Cutting Hair Extensions

[clazaridis]

Hi,
I've been qualified to do hair extensions since August last year, I was taught to use the razor technique to blend which I get on with but a lot of my clients will just go and have layers cut into it at the hair dressers. How easy is it to learn to cut hair extensions? Are there special courses out there or can you just go on a simple cutting course?? I have seen some pretty bad examples of cut extensions with steps everywhere so i'm guessing that it is slightly different to cutting normal hair....

 

[persianista]

Yes there are specific techniques to cutting hair ext. If you are a "qualified" hair extensionist, surely that includes finishing them properly?

I was taught how to cut and finish hair ext on my basic training course. Otherwise you can only do one style!

 

[clazaridis]

I completed a HABIA approved course but was only shown how to blend using a razor....

 

[persianista]

Can you cut a base line and layers on natural hair though?

 

[clazaridis]

I've never really attempted it. I'm not a hairdresser i'm an accountant by trade and do this on the side along with spray tanning. I have always had an interest in hair and since I qualified it's gone from strength to strength with very happy clients which must mean I do a good job with plenty of repeat clients. I usually cut straight around the bottom to level it up then feather the front with my razor and do some razoring around the back, but not too much.

 

[lancashirelass]

The cutting part of the hair extension courses is extremely poor in my opinion, I trained in hair extension 7 years ago the cutting part was just touched upon.

I do think that the hair extension training should be changed and instead of trying to do these one day training courses where you can learn 3 or more methods which in my opinion is a complete waste of time, then the emphasis should be put on learning one method and completing a full head with correct placement methods and cutting and blending. This way one would have more of an idea on how to cut and blend.

I am not a trianed hairdresser but the hair extension cutting course and cutting courses I have attended have helped me enourmously.

Cinderella Hair Extension Academy offer hair extension cutting courses which I have attended and its really good value for money, I have also attended other hair cutting courses which have lasted for two days and have given me great knowledge.

But again I do think the hair extension training companies shouldl be offering cutting and blending as part of the course.

Would welcome others opinions on this

 

[persianista]

your an accountant that did a ext course????? Jesus.

I didnt think that either insurance or training companies would be involved if you didnt have NVQ2.

As for "learning to cut online" It is just not possible. I could talk an experienced hair pro through it, but you wouldnt really be able to follow.

This industry needs an overhaul and some regulation.

 

[-sophisticutz-]

It makes me wonder about these companies that teach non-hairdressers. When I teach ext. I spend a good hour on cutting and blending, which is ample time if you are a trained hairdresser. If you are doing ext. with no NVQ in hair, how do you know about skin conditions, hair patterns, colour matching, colouring the ext. etc. It beggars belief!

I am not having a dig at you clazaridis, at the end of the day, they have took your money, unscrupulously. I would recommend you get yourself on hairdressing course if this is the path you wish to take. You can do a full-time course over 2 1/2 days a week.

 

[clazaridis]

Thanks to Lancashire Lass for your info, I will look into the Cinderella courses. I appreciate that some people don't agree with non hair dressers doing hair extensions as I was warned on my course that I may come up against some disapproving people,.......Thanks Sophisticutz, for the recommendation of a hair dressing course. I feel a little upset and hurt by the other comment about me being an accountant. Learning to cut online??? I'm stumped with this one, where is this mentioned within this thread?? Thanks for the comments though as always very interesting. Claire x

 

[lucelasticx]

The reason we hairdressers may seem dismissive of unqualified extensionist is because even if you have completed a HABIA approved course you are still unqualified to fit hair extensions in our eyes as hair extensions is a specialist branch of hairdressing.
We have spent years qualifiying and honing our skills, learning the whys and the wherefores, such as skin and scalp conditions, contraindications, health and safety ect ect ect!!
I dont wish to be nasty or unpopular but i feel by law no under nvq3 (or trade equivolent like sweet squared do for nails) qualified hairdresser should be able to fit hair extensions as it is advanced and specialist. Sorry but it's just the fact that we want to protect our livelyhoods ,the reputation and raise standards of our trade which at the minute is impossible.
Sorry but its the way i feel!!!!!!

