What is Virgin and Remy Hair

One of the questions I receive from potential customer is Do you sell virgin hair? The answer to that question is “yes” we do. We sell both Virgin and Steam Processed hair, however it’s never a simple yes to us however there is so much more to explain to a potential customer.

Now in this business trust is a very important factor as many customer are purchasing hair these days from company like yourself with the sole intent of receiving true virgin hair extensions. So I figured let me blog about the topic to give people more insight to this question.

Let’s dissect the original question ……. Do you sell virgin hair? We actually do sell Virgin hair but really what is virgin hair?

Virgin hair is hair collected from the direct source in the country in which represents the name. For example, we sell Virgin Filipino hair. The Filipino hair we purchase comes directly from the Philippines. We contact a distributor (vendor) in that country that only sources Filipino hair from different regions of the Philippines. Individuals sell their hair most times as means of monitory exchange. The hair is cut directly from their pony tails of these donors.

The process is that the individual’s (hair donors) hair in gathered into a pony tail with an elastic band and is cut above the elastic band. This is to insure that when the pony tail is collected all the cuticles are facing in the right (same) direction and is easier to cut. Once all the hair has been collected the hair is then taken back to be cleansed, sorted and then wefted. The vendor ensures that the hair is healthy and in good condition, cleansed and sorted by texture, colour and length. This type of hair is called bulk hair.

Bulk hair is sold in the origin pony tails taken from the donor

Wefted hair is hair that was once bulk hair but machines sewned to create a usable hair weft that is ready to be installed into your hair, typically called a bundle of hair.

Once the hair is in the bulk state it can be sold to hair companies then wefted privately. Or, the vendors will weft the hair locally.

