Hair extension course

[MissConfused]

thanks foxyemm and sarahjane, missconfused try [email protected] and speak to amanda, she has been good at getting back to me, but also try lush us.
xx

that's the email address that is on the site isn't it? if so that's the one i emailed - several times. to be honest i'd much rather spend my money with another company. lush us were another company i spoke to and they seemed great from what was said aswell as price wise.

i can understand why some people on here get grumpy as they have spent atleast 3 years training (that's just for the 3 level of nvqs - not including any experience in salons etc) to be an hair professional and then somebody comes along and calls themself an 'expert' in hair because they took a 1 day course, obviously people will be peed. you aren't an 'expert' after doing a 1 day course - don't be ridiculas and you sure as anything aint going to make £1000 everyday from the day after you did the course!

i have had extensions fitted 3 times. once by a racoon trained fitter (from what has been said she must have been a professional hairdresser also) who spent all day doing them, had to get another member of staff to help her as time was running out and left a good chunk of hair missing - they wasn't cut in, a college student being supervised by her tutor who didn't put enough in and i was asked to go back though i declined because the girl was still learning and i didn't want her to feel bad - they wasn't cut in and then by an 'hair extension specialist' who had taken individual courses who i then had to go back to because the individual bonds were falling out as much as 3 in 1 day within the first 2-3weeks and the hair used was terrible after literally a day who didn't cut the extensions in either. so i have paid from around £400 down to £185, been to 3 different people in 3 different areas and had them done in 3 different environments (salon, college and home salon) with 3 different methods used and didn't think the racoon trained hair dresser was better than the individual trained 'specialist' who i didn't think did any better of a job than the girl that was doing her first set of extensions as part of her nvq course. so just because somebody is an hairdresser doesn't mean they are going to do a better set or be any more professional or infact give you a better look with cutting in etc. so the theory that qualified hairdressers with nvqs and 50years experience are the way to go isn't always true.

at the end of the day everybody on here is doing what they are doing to make a living and people are adding extra treatments/services all the time to improve their income and quality of life. people who are doing bad work will soon end up with a name for themselves and will find that their making a 'quick buck' style isn't working and they will either have to give up or pay out for some more training. surely it's better that there is courses available to teach people some kind of fitting and basic health and safety with insurance rather than people not wanting to do a full 3years training just for hair extensions so doing it without any training at all to make their 'quick buck'?
x

 

[persianista]

We all have our opinions.

Mine have been formed through putting right, and being an expert witness for badly fitted hair extensions done by idiots who do 2 day courses. I have seen matting like dreadlocks, people in pain and bald patches. I have seen sores on scalps and second degree burns.

I have also seen these "extensionists" get their butts sued off.

Hair ext are big business, you are like little lambs to the slaughter with your limited knowledge and refusal to believe anyone else knows better.
These companies will exploit you, give you limited training, no support and will sell you rubbish hair from a rubbish dump in India (remy hair good? do some research!)

Minky Lucielastix etc give great advice, mine would be to re-read what they say.

 

[flickandflutter]

that's the email address that is on the site isn't it? if so that's the one i emailed - several times. to be honest i'd much rather spend my money with another company. lush us were another company i spoke to and they seemed great from what was said aswell as price wise.

i can understand why some people on here get grumpy as they have spent atleast 3 years training (that's just for the 3 level of nvqs - not including any experience in salons etc) to be an hair professional and then somebody comes along and calls themself an 'expert' in hair because they took a 1 day course, obviously people will be peed. you aren't an 'expert' after doing a 1 day course - don't be ridiculas and you sure as anything aint going to make £1000 everyday from the day after you did the course!

i have had extensions fitted 3 times. once by a racoon trained fitter (from what has been said she must have been a professional hairdresser also) who spent all day doing them, had to get another member of staff to help her as time was running out and left a good chunk of hair missing - they wasn't cut in, a college student being supervised by her tutor who didn't put enough in and i was asked to go back though i declined because the girl was still learning and i didn't want her to feel bad - they wasn't cut in and then by an 'hair extension specialist' who had taken individual courses who i then had to go back to because the individual bonds were falling out as much as 3 in 1 day within the first 2-3weeks and the hair used was terrible after literally a day who didn't cut the extensions in either. so i have paid from around £400 down to £185, been to 3 different people in 3 different areas and had them done in 3 different environments (salon, college and home salon) with 3 different methods used and didn't think the racoon trained hair dresser was better than the individual trained 'specialist' who i didn't think did any better of a job than the girl that was doing her first set of extensions as part of her nvq course. so just because somebody is an hairdresser doesn't mean they are going to do a better set or be any more professional or infact give you a better look with cutting in etc. so the theory that qualified hairdressers with nvqs and 50years experience are the way to go isn't always true.

