Outre Duvessa Remi Venice Wave - A Review

Even before I actually had a pack of Duvessa Remi hair in my hands I read about it and saw video reviews of the hair. So when Glam Xpress owner Elizabeth John called me in to have the product reviewed  in this space I was really excited, given the You Tube hype. 

Duvessa is a product of Outre, a hair extension manufacturing brand that I have long associated with quality hair ever since I bought my first hair extension - an Outre Wet and Wavy - at 16 years old. 

I got the Duvessa Venice Wave in the colour of 1/30 which was a good blend for my 4/30 hair. Don't let the model's hair on the pack fool you, the waves are more relaxed  than what is shown on the package - thankfully. I chose to do a sew-in myself rather than make clip ins since I was using the hair for the first time. 

On the YouTube videos that featured Duvessa, the ladies who did tutorials and reviews wore two packs of the hair. I was concerned that one pack of hair would not be sufficient but then I remembered that hair extension rule of thumb -  the shorter the hair extension the more you get width. The women in the videos, by the way, wore 18 plus inches.

My braid pattern for my sew in was all back (think Leroy from Fame) with just my bang left out. I chose that braid pattern because it gives a flatter look ie minus the lumps and bumps. I was pleasantly surprised that (a) there was still a lot of hair left back when I got to the middle of my head) and (b) the volume of the hair. Now I am a known weave wearer but I HATE when my hair weave is too full - to each her own I guess.

The length of Duvessa was good for me and it was soft to the touch with some shedding. I should just add here that shedding is inevitable with all human hair- some just shed a little more than others. I strongly recommend finger combing this hair rather than using a comb or a brush to cut down on the shedding.

Since she is human hair, Duvessa can also be flat ironed - but I am loving these waves too much to go that way right now. 

Straight out of the pack Duvessa's waves are bundled together, nothing that some good finger combing can't fix. If you're thinking of buying the hair make sure that you blend it well with your own hair. My hair is not naturally wavy that's why I left out only a small amount of my own hair to achieve a seamless look.

If big hair is more your style, by all means buy yourself two packs.

For my Trinidadian fans, Duvessa retails at Glam Xpress , Shop #18 , Francis Plaza, Main Street, Chaguanas. You can also  find them on Facebook. 

Photo shows me wearing my Duvessa Remi Venice Wave from Glam Xpress. 

Hollywood 10 minute sew-in

I wear a lot of my home-made clip-in hair extensions now but long before I started doing my own hair I used to sit for hours at the salon  getting my sew- in done. I would never forget the lengthy routine - the washing of the weave hair, then the washing of my hair and the drying of both. The too-tight cornrows and then the  needle-pulling-thread action to attach the hair extension  meant at least three hours - four if you count cutting , layering and styling and a week of non-stop head tension.
It's for this reason a lot of women choose to glue or clip in extensions rather than get a sew-in done. I continue to be amazed by the creative ways manufacturers are catering to the needs of hair extension wearers. A good example of such is the  Hollywood 10  minute sew-in.
Designed initially for Hollywood celebrities, the 10-minute sew-in  has the look of a  sew-in with the convenience and coverage of a wig. Since the unit does not involve tracks,  it can be washed once it is installed in the hair and wearers would have more access to their own hair.
Much like an ordinary sew-in, the 10 minute sew-in requires wearers to braid their own hair before the unit is attached.  Wefts on this unit are at the front, the top, sides and at back. Your own hair can be left out at the top and blended with the hair extension.
Although it is said that the extensions take 10 minutes to put on, users have said it takes more like 30 minutes. Still, a track by track sew-in takes a lot more time. The unit comes in Malaysian Virgin hair in straight, curly and wavy which are sold by the oz. For the wearer the use of the high end hair  means that it  can be reused.

Soon enough the unit will be available using Malaysian Remy hair. Units featuring non-Malaysian Remy hair will soon hit the market to  make the 10 minute sew-in more accessible to hair-extension wearing women.

