Help setting up freelance hair extension business

[fizzbomb]

Hi
Well the salon i have worked in for years is closing!!!!!So i am taking the plunge and not only going self employed but moving 100's of miles away to be with my partner!!!
So i will have no client base, no reputation in the area and no clue where to start!
I have everything i need to start equipment wise but really need advice how to market and promote myself!
Also i currently used hot fusion method ( not pre bonded) but as i am going to specialise in extensions any ideas what other methods maybe of assitance as my cpd is important to keep in mind also

Ta alot

 

[lucelasticx]

Heres my marketing
* ad in yellow pages
* flyers and posters
* car sign written
I know it's not much but its a start and its always tough starting up in a new place as you need to spend your money wisely.As you build up you can add more marketing ideas but these work for me.
I am sure there are many more things you can do but ican recommend these from personal experience.
cheers

 

[minky]

Hi
Well the salon i have worked in for years is closing!!!!!So i am taking the plunge and not only going self employed but moving 100's of miles away to be with my partner!!!
So i will have no client base, no reputation in the area and no clue where to start!
I have everything i need to start equipment wise but really need advice how to market and promote myself!
Also i currently used hot fusion method ( not pre bonded) but as i am going to specialise in extensions any ideas what other methods maybe of assitance as my cpd is important to keep in mind also

Ta alot

Hi fizzbomb, what brand of bonding material do you use at the moment ? and do you use the silicone pads for rolling ?

 

[lusciouslox]

Hi
Well the salon i have worked in for years is closing!!!!!So i am taking the plunge and not only going self employed but moving 100's of miles away to be with my partner!!!
So i will have no client base, no reputation in the area and no clue where to start!
I have everything i need to start equipment wise but really need advice how to market and promote myself!
Also i currently used hot fusion method ( not pre bonded) but as i am going to specialise in extensions any ideas what other methods maybe of assitance as my cpd is important to keep in mind also

Ta alot

I think lucelasticx has the right idea. Some web presence would be good and local ad-words would be great as the web is a powerful tool.
Also make sure you are up to date with all your knowledge and advertise yourself as a specialist rather than just a hair installer. Get a blog and chat on it. This will help to drive people to you when as soon they see you know what your talking about.
people want the real deal.

 

[lucelasticx]

Hi fizzbomb, what brand of bonding material do you use at the moment ? and do you use the silicone pads for rolling ?

Hi i use prostyles bonding ( Hot fusion ) and yes i use the silicone strips !!

Oh Why ?????

 

[lucelasticx]

I think lucelasticx has the right idea. Some web presence would be good and local ad-words would be great as the web is a powerful tool.
Also make sure you are up to date with all your knowledge and advertise yourself as a specialist rather than just a hair installer. Get a blog and chat on it. This will help to drive people to you when as soon they see you know what your talking about.
people want the real deal.

Great thanks for that i will get on to it, you know its strange going from employee to boss so to speak but i cant wait!!!!

 

[minky]

Hi i use prostyles bonding ( Hot fusion ) and yes i use the silicone strips !!

Oh Why ?????

Hi lucelasticx , thanks for your reply, :lol: :lol: lol because I am nosey :smack: no seriously though , I am researching bonding products at the moment,
and I think its great that we can all share professional information like you have shared , I am sure other professionals will be looking out for good products and will take a look at this post

I find most professional bonding glue sticks can be used for pre bonding
hair, but a lot of it remains too hot to roll without pads

I believe Italian keratin stick glue is long lasting and is fab for pre bonding
but it seems hard get hold of ....

I use Balmain clear microplus bonds as they dont need the silicone pads to roll with , they are a bit on the expensive side , but are well worth it as they do last very well indeed ,

but .... I have to turn all the pure virgin loose hair that I like to use
into pre bonded single hair extensions first ,

so I was wondering lucelasticx....
do you think that the glue you use would be good for making pre bonded hair tips ?

and also for research can you tell us why do you prefer to use this bonding glue? and what you like about it compared to other professional heat bonding products ?