at the end of the day everybody on here is doing what they are doing to make a living and people are adding extra treatments/services all the time to improve their income and quality of life. people who are doing bad work will soon end up with a name for themselves and will find that their making a 'quick buck' style isn't working and they will either have to give up or pay out for some more training. surely it's better that there is courses available to teach people some kind of fitting and basic health and safety with insurance rather than people not wanting to do a full 3years training just for hair extensions so doing it without any training at all to make their 'quick buck'?
x

I completely agree with you and yes I can understand where they are coming from but when a course says that you dont have to be a trianed hairdresser then I assume that they are correct. Im not interested in doing the whole hairdressing courses as wouldn't want to do any of the perming or setting or colouring thats why I didnt do it along with my beauty training. But I do love the looks you can create with extensions. I am going to do the course first i think, see how I get on, and I am a perfectionist so will do my very best and if not there is a hairdressing diploma by city and guilds which covers the basics of cutting etc so would go on to do that.

I think I may go with the Lush us training then as they are a supplier to and habia accredited.

so have u done any courses yet? are u a trained hairdresser?

x

 

[MissConfused]

I completely agree with you and yes I can understand where they are coming from but when a course says that you dont have to be a trianed hairdresser then I assume that they are correct. Im not interested in doing the whole hairdressing courses as wouldn't want to do any of the perming or setting or colouring thats why I didnt do it along with my beauty training. But I do love the looks you can create with extensions. I am going to do the course first i think, see how I get on, and I am a perfectionist so will do my very best and if not there is a hairdressing diploma by city and guilds which covers the basics of cutting etc so would go on to do that.

I think I may go with the Lush us training then as they are a supplier to and habia accredited.

so have u done any courses yet? are u a trained hairdresser?

x

i don't think it's people who take the courses that are to blame - at the end of the day if you research and you are being told by people that what you are about to take is the correct course to enable you to perform a treatment/service and it has been approved by insurance companies then i guess that's all you can go off. you aren't doing anything wrong. i guess people who use forums like this are lucky because they can walk into all the info with their eyes wide open and talk to people who have actually done the courses and training and made mistakes etc and can point you in the right direction and give you lots of help and advice to stop you from making the same mistakes/throwing your money away.

i think learning to colour the extensions would be a great skill to have, that way you can ensure a perfect colour match rather than trying to piece together a good (good isn't good enough) colour match by using a few strands of this and a few strands of that. when i had my extensions done in the past at college and the hairdressers they dyed my hair and the extension hair so it was an absolute perfect match, but when i had my exstensions done the last time because i had roots and different shades of colour aswell as the colour at the top being very different to the colour underneath it wasn't possible to match it up at all though i did say that wasn't a problem i could sort that out myself i just wanted the length put in asap it obviously would have been far better to get it all done there and then. not just the colour but i also had my own hair trimmed before the extensions were put in at college and the hairdressers when it was dyed so all the yucky bits at the ends were gone again with my last set that didn't happen, so if you look at it that way you the client if they want an absolute perfect head of hair unlike me who would settle for 'just give me some length' then another hairdresser up the road will end up getting an income that could of been yours if you would have offered the colouring and cutting service before putting the extensions in. so i personally think doing the whole nvqs at college would be great if you are thinking of doing extensions. it's not just for putting the extensions in if somebody decides that after the 3months of wear extensions that they don't want them after getting to know you and your style at their maintenance appointments you might just find they are coming back to you for their regular trim and colour. aswell as the above there's also things like root growth that the client can call you up for rather than them going to their own hairdresser which again is more money for you. there are lots of little extras that you might miss out on by not taking a full nvq - of course all the above are 'maybe the client will...' but if you don't offer them you will never know i know i come across as all money money money haha but the amount of money it costs to do courses you might aswell get the full financial bennefit out of them!

