Why We Switched Our Salon’s Curly Sew-In Extensions Technique

If you read my last blog on curly hair extensions, you know I was getting ready to take another extension class in September. 

Well, I took it…and it was amazing! I’m so excited to share what this means for our For the Curls clients!

We’re still talking sew-in extensions, but this method is a much better fit for curly hair. It’s more secure, and there was one bonus I honestly wasn’t comfortable telling you before I found out for myself. 

But now I can confidently say this method is going to be better for your curls!

What Made The Foundation Method the Best Extensions Method for Curly Hair?

Ok, so here’s the details. The class I took was to learn The Foundation Method for extensions. 

Before, I was using a sew-in extensions method with beads. I would say it’s a standard method for straight or curly hair. But after taking this class, I’m excited for all the benefits it offers!

We’re probably using the same amount of hair, that’s not changing, but The Foundation Method extensions technique uses a braided foundation instead. No beads.

Fewer Extension Rows Means You Save Money!

And I was right! But I needed to actually use the method on curly clients before I could tell you. 

The braided technique I’m bringing into the salon has a bonus benefit. It’s let me reduce the number of rows I’m using on clients so far!

One of my clients who previously needed 5 to 6 rows of extensions? We got her down to three!

Then I had another client who came in for her first curly hair extensions appointment with me…and she only needed two rows!

This may not be the case for everyone, but it is great news for you. Because extension appointments are priced by the row, by using a method that is more secure and needs fewer rows? You save money!

And to clarify, we didn’t accomplish that by giving them less hair. We still used the same amount of hair needed to create the fullness and length they wanted. We just didn’t need as many separate rows to support it. 

But if we can take you from five or six rows down to three while still giving you the same amount of beautiful curly hair? That’s a nice little bonus win for your hair and your wallet!

Does This Change The Time Between Extension Maintenance Appointments?

Your maintenance schedule isn’t changing much. Six weeks is still going to be our sweet spot.

Could we sometimes push it closer to eight weeks? Sure, but naturally curly hair likes to tangle. Once we start stretching those appointments too far, there’s more opportunity for everything to get tangled around the extension hair as your natural hair grows.

Six weeks tends to keep your hair much happier.

What does feel easier with this braided method is your at-home maintenance between appointments.

You’re still going to wash, detangle, style, and take care of your extensions the way we talked about in last month’s blog. But you no longer have to worry about those beads slipping while you’re doing all of that!

You can relax a little more each time you grab the brush.

This Is Why I Keep Investing in Education

The best hair stylist will tell you that we invest heavily in education even after completing school. 

Not to learn the latest styles and trends – that part’s easy. It’s because new products and techniques come out that allow us to keep your hair healthier, stronger, and easier for you to manage between cuts.

And if you ask that question to hair stylists who do extensions? We INVEST!

Because when you first learn extensions, you learn the basics. How to install the hair, how to create the foundation, and you typically pay to learn one method of installation per class.

Basically, they teach you the ABCs.

Curly hair has a whole lot more letters needed. That’s because most extensions come as straight hair, you still have to learn which hair works best for curls, how to match curl patterns, how to color match, how to cut the extensions so everything looks natural with your curls, and how to troubleshoot if something happens to your clients between sessions.

That takes more education. 

Plus, if you want to learn multiple methods of extensions or curly cutting techniques, like I did, then you have to invest in multiple classes.

And honestly, that’s one of my favorite things about specializing in curly hair. There is always more to learn. You’re a student for life. Every class gives me another tool, another way to solve a problem, more confidence behind the chair, or another way to make the experience better for our clients.

And I think this class is already paying off!

Our Jacksonville Curly Hair Salon Just Got Even Better

If you’ve been thinking about curly hair extensions in Jacksonville, this is probably the method I’ll be using on you. (Unless in a rare case it doesn’t make sense to use it!)

You’ll still get the part that matters most – extension hair that’s matched to your curls, the length and fullness you’ve been wanting, and someone paying attention to the health of your natural hair underneath it all.

But now we have a stronger foundation, easier at-home maintenance, fewer rows, and you get to save a little on curly hair extension installation and maintenance costs.

It’s a win-win!

So, if you’ve been waiting to see what curly extensions could look like on your hair, come in for a consultation with me. We’ll look at your natural curls, talk about the length and fullness you want, and figure out what your extension install would actually look like. 

Curly extensions have come a long way over the last few years. And you deserve to have the length and/or fullness you want without having to wait months or years to get it!