Clip In Hair Extensions

By Annaliese Levy

Winner of the Pro Extensions Article Contest

So there I was, staring at myself through the mirror. I didn’t recognize myself. I felt like a whole new person.

“I can’t believe you did this, Becky,” said my friend Andrea when I told her what I had done. “You’re like, a changed women.”

And I was. I was a completely new and improved Becky. Becky 2.0, if you must. Just this simple change had completely turned around my whole life. My attitude was different, my perspective on life was different and the best part- the way men looked at me was different.

This was it. This was the year I was going to get myself a boyfriend and hopefully a husband so I could finally start my life. My mom would be so pleased.

Wait till she sees me,” I thought to myself. “Maybe now she won’t treat me as “the ugly duckling” of the family. Maybe now she’ll be proud of me.”

I stepped out of my apartment complex and into the big, beautiful new world. I walked confidently down the street watching the admiring glances of the passersby.

“Yeah, take a long look. Because this Becky is here to stay,” I thought smugly.

I strolled into Starbucks and ordered the first thing I saw on the menu. Screw my normal, boring, everyday cappuccino. I was a changed woman with a changed drink…a Venti Java Chip Frappuccino with 16 shots of espresso, to be exact.

“Oh my Lord!” I said to myself after one sip.

“Well maybe not everything had to change,” I said as I threw my drink away and ordered my usual.

I walked into my office complex and soaked in all the stares.

“I guess everybody gets their 15 minutes of fame after all,” I joked to my coworker who was too busy awing at my new style.

I sat down at my desk and smiled to myself. This was by far the best purchase I had ever made.

I snuck a glance over at Josh, the tech guy at my office. I caught him staring at me and I whipped my head back fast, swooshing my hair in a romantic movie type way. This was the best day of my life.

Josh was, let’s see if I could explain… he was… quiet and hardworking and we barely spoke a word to each other, but the chemistry between us was more than Albert Einstein could ever imagine. And today, I could feel that chemistry growing. Today was going to be the day that he sauntered over to my cubicle and asked me out. Today was going to be the day that he realized I was the girl for him. I was his other half, his rock, his peanut butter to my jelly.

And it was all because of these gorgeous, luxurious, most amazing things ever created… my 20-inch Pro Extensions.

“Spill, now,” said my co-worker Carol as she walked over to my desk. 

“What?” I said smugly, knowing perfectly well what she was talking about.

Without waiting for a response, I started rambling on about my newfound purchase.

“Well, if you must know, I got hair extensions!” I squealed like a teenager.

“I was just searching the internet the other day and this website popped up, like it was meant to be! I didn’t think much of it when I clicked on the link, but the moment my eyes laid on the Pro Premier Remy 20 inch extensions, I knew I was in love. I had to get them! And guess what else? They had free overnight shipping! It was most definitely meant to be.”

“I have got to get myself a pair,” said Carol.

Soon, a whole crowd of my short-haired co-workers were huddled around my desk, asking questions, touching my hair and staring in jealously.

Everyone wanted my extensions.

“I was starting a trend. By next year, every person walking down the runway in New York will have these extensions!” I thought as I flipped my gorgeous locks.

About the Author

Hi! I’m Annaliese. I’m 15 years old and I love horseback riding, modeling, hanging out with friends, and writing. I’m on my school newspaper and I want to be an investigative journalist when I get older. I love animals and I’m obsessed with Justin Bieber. My dream is to meet him one day. I also love doing hair. My friends are constantly asking me to do their hair during class. I love it, but the teachers aren’t too fond of it, haha. And I can’t wait till I get my Pro Extensions!

Number of Votes the 7 Finalists Received

• Annaliese Levy- 7
• Karla Romero- 3
• Casandra Baez- 2
• Demar Barrett- 1
• Jaileen Rosario- 0
• Hillary Campfield- 0
• Hailey Inman-0

When Pro Extensions decided to host an article contest, we never dreamed we would receive so many entries. The response was more than we anticipated and greatly appreciated. Our final count indicated more than 30 people took the time to write creative, humorous, interesting and informative articles.

The entries we received were very diverse and represented a variety of topics. Because the contest was so open-ended, it was amazing to read all the different submissions and see what people were inspired to write about.

After the contest ended, seven finalists were chosen and their stories were given to a panel of 13 judges for voting. Each judge ranked the articles 1-7, with one being their first-place choice, 2 being their second-place choice, etc. The entrant who received the most first-place votes was declared the winner.

The seven finalists included Annaliese Levy, Karla Romero, Cassandra Baez, Demar Barrett, Jaileen Rosario, Hillary Campfield and Hailey Inman.