Celebs Elise Neal and Sherri Shepherd launch hair extension lines

I am really encouraged by the debut of hair extension lines by actresses Elise Neal and Sherri Shepherd. The Newlywed Game hostess ,Shepherd  became the face of Luxhair Now for Aderans Hair Goods in July. The collection features synthetic wigs and hair extensions.
Shepherd has always celebrated hair extensions and has reportedly worn wigs since she was a girl. Her twelve piece collection will retail for $69 to $99 US and come in eighteen different colours.
 Next month Neal will debut Hollywood Belle, a line of extensions by California Lace Wigs and Weaves. The collection will tie into Neal's sitcom titled Belles.
Neal, who has been wearing extensions for the last 15 years, said she always wanted to do a line of weave hair products  because she is well aware that women always want to switch up their looks.
Neal's Hollywood Belle will be made up of 100 % unprocessed virgin Malysian hair. The Ombre graduation style will be the first release from the brand and will sell from $185 US to $225 US.
Neal told Essence Magazine that hair should be an extension of a mood and a feeling. "I don't think hair represents who you are, but you can use it as an accent."
Neal joins a long list of female celebrities who have hair extension lines out including Vivica Fox, Beverly Johnson, Lisa Raye and Angela Simmons.

Here's a look at some of the hair extensions Elise Neal has worn over the years.

Beyonce's awful wig - buyer beware

You thought that you were the only one who was sold tacky hair extensions that you were led to believe were of  premium quality?   Or maybe it was a really bad synthetic hair extension.   Well, it  happens to the best of us, even singer and sometimes-actress , Beyonce -- known for her expensive and realistic looking lace wigs. B certainly struck out with this frizzy, over-brushed  mess she was photographed wearing. Even the part on the wig is not believable and  it looks too white to represent her scalp. The curl pattern on the wig can only be seen at the front but not so at the back. Hopefully this was one of B's earlier wigs . It just goes to show that , as a hair-extension wearer, you would  be sold lemons -- those awful , cheap looking hair -- in your search for premium ,quality hair - just ask Mrs Jay Z!

Braid extensions "star" at Braid Lounge

Long before women started wearing lace front wigs, there were wearing braid extensions.  Getting braid extensions done is a  time consuming process - especially if you opt for micro braids. But  the end justifies the nine or ten hours to get it done.
I really got nostalgic about braid extensions when I came across the amazing work done by The Braid Lounge out of Virginia USA. I was so impressed by the neat work of the braidists that I decided to feature them here.

Just four years old, The Braid Lounge also does weaves, locs and loc maintainence.  The salon also supplies hair to customers for an additional cost. A Braid Lounge representative told me that box braids --  as seen recently on singer Beyonce --  and  the Senegalese twists are extremely popular among the customers at the Braid Lounge.
Given the popularity of full lace and lace front wigs its a wonder that braids are still in such demand.
"Women are still drawn to braids because they are low maintenance and last long, some styles last up to as much as three months," the representative told me.
With braid extensions there are many protective braid styles to choose from including micros, kinky twists and of course the Senegalese twists and Tree Braids. Women who work out a lot or like to swim,  find the braid extensions convenient.
Here are my favourite braid styles from the Braid Lounge - Tree Braids, Micros, Box Braids and Sengalese Twists. If you're in their area do check them out. They are located at 1220 Baker Road Ste. 102, Virginia Beach. Contact them at 1 (757) 965 4232.

Model Model Invisible Part 3/4 wig

An invisible part in a weave,  when done poorly,  is the ugliest thing you'd ever see. I have watched over 20 invisible part * tutorials on You Tube  in the last few weeks. Of them all only two wearers got the look right. That's why I was so thrilled to see Model Model's Invisible Part 3/4 Synthetic Wig.
The wig looks like any other on the market but it differs at the top with a deep invisible parting that allows us to wear some of their hair out, much like a half wig.
These wigs come with adjustable straps , two clips at the back and two clips at the parting.

The parting width is flexible and wig can be worn with or without a bang. If you're going to try the Invisible Part Wig, you have to really ensure that it matches the colour and texture of your hair, or else it would be obvious to those around you are wearing a hair piece.  I love that the wig, like a weave, allows us to blend our hair in without a sew in or stick in . I also love that it is simple to do and  quick. Talk about time saving hair!  I'd definitely try it.
Leave me a comment or two if you have already tried the wig or you are about to. Here's a video about the wig for your viewing pleasure. : )
 *The invisible part is achieved by sticking one inch pieces of weave, one behind the other, along one's natural hair part.

Braided Lace Front Wigs take hassle out of plaiting Herringbone braid

The popularity of French and Herringbone braids has reached to  lace front wigs!  Brands like Model Model, Beshe Futura, and Freetress have all put out synthetic braided  lace front wigs in straight and wavy hair types.

The Herringbone or Fishtail braid is a variation of the French braid. Unlike the French braid, the Herringbone is parted into two rather than three. It looks best swept to one side, in the middle of the head and casually in loose tussled hair.

I have tried the French braid and Herringbone in my own real hair but could never get the thickness offered in these wigs. The front of the wig features tendrils and baby hair for a realistic look.

When you get tired of wearing your lace front in a braid, you could wear it loose - just as you would your own hair.

The wigs fetch from $30 US and up, depending on the brand of hair you're buying. As I always advise you, ensure that the colour hair you choose matches your skin tone for a more believable look

http://www.lhboutique.com sells Model Model and Beshe Futura braid lace front wigs so check out the website.  

Brazilian Remy Clip ins - a review

Another post in six days...you guys are getting quite lucky. But seriously I had to do a post today to share a about my experience with the Beautiful Brazilian Remy Hair clip ins that I got to review yesterday If you're thinking of investing in a pack, you should find this review useful. Your feedback, questions , of course, are always welcomed.

Length - 18 inches, I was offered the 22 inches but I wasn't yet ready for that length
Colour - A number 2 that looks like number 4. It happens sometimes depending on the brand of hair that you're buying. That's why it is important for you to match the hair with yours rather than just buying based on the colour you're accustomed to.
Texture - bone straight.
Clip in pieces - 7
Pros - Hair feels awesome. I washed it before I put it on and got no tangles.  
          Clips are comfortable and easy on the scalp,

         Blended in perfectly with my natural hair colour.
Cons - Too little body in hair wefts
           Wefts too short

 When I first saw the hair in the pack I immediately knew that it wasn't enough to give me a full-body look - even though the wefts were doubled. When I started clipping the pieces in, my fears were confirmed.
Another thing I noticed was that were not enough long wefts pieces in the pack - only one piece had four clips, two had two clips, another two had two clips and there were  two once inch pieces- certainly doesn't make for a full head of hair. Still I have my ways to work things out. My own hair is neck length at the back and shorter at the front so I was also looking for body, and not just length, with this hair.
On my first attempt to install the clip ins , the back of my head had the body while the front had none. On my second attempt it was in reverse.
Finally I parted my hair horizontally just above my ears and I started my first row. Usually when I wear clip in pieces I start them at just above my neck.   I worked my way up to the top of my head until I was finally comfortable with the look in the mirror. The end result was pretty good , given the small amount of hair, at least from the front view. The back, however,was scant.
If you're going to invest in this hair I think two packs would give you a better look then one  If you can't afford two packs right away, cut the clip ins pieces to a length that is a little longer than your own hair. This would give you the thick look that you desire.  Here are some photos of me wearing the hair. I'd like to hear what you think.

Becoming Jane - Sensationnel Empress lace front wig

I always love shopping for lace front wigs. These wigs, as you know, are great for those bad hair days. Whenever I go lace front wig shopping I usually pay attention to the hair part . I love it when the part is longer because they look so realistic. I pay attention to the colour of the lace too. If it is too light , I won't buy it. I prefer the lace to be tanned so that it matches the colour of my skin.
I came across Jane one day when I was off to a meeting and looking a hot mess. I caught a glimpse of myself  in a store mirror and I bolted out of there like a horse out of a stable.
The first lace wig  I tried on looked really good on the mannequin but once it got on my head .... well lets just say I looked like I had been riding at the back of a pick up in high-wind weather. And that is why it is so important to try on a wig, never mind how busy you are. The second wig I tried was too long past my waist line and Icouldn't go to a meeting with that,
It was at another store that I finally met Jane - only one of Sensationnel's better synthetic lace front wigs. I saw Jane on the mannequin and fell in love with her. The colour 4/ 30 was the same as my own hair and looked like my hair does when relaxed, only longer.  I tried Jane and hated it. I was about to drag it off and try another one when I decided to style it the way I usually style my hair. The change worked and I started to warm up to her. I asked the sales woman  to keep Jane close while I tried on Jenna, another one of Sensationnel's lace fronts. Deep down I knew that Jane was the one but I still had to satisfy my curiosity to try on the curly Jenna.
I bought Jane off the mannequin's head, much to the surprise of the sales woman who was standing with a new box of the hair. You too may be wondering why and here's a tip: Synthetic hair is usually very shiny when it comes out of the pack. When its on the mannequin and on display,  customers touch it, try it, style it and in the process take the shine out of it. Since all hair stores require that wigs are tried with a wig cap, there was no risk of sweat or dandruff getting on my off-the-mannequin wig. Look  my photo to the photo on the Sensationnel pack and you'd see how realistic my wig looks compared to to the out of the box wig.
I cut the extra lace hair in the mirror of the store and walked into that meeting confident that my hair completed my professional look.

Jane is lighweight and thankfully does not look like a wig . My only problem is the short part on the wig, but then you can't win them all. I'd recommend Jane to the professional woman on the go. I'd definitely buy her again.

Riding the waves with wet and wavy hair

I must apologise to all you guys for not posting since last year. Things have been crazy and you won't believe the amount of hair extensions styles  I have changed in the last eight months!  Look,  I love straight hair extensions but honestly wet and wavy hair ranks high on my list of hair extensions. They are easy to maintain,  and I don't  have to heat style or relax my own hair for it to blend in.  I opened the new year wearing  the Janet Collection Indian Remy Ripple Deep.  The extensions can be worn curly or pressed straight but, as I found out, a product may have the Remy name but the texture of the hair is far from the standard the authentic Remy is known for. Note to all you readers: All  Remy hair extensions are not created equal . If the price for the hair is cheap, so is the hair. Chances are you're not getting the real Remy hair.
 The real Remy is virgin unprocessed hair with all the cuticles intact. Fake Remy hair is chemically processed, loses its lustre quickly and tangles easily.
I wore the Indian Remy for two months and it is now a matted mess somewhere in my hair bag.  I won't recommend it to anyone quite frankly. Right now I am wearing Outre's wet and wavy hair. The hair is not costly and not nowhere close to premium hair  but having had the experience with it I know what to expect and what products to use to keep it fresh. The  first time I wore this hair I was in high school and wanted lengths.  I love the texture and the fullness achieved from the use of just one pack of hair. When it comes to maintenance of Outre's  wet and wavy,  I absolutely hate those gooey  hair products that leave a trail of hair strands behind. One minute you're massaging the product into your hair, the next minute strands are on your hands, in the sink, on your pocket book - you get the picture!

If you're going to wear a wet and wavy  hair weave, I recommend the following products that have worked for me: Carefree Moisturiser, Sebastian We gel (which gives a wet look even though hair is dry), Wet n Wavy Frizz Free Curl and Wave Mousse, Soft Sheen Carson Weave Care Weighless Styling Foam. Brush your hair only with a loop brush and if you must  comb it use a wide tooth comb. Here's a look at my wet and wavy hair extension. Before I go let me just say hello to all my new readers. I really appreciate your kind words and your comments. Keep them coming okay. : )