Thanks in advance :hug: minky

 

[lucelasticx]

Yes i would imagine so i have never tried it , but i also use Racoon and it's v similar.
I have not long ago sold my Balmain heat gun GUTTED coz if i still had it i could of had ago at making my own pre bonded ones and fitted them if i have understood you correctly!
Boo Hoo

 

[fizzbomb]

OMG you never stop learning in this trade do we, i was feeling pretty pleased with myself that i had mastered the fusion method, but from all your comments it seems that that you all dont seem to stick to one method or company do you and just shop around.Well i am really excited to think i may be able to offer pre bonded that i have made myself someday . Blimey where do i start!!! I am happy with my fusion method now, so what method do you all recommned i learn next then!!!!
So much to do so little time lol:lol:

 

[minky]

OMG you never stop learning in this trade do we, i was feeling pretty pleased with myself that i had mastered the fusion method, but from all your comments it seems that that you all dont seem to stick to one method or company do you and just shop around.Well i am really excited to think i may be able to offer pre bonded that i have made myself someday . Blimey where do i start!!! I am happy with my fusion method now, so what method do you all recommned i learn next then!!!!
So much to do so little time lol:lol:

Hi , these links may help x minky

YouTube - Aplicação Mega Hair com Queratina or Keratin

YouTube - Pretipping Hair Extensions


YouTube - How to Tip Hair Extensions with Keratin

 

[lusciouslox]

Hi , these links may help x minky

YouTube - Aplicação Mega Hair com Queratina or Keratin

YouTube - Pretipping Hair Extensions


YouTube - How to Tip Hair Extensions with Keratin

So is this method populat in the uk?
do stylist actually sit there and do this?

 

[lancashirelass]

So is this method populat in the uk?
do stylist actually sit there and do this?

Yep I sit on my sofa in my living room watching tv and do this for two hours at a time and pretip packets of hair, its very relaxing.

On video three though I couldnt be doing with the adhesive gun and then the heat connector. I find that hard work.

I just have a tray on my knee and work it that way

 

[lancashirelass]

So is this method populat in the uk?
do stylist actually sit there and do this?

Yep I sit on my sofa in my living room watching tv and do this for two hours at a time and pretip packets of hair, its very relaxing.

On video three though I couldnt be doing with the adhesive gun and then the heat connector. I find that hard work.

I just have a tray on my knee and work it that way

 

[minky]

So is this method populat in the uk?
do stylist actually sit there and do this?

Hi lusciouslox , Yes I too find it very relaxing
plus it leaves us free to choose our own hair types

You too would also have to get all those kilos of lusciouslox loose hair pre tipped too, but... using your lusciouslox pre tipping product ?

Surley the product has to be melted it into the tips of the individual extension ? and then it may need shaping ,
so is this lusciouslox hair all factory tipped then ? or is it all done exclusively by hand ?
minky

 

[leonnib]

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[leonnib]

Me too! I do mine in the evening while watching TV. I tip all my hair myself now after minky explained how!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[lusciouslox]

Hi lusciouslox , Yes I too find it very relaxing
plus it leaves us free to choose our own hair types

You too would also have to get all those kilos of lusciouslox loose hair pre tipped too, but... using your lusciouslox pre tipping product ?

Surley the product has to be melted it into the tips of the individual extension ? and then it may need shaping ,
so is this lusciouslox hair all factory tipped then ? or is it all done exclusively by hand ?
minky

Hi minky.
we have a manufacturing plant that dose all the cumbersome work for our users and salons.
So hairdresser buys it already tipped.
i personally as a professional stylist wouldn't wouldn't waste my time tipping hair when i get it already done to my description (personally). I would rather work on other things.
There is no melting involved as our glue or tip doesn't use a glorified hot glue.
and yes Its hand made
Take care

 

[minky]

Hi minky.
we have a manufacturing plant that dose all the cumbersome work for our users and salons.
So hairdresser buys it already tipped.
i personally as a professional stylist wouldn't wouldn't waste my time tipping hair when i get it already done to my description (personally). I would rather work on other things.
There is no melting involved as our glue or tip doesn't use a glorified hot glue.
and yes Its hand made
Take care

Hi lusciouslox , glorified hot glue ?

