Is anyone else a hair schizophrenic, like me? I think part of my
problem is that I like the idea of long hair, and the look of
super-short hair, but my reality is that a medium-length is probably my
best look (and about all I can handle). Am I alone?
Well,
celebs have this issue too, but they don't suffer the growing pains
that I do when I'm tired of my Alyssa Milano-inspired crop and aiming
for that long Jennifer Aniston style. And they always seem to have
perfectly thick, full hair, too. Noticed that? No scrawny ponytails in
Hollywood, for which I, with my fine hair, am jealous. Lindsay, Sienna,
Jenny McCarthy all have luscious long and full locks when they want
them, but have sported various lengths throughout their careers.
But I've found their secret: Great Lengths Extensions.
In this article, I'm going to give a run-down of the hair and the
process used to apply it, then I'll share with you in-full and
un-edited an interview I did with Darren Brokaw, the USA Artistic
Director for Great Lengths.
Interested? Keep reading!
These extensions are billed as gentle, and 100% high-quality human
hair. Gentle, meaning: won't kill your own hair, or leave it ruined
when you're done with your extensions. The technique ranges from
cold-fusion to thermal-fusion and the results: shiny, full and (if you
want it) long hair.
About the hair:
- Great Lengths Extensions are made from Indian Temple Hair.
This is hair in which the follicle all sits nice and straight, in one
direction, thereby not causing tangles with itself or your own hair.
There's a nifty explanation on the Great Lengths site as to why Indian Temple Hair is superior to Chinese hair, European hair, and brushed Indian hair. You can view said explanation here
and take it for what it's worth, since I know nothing to either prove
the theory or rebuke it. They do say that the hair is freely given and
proceeds are returned to the temples and used for funding schools,
hospitals and orphanages in India.
- Hair is not bleached, as it may be by other companies/processes. Bleaching can damage hair, while the process Great Lengths uses is reported not to cause damage.
- Hair is recolored using a process similar to that used for dying cashmere.
- The combination of how the pigments are removed and replaced is unique and will reportedly lead to longer color life.
About the process:
- The method used to attach Great Lengths
extensions is different. The new hair is not welded to your own, nor is
it glued, knotted, waxed on, tied on, or sewn on. It's not going to
damage your hair. They use a patented technique using special polymers
that have a molecular structure similar to your own hair, which is
science for "we tried to make it gentle and like yours".
- The keratin used to bond the hair to your own is specially
formulated to act as real hair does - it expands and contracts the way
natural hair does when exposed to water, it reacts the way hair does
when exposed to sunlight and heat. Due to the way the keratin reacts,
the bonds will last longer than the bonds used in other extensions
(which deteriorate in the conditions we just discussed), so you can
wear your hair until you want to... not.
The interview:
So, that said, I wanted the real scoop and talked to a Great Lengths stylist about the process. I had things I wanted to know, and I hope they help you understand the system better, too!
Responses in blue are courtesy of Darren Brokaw, Great Lengths USA Artistic Director (Christophers Salon, St Louis, MO
- Can you
tell me, in a nutshell, how Great Lengths extensions are applied? (It
would be great if you can also tell us in your answer how a session
would evolve and a guesstimate on how much time it takes)
When
you decide to try Great Lengths Extensions, your first step is to meet
with a Great Lengths Certified stylist for a consultation. Once the
desired result is determined, your stylist will be able to determine
the colors, length and quantity of Great Lengths strands that are
needed. Single strands are applied approximately 1.5 cm distance from
the scalp by either the Classic or Ultrasonic machines (press release
attached). The placement of the strands is determined by the desired
result as there are certain placement guidelines for lengthening,
volumizing or dimensional color effects services. Application times
can vary as there are many variables involved including the density of
ones natural hair and the final desired result. Assuming lengthening
your hair is the objective, the average application time is 4 to 6
hours.
- Is the process uncomfortable?
The
Great Lengths application process is designed to avoid all undue
tension on your natural hair, which is typically the culprit for
discomfort. Many extension methods apply directly to the scalp or as
near the scalp as possible and this creates too much tension that
results in a very sore scalp and possibly breakage of your natural
hair. Great Lengths are attached to your natural strands an ample
distance from the scalp and always applied to match the density of your
natural hair. This coupled with Great Lengths gentle application
methods provide a very comfortable application experience.