i am not qualified in anything at the moment (i have done my lash training - need to sumbit case studies, have spray tan training booked in for next week and waxing inc. intimate waxing booked in for aug) but i am wanting to do an hair extension course and *fingers crossed i'll be accepted* start hairdressing nvq1 at college in september and continue with that up to level 3 (in an ideal wordl anyway) - i will be honest it is basically just so i can do the whole extension package from colouring to cutting as i want to offer mobile beauty treatments and hair extensions (though i guess if i can offer all hair treatments that isn't such a bad thing is it?) my god you wouldn't think that this long, expensive journey started because i wanted to do something for me as i've been a stay at home mum for the past 4 years and want to be alittle bit selfish.

my honest oppinion is that you would be missing out on so much by not offering other hairdressing extras. that isn't said as a hair professional who is peed at people trying to do things the quick and easy way, that's just said as somebody who has had extensions fitted in the past that likes them and did some research.

x

 

[flickandflutter]

fair comments, well good luck with your beauty courses, I suggest avoiding massage as you can get roped in to doin it all the time, I worked at a health farm for 2 years and it killed me lol! I would also look into tinting as this is low cost to offer.

Well I may have to jiggle things around and just do eyelashes and tanning for the time being and then get the financial means to do hair extensions or I may do the training and practice on friends and family until I can do a hairdressing course. I have found a city and guilds diploma level 2 which offers almost the same modules as the nvq 2 but is much cheaper what do you think? As im over 19 it would cost alot more to do an nvq!

And as for the previous comments I understand where the hairdressers are coming from and that you are giving advice from previous experiences but it is confusing when the companys are saying that you don't have to be a trained hairdresser and are accredited by standards agencys. having been electricuted at college by a faradic machine and having bruising from intimate waxing and having half an eyebrow waxed off I know things can go amiss but half those things were because people weren't in it 100% or weren't paying attention to the lecturer.

xx

 

[MissConfused]

fair comments, well good luck with your beauty courses, I suggest avoiding massage as you can get roped in to doin it all the time, I worked at a health farm for 2 years and it killed me lol! I would also look into tinting as this is low cost to offer.

Well I may have to jiggle things around and just do eyelashes and tanning for the time being and then get the financial means to do hair extensions or I may do the training and practice on friends and family until I can do a hairdressing course. I have found a city and guilds diploma level 2 which offers almost the same modules as the nvq 2 but is much cheaper what do you think? As im over 19 it would cost alot more to do an nvq!

And as for the previous comments I understand where the hairdressers are coming from and that you are giving advice from previous experiences but it is confusing when the companys are saying that you don't have to be a trained hairdresser and are accredited by standards agencys. having been electricuted at college by a faradic machine and having bruising from intimate waxing and having half an eyebrow waxed off I know things can go amiss but half those things were because people weren't in it 100% or weren't paying attention to the lecturer.

xx

lol, i have no interest in massages right now! it's something that has never appealed at all to be honest.

yeah, i did tinting in level1 beauty and tweezer shaping and it was pretty simple and straight forward they would be great to offer with the lash extensions too wouldn't they? oh so much to think about and pay for haha.

i was thinking about doing the training before i started college (i couldn't see anything to say they offered extensions as part of the level 3 course at the college i was looking at, but i will be sure to ask at my interview ) also so that i would be able to really get in there with the questions when the time comes to start going over cutting and colouring in college. it's a pity we don't live closer as some training companys offer discounts for 2 people training together that way you could decide if you wanted to progress and i'd be well prepared to ask questions at college all at a discounted price!

yeah, the courses do say you will be fully trained and i guess what the hairdressers are saying is that yes you will know how to put extensions in because it is repetitive and straightforward but what you aren't going to know is about the natural hair and how it grows and how best to treat it/look after it and how to avoid doing damage to the scalp etc. which is completely true as noway on earth are you going to be able to teach somebody 3years worth (atleast) of education in the space of a few hours. so i think that's what they are getting at that you aren't learning the whole picture. though that is important like i said above it you are going to spend so much on extension training atleast be in a position to offer everything to your clients. from the start of the process to the end of it.

i'm not sure about hair courses at all, def phone up and ask what's covered and check that you can be insured on completion but from my research nvqs are always the better ones to go for, i'm sure somebody else on here who knows far more than me will be able to advise you better. at the end of the day if you want to go for something and your heart is set on it then nobody will be able to change your mind or talk you out of it. just be aware that when you complete the course you might need extra help and training - which i think is the message that is constantly getting pushed on the hair extension threads.