 

[xgxexmx]

Thanks to Lancashire Lass for your info, I will look into the Cinderella courses. I appreciate that some people don't agree with non hair dressers doing hair extensions as I was warned on my course that I may come up against some disapproving people,.......Thanks Sophisticutz, for the recommendation of a hair dressing course. I feel a little upset and hurt by the other comment about me being an accountant. Learning to cut online??? I'm stumped with this one, where is this mentioned within this thread?? Thanks for the comments though as always very interesting. Claire x

hey
i am in the same position as you although i am a student. I have not had any experience in hair dressing although i have always been interested in hair and beauty. i dont agree with having to be a hairdresser first as i didnt want to spend years learning hair dressing as i just wanted to do extensions. i have never had any dissaproval from my clients and some of those clients are hair dressers. Also, i think it looks better as we specialise in extensions as people must think we are good at it if it is our job and that we are always doing them.
xx

 

[persianista]

It doesnt look good if you don't know how to cut them into long layers!!!!

 

[lancashirelass]

I just wanted to add my comment here and this is just my opinion and I dont want to offend anyone at all.

I am not a qualified hairdresser and I have been doing hair extensions for seven years. I have spent hundreds of pounds if not thousands on training in different methods and always keep up to date with the latest training methods. I have also attended hair extension cutting courses and cutting courses aswell and I do think that hairdressing is a specialised field and have decided that I am going to go and do hairdressing when college starts in September.

Over the seven years I have been fitting hair extensions I have also seen some really bad jobs that qualified hairdressers have done, how I view it is I just fit hair extensions and dont do anything else like hairdressers do, such as colouring etc. So in a week I can do between 5 - 12 heads a week, some hairdressing salons I have visited to have my hair done do about 4 a month as I have asked. I recently had a client who came to me for a consultation and they had hair extensions in which hadbeen done at a salon and the bonds where an inch long, they looked horrendous. I do feel that if some qualified hairdressers are trained in hair extensions and are not fitting hair extensions on a regular basis then they are not going to have much experience in fitting hair extensions as I am when I am doing various systems on a regular basis.

Over the years I have researched hair extension training companies and I have found that a big percentage of the training companies are not qualified hairdressers themselves. I have found that they have a training certificate in something else such as an ILM or equivilant which means that they can be a trainer in sheep sheering but then start training the art of fitting hair extensions. I know at least six companies who I have contacted within the last two years who have no hairdressing background and they are now training companies offering hair extensions training and charging large amounts some are habia approved and some are not. Some of these companies have apparently trained Toni & Guy and other big reputable hairdressers which amazes me as the trainers have no experience in hairdressing at all but yet they are offering this training out to hairdressing salons. I think that Habia should be looking in to the background of some of these companies offering training. I also think that some of the Hair Extension Training companies should be changing the way they offer the training, no person on this planet can learn 3 - 5 methods in one day its too much information to take in. The hair extension company just basically watch you put a row of each method in the 'dummy' head and then say right thats it your now qualified and give you a certificate for insurance and your on your way.

I do understand about the comments on here from qualified hairdressers speaking about non-hairdressers offering services as a qualified hair extensionist etc and the importance of learning about contra indications etc as I do think that its extremely important and this can only be learned by attending a hairdressing course and becoming qualified which is something I am going to be doing later in the year when the new term starts.

The one and two day cutting courses I have attended have been excellent and I have learned a great deal of knowledge but again its not the same as a full hairdressing course

I would welcome others opinions on these points raised.

Thanks

 

[persianista]

You make some good points re poor ext by hairdressers. I have seen them too. My argument is not with the extension application, which is fairly simple and repetitive. My argument is with the cutting and finishing. Not many people want long, one length flat hair. Most of my ext work involves cutting and styling the ext afterwards. There was a local girl having a "dabble" a while ago who used to send her poor, sore headed clients into me for the cutting and finishing.

So how do you learn to cut long hair (extended) in just one or two days? It took me far longer to master cutting to even a basic standard, and not even battling with bonds!

