By Katie Martlew
To cure a very serious lifelong case of full-bodied hair envy, we go to ‘Great Lengths’ to achieve a thick, flowing celeb-esque mane…
When the opportunity arose to road test Great Lengths hair extensions, my thought process leaped from ‘sign me up immediately!’ to ‘hold on, what if I end up looking like Britney Spears?’ or ‘will they damage my hair?’ Ultimately, all things considered (and after a little further research)- I happily put my cynicism aside in the pursuit of thick hair happiness.
What are they?
Great Lengths hair extensions are 100% natural human hair extensions, using only the highest quality ‘Remy hair’ (meaning the hair is collected with the cuticle layer facing the same direction from root to tip, as they do in your natural hair). The hair is ethically sourced from Indian temples in ‘virgin’ condition, meaning the hair has never been bleached, chemically treated or coloured. Imagine that?!
The consultation…
Firstly, I had an appointment with Great Lengths National Training Manager Michael Mesiti at Bauhaus Studios in Waterloo, for a quick consultation. Due to a hereditary case of fine hair, coupled with a recent trip to an overzealous hair ‘stylist’ who over-layered my locks- my main goal was to create volume, and a little extra length. Michael colour matched my hair perfectly, and suggested alternating one main shade of dark brunette, with some highlights of a slightly lighter shade to give my hair some depth.
The process…
All in all, the application process was almost completely painless. I had about 120 attached, which sounds like a lot, although I was in and out the door in 1-hour tops. The extensions were not weaved or ‘glued’ to my hair; rather they are applied using a patented keratin bond, which groups strands of hair together. The keratin protein used is made up of a polymer compound, which as I’m told- does not damage the hair shaft.
The verdict…
WOW! I’m thrilled with the results. At first, I freaked out a little, as the change was quite dramatic (as Michael said- I look like a new woman- and I think he’s right.) But the moment I bounded out of the salon with my newly acquired flowing mane (attracting a couple of glances in my direction may I add) I have never felt more confident, or more glamorous. My friend who I had bought along with me was also very much in awe of my transformation- despite initially being a little sceptical about hair extensions herself. The colour match could not have been more perfect. They are incredibly natural looking; and while you can definitely feel the bonds- they are very small and almost undetectable to the untrained eye. They really aren’t uncomfortable at all, and don’t hurt one little bit either- not even when I sleep. They also have this beautiful natural wave throughout, so I can achieve that effortless beachy look by simply letting them dry naturally and scrunching them with my hands.
All in all, yes, you may loose the ability to run your fingers through your hair, but personally, for me it’s more than worth it. In fact, I’m wondering how I’ll ever live without them?
Maintenance…
In order to keep your extensions in mint condition, it’s imperative to brush your hair at least twice per day, plait it at night and sleep on a satin pillowcase. Apart from that, you treat them as you would your normal hair (i.e. use a heat protective spray when blow-drying or straightening them etc). The ends can start to look a little frizzy, but this is easily treated with a frizz-free serum, and a little extra conditioner in the shower. If you look after them, they should last around 6 months.
Where can I get them?
We had ours put in at Bauhaus Hair in Waterloo Ph) 02 8399 1008. However Great Lengths are also available at certified salons globally. Go to www.greatlengths.com.au to find a salon near you, or call 1300 138 452.
Cost varies depending on how many strands you require, and how long you want to go. RRP ranges from around $100 up to around $2000.
Stay tuned for our upcoming interview with Great Lengths Training Manager Michael Mesiti to get the behind the scenes story on this ground breaking company and the expert’s guide on navigating an industry that has at times been tainted by a sketchy reputation.