i def agree about what you said about accidents happening reguardless like i said with the hairdresser only training racoon extensions i had a chunk of hair extension free that they had missed and when i had my extensions fitted by an hair extension specialist she caught my ear with the heat tool - so mistakes and problems do still happen reguardless of what training you have like you said.

i hope that whatever you choose to do that you come away feeling confident and happy with your choice and that you feel it's money well spent.
x

 

[flickandflutter]

yh definately a good thing to offer as they can have a complete eye package with lash extensions, tinting and shaping of eyebrows.

I will look in to the hairdressing route and see what the differences are between the diploma and the nvq.

Ive been talking to another lady on here and she said that lush us is better than km training so we can bear that in mind if we decide to do the extensions in future. where abouts r u chick?

Who did u do lash extensions with? ive been looking at lash perfect and lash xpert ?

x

 

[lucelasticx]

Ok lets put it into simple terms.

HAIR EXTENSIONS IS A LEVEL 3 MODULE IN HAIRDRESSING.

All these companies trading and offering training to individuals are just operating due to glitch in the law that at present says hairdresser dont need any qualifications to practice. This could change in the future and where would that leave you then ?? Without any insurance for a start not that it is really worth the paper it's written on at the minute.

Any hair extension training company ( habia accredited ot not ) worth it's salt will require a hairdressing qualification . Just like CND do for nails! If they say it's not required then i would steer clear.

I came to hairdressing and got my NVQ3 through my passion for hair extensions so i do know what i am talking about and i really love what i do. You cannot learn everything you need in 1 or 2 days !
Hairdressing ( which extensions is a vital part of not a separate stand alone profession as many think) learning does not end with certification ,i am still learning new tricks , methods and will continue throughout my career . It a huge commitment to be Great!

Oh and get this is if i asked a question and real hair pro on this forum knew more than me i would take their advice whether it was the answer i wanted or was a bit blunt!

You may not have liked some of the answers recieved but there is a reason we are so against 'hobby ' training because we end up correcting so many of the mistakes.

I and many of us qualified professionals feel very strong about this as it is our Industry we are protecting. I will not apologise for being passionate and having strong views.In actual fact i thank you as i now feel that it is MY responsibility to do something proactive about this terrible situation.

 

[flickandflutter]

I've said that I understand where you are coming from and you should do something about it if you feel that strongly about it like talk to the government or the people that accredit the courses. I also understand your passion for your industry as I feel exactly the same doing beauty.

After taking into consideration all the comments on the forum I have looked into a hairdressing course at college and will be going to an open day.

I know you said its an nvq 3 subject but i need to start at nvq 2 first to be able to do nvq 3.

 

[lucelasticx]

Thats why i said thanks ... i was being sincere and not sarcastic, it's about time something was done about this loop hole that leaves clients and extensionist with a bad taste in their mouth.

 

[flickandflutter]

fair enough x

 

[minky]

Hi all , this is only a rough guide to what questions were asked by some
but if you want better insight .... then go to the Habia website .....
on the links provided

Habia work very hard to provide and set out the very high standards for the hairdressing and beauty industry
They set the standards for the NVQ / SVQ courses at colleges of further education , they also have lots of Habia CPD courses for qualified hairdressers and beauty therapists to attend help you along with your continuing professional development points....

Habias hair extension CPD course is aimed at hairdressers who are already fully qualified or equal ... those wishing to add to their ongoing skills and will add to those yearly CPD points we all need these days

There are also Habia approved CPD courses for Trainers who wish to train others and who offer hairdressing /extension courses /beauty courses etc

The standards for Habia CPD approved Training centers are very high indeed and Trainers are all usually Level 3 NVQ Assesors and fully qualified NVQ Hairdressers / Therapists .... who keep up the Habia Trainer CPD.... they can then fully use the Habia CPD logo that you often see associated with the advertising.... Good centers will usually state when advertising that you need to be a level 2 or 3 qualified hairdresser or have equal experience to enable you to add hair extensions to your existing professional training

see added links ...

http://www.habia.org//uploads/styles/courses/Hair_Extensions.pdf

CPD - What are the benefits of being approved by Habia?

