick hair, I need the extra grams for it to blend well.

L: Rainbow Hair Extensions R: Foxylocks Hair Extensions

As you can see in the photo there is a considerable difference in the thickness of the hair.  I would say that the extension on the left would be around 100 grams.  If you have thin hair, then it would probably be okay for you if you just wanted to add some thickness to your natural hair.  If you have thick hair, I wouldn’t waste your money.  Also, as a side note, the extension on the left was actually more than the one on the right (I didn’t pay full price for the one on the left, but the actual price was more).  It just shows that you should shop around and see what is the best bang for your buck.

The Process of Clipping them In

I’m not going to go into full detail about how to clip them in, but basically you get a certain number of wefts, I believe I got 10 in my set  (two four clips, two three clips, two two clips, and four one clips) and you go from the bottom up.  So basically you separate your hair and clip them in starting at the nape of your neck using the four clip ones, then make your way up.  Like I said there are tons of videos on YouTube on how to clip them in so I won’t bother going into too much detail.

In terms of blending, it can be a bit tough if you have shorter hair.  I myself have a blunt cut hairstyle (no layers), so it is a bit tough for me to get them to look natural (I hardly wear them straight because I find it a bit obvious, if they are curled then they match better).  You can of course bring them to your hairstylist and get them to cut them to make them blend more naturally; I wouldn’t recommend doing this yourself.

That’s all I can think of for now in terms of clip-in hair extensions.  Like I said the most important thing is knowing what kind of hair you are getting (remy vs. synthetic vs. human hair) and how many grams it is.  I know that a lot of hair extensions I see in stores don’t say how many grams the extensions are and that can be a bit deceiving, especially if they are expensive.  Do you research and find a pair that fit you.  I do recommend ordering online because I have had the most luck with that, however, with that being said, you may be taking a risk with colour.  Also, search for reviews whether it be a blog post or a YouTube video, I found that that really helped me in deciding on a pair that suited me.

I really hope this helps and if you have any questions please let me know.  Also, if you have hair extensions, let me know which brands you recommend, I would love to know for future references.

Lastly, don’t forget to enter my Fusion Power Bandz giveaway!  I also have another exciting giveaway coming up soon!

Don’t forget to subscribe!

Hi all! So a couple of new things that you may have noticed, apopofcolour.wordpress.com is now apopofcolour.com! Yay! I switched hosts, but am still powered by WordPress, just working on a few kinks!  If someone is a WordPress wizard please let me know! This is now a bit tougher than the free blogs, but I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it out soon. I have faith.

Anyways, it’s still the beginning of July (well, kind of) so that means it’s time for June favourites!  I haven’t been shopping a lot because I’m saving my money for Las Vegas (end of August, yay!) but I have a few things here that I got in the past and have been using more recently.

Minty Green and Yellow Nail Polish

So minty green has been super popular this summer, as well as brights (like yellow!).  I picked up Essie’s Absolutely Shore at Target and love it!  It’s not the most minty green out there but it definitely has some mint to it. It’s super pretty that takes on a few colours depending on your skin type, what you wear with it, etc. For example, when I slapped on some self tanner, it looked a bit blue, but when I wear it with my regular skin colour it was more greenish.

The second colour I have been obsessing over is yellows!  I’m not talking boring old mustard yellow, I love bright, neon yellows! The brighter the better!  I really wanted OPI’s Need Sunglasses but then I found this bright yellow at Forever 21 one day while I was waiting to pay (those goodies by the checkouts always get me!).

This is one of their scented nail polishes.  This one in particular is supposed to smell like lemon (at least that’s what I assumed as the colour is called “Lemon”), personally though, I didn’t really smell any scent.  Then again, it was only $3.80.  Anyways, I really like this yellow because it’s a great bright, neon yellow that really make your nails stand out.  I wish it was more matte, but other than that, it’s pretty good.  For $3.80 (and the fact that it’s from Forever 21) I totally expected the colour payoff to be poor, but these bad boys deliver great colour.  I do find them, however, to be quite strong smelling.  More so than usual.

Joe Fresh Light Weight Foundation

I have been using this foundation ever since Joe Fresh introduced cosmetics, and in fact I think this already my third tube of the stuff.  I love this foundation so much!  It is light weight (hence the name) and the coverage is amazing!  This actually covers everything up and leaves you with a flawless finish.  The best part?  It’s six dollars!  I use the colour Light 2 because I am fair skinned, however, with that being said, I only really use this foundation in the summertime because I find it too dark for me during the winter months (I’ll use my MAC Pro longwear foundation then).

I always forget how great this product is (all the cosmetics I have tried from Joe have been great), and although I may try other concealers, I always seem to go back to this one.  If you have a Superstore or Loblaws (or whatever else they call the company across Canada) near you, go pick it up!  For all you Americans out there (or any other country) you guys don’t know what you are missing!

YSL Rouge Volupte in #8 Fetish Pink

Okay so I have said over and over again how much I love these lipsticks.  For my birthday my friend picked me up this one from Vancouver and I am in love!  The colour is a bit similar to #19 but this one is more of a hot pink, almost obnoxious even.  But hey, I like my pinks!  I’m finding myself reaching more and more for these lipsticks especially around now because they offer an SPF 15 so they are perfect for the sun, beach, pool, etc. They provide skin protection and look cute too!  Perfect!

I wore this colour in my waterproof makeup post!

