I need to start this review by telling you that I don’t have a very good relationship with hairdressers. I think it started when I was 13 and I decided that I wanted to have a funky, cropped hair-do. My hairdresser failed to tell me that a) a child with a head like a basketball will not ever look elfin, even with a crop and b) a person with not one, not even two, but THREE crowns at separate places on their head, is never going to be able style short hair. You’ll look less like this:
And more like this:
Which is quite appropriate really, as the lads from the boys’ school adjacent to mine called me a Russian shot putter for at least a year after I had that haircut.
Then there was the time that I got given a voucher for a really expensive hairdressers, came out with an awesome ‘do, only for it to never ever be styled the same again. This was in the days before we all had hair straighteners and whatnot, and giving a hugely impractical hair cut to a schoolgirl who has to be up at 6am to catch the bus for the 15 mile journey to school just seems cruel.
So, I’ve stuck to one simple haircut over the years, and aside from changing the colour occasionally, and maybe switching up the length a little every now and again, I’ve found my formula and I stick to it. But this doesn’t mean I don’t crave that gorgeous swishy, glam hair that everyone seems to have these days, the lustrous tresses that tumble over their shoulders like a keratin waterfall…too much? Okay.
So when the lovely people at Salon Confidential approached me about trying out their clip-on extensions, I almost bit their hands off! I was given a choice of styles and colours, and went for ‘Volume Wave’ in Mid Brown with Lightened Tips. When I first got them out of the box, I was a bit worried about how they’d all go in, but there’s a handy little leaflet inside with a clear diagram showing exactly which clips you attach to which parts of your head, (there’s also an even more comprehensive guide on their site) and once I’d got them all in, they felt really secure, much to my surprise. And I have to say, I really did feel seriously swishy and glam, even standing in my bathroom at 10am!
Here’s some of the blurb from the site:
1. Can I put Heat on my extensions?
NO!!! The purpose of our Salon Confidential range is we have done the hard work for you, therefore they are not heat proof and you will spoil the salon finish on the extensions.
2. Will my hair be difficult to style?
We have done the hard work for you, most clients struggle with tongs and curling their hair, or getting real volume into their own hair, even straightening to a superb glossy finish is difficult to do on yourself, salon confidential have taken all this into account and done it all to salon finish, for you to use at home.
3. What happens if my extensions get tangled?
Don’t worry all hair tangles and these are no exception, so simply brush the extensions from the ends in a downward motion, working your way up to the top, the tangles will come out easily and the shine will be restored.
So, in the spirit of full disclosure, here are some pics of me in the extensions. Please be aware that early mornings and bright sunlight are not at all flattering, especially to someone with rosacea!
I know, the pictures aren’t great, but trying to photograph yourself while a two and a half year old is emptying your make-up bag and painting herself with eyeshadow is not ideal!
If you’d like to get your hands on some of these extensions, you can go to the Salon Confidential website and have a look through all of the different options, and I’m certain you’ll find something you like! I’ll definitely be doing a much better job of putting them in wearing mine next time I have a night on the town, the whole effect made me feel totally different about myself, and that’s never a bad thing is it?