Your system does use a hot glue on the extension tips
in the hand made hair extension factory.

but ..... its more of a stronger industrial type of glue that is flexible and doesn't break down .

Your glue cannot be heat melted into the clients natural hair
as it would not come out .

Therefore it is of no use to hot melt system users.

lusciouslox is a brilliant system for ring users though .

So .... good luck with it all I am sure it will do very well indeed

minky

 

[lusciouslox]

Hi lusciouslox , glorified hot glue ?
lol yes glorified hot glue.

What do you think the keratin glue was.
fusion system use hot glues.
do u actually think its keratin?


Your system does use a hot glue on the extension tips
in the hand made hair extension factory.

Correction if i may.
The system dose not use a hot glue at no point,not even during manufacturing.


but ..... its more of a stronger industrial type of glue that is flexible and doesn't break down .

Thats correct

Your glue cannot be heat melted into the clients natural hair
as it would not come out .

Thats correct but is removed with much less effort and reusable.
with out retipping

Therefore it is of no use to hot melt system users.

Thats correct but we do re tip for ring users

lusciouslox is a brilliant system for ring users though .

So .... good luck with it all I am sure it will do very well indeed

Thankyou minky. Just correcting the statements and clarifying them.
I'm also a re tipper. But obviously i re tip hair for it to last for longer periods of time (1-2 years) and to be re used in a ring system easy to attach and remove.
therefore i don't need to go and do this in my spare time anymore.
People that ring systems re tip their hair too, i used to retip hair with the old fashioned i tip but the tip always fell apart after a couple of uses.
So now we have over come that issue for ring users.
Also some ring users dont want to sit there and re tip hair (some do).
Summery
re tipping hair for the ring system users for all types and walks of life to a reusable tip, for use up to 2 years with no hot glues at no point.

 

[minky]

Hi lusciouslox , glorified hot glue ?
lol yes glorified hot glue.

Hmm..... so that would make yours a glorified cold industrial glue :wink2: lol

What do you think the keratin glue was.
fusion system use hot glues.
do u actually think its keratin

Errrm I never mentioned keratin....You did ... so does your cold glue actually contain keratin then .... ?

Correction if i may.
The system dose not use a hot glue at no point,not even during manufacturing

Then..... its more of a stronger industrial type of glue that is flexible and doesn't break down .

Thats correct

Your glue cannot be heat melted into the clients natural hair
as it would not come out .

Thats correct but is removed with much less effort and reusable.
with out retipping

Therefore it is of no use to hot melt system users.

Thats correct but we do re tip for ring users

You say it is removed ? so would this be cut out or removed with a solvent ?

People that ring systems re tip their hair too, i used to retip hair with the old fashioned i tip but the tip always fell apart after a couple of uses.
So now we have over come that issue for ring users.
Also some ring users dont want to sit there and re tip hair (some do).

Oh ok .....
so when it comes down to it we also pre tip our own hair for exactly the same reasons you pre tip yours ..... just that some of us are using different products .....or different systems
which is freedom of personal choice ;

But we all have one thing in common .....
we are all just trying to make a living by what we do ..... and if you keep disrespecting other peoples choices and trying to make them feel bad just because they use *glorified glue * as you put it !
then people are not going to respect you or your in put either which would be sad because :sad:
I think you have a great product :hug: but just sometimes I find you can come across a little harsh on other peoples product choices and systems but ...... just sometimes ....

Summery
re tipping hair for the ring system users for all types and walks of life to a reusable tip, for use up to 2 years with no hot glues at no point.

Ok so as said earlier a its cold industrial type of glue
that is not meant for heat melt systems ;

But...... is a brilliant system for ring users.....

So .... good luck with it all I am sure it will do very well indeed
thanks minky