In the end, it was Annaliese Levy who won the contest and dominated the voting, receiving first-place scores from 7 of the 13 judges. She will receive a free set of Pro Extensions up to $99.99 in value.

Second place went to Karla Romero. She will receive a $75 gift certificate. The other five finalists will each receive a $50 gift certificate.

Jeff Smith, co-owner of Pro Extensions, said that Levy’s winning entry was very creative.

“The idea of writing a fictional story based on Pro Extensions was unique,” he said. “Her writing skills were very impressive and her story was engaging and humorous.”

Antoinette, a customer service representative for Pro Extensions, also thought Levy’s story was creative.

“I loved hearing the story about a modern day ugly duckling who was transformed by the Pro Extension hair,” Antoinette said. “It is great to see how the extensions can bring out such a creative story.”

Other contest judges also felt compelled to give their thoughts and opinions on the finalist’s submissions.

Katie, a Pro Extensions customer service representative, connected with Karla Romero’s article.

“Having curly hair myself really made me appreciate her entry,” Katie said. “I also went through a period of time where I was constantly straightening and damaging my hair. Like Karla, I had to learn to embrace my natural curls and not care what others thought.”

Emmie, a customer service representative for Pro Extensions, related to Hailey Inman’s article.

“This is a product I swear by as well,” Emmie said of the Macadamia and Moroccan oils. “She did a good job describing the product. It helps with split ends and it makes your hair shiny, but it’s light enough that it doesn’t weigh your hair down.”

Antoinette also found Jaileen Rosario’s article about dying red informative.

“If you were buying boxed dye, this is very great knowledge to have,” Anotinette said. “Red dye does in fact fade quickly, so her information should help others when making the decision to go red-no matter which shade.”

Antoinette also said she enjoyed Hillary Campfield’s submission, which included a tutorial with pictures.

“I enjoyed the tutorial about creating your own wedding style without using a stylist from a salon,” Antoinette said. “Her hair looks lovely. It always amazes me what Pro Extensions can help do by adding a little more length.”

Phil, a graphic designer for Pro Extensions, thought Casandra Baez’s article about Alopecia Areata was educational.

“I thought that it brought light to something people weren’t aware of,” he said.

Similarly, Mark, direction of Pro Extension’s office operations, also enjoyed Baez’s article.

“I felt good about company being able to provide products and services to someone who needed them,” Mark said.

Marie, a Pro Extensions customer service representative, enjoyed Demar Barrett’s submission.

“He raved about our product,” Marie said. “He gave you the pros and cons and tips on how to handle our hair. I enjoyed the humor he put into the article.”

All non-winning entrants received a $25 Pro Extensions gift certificate. Pro Extensions would again like to thank everyone who submitted an article and participated in our contest. We appreciate the time and effort you took to send us your stories!

Be sure to check out Annaliese’s winning entry on our contest page.

Spring is known as a time of renewal. Flowers and trees bloom and everything starts to turn green again. Spring is a time when many clean out their homes, purge unwanted items and scrub away the dust and grime of winter. Others, however, view spring as a time for personal appearance changes in whether it is hair, clothes, makeup, etc.

According to Style Blazer, there are several trendy hair do’s that can revitalize your appearance just in time for the new season.

For example, cropped hair and side swept bangs can be a versatile and fun look. The playfulness of the cut can be great for everyday wear, but can also be styled and accessorized for a fun evening out.

Additionally, long hair with wavy layers can actually help give the allusion of slimmer cheeks, Style Blazer said. And if you want to take the ultimate plunge and completely start fresh, chopping off your locks to create a short, spiky look can be a refreshing change of pace.

Elle Magazine suggested that ponytails with middle parts, textured waves, French twists and hair with minimal volume will also be popular this spring.

When it comes to makeup and other beauty products, Elle determined that red lips, Smokey brown eye shadow and winged eyeliner is destined to be a sensation.

Similarly, matching lip and nail colors seem to be poplar.

Sources

http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Hair/Best-In-Show-Spring-2012#mode=base;slide=0;

http://styleblazer.com/36160/styleblazer-beauty-four-haute-haircuts-to-consider-for-spring-cropped-curly-or-long-layered/

 About the Author

Katie Clontz is a staff writer and customer service representative for Pro Extensions. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and has previously worked for publications such as The Courier-Times, The Knightstown Banner and Angie’s List.

It seems that fun-colored highlights, or oddly tinted hair, have become popular trends.