- What kind of hair is used? Where does Great Lengths get the hair?
Great
Lengths utilizes only 100% human hair of the finest quality collected
from Indian Temples. Traditionally, many Indian faithful pay tribute to
their God or Goddess by going to the Temples for ceremonial sacrifices
of their hair. This is considered an honor and has been in practice
long before the hair extension demands of today’s marketplace. Before
such a demand, the Temples sold the hair for many uses, such as
mattresses. Temple hair is one of the only sources available for
virgin hair that has never been treated with harsh chemical treatments
and has the cuticle layer intact, root to end. These are qualities
that are absolutely necessary for an appropriate, tangle free blend
with ones natural hair. Further, there is an ample supply that is
needed to meet the global Great Lengths market need. Great Lengths is
the only system that must utilize “virgin” hair as the patented Great
Lengths de-pigmentation process, that does not utilize bleach or toxic
chemicals, will not work on hair that has had any previous chemical
treatment, including henna. As a bonus and a great source of pride for
Great Lengths International, the money generated by the sale of hair
from the Temples funds local schools, medical facilities, orphanages
and a host of other civic functions important to the communities in
which the Temples are located.
- Are extensions dyed to match/blend with my natural hair?
As
briefly mentioned before, the only alteration process that Great
Lengths performs on the hair is the patented Great Lengths
de-pigmentation process. Great Lengths exclusively utilizes this
method, making it a quality point of difference. In order to offer a
wide variety of colors to meet the demands of the consumer, Great
Lengths offers over 60 colors. Traditionally this requires “lifting”
or “bleaching” the original color so that the “new” color can be
developed. The Great Lengths process does not utilize bleach, instead
the color molecules are removed whole and replaced whole resulting in
colorfast, fade free color that maintains the “virgin” quality of the
strands. The colors are processed in the Italian-based Great Lengths
factory and then hand blended using up to 5 colors to blend into one
shade. This unique coloring process ensures that the hair color is
dimensional and most importantly, very natural looking so that your
extensions will match your hair perfectly.
- How safe are Great Lengths extensions for my natural hair?
The
Great Lengths application methods are the most gentle available. The
Great Lengths bond is a synthesized keratin protein polymer that is
designed to mimic the structure of human hair and has the ability to
expand and contract with ones natural hair. This is another patented
feature exclusive to Great Lengths and vital in protecting the
integrity of your natural hair. Equally important is the quality and
skill of the stylist performing the application. To that end, Great
Lengths has the professional industries toughest criteria for
certification and criteria to maintain that certification. Great
Lengths is proud to be the only professional hair extension company
that has been repeatedly recognized by the professional industry as the
“Professional’s Choice” for product and technical education quality.
Our business practice policies in the professional beauty industry are
based upon what is in the best interest of the consumer. It’s what
we’ve built our reputation upon. The patented Great Length attachment
process never compromises the quality of your own hair. Many
Great Lengths clients will excitedly tell you, their natural hair is
actually healthier than ever as it’s the extensions that take the brunt
of daily maintenance vs. their natural hair.
- Are
these a legitimate bridge to use while growing out natural hair? Or is
it best to use this to augment natural hair to give a thicker or more
layered look?
Great
Lengths Extensions can be used as both a bridge to help you grow out
your short hair and as a way to give a thicker look to your hair and
much, much more. One of the most popular Great Lengths services is
“repair” work. For example, flat irons are very popular and on many
clients it shows! Clients will come into the salon that have
burned/broken their hair off with irons and in a matter of minutes and
with minimal cost, that hair can be replaced with Great Lengths. Not
only does Great Lengths help to correct a problem but it also allows
your natural hair to grow back. Many Great Lengths services have more
to do with “design” than with length or volume. For example, a year
ago everyone was walking in with a picture of Victoria Beckham and her
trend setting bob and seeking the same. If the client had the length
to make that happen, they rarely had the density needed to give it the
sharp edge required for such a result. Hence, a few skillfully placed
Great Lengths strands resulted in many thrilled clients. It’s the same
way she got the look.