If it is an NVQ accredited Centre or FE College....fully trained Trainers and Assessors must be on site to assess the NVQ assessment papers for the candidates who are learing hairdressing beauty etc ....
at the end of the NVQ the candidate will gain an NVQ certificate after completing and passing all the required compulsory units.... and hair extensions are usually only offered after completing level 2 ...

http://www.habia.org//uploads/styles/courses/Hair_Extensions.pdf

Supporting Learning Providers - Standards - Hairdressing - Habia

Usually a Private Training centre will offer short courses in hair extension training .... and if you are already a hairdresser your insurance should automatically cover your extensions course .... but if you are not a fully qualified hairdresser you may find yourself on rather dodgy ground with your insurance company....

Private hair extensions courses and Habia CPD approved Trainers
who are Themselves fully qualified hairdressers and Trainers of the highest Calibre and who hold the high standards of the Habia CPD Training are fully entitled to use the Habia CPD logo which is fab ....
But .... sadly for the professional hair extension industry
there are just a few Training companys that take full unprofessional advantage of this loophole Glitch / grey area
and they allow unqualified hairdressers without any prior knowledge or without holding any NVQs or any APL to train as hair extensionists

These sort of trainers then go right ahead and Train completely unqualified people in hair extensions..... Now please tell me ..... how can someone totally unqualified gain CPD ?!!! when they were not professionals in the firsts place its absolute nonsense!

as Lucelastix says its a glitch..... a lucrative legal loophole that needs closing .
because its truly damaging the hair extension industry so much ....
so that the true professional image of hair extensions
is already badly tarnished .....

A lot of level 2 and 3 hair professionals who have trained very hard
for many years are so fed up and disgusted with it all .
we need iit to be regulated and stopped !!
the public need to be made aware !! .... and confidence needs to be re built ....

Please Habia !!!!! can you help the professional NVQ hair extensionsts to stay just that ? ..... keep it for proffessionals only and help close this unprofessional loophole ?

As its is now being overtaken by unqualified people with no NVQs charging NVQ prices !!! for hair extensions,
Whilst we have to stand by and watch our professional hair extension industry which we once prided ourselves upon and our training .... go right down the drain to non proffesionals with no NVQ standards or no APL of any kind ....
all this because of Trainers who are taking advantage of people and allowing this to happen right under all the professionals and professional awarding bodies noses :sad:

it is us that suffer in our livelihood and us that see the damage it is causing to clients heads scalps and hair !!
plus most Non pofessionals are using masses of coated waste hair from rubbish dumps ....
let me also say .... that it is harming the very best and most reputable hair merchants that have been working hard for us supplying the best hair for many years who have been constant and true to us profesionals and will only sell to a professional hairdressers / extensionist .... :sad:
there are just a handful left of these left .... and if they go out of business then so will the true professional hair extensionist who only uses the true professional hair merhcant .....

This post is not aimed at anyone presonally its just based on fact and what is happening to our hard earned hair extension profession !
and we want it stopped and regulated !....

 

[lusciouslox]

[FONT=&quot]Here here. The hair extension market has been killed due to poor control.
Its those that are qualified that struggle maintaining price and integrity because they must continuously prove their worth to justify their price.

The laws haven’t kept up with this issue and it’s a real shame that it’s not controlled better. the fact that anyone can practice hair extensions is scary.
If you consider that hair extension application can vary from expert to expert imagine from amateur to expert.
I often wonder why this issue hasn’t been addressed.
Is it because the education institutes don’t understand it?
Or is it because there are so many opinions?
I have a suspicious feeling that.
1. It too expensive to teach in public sectors
2. And they don’t understand the whole issue that’s out there and the importance
3. Hair extensions in the last 10 year have just arrived into commercial use
so educational institutes have not caught up.

You will find that any new method of hairdressing service such as hair straightening has not been incorporated into the hair dressing educational compliancy by law.
This is rather sad and leaves a big loophole.
The loop hole exposes a drop in quality,price,risk.

I’m currently working over here to help amend that here and got my foot in the door in 2 colleges in the hope that others follow.

Personally I’m hoping to see that hair extensions are only performed buy credited professionals of the highest form.

The highest form would have to the top systems intergraded to provide a broad knowledge on all methods based on the current demand.

Information i have provided is broad as I’m speaking from Australia and don’t understand the educational certifications anywhere else[/FONT]

Ultimatly poor education effects us all

Ok lets put it into simple terms.