Take, for example, Kelly Osbourne’s gray/lavender hair. It’s been the topic of many red carpet reports, and thousands of people have wondered what possessed her to dye her hair such an unnatural, seemingly “old lady” color.

When interviewed on the television show “The Talk,” Osbourne explained her reasoning for the drastic change.

“Because it’s something I’ve wanted to do my whole life,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be young and have gray hair. I know that’s crazy, but I don’t exactly come from the most normal family. I don’t get why anyone expects anything different from me.”

Other celebrities rocking fun hair colors include Avril Lavigne’s multi-colored highlights, Ellie Goulding’s pink wash and Rihanna’s all-over, reddish-orange look.

Other non-famous people, however, may also want to experiment with an unusual hair colors or highlights.

One common way to achieve a temporary color comes in the fun form of Kool-Aid!

According to www.food.com, you can actually create a hair mixture using packets of the flavorful drink to tint your hair. While the results typically work better and last longer for those with lighter hair, people with darker hair may get a slighter variation of the intended color.

Food.com’s recipe for Kool-Aid hair can be found at http://bit.ly/k9CeAi.

Recently, one Pro Extension customer decided to dye her clip-in hair extensions pastel colors. More specifically, she dyed them pale pink and lavender. You can check out her review at http://bit.ly/H3rMVQ.

If you are hesitant to dye your natural hair, however, Pro Extensions offers a great line of clip-in highlight streak packs in a variety of colors and patterns. Check out what’s available at http://bit.ly/ppKFvr.

Sources

http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/02/kelly-osbourne-explains-her-gray-hair-on-the-talk.html

http://www.food.com/recipe/very-cool-koolaid-hair-dye-86048

http://beauty.about.com/od/haircolo1/ss/Colors-For-Hair-20-Amazing-Bright-Colors-For-Hair_3.htm

About the Author

Katie Clontz is a staff writer and customer service representative for Pro Extensions. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and has previously worked for publications such as The Courier-Times, The Knightstown Banner and Angie’s List.

As winter ends, many women find their heads and hair recovering from dry scalps, frizzy ends and brittle tips.

Static cling can also be a major issue this time of year. Below are some tips to help combat season changes that can create unmanageable hair.

According to Gina Leonard, a Paul Mitchell stylist who writes Get Ginafied, the lack of moisture in winter air is to blame to static hair. 

In the winter time especially, Gina said it is import to avoid washing your hair every day because doing so can take away natural oils and make your hair even drier and more prone to static.

One simple solution Gina offers to get rid of hair static is to rub a dryer sheet all over your head. Doing this will help eliminate unwanted static and leave your hair smelling laundry fresh!

When it comes to getting you hair to lie flat, or to also help eliminate static cling, Pro Extensions fan Railey E. recommends leave-in conditioning sprays or lotions.

“Take some baby lotion, or any scented lotion and put a small amount in your hands,” said Railey. “Rub it through your hair, starting at the bottom and then kind of working your way to the top.”

Candace M., a Pro Extensions customer, suggests using a heat protectant spray to not only protect your hair from blow drying, curling and straightening, but to help avoid frizz. In fact, Candace said her favorite spray is from TRESemme’s line of hair care products.

“It protects my hair from turning into a frizzy, tangled mess by the end of the week,” Candace said.

 Sources

http://getginafied.bangordailynews.com/2012/02/03/stop-static/

http://womenshair.about.com/od/products/tp/winterhairproducts.htm

Katie Clontz is a staff writer and customer service representative for Pro Extensions. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and has previously worked for publications such as The Courier-Times, The Knightstown Banner and Angie’s List.

If you’re like most women, you have at least one hair horror story to share. Whether it was a haircut gone wrong or a major color blunder, we’ve all been there. To help prevent repeat experiences, we’ve compiled some helpful tips submitted by our customers and sprinkled in some of our own advice.

When it comes to new haircuts or color choices, don’t get in a hurry to chop or dye your locks into the latest craze. Not all haircuts look great on everyone, and not everyone is prepared to keep up with the maintenance some cuts or colors may require. For example, if you have naturally dark brown or black hair, going platinum blonde would require frequent root touch-ups. If you have a busy lifestyle with school, work, kids or other commitments, you may find it difficult to get to a salon frequently.

Do some research before overhauling your hairstyle. Ask your stylist if the cut you want would look good with your face shape, current hair color, lifestyle needs, etc. And if you are dead set on getting a new cut, be sure to explain to the stylist exactly what you want. Having pictures of your ideal cut can also help the stylist create the look you want, not a look you will be crying over for days.

