I have been using hair pieces for many years. I’ve used them on clients, in my editorial work, in shows and in classes I’ve taught. I’ve used wefts, wigs, extensions, and just about any other types of hair piece you can think of. During my experimenting, I have found that they can be a great inspiration for color placement. So when my friend Ann Marie Walts, a fellow Redken Artist from West Springfield, MA, came to visit last week, the creative juices were flowing.

You see, Ann Marie is trained in the Balmain extension system and she brought a few samples. Ok, so we have several Balmain hair pieces and a couple of creative stylists. Add to the mix the disconnected bob mannequin from my online cutting class last week, and we were taking the style to the next level.

First, we placed a contrasting clip in fringe weft on the bob for a strong visual. We placed the fringe in the diagonal parting on the heavier side of the cut. We made sure that the blend was seamless in the root area so there weren't any visible horizontal lines. As you can see, the results change the look and feel of the original haircut, giving it a punkier, more Soho look. 

I really liked the clip-in fringe pieces. They come in 11 colors and I like the way that they are sewn on the clips. There are two wefts sewn on each of the clips and the top weft is sewn over the bottom in a unique wave pattern which allows the weft to lay extremely flat. This makes it so much easier to hide. In addition, because of the wave pattern, it allows for more hair per square inch on the weft without the extra bulk. What an ingenious idea!

Next we clipped in a longer weft with a length of 30/cm/11.8". These longer wefts come in 27 colors. These clips are also made with the unique wave sewing technique. Again, we used a highly contrasting color for a stronger visual. This piece adds more length and more disconnection on the heavier side. In this case, we’re getting some highly contrasting highlights for a slightly East Village gothic feel.

By experimenting with different colors, we can change a classic haircut from Uptown to Village, from corporate classy to club-tastic, from safe to daring. Adding wefts and hair pieces gives our clients several new dimensions in their styles, and lets the cut become truly multidimensional.

This is also perfect for color shy clients, giving them a temporary way to live dangerously. When we experiment with wefts we can work out great color patterns and really give a client a first look at how they can add color to their cut in a very safe way. It allows us to build up their confidence, and can lead to a new, loyal color client.

So as you can guess, having pieces like this at your fingertips in the salon can easily give you a quick add on service in color. They allow us to instantly show the color placement. Allowing the client see it before the service is sure to be a clincher for them wanting it. Clients really respond to wigs and pieces when statistically showcased in the salon. Or they may just want to buy pieces as well for an instant, temporary effect. Just watch how business will grow regardless of the economy! Best of all, it’s another way for our creativity to grow.

If you are interested in learning more about both Ann Marie and Balmain, click here.