Forever 21 Gold Earrings

I’m not a huge jewellery person.  However, with that being said, I want to increase my collection.  I have quite a few pieces but mostly they are necklaces or bracelets.  I really wanted to build up my earring collection, so to Forever 21 I went!  I picked up this pretty pair and I absolutely love them!  They feel a bit heavy when you hold them but in your ears for some reason they are quite light and they make me feel quite girly too.  It’s a nice way to dress up a plain outfit or add some flair to a crazy one.

Alexander McQueen AMQ 4133/S Sunglasses

Fun fact about me: I am a huge designer sunglass freak.  Every birthday it seems like I get a new pair on sunglasses.  My favourite pair are my Dior Glossy 1′s which I am actually on my third pair now (the first two broke).  I love them so much that even if they snap I have to get another pair.  These McQueen’s are coming in a close second though.

I got these this year for my birthday from my brother (thanks Jared) and I am in love! I have been looking for a pair of aviators like these for a while and when I saw them I knew I had to have them.  I also think they suit my face really well too.  It seems like my Diors have been retired for this summer because these have quickly become my go to pair.

Feathers

I did a whole separate blog post on this already but I am loving feathers!  These colourful pieces are are a huge trend for summer and have been seen on everyone from celebrities to even dogs!  I wrote an article on this hot trend in the upcoming edition of Clippings magazine (the photo above is an outtake from the shoot) and in the magazine we even feature Sultra’s Natural Hair Feather Accents, which have been all the rage recently (Sultra’s version is a clip-in, thus non-permanent).

If you don’t want to bond a feather in your hair you can also snag some cute feather earrings.  I have a pair from Forever 21 but next on my list are some colourful ones that stand out.

So that is it!  Let me know if you know your June favourites or if you have tried the products I mentioned! Also, don’t forget to enter my Fusion Power Bandz giveaway!

So for about a year now I have been a workout addict.  I hit the gym about five days a week and either do cardio or a variety of different fitness classes (my favourite is Group Power).  I find that if I miss a day I just feel so off; I’m pretty sure that I have an addiction or something, it’s weird.

Anyways, recently I got a Fusion Power Bandz to help with my fitness.  Basically what the band is is a silicone bracelet that is infused with tourmaline, germanium, silicone, and titanium (only the PRO model has the titanium).

Okay, say what? Let me try to break this down for you regular folk.  The key ingredient (in my opinion) is the tourmaline which emits negative ions which are healthy for you.  The negative ions are medically proven to provide a variety of health benefits including increased blood flow, balanced serotonin (a neurotransmitter that is found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and the central nervous system. It is known as the “happiness hormone”), increased energy and focus, and better sleep, among others.  The band is also supposed to relieve all kinds of body pain and increase energy. Click here more information about the technology and benefits.

Alright, so I know what you are thinking, sounds like a gimmick right?  Does it actually work?  Well, I myself don’t have any pain, so I personally couldn’t tell you if the band relieves pain, however, with that being said, I did let my mom try it out for a week or so and she said it actually does work.  My mom tends to get foot cramps at night and after a few days and nights of wearing the band (it is recommended to wear it all the time for it to work properly) she did say that she didn’t experience any cramps at all and she managed to sleep peacefully throughout the night.

As for the other benefits it promotes, I do find my balance to be much better when I am working out.  In group power we often have to do tons of dynamic lunges and stretches that require a lot of balance and usually I have to hold on to the wall or I’m wobbling all over the place.  With the band I have noticed an increased sense of balance and more sturdiness.

So how is this band different from those other ones out there?  I personally couldn’t tell you because this is pretty much the only one I have ever tried.  I can say though that it actually works.  There are medical studies to back it up as well as a variety of athletes that endorse the product.  The thing that is the most special about it is the minerals in the actual product.  Everything about it is supposed to help you health-wise.  From the silicone to even the hologram sticker, it is made in such a way to help your well-being (and the fact that it comes in cute colours is a plus in my opinion).

Sorry for the blurriness! Damn you auto-focus!

So where can you pick one up?  Well, they are available in a variety of different colours and two versions (FUSION Dual Hologram Ti and FUSION PRO Ti – the model with the titanium) and are available on their official website.

Ziggy loves his Fusion Power Bandz!

And now the fun part!  I am giving away a Fusion Power Bandz Dual Hologram Ti band in white (valued at $30 CDN) to one lucky reader!  The contest is open internationally from now until July 31, 2011!  To enter all you got to do is subscribe to my blog!  How do you subscribe you ask?  Look to the top of this page and where it says “Subscribe!”, click, enter your details, and you are all set!  If you want a double entry, then leave a comment below with your summer workout tips!  I would love to read them!  The winner will be chosen by random.org. Good luck!

UPDATE: Dealfind has a promotion going on right now, for $15 you can get your own Fusion Power Band (regular $34.99 CDN).  I believe that the deal is available to all Canadians for the next couple of days.  Check it out here.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Contest is open from July 7 – 31, 2011.  Winner will be contacted by August 6, 2011.  If the winner does not reply with their particulars by August 10, 2011 another winner will be chosen.  Contest is open internationally to both male and females.  If a male wins, the colour of the band may vary (due to sizing issues).  The winner will be chosen by random.org.

Please note that I have absolutely no affiliation with Fusion Power Bandz.  I do not work for the company and paid for my own personal band with my own money. The prize band was given to me for a giveaway from the company but in no way did that affect my opinion on the product.  I purchased my band about a month and a half ago so I have sufficiently tested it out and seen it’s benefits.