Once you do decide to cut or color your hair, Pro Extensions always recommends going to a professional.

One Pro Extensions fan, Nicole S., learned the consequences of at-home coloring the hard way.

“I used to have long, beautiful, dark auburn hair,” Nicole said. “I bleached all the color from my hair and then I spent the next seven months coloring, bleaching, coloring and bleaching.”

Because of her excessive dye jobs, Nicole’s hair took a turn for the worse.

“My hair went limp, it went soggy when I washed it and it took on this strange, almost sponge-like consistency that was horrifying and embarrassing,” Nicole said. “I couldn’t comb my hair without enormous clumps coming out…It was and still is the single worst experience I have ever had in my life.”

Doing your own haircut or color at home to save money may not be the greatest idea either. One Pro Extensions customer, Scarlett P., learned this lesson after she decided to let a friend dye her hair just before a family reunion and pictures.

“She managed to turn my hair clown red with bleached hot spots that looked like thumb prints all over my head,” Scarlett said. “My hair looked like Strawberry Shortcake’s for the family reunion.”

Selecting a qualified hairstylist is also important. The person cutting your hair should be experienced and preferably licensed. Samantha C., a Pro Extensions customer, found this out after she let her mom’s friend, who used to own a hair salon, give her a new cut.

Samantha said the wording she used to tell the stylist what kind of cut she wanted was her first mistake.

“Shorter on top and longer underneath,” Samantha had said.

Unfortunately these words lead to a mullet.

“I looked like a boy,” Samantha said. “The woman had given me a mullet. I had short, feathered hair on top and this long layer that hung down past my shoulders in the back.”

So if you are thinking about changing your hair’s appearance, give it some serious thought and consideration. Research your options and pick a qualified professional to do the job.

And don’t worry. If you end up with a bad cut or color, there’s always Pro Extensions!

Katie Clontz is a staff writer and customer service representative for Pro Extensions. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and has previously worked for publications such as The Courier-Times, The Knightstown Banner and Angie’s List.

Whether you are single or attached, staying in or going out, Valentine’s Day is a great time to try a new hairstyle.

A recent Cosmopolitan article stated men prefer women to have natural looking hair. Examples of this would include hair that is straight, sleek or shiny. Additionally, some men like girls with short hair, such as pixie cuts, as it makes them seem more confident.

But if you aren’t looking to chop your locks, consider trying a new style for V-Day. Cosmopolitan suggests easy-to-do looks like a messy updo, or a simple side ponytail.

Other fun ideas, according to Divavillage.com, are soft, bouncy curls that can be made with old-fashioned hot rollers. Fun accessories, such as off-beat ribbons, bows or clips, can help make any style sparkle.

For an added touch of fun, try Pro Extension clip-in human hair highlight streak packs. Most packets come with 6 (1.5) inch clips containing 18 inches of hair. Festive Valentine’s Day colors such as pink or red are available! And best of all, these highlights are 100% human hair!

Once your hair is done, makeup should be another consideration whether you are going out to dinner with someone new, or celebrating the occasion with a long-time love. According to ivillage.com, three basic Valentine’s Day looks include soft and romantic, vivid and sexy or lovely and smoldering.

If you are going for soft and romantic, keep the makeup simple and light, with mute colors. Ivillage.com suggests purchasing a nice, pink lip gloss with a brown undertown.

For those who prefer vivid and sexy, consider applying false eyelashes, paired with a glittery eye shadow. Top off your look with a bright lipstick such as red or plum.

To look lovely and smoldering, try using a Smokey eye shadow with jewel-toned lip color.

Sources

http://www.ivillage.com/valentines-day-makeup-looks-ivillage-beauty-beauty/5-a-146865

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/hairstyles-beauty/hair-care/hairstyles-men-love

http://www.divavillage.com/article/id/35746

What do celebrities like Jessica Biel, Ashlee Simpson and Drew Barrymore and have in common?

The answer- Ombre hair! For those who don’t have a clue what we are talking about, it means hair that has exaggerated, dark roots that gradually fade to lighter, more highlighted ends. According to About.com, Ombre is French for “shaded,” or “shading.”

Many hairstylists recommend this trendy look for those who are looking for a low-maintenance style. After all, you won’t have to touch up your roots as frequently because the top part of the hair is supposed to be darker than the rest.

Ombre hair can be done in many shades and colors. Ashlee Simpson, for instance, sported the look with jet black roots with the color eventually fading to a medium brown. Cameraon Diaz took the opposite approach with dark, golden blonde roots and a more vibrant blonde at the tips.

