So here’s something I never thought I’d do. Aren’t hair extensions for blonde bombshells and the Kardashians?! Also: Do I really want someone else’s hair (albeit a gorgeous indian woman’s) glued to my own? But Mi Shaun Schmidt-Schwab of The Beauty Room in Minneapolis can be very convincing. According to my colorist (erm, extensionist?) ever girl deserves a few “key pieces.” Just a little something-something to add subtle va-va-va-volume, in my case. Despite having lots of long, fine hair, it never looks very full around my face:
{before}
So Mi Shaun ordered me some Great Lengths. They’re the best—shiny, healthy and human. They also use the most effective, professional application process. Great Lengths are attached in very small clumps of hair with keratin, which is heated using a special iron to affix the extension to your own strands. Because hair already contains keratin protein, it melds flawlessly—unlike those bulky tabs and spaghetti-like extensions that you’ve probably seen peeking out from some poor thing’s head. The result is completely natural-looking, if I do say so myself:
{after}
Hmmm? Yeah, and that’s only about 8–10 extensions on each side of my head (the Kardashians have hundreds, maybe thousands, according to Mi Shaun). It took me a few days to get used to feeling the tiny nubs when I sleep, and working around them when I blowout my hair, but have otherwise forgotten that they’re even there. Except when I admire my thicker, fuller hair. BTW–they’re completely invisible to the naked eye, even when I pull my hair back into a ponytail. The cost for key pieces or “filler” is $200–375. The good news is they last five months and don’t require any maintenance except a daily brushing!
Now I’m curious. Do any of you want extensions or already have them? Are you addicted to them?
Filed Under: great lengths, hair extensions, mi shaun schmidt-schwab, the beauty room minneapolis, volumizing hair treatments
Hello lovelies! I'm Elizabeth Dehn, a beauty writer + lifestyle editor who's equally fanatical about lip gloss as juice cleansing. I live in Minneapolis with Mr. Bets and our white lab, Molly Thomas . . . 
they look great! i had no idea you could just get key pieces done.. something to consider! thanks!
I got extensions from a local (and reputable) Minneapolis Salon back in April before my wedding. I got married in the Caribbean, so I wanted my hair to not shrink up too much. I got about 60 put in. While they looked amazing, mine only stayed in for about 6 weeks. And there WAS maintenance. I had to blow dry my hair each time it got wet- including even just sweating from working out. I was never a blow dry my hair every time I wash it- especially in the summer- type girl. I also had to sleep with my hair in a loose bun, which was no big deal. The salon (which I’ve been going to for two years for cuts and color and I love) contacted the company that made the extensions (Baliman, not great lengths, the salon used to use great lengths but tried Baliman and liked them better) and they offered to give me more for free. So I gave it another shot. The first 3 weeks were fine, then suddenly 20 fell out in one day and it was all downhill from there. I’m getting the remaining 5 (of about 70) taken out tomorrow after only 7 weeks. I hope you have better luck, but mine did not work out, although I loved the way they looked.
I’ve heard they wreck your hair – is that a complete myth?
@Aileen I wouldn’t be surprised. Which is why I’m only willing to try a few! But I will ask a few experts and get back to you :)
I had great lengths done for my son’s Bar Mitzvah last year. I had a full head done because I wanted length and thickness. I LOVED the way it came out and I got compliment after compliment. I had them put in at the beginning of September and they lasted until the beginning of December with very little maintenance except for having to blow dry all the time. The only issue I had was when I finally took them out, my hair was quite thin at the bottom and I had to cut it shorter than I wanted to so it could grow in fuller.
There are some things that make them come out, like brushes with the little balls on the end of the bristles as those tend to yank even the most well glued extension, but other than that, I can’t see any reason for them to come out after 6 weeks.
Hi Bets – any updates to report on your satisfaction with your extensions/Great Lengths?
Well, I’m kind of in love with them now . . . My hair just looks so long! But I have lost a few. Need to go easier with the brush :)
I have a love hate relationship with extensions. I tried the glued ones when I was young and I did not like them at all. About a year I took another stab at it and tried the clip in ones. I LOVE them… I’m ready to but a new set because I’ve cut, colored, and curled them too much. I can put them in when ever I want (took a couple tries to get the placement down), I don’t have to sleep in them, and they just look so much better. I must say they are more maintenance but I can imagine if my real hair was that long it would be more maintenance as well.
Your best bet is to go to a salon that sells clip or lock extensions, they’ll usually show you how to part your hair and put them in.
@Jacquelyn – Tell me more! What kind of clip-in extensions do you use and where did you buy them?