- Can you
treat the extensions just like natural hair? Can I wear it curly today
and straight tomorrow? Are there limits to how I can style it?
Great
Lengths Extensions have a good deal of natural body that can be scrunch
dried for beautiful movement or easily blown straight. If more
dramatic results are desired the Great Lengths hair quality allows the
hair to be treated just like your own natural hair – colored, curled,
permed, straightened and of course brushed, blow dried, flat ironed,
hot curled with just a bit of special care so as not to effect the
attachment site. In most cases with a significantly better result than
that can be accomplished with your natural hair.
- How will
my hair feel if I run my hands through it (or my honey does!)? If I
pull my hair back in a ponytail, can you see the extensions?
No
one will notice a difference in your natural hair and the Great Lengths
Extensions, except for the effect of longer, thicker hair. With
exception to “special needs” applications that are to correct
significant hair challenges, Great Lengths can be styled as you wish
since the attachment sites are very discreet. Here is what you can
expect…running your hand over the surface of your hair and you will
feel nothing, run your fingers up from the nape, at the scalp and you
will feel the tiny attachment sites. I’m happy to pass on to you what
I hear very frequently from Great Lengths clients…”honey” is one of our
biggest fans.
- How long does natural hair have to be to use Great Lengths extensions?
For
the most natural result, Great Lengths recommends a minimum of 3 inches
for a volumizing service and 5 inches for a lengthening service and
only lengthening to double the clients natural length. For example, if
you have 6” natural hair, only lengthen to 12”. Otherwise you risk a
“mullet” result.
- How are Great Lengths extensions different from other types of extensions?
Great
Lengths Extensions are different because of both the type of hair and
application process Great Lengths utilizes. Other extension techniques
often include welding, waxing, gluing or knotting which can damage
natural hair. Great Lengths application is based on the gentle
modulating process. The extensions are connected with a polymer chain
whose molecular structure mimics that of human hair and is then bonded
to your hair through a Great Lengths applicator. More specifically,
there are 4 major points of difference: 1. The quality of our hair and
sources. 2. The Great Lengths toxic/bleach-free de-pigmentation
process. 3. The molecular structure of the Great Lengths bond. 4.
The skill and expertise of the Great Lengths Certified Stylists.
- How long
do Great Lengths extensions last? Do you need to "touch-up" after a
certain period, or completely replace all of the extensions?
Great
Lengths recommends that the extensions be removed and replaced every 3
to 5 months. This 2 month variance is based upon the state of the
clients’ natural hair, lifestyle, etc. Unlike most extension methods,
no touch up is needed. We do strongly recommend that any chemical
work be performed by a professional, for example no home color and you
should only use professional grade shampoos, conditioners and finishing
products.
- What tips need to be considered when maintaining Great Lengths extensions?
At
home, you should treat hair like your own. The following instruction
is really good advice for hair care in general and especially for an
extension wearer. Brushing, root to end is vitally important. When
cleansing, always shampoo with your head tilted back and be sure not to
towel dry hair with a scrubbing motion, rather blot dry. Unlike most
extension methods, it is okay and encouraged to use conditioners while
wearing Great Lengths. If you choose to let your hair dry naturally,
always use your blow dryer to dry the attachment sites to the scalp
area or at least give it a boost with the dryer so it doesn’t remain
moist for a long period of time. Leaving moisture on the bonds for
excessive amounts of time could potentially cause the bonds to absorb
the moisture and become cloudy in appearance. Over the counter,
non-professional products should never be used as they often contain
high quantities of sulfur that can shorten the bond life. Before going
to bed, it is recommended that you braid your hair or pull into a soft
ponytail.
- Is there anyone who should not use Great Lengths extensions?
Great
Lengths is safe for all hair types. However, those with a current
and/or active hair loss condition or those with seriously damaged hair
are not candidates for any extension method, including Great Lengths.
A consultation with a Great Lengths Certified Stylist can help you
determine if Great Lengths is right for you.