With this look, you either love it or leave it. Those who love it tend to favor the low-maintenance, no fuss vibe it has to offer, as well as the fact that the look is easy to achieve for all hair colors.

Those who hate it see the look as sloppy and unpolished, like you didn’t have time to dye your roots or let your highlights grow out for too long.

If you are thinking about trying the Ombre look, Hellobeautiful.com offers a few helpful tips before taking the plunge. For starters, think about your profession and confidence levels. The bold look may draw attention, so if you prefer to stay out of the limelight, this look may not be for you.

Secondly, pick tones that work well with your complexion and wardrobe, keeping colors season-appropriate. Lastly, if you have previously colored hair, it might be a good idea to ask a stylist to do create the look to eliminate the possibility of a bad outcome.

What do you think about Ombre hair? Love it or leave it?

Sources

http://hellobeautiful.com/style-beauty/hellobeautifulstaff2/ombre-hair-trend-dye-celebrity-pics-how-to-what-to-consider/

http://beautysupply.about.com/od/highlighting/g/What-Is-Ombre-Hair-Color.htm

By Katie Clontz

A new year has dawned and with it comes a plethora of fresh hair fashions. And whether your hair is long or short, there is a style for all hair lengths.

For those with long hair, fashionsing.com recommends homemade curls. Creating a 50s style vibe, homemade curls are an easy look to achieve. Simply part damp hair to one side and secure with a bobby pin. Tuck the other side of the hair behind your ear. Next, section the back of your hair and begin using a curling iron to create lose curls. Once all the hair has been curled, DO NOT brush it or finger comb. Instead, spray with hairspray and the look is complete!

According to Harper’s Bazaar, glistening hair is a new spring trend. Many looks within this fashion include hair that appears wet or damp at the roots. Slicked-back hair is also popular with ponytails. Messy knots that appear wet and dripping are also in style. On days when you don’t have time to wash your hair, this look can be a lifesaver!

Fringe bangs are also a popular new trend for those with short hair, according to fashionsing.com. Fringe bangs look best with bobs or pixie crops. However, if the thought of cutting bangs is a little unsettling, www.proextensions.com offers a line of clip-in Pro Fringe bangs that could be a great alternative!

British Vogue also reported that braids worn wrapped around the head, or tied with bits of leather, were also highly fashionable. This look could easily be achieved by those who have medium to long hair.

Sources

http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b–2012-hairstyles-2012-haircuts-2012-hair-trends-4338.html

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair-articles/spring-2012-hair-trends

http://www.vogue.co.uk/galleries/3435#

Katie Clontz is a staff writer and customer service representative for Pro Extensions. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and has previously worked for publications such as The Courier-Times, The Knightstown Banner and Angie’s List.

Celebrity Inspired Hairstyles
By Katie Clontz

With a team of hairstylists constantly ready and waiting, celebrities can change their hairstyles as easily and often as they want.

But for regular, everyday girls, taking the plunge from blonde to brunette or chopping off long locks can be scary and expensive.

For those looking for a change but are uncertain about what to do, www.beautyriot.com/hairstyles is a great place to start. Packed with tons of celebrity-inspired hairstyles, you can select your hair length, color and face shape and get instant recommendations!

For example, Kirsten Dunst has been known to rock a medium-length haircut with beachy waves. If you have fine hair and need extra volume to achieve this look, a Pro Extensions body wave (http://bit.ly/poRL3N) could be the answer. Made from 100% human hair, the clip-in extensions are a perfect way to instantly add volume and luscious waves to any head of hair.

If you are thinking about bangs, short, blunt-cut hair is very popular. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Ashley Simpson have all sported the ultra-trendy style in recent months. But if you haven’t had bangs since you were in middle school and teased them with a rolling brush, the thought of bangs can be really scary. However, Pro Extensions clip-in fringe bangs (http://bit.ly/uFQVH1) can be a great solution. Designed to wear bluntly or side swept, these amazing bangs let you experiment with new styles without cutting your own hair.

And if highlights sound appealing, check out celeb-inspired dos like Sarah Jessica Parker or Khloe Kardashian. For those who are more adventurous, colored streaks such as pink, purple, red or blue could be fun. To help achieve similar highlighted looks, Pro Extensions offers a variety of highlight streak packs in colors such as platinum blonde, black, red, pink, purple, leopard, etc.

Source

http://www.beautyriot.com/hairstyles

Katie Clontz is a customer service representative and staff writer for Pro Extensions. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ball State University and has worked at publications such as Angie’s List, the Knightstown Banner and The Courier-Times.