Though my hair is quite long (kind of boob-length…) what it has in length it definitely doesn’t have in volume. My hair is poker straight. I mean poker. Like normal hair after half an hour with GHDs straight, except it’s natural. It’s also extremely fine. The straightness and the fineness combined aren’t really a recipe for volume, hence why I have always toyed with the idea of extensions. Not, as you may have gathered to get length (I have that one covered) but more to give my hair a bit of guts, volume and fullness to create the much longed-for looks I see in magazines… *sigh*
I’ve never really been keen on the idea of permanent hair extensions (the thought of sitting for four hours having things clamped/glued into my hair that I may realistically then decide I hate hasn’t previously appealed… though never say never!) I was intrigued upon the discovery of Flip-In Hair, a revolutionary brand of removable extensions. Made from 100% human hair, Flip-In Hair essentially comes on a thin nylon wire, which is placed over the head before your own hair is pulled out to cover it over. Sounds simple? That’s because it is.
The first thing that struck me when I first saw the stand (I found them at the National Wedding Show) was the sheer number of hair colours available – they have everything. From Pammie peroxide to the darkest black, vibrant dyed copper shades to toffee, chestnut and mahogany browns browns; ‘real’ shades and ‘fake’ shades, there is even a section dedicated purely to different combinations of blonde highlights, which must have included at least five different possibilities. I had my colour perfectly matched by one of their experts (no mean feat seeing as I dye my hair several times a year and haven’t seen my natural colour since I was 13…) before being shown how to fit my new hair. The ‘wire’ can be tightened to the size of your head before beginning and knotted so it will fit snugly. It is then placed over the head firmly, sitting behind the hairline and gently pushed down to fit over the ears. Your (real) hair is then gently pulled out using the tail comb provided – it literally takes a minute. I couldn’t believe the instant transformation – within seconds I had the lusciously thick locks I have always dreamed of.
I decided to trial my new hair for a few occasions and have to say overall I was impressed. It produced a massively impressive fishtail plait which wowed my colleagues; previously my hair was just too skinny to even think about attempting one. I have curled my hair on several occasions and – lo and behold – it actually holds the curl better than my real hair. Nor surprises there. One minor criticism I would have is it doesn’t feel hugely secure. I’ve avoided wearing it on big nights out where I know there’s the possibility of head-flinging club action; I can’t help feel it would have the potential to become dislodged, though that might just be a personal feature of public embarrassment. On the whole I love it. My new hair makes me feel like a mermaid/hippie/Upper East Side princess depending on my mood and it’s gained many a fan - not least from my father who tried in on and pretended he was Axl Rose…
For more information and stockists visit www.flipinhair.co.uk
Love Laurel x
