FASHION Magazine

Photography by May Truong

No, it’s not something in the bottled water of all those celebrities. By now, any self-respecting stargazer knows that celebs and runway models turn to extensions when seeking down-to-there hair. Demand has produced a dizzying array of sophisticated (and pricey) techniques for the masses, but establishing exactly what you want from your hair can keep extensions practical and somewhat affordable. Just remember, if it’s a basic boost of volume, budget at least $140, but reaching lengths à la Gwyneth could go well into the thousands.

“There are a lot of women out there with extensions, and you just don’t know it,” says Christian Paré of E=MC2 Salon (658 The Queensway, 416-588-2300, emc2salon.com). As a national educator for Great Lengths, Paré is the go-to guy for the world-renowned hair extension products. Extensions are fused strand by strand to a client’s hair. The results are remarkably natural, and the quality (real hair) means it can be styled, dyed or permed as if it were your own. Seeing as fusion lasts anywhere from four to six months, it just might be worth the $2,500 price tag. Expect to sit for two to five hours getting it done, advises Paré, who has worked as late as 3 a.m.

At Body and Soul (84 Scollard St., 416-920-2639), clients aren’t there just for the latest celebrity look. “We are an alternative to most salons, in that we don’t do a lot of cuts and colour,” says Linda Rose, who speaks more like a medical professional than a hairstylist. She estimates that 80 per cent of the salon’s clientele visit for extensions of some sort. A menu of techniques that includes threading, wefting, closures, clip-ons and fusions allows Rose to assess a person’s need and establish which extension, or variety of extensions, will achieve the best results. Rates range from $140 (for basic clip-ons) to $2,000 (for fusions). “We see hair as an extension of what’s going on in the body.”

For volume or length that you need in a pinch for a wedding or special event, Brian Phillips at World Salon (132 Adelaide St. E., 416-594-1402, world.ca) adores the “organic and unobtrusive” impact of customized clip-ons. A weft of hair is sewn onto a snap clip, which can be easily attached to, and removed from, the client’s scalp. Phillips prefers working with human hair instead of synthetics, as it can be styled or coloured to match the client’s. Not including the cost of hair, clips start at $400 and take two to three hours to create. To remove them, you just pop the clips and pull the weft out. Phillips says his clients love how temporary and reusable clip-ons can be. It’s something “they can pull out of their bag of tricks.”

Cheap and chic ways to get our favourite runway looks, straight to your inbox every Monday. 

What's your favourite way to wear red? 

Our guide to the best spas, boutiques and designers in the country.