| Short Hair: Concealing Extensions On Short Hair |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Date: 04/15/06 |
Introduction
 |
|
Keira
Knightley
The Jacket
02-28-05 |
|
DailyCeleb.com - All rights reserved. |
Celebrities, stars, actors and actresses
are often required to drastically alter their appearance
for a film or TV role. Sometimes the drastic
strand changes involve going with
short hair styles.
Many times the hair extensions are so artfully applied
that they are completely concealed on the short hair of
the person they are applied to.
Hair extensions and wigs have been used
since they were first invented to make it easy for
anyone with short hair to
instantly morph into a look of long strands.
Besides adding length to short strands,
hair extensions can also add much needed volume for fine
or thinning tresses. They can also be used to add
instant hair color when the goal is to try on a new hue
but skip the chemical damage cycle.
One of the most challenging aspects of
attaching extensions to short styles is making sure that
there is enough native hair on the scalp to actually
attach the add-on strands. Some hair extension
experts will refuse to apply hair extensions to native
hair that is short. This is because they feel that
they can not get the results that they desire or they
may be frustrated by the inability to easily merge the
add-on strands with the natural hair.
There are a number of
ways that hair extensions are applied including fusion,
a variety of locks and when hair is long enough, pinch
braiding.
 |
|
Keira
Knightley
The Jacket
02-28-05 |
|
DailyCeleb.com - All rights reserved. |
The most popular
method of applying hair extensions to super short
strands is through a form of glue or fusion. The
biggest challenge with adding extensions to short hair
is making sure that it blends well so that the add-on
strands do not stand out. A low key blending is
the goal.
How is the blending
done? It depends on whether you go to a hair
extension expert or you Do It Yourself.
A talented hair extension expert will
usually require that you have at least 1 inch of hair in
order to have extensions applied. The native hair
length would also be required for add-on ponytails or
braids. Keep in mind that there needs to be
something for the add-on tresses to be able to grip onto
and hold in place.
When native hair is super short, the
extensions must not be too long or too heavy or they can
not be effectively anchored to the existing native hair.
If the natural hair is too short to hold extensions,
consider a light and airy lace-front wig.
A potential problem with really short
hair is exposed heat seals. If the natural hair is
too short, the seals may be completely exposed.
Many celebrities like Keira Knightley,
Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, who are constantly changing
their strands, will opt for wigs and half-wigs to do an
instant hair alteration.
Tricks For Blending Hair Extensions With Short Hair
 |
|
Keira
Knightley
78th Academy Awards Lunch
02-13-06 |
|
DailyCeleb.com - All rights reserved. |
However fabulous hair
extensions look, when you
apply them to very short hair, you will have to address
the fact that if they are not blended perfectly you're
stuck with that
short unattractive layer
on top!
Hair extensions experts advised me of
the following tips that will help blend hair extension
wefts seamlessly into short hair:
1. Color Match
The better the hair extension wefts are colored to match
your current hair, the better they will blend in with
your own hair. This is because when hair
extensions are matched to your own and incorporates
subtle shifts in tone, it will be less detectable.
2. Bobby Pins & Anchor Accessories
If bobby pins are used to help anchor the extensions,
use pins in the same color as your natural hair to avoid
drawing attention.
3. Hair Accessories To
Camoflage
Use hair accessories to camouflage any
seams where the add-on pieces begin and the native hair
ends. This also works well for add-on ponytails,
braids and other hair pieces. Use a soft, stretchy
bandeau style of headband that will shift shape to cover
any major add-on sections.
You can also experiment with wide
barrettes that can be used as one re-enforcement anchor
and one part camouflage.
4. Use A Straight Razor
Your hair extension expert can also opt
to use a straight razor and lightly razor down the
length of hair starting
where the short tresses stop.
5. Wear Hair Very Straight
After Extended
If the extension hair is 100% human and
can withstand heat, use a flat iron to flatten the
add-on strands to prevent them from sticking up
mulletlike. Some people have great luck using a
Mason Pearson Boar's Head brush or similar to keep the
extension hair brushed and flattened.
6. Experiment With Styling
Products
Many hair extension experts swear by
using a good styling cream to help merge the add-on
strands. Other swear by using lots of hair spray.
Experiment to see what works best for you.
7. Proper Extension Hair
Placement
If the natural hair texture is thick,
the extended hair can be added up further towards the
hairline which makes the extension hair less detectable.
This will hopefully prevent a "mushroom effect">
Summary
One of the most challenging aspects of transforming
short hair into long lush locks with the application of
hair extensions is dealing with the blending aspects.
Some hair extension experts will not undertake
extensions on short hair because they are frustrated at
being able to successfully keep the add-on hair flat.
If you have super short hair and are determined to go
with add-on hair extensions, take your time and find an
expert that will work with you. If you are a
confirmed Do It Yourself-er (DIY), try some of the tips
provided above. |