HAIR EXTENSIONS IS A LEVEL 3 MODULE IN HAIRDRESSING.

All these companies trading and offering training to individuals are just operating due to glitch in the law that at present says hairdresser dont need any qualifications to practice. This could change in the future and where would that leave you then ?? Without any insurance for a start not that it is really worth the paper it's written on at the minute.

Any hair extension training company ( habia accredited ot not ) worth it's salt will require a hairdressing qualification . Just like CND do for nails! If they say it's not required then i would steer clear.

I came to hairdressing and got my NVQ3 through my passion for hair extensions so i do know what i am talking about and i really love what i do. You cannot learn everything you need in 1 or 2 days !
Hairdressing ( which extensions is a vital part of not a separate stand alone profession as many think) learning does not end with certification ,i am still learning new tricks , methods and will continue throughout my career . It a huge commitment to be Great!

Oh and get this is if i asked a question and real hair pro on this forum knew more than me i would take their advice whether it was the answer i wanted or was a bit blunt!

You may not have liked some of the answers recieved but there is a reason we are so against 'hobby ' training because we end up correcting so many of the mistakes.

I and many of us qualified professionals feel very strong about this as it is our Industry we are protecting. I will not apologise for being passionate and having strong views.In actual fact i thank you as i now feel that it is MY responsibility to do something proactive about this terrible situation.

 

[Fuzion]

Hi ladies, I've just read part of this thread, but would like to add I'm about to do the Balmain extension course on 28th of this month and can't wait. I've paid £320 in VAT at my local wholesalers in Chelmsford. What I've read on this thread so far has been great!

I've really looked into lots of courses but have gone for this one, as Balmain seems to be quite easly to buy, both my local wholesalers will order it in for me within a few days.

I will be doing this mobile.

Minky you seem to know all there is to know, do you know anything about the Brazillian Blow dry, looking to do this as well, but finding it hard finding any training, not that I think it needs much, as again have looked into it lots.

Cheers

 

[endless]

Hi,
How about gaining some experience in hairdressing first?
Its people like you, just doing courses then being let loose on the public, that give experienced hairdresser extensionists a bad name.leading all potential clients to start believing all horror stories, and myths like "hair extensions make you bald" therefore, its hard to charge the prices we could 8/9 years ago.
The only way to make a name for yourself in the extensions field,and to make any real money, is to really know your stuff, this comes with experience,i still come across new situations,still do new courses to keep up with new methods and trends
Would you be able to have the brass neck,and fit extensions to peoples hair only done a quick course?
Why not stick to nails,gain some hair experience,then do an extensions course?
Kate

 

[minky]

Hi ladies, I've just read part of this thread, but would like to add I'm about to do the Balmain extension course on 28th of this month and can't wait. I've paid £320 in VAT at my local wholesalers in Chelmsford. What I've read on this thread so far has been great!

I've really looked into lots of courses but have gone for this one, as Balmain seems to be quite easly to buy, both my local wholesalers will order it in for me within a few days.

I will be doing this mobile.

Minky you seem to know all there is to know, do you know anything about the Brazillian Blow dry, looking to do this as well, but finding it hard finding any training, not that I think it needs much, as again have looked into it lots.

Cheers

Hi fuzion , I probably know as much about hairdressing as you do.... as I see from your profile you have been hairdressing for over twenty years
so.... I gather you are pretty much well up on it all by now lol . :wink2:

You will really enjoy really your Balmain extension course I know I did ....

I think in our type of profession we have to keep an open mind as we never ever stop learning ..... :lol: lol I wish I did know all there is to know but .... I don't.... as there is always something new to learn in hairdressing .

Also if the Brazilian blow dry appeals to you .... then I would say definitely go for it ..... I think things have got to appeal to you first ..... then you will enjoy it and do well at it.

I know Kimmi and Persianista do the Keratin blow drys
and loads of others on here ..... may be able to point you in the right direction

I am sure you will have no problem mastering any short course with all your years of hairdressing experience ... so good luck and let us know how you get on x minky

 

[Siansy]

Hi ladies, I've just read part of this thread, but would like to add I'm about to do the Balmain extension course on 28th of this month and can't wait. I've paid £320 in VAT at my local wholesalers in Chelmsford. What I've read on this thread so far has been great!

I've really looked into lots of courses but have gone for this one, as Balmain seems to be quite easly to buy, both my local wholesalers will order it in for me within a few days.

I will be doing this mobile.

Hi hun.
Balmain is a great place to start with extensions training. Is that at Capital by any chance? Which balmain course are you completing. I have trained with balmain and use individual pre bonded ( though have issues with hair quality to price with these) and the double hair which is fantastic have had a client wearing colour 33 ( a copper red) for a year with 6 to 8 week reinstalls. I have also completed Cinderella s training , for the profile really. As still prefer balmains heat gun and the quick remover tool is great. Balmains bonds are a dream to remove as well. I was nervous to start when venturing into extensions, as being a freelancer and thinking maybe it was too expensive for my client base but wow has it taken off and i absoloutely love it. when transforming a client with length and fullness with a perfectly seemless colourblend and cut there is no better buzz! and when you see tears of happyness and get a big hug well there not many careers that would give you that. Enjoy x

Nearly forgot to metion the brazilian blowdry, I also now offer this as part of my portfolio thou only a few clients to start with, really pleased ( both clients and myself ) with the results , quite pricy to buy the treatment so id suggest having a few interested parties before purchaing. i have not completed a brazilian course as already offered the wella straight service and if you can chemical straighten then the brazlian shd be a doddle. i looked and couldnt find a course but the companies seem to have traing cd s and demos.

 

[kimi1101]

Hi, i use kerastraight in the salon. iv not got a huge experience with it but the best thing is to be realistic with yourself and clients about the expectations of the product. i have a mixed race girl coming for the treatment next week...she has been all over scotland talking to salons about it and chose me cos she thought i was the most realistic of them all. the only disappointing thing was that i couldnt order a sample, i had to order enough for six treatments. persianista uses la brasiliana. x
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[Siansy]

Hi, i use kerastraight in the salon. iv not got a huge experience with it but the best thing is to be realistic with yourself and clients about the expectations of the product. i have a mixed race girl coming for the treatment next week...she has been all over scotland talking to salons about it and chose me cos she thought i was the most realistic of them all. the only disappointing thing was that i couldnt order a sample, i had to order enough for six treatments. persianista uses la brasiliana. x
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La brasiliana Thats what I am using as well, great results so far but have a lot more variations of hair types to get through. It does says suffcient for 6 treatments but can depend drastically on hair thickness and length, finding that one a bit tricky to price up .

 

[Fuzion]

Hi,
How about gaining some experience in hairdressing first?
Its people like you, just doing courses then being let loose on the public, that give experienced hairdresser extensionists a bad name.leading all potential clients to start believing all horror stories, and myths like "hair extensions make you bald" therefore, its hard to charge the prices we could 8/9 years ago.
The only way to make a name for yourself in the extensions field,and to make any real money, is to really know your stuff, this comes with experience,i still come across new situations,still do new courses to keep up with new methods and trends
Would you be able to have the brass neck,and fit extensions to peoples hair only done a quick course?
Why not stick to nails,gain some hair experience,then do an extensions course?
Kate

If that message is aimed at me I suggest you do as Minky has done and look at my profile, I'll accept your apology when it comes!!

Minky, Siansy, Kimi and all you other lovely ladies, thank you very much for your invaluable advice. It's Salon Express Express where I'm doing the course, the colour and design. I was signed up to do it about 5 years ago but had to cancel due to falling pregnant with my son and my mum was diagnosed with cancer, so not really a good time, but now I feel the time is perfect!

Both my children will be at school, plus childcare I'll be able to focus. I'm actually ceasing trading with my present company name, and just finished rebranding, about to charge decent money,as I've always paid my stamp, taxes insurances, used the latest products, (they dread me popping into Salon express as always picking their brains!)

I've got a few friends that already have extensions and have been nagging me, so they'll be my guinea pigs, I've always been quite confident in what I do and when it's something i love I do generally pick it up, so here's hoping

As for the Brazillian, my hairdresser has been doing it for a while in the salon where I go, and it dawned on me whilst having my hair cut, that it is something I could do, and "yes" I've applied the wella straightening and also Schwarzkopz even befor GHDs were more than a star in the sky LOL!

Thank you, thank you ladies, you have all, (well almost all) inspired me even more, will keep you posted. x