I still believe ANYONE doing hair services for money should have a basic competancy qualification.

 

[lucelasticx]

Look i was only really interested in hair extensions right from the start and my love for all hair extensions inspired me to train to nvq3 hairdressing and specialise in hair extensions.
I could braid and weft before i became a qualified hairdresser but i am soooo much better for all the extra knowledge i have gained. It was hard work and yeah i could of said i dont want to be bothered with it but you know what i feel i owe it to myself and my customers to be the best i possibly can!!!!!
Sorry no one will change my point of view this industry should be regulated coz if you love doing it you would make sure you get the qualifications required!!!

 

[lancashirelass]

I am definetly going to go and do my hairdressing this year, I did start two years ago but packed in after ten weeks as the tutor was a complete waste of time, the students did nothing but mess about and I was totally frustrated with the whole situation, after a long conversation with tutor and asking her basically to get students in line and to stop students from messing around I think it fell on deaf ears and I felt like I was attending two evenings a week for nothing. I couldnt have put up with that for any longer. I an a quick learner and dont like my time to be wasted, if I pay for a course I expect value for money and to get things done. The class was far too large and the tutor found it difficult to get the class under control, I on many occasions found myself having to tell the class to be quiet.

I am going back to a different college this time and hope that its not the same.

 

[lucelasticx]

Good for you lancashire lass!!!!
You will find that as you have experience in hair some parts of the course will be slow and basic but get through and you will not regret it.
I had one brilliant tutor and one well lets say not so brilliant one but you know what she still inspired me, of how not to be...Lazy Keep on learning , never think you know it all because we cant.Thats what i love aboiut hairdressing is the endless cycle of learning.
Good luck x

 

[Emmaejc23]

Hi all,

Wow its really interesting hearing all your different views on this topic cause its something i've given a lot of thought to. I'm not a qualified hairdresser (yet) but i have been doing hair ext for a few years now and I must admit I am now beginning to think that NVQ2 is really the road to go down. There are such gaps in the extensions training offered by many companies. The first course i did only spent about 20 mins on contraindications and about 1/2 an hour on cutting and finishing???. In my opinion the cut and finish is equally as important as the application. Other courses have been slightly better but have still only concentrated on razor cutting in the same style which means that if a client asks for anything different I have to refer them to a hairdresser. Colouring is also a problem as I really wouldn't know where to start if I needed to dye the ext to get a perfect match. So for all the above reasons (and because i've always been a frustrated hairdresser at heart) I am enrolling at college in Setember to do my level 2 hairdressing .

The trouble is that ext courses do their best to convince prospective students that a 1 day course is all they need and it is not until that student is let loose upon paying clients that they realise how little knowledge they really have. Habia should really be looking into this as the industry could seriously suffer as a result.

BTW good luck to anyone else enrolling on their NVQ2 in Sept!

 

[princessrach]

I have read this thread with great interest as I know there is constantly a debate surrounding non hairdressers doing hair extension courses.

I qualified as a hairdresser at 19, I went on to train in hair extensions at 21 so have been specializing in hair extensions for around 7 years. I have attended quite a few hair extensions courses and a have found the majority to have some gaps in their teachings I have have also found the cutting part of the training either to be non exisistant or very limited. I agree with a previous poster that Habia need to regulate and give some structure to this training especially if these courses are open to anyone.

With regards to non hairdressers taking this courses, well I know myself I would of found it alot more difficult had I not already been a hairdresser, I dont know if I would have had the confidence to work on the paying public and I very much doubt I would have done any cutting with the hair extension training I was given as I wouldn't have had the confidence to do so but I do think being a hairdresser before doing these courses gives you a "money cant buy" foundation from which to start.

 

[xgxexmx]

i was trained a little in cutting extensions but i think i am naturally talented in cutting as i always cut family and friends and i cut layers into the hair once i have finished the extensions if that is what they wish. Although i dont see the point in paying hundreds to get a qualification that is going to make no difference. although i would like to be taught how proffesionals do it but when i go to the hairdressers they do exactly the same.
xxx