Get the hair of your dreams at a price you can't beat at Primp Salon

Get a new look in the new year. Photo: Hairdreams.com

There are two types of people in this world who have hair extensions: those who want them and those who need them. The first type might be a bit easier to understand at first; after all, who hasn’t seen a certain celebrity’s long, gorgeous hair and thought to themselves, “Man, I wish my hair looked like that.” However, the second type is a bit easier to relate to once you understand how someone could need hair extensions (other than Britney Spears back in 2007, of course). Think about it; have you ever had a haircut so bad you couldn’t wait for your hair to grow back? Imagine if you didn’t have to hide your hair for months under a baseball cap and instead could fix the problem in a matter of hours?

Whether you’re trying to fix a bad haircut, add some highlights to your hair without dyeing it or simply looking for a dramatic new look in the new year, hair extensions might just be what you’re looking for. Not just for celebrities anymore, hair extensions are for everyone. Just look around your office; there’s probably someone nearby with beautiful hair that, surprisingly, isn’t really theirs. Even someone with long, flowing hair may opt for hair extensions to thicken their natural locks, and truth be told, you might not even notice it if they don’t fess up--hair extensions can be that natural looking.

Of course, hair extensions are only natural looking if applied by the right stylist. In Las Vegas, one of the best places to go for a natural (or even a dramatic) look is Primp Salon at Palms Place. Located on the seventh floor just above Drift Spa & Hammam, the Michael Boychuck salon is home to some of the most talented stylists around, including Justus Kerr, the only artistic director in Las Vegas trained on the Laserbeamer method of applying hair extensions. And while it’s up to you on what kind of look you’re hoping to achieve with the extensions, when it comes to what type of hair extensions to trust, look no further than Hairdreams.

With Hairdreams, you can gently fulfill your dreams of long hair so long as you have at least 8 to 10 cm of your own hair to work with. Available in an assortment of colors, from natural browns and a wide range of blonde nuances to wild and fun colors like purple and pink, Hairdreams is guaranteed to have just the color you’re looking for, whether you want your extensions to blend in with your natural hair or stand out. Those interested in getting hair extensions will need to schedule a consultation appointment first to discuss exactly what they’re looking for. During this appointment, which will only last a few minutes, your stylist will match Hairdreams’ extension colors to your hair to figure out which color is the best match for you (for those who want a natural look). It is recommended that guests book their consultation visit at least a couple days before they want to come in for the service, as Primp may have to order the correct color if they don’t have it onsite. For those in a time crunch, the hair can be shipped overnight to Primp for an additional fee (which you’ll be paying for) so long as it is ordered by 3 p.m. the day before, but if you’re a local, it’s best you schedule your consultation visit in advance to save you some cash.

On the day you get your hair extensions, you’ll want to keep your schedule fairly open (depending on how many strands of hair your stylist is applying) so as not to rush your stylist during the procedure. If you’re getting close to a full head of hair extensions, the whole process can take a few hours to complete. There are two techniques to applying the extensions: the standard Hairdreams method, where each strand is attached individually by hand, and the Laserbeamer method (pictured below), where up to eight strands are simultaneously bonded with your own hair using a special device that’s approximately the size of a blow-dryer. The Laserbeamer method is especially suitable for effect strands while the standard method allows the extensions to be handled in a particularly precise way, perfect for those wanting a fuller head of hair. Regardless of how the strands are applied, though, one thing is for certain: your hair won’t be damaged at all during the process. The strands aren’t glued to your hair but rather applied with a special protein bond that, when warmed up, closes around your own hair close to the root. Since the bondings are so small, they’re barely noticeable--to you or anyone else around you. In fact, the only time you’ll ever really feel the extensions is the first time you stand up after they’re applied and notice the extra weight from all the strands of hair.

Once the extensions are applied and your stylist trims and styles them for a more natural look, the basic upkeep is about the same as your normal hair. You’ll wash them, condition them and even style them like your own hair. For added protection, it’s recommended you keep your hair in a braid or ponytail at night and sleep only on silk pillowcases whenever possible. You’ll also need a special brush, available at Primp for $30, to comb your hair with, as regular combs and brushes will catch on the bonds and pull the extensions out. Primp also carries various other products worth investing in to protect your extensions for as long as possible, including a serum ($18) you can massage into your hair after getting out of the shower to condition dry porous lengths and ends. If used regularly, this fluid can help prevent split ends because, just like your regular hair, the extensions are made from real human hair. This means even with your new gorgeous locks, you could still suffer from split ends or a bad hair day where your hair frizzes more than usual or gets tangled up. It is recommended that you sort through your Hairdreams hair with your fingers from the roots to the ends on a daily basis (especially whenever you get out of the shower) to keep your hair from matting.

Once a month it is also recommended that you return to the salon for a maintenance visit to check up on how your extensions are holding up. During this visit, your natural hair, which will naturally shed over time but will get stuck in the protein bonding, will be trimmed. If the length of your extensions is becoming too much to handle, this will also be the perfect time to get them trimmed to a more manageable length. During the time between the extension application and your first check-up visit, some of your extensions may fall out; depending on how many extensions were originally applied, it may not be noticeable. However, if it is, you can always choose to add more extensions to your hair. These routine check-ups are important, as they help to ensure a quick and easy removal of the extensions when the time comes.

Generally speaking, the staff at Primp says your extensions should last between two and three months. When it’s time for the extensions to be taken out (either because you’re ready for them to be removed or because so many have fallen out over time), the process is fairly simple. Your stylist will spray some of Hairdreams Removal Solution onto the bonds, which penetrates the bonding material so that it quickly softens. Then, the strands will simply slide off of your natural hair. Your own hair won’t be damaged at all by the Removal Solution, though you may want to book a quick cut to refresh your locks once the extensions come out. A deep conditioning treatment is also recommended, though not required.

Since no two hair extension procedures are the same, pricing can vary from $100 to $1,500 (or more) depending on how many strands you get. Your stylist can go over pricing with you during your consultation appointment. Guests are under no obligation during this appointment to purchase anything, however, if you do decide to set up an extension appointment, Primp will ask that you leave a retainer (approximately half the cost of the hair) when ordering your extensions. For those who don’t live in Las Vegas, you can always have your hair maintained and the extensions taken out at a salon by you. Simply click here to find out which salons in your area carry Hairdreams.

Primp Salon is open daily from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mention you found out about Hairdreams from the Las Vegas Spa Examiner Web page and receive your consultation visit for free. Additionally, readers who mention this story when booking their extension appointment will receive 20% off the cost of their hair and application fee; book your appointment with Justus directly and he’ll increase that offer to 25% off! And, for locals planning to have their hair maintained and their extensions eventually taken out at Primp, they can receive 50% off their maintenance and removal visits when mentioning this story (visits cost $100, so that’s a $50 value each visit!). Offers expire March 1, 2010. For more information, or to schedule your free consultation visit, call Primp Salon at 702-944-3219.

For more on Primp Salon, click here.