5 things I honestly did not expect when I got hair extensions
I think it was Coco Chanel who once said: ‘A woman who changes her hair is about to change her life’.
It’s fair to say I’ve been through the wringer lately. In the space of six months I closed my consulting business, sold my house and left my marriage. I was tired of living life at the same level, where every day felt the same. So I upended it all.
A new Bree is emerging. She’s more mindful, more peaceful and puts herself first. But don’t worry, the best bits of old Bree are still there.
When the most amazing hairdresser in the world – aka ‘Em’ Emmalene Mahar, who owns Hare and Fawn Queanbeyan and has been managing my locks for around 16 years – found out about my big life changes, she wanted in on the action.
“New Bree needs phenomenal hair,” Em said.
“We’re going to give you the Barbie / mermaid / unicorn hair you’ve always dreamed of.”
And she did. Around 100 grams of Seamless1 weft hair extensions (yes, it’s real hair) in ‘Martini’ blonde were beaded into my own hair on a Tuesday afternoon two weeks ago and, well, my life has felt like the best kind of 1990s glamour shoot ever since.
Here are five things I never expected to happen when I got hair extensions.
1. They keep you warm.
Not even kidding. My head is loads warmer and anywhere my hair sits on my body, it’s like having a heated blanket on. I know 100 grams of hair doesn’t sound like much but it feels like it’s tripled the amount of hair on my head. And just in time for winter. Aaaahhhh.
2. I had to go hair accessory shopping.
When you have the most luscious hair in town, regular hair ties just ain’t gonna cut it. Luckily, with my extensions, Hare and Fawn gave me a beautiful pink silk scrunchie. Still, my new bands needed to be bigger. Thicker. Stronger. I’m still getting used to having all this extra hair but it’s unreal being able to explore more options. I’ve also enjoyed a few cheeky wash and blowouts at the salon and my hairstyle lasts all freaking week. Yes, hair extensions make your styling last way longer.
(If they stock claw clips in a size XXXL anywhere can someone let me know? I can’t fit all of my glorious locks in a claw clip at all anymore.)
3. My daughter loves brushing them.
“Mummy, you look like Rapunzel,” my three-year-old declared as I waltzed in the front door after my visit to Hare and Fawn. She loves my hair and asks to brush it constantly. I’m finally the real-life plus-size Barbie doll I always dreamed of being.
4. Even in leggings and a hoodie I look good.
Do I strut down the aisles of Woolies now like a lioness with the most gorgeous mane in the land? Yes, yes I do. Do I look glam putting petrol in my Kluger at 7 Eleven? Yes, yes I do. Do I get up in the morning, spray a little dry shampoo, brush my hair and walk out the door? Yes, yes I do. I have ADHD and I’m lazy AF so instant glam is about the best thing that’s ever happened to me. (Up next: eyelash extensions so I don’t have to put on mascara every day.)
5. Hair extensions aren’t just for length.
Say what? While installing my new locks, Em told me that so many people have hair extensions, and not just for full blown goddesses hair like mine. People get just a few for a bit of extra body, just a couple in the sides to fill in a gap, for style support to get extra time out of their wash and as a way to add exciting colours without colouring their own hair. The options are endless. Extensions really are the gift that keeps giving.
If you want to experience the life-changing addition of hair extensions, get in touch with the team at Hare and Fawn for a consultation. They’re obsessed – and now I am too!
About the Author: Briony Winchester
Part bogan, part wannabe plus-size model and part journalist, Bree's the woman behind Q! News. She's a pop culture obsessive who's deeply in love with her hometown, Queanbeyan, and the neighbouring capital. A born storyteller, she's been writing locally, nationally and internationally for more than 25 years.
