Hair Wear
Change up your do with these commitment-free hair extensions.
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I never thought I’d be looking to Steven Tyler for hair advice, but if I’ve learned anything from my years as a beauty writer, it’s that style trends know no limits. Mullets and disco polyester, anyone? Enough said.
And though I’m typically not one to jump blindly from one fad to the next, I was certainly intrigued when I heard about the latest in trends hitting salons: feathers (yes, as in birds). Celebs like Tyler – showing off his plumage on “American Idol” – Jennifer Love Hewitt and Hilary Duff have helped push the trend forward to the point of unavoidability – they’re everywhere.
“Feather accents in the hair are far from being a brand new concept,” says Janice Valdez, stylist at Splitends in Costa Mesa. “Feather clips and feather-accented hair combs have been around for years... Feather extensions have evolved as a concept from past existing trends in order to make it accessible for everyday use.”
The hair bling doesn’t end there. Tinsel and crystals are also popping up. Though feathers, in particular, seem to really be taking flight because of their durability and versatility.
“The feathers are great for everyday wear; the crystals are better for a special night because they don’t last as long; and the tinsel is fun all the time or you can use it to dress up your hair for a night out,” says Charise Tucker, stylist and extension specialist at Nova Vita Salon & Spa in Tustin.
The general consensus among local salon stylists is that feathers can stay in the hair up to a couple of months before needing adjustment, and they can be reused. Available in a variety of colors, lengths and widths, feathers applied at a salon are typically applied with a micro-cylinder threaded with a few of your own hairs, a feather or feathers are inserted and the cylinder is clamped closed with a special tool, says Tucker. The process is simple and takes minutes, depending on the number of extensions. Feathers can be washed, dried and even curled, so they handle heat well. Once you are ready to shed them, they are removed easily at the salon with the same clamping tool.
Similarly, hair tinsel is available in a variety of colors and can also handle washing and styling, with some heat, says Megan Prather, stylist at David Douglas Salon and Spa in Tustin. Tinsel can be applied individually and tied to a thin strand of hair, and can also be clumped together and applied like a feather extension, says Prather. Feathers and tinsel can also be applied together. If applied like feathers, tinsel needs to be adjusted or removed in the salon in two to five weeks. Prather says that while cylinders used for feather and tinsel application may slide out eventually, she recommends having these removed in the salon to prevent hair damage.
Though not technically an extension service, hair crystals are offered at some salons for people looking for added glam, says Nicole Simon, Splitends stylist. The crystals can be applied with as few as one crystal to many across a strand of hair with a flat iron and adhesion bond, Simon says. They will last through several washes before falling out or can be removed with a solvent, she says. The crystals require the most care – they cannot be brushed, styled or have heat applied.
All three services provide quick, less damaging options with very little commitment.
“It’s especially fun for people that are bored with their hair but not ready to commit to a color change or significant hair cut,” says Simon.
Get Feathered
Nova Vita Salon & Spa in Tustin offers feather ($10 each) and tinsel ($4 each) extensions, and crystal ($25 per strip) application, plus a $30 sitting fee.
:: novavitasalon-spa.com
Splitends in Costa Mesa offers feather and tinsel extensions and crystal application, starting at $10.
:: splitends.com
David Douglas Salon and Spa in Tustin offers feather extensions containing three feathers glued together ($30), tinsel extensions with four pieces of tinsel tied onto four separate strands of hair by a series of knots ($20) and tinsel extensions containing six pieces of tinsel glued together and applied like a feather extension ($20).
:: ddsalon.com
Crew Salon at The Lab in Costa Mesa offers feather (four feathers of choice for $40) and tinsel extensions (price based on individual need).
:: crew-salon.com
Serenity Salon in Seal Beach offers feather extensions for humans ($9 per feather, $25 for three, $50 for six, $75 for nine; large feathers $15 each) and their furry friends – yes, dogs can get them too ($25 for a set of three short feathers and $35 for a set of three long feathers).
:: serenitysealbeach.com
Sultra Natural Feather Hair Accents are snap-on, self-applied, reusable clip extensions for at-home application and easy removal; available in four color combinations (each clip contains four feather extensions) for $25 each clip at Sephora.
:: sephora.com
Maddyloo feather hair clip accessories come in a variety of styles and colors and range from $23.95-$29.95 at Planet Beauty.
:: planetbeauty.com
