Should You Offer Hair Extensions? 4 Things To Know
4 Things To Know Before Committing To Being An Extension Specialist
Extension brands are known for their pretty aesthetic and big shiny service tickets, but there’s so much more that goes into offering the service than the girl-coded branding. Hair extensions are a big investment for both the stylist and client, so before sitting in on that lengthy installation class, consider how things like education, cost and extension quality are going to fit into your business.
1. Does Your Extension Brand Of Choice Provide Education?
Beyond their it-girl vibe, extensions brand Philocaly (@philocalyhair) is a cult-favorite thanks to their in-person and online course offerings. Entering Philocaly’s world means you can take advantage of weft, tape, nano and keratin extension education.
Here’s a look at courses for both beginners and experienced extension specialists:
- Master Class Certification Course with Danielle Borodey via Zoom on January 28 & 29
- Master Class Certification Course with Mo Worsley (@moworsley) in Calgary, Alberta on February 4 & 5
- Master Class Certification Course with Amanda Thompson (@amanda.covesalon) in London, Ontario on February 18
- Master Class Certification Course with Kayla Erskine (@kaylathehairdresser) in Halifax, Nova Scotia on February 25 & 26
- Nano Bead Certification Course with Kailyn Adamson (@kailynirenehair) via Zoom on April 8
2. Do You Have Everyday Resources At-Hand?
Have you ever needed to double check a color formula or blending technique mid-appointment? Whether you’re certified with Philocaly or not, you can download the below guides to keep on hand.
Here’s a list of their free digital downloads:
- Client Release Forms
- Pricing Extensions Guide
- Aftercare Form
- Cutting & Blending Guide
- Guide To Consultations
- Color Formulas Card
Becoming a Philocaly Extension Specialist will help you attract new clients AND double your income.
3. The Extension Industry Is Unregulated, Be Cautious Of Quality
The ugly truth is, the extensions industry is wildly unregulated so purchasing from a brand that is transparent about their production process is key to receiving quality hair.
Two sisters, Chelsea Dressler and Kirsten Ortman, started Philocaly as frustrated clients who had their fair share of bad extensions—so they know how disappointing it is when a weft unravels or worse; feels like plastic Barbie hair. That’s why the duo is committed to stocking salons with ethically-sourced hair and being transparent about the process.
Here’s a look at Philocaly’s entire production process:
- Directly sourcing the hair: The Philocaly buying team has no middlemen and collects the raw hair from donors (who they pay a fair trade price to).
- Eliminating middle traders means they can have complete control over ethical collection, quality, cost and transportation of the hair.
- Wefting and stitching: The raw hair is divided and stitched into wefts. It is secured by three threads, three inches from the top of the hair to avoid inversion throughout the rest of the process.
- Cold bleaching: Before coloring, hair is slowly bleached in cold water to protect and avoid damage. This process can take up to five days.
- Coloring the hair: The hair is colored to match one of the brand’s 34 shades. using the same processes you use in the salon, at a larger scale. No acid baths are used in Philocaly’s processing
- Hair hackling: The “hackling” process ensures uniformity in the bundles. Any hair that is upside down is removed from the bunch.
- Quality assurance: The hair undergoes quality checkpoints to ensure it’s tightly woven before being packaged up and sent to your salon.
- Recycle Hair After Use: The hair can last up to 12 months when cared for properly. When you’re done with it, recycle it via the Matter Of Trust Program so it can be reused for things like soaking up oil spills and other environmental efforts.
A look at the production process:
According to Philocaly Educator Ella Healy (@ella.blondie), she increased her revenue by $70,000 in her first year offering Philocaly Beaded Row, K Tip and Flip Up Method extensions. “In 2021, my career drastically changed when I added hair extensions to my services,” she says. “…Between these three services, my yearly revenue has gone up by $70,000. And that’s just in hair installations on commission on hair sales alone—never mind all the additional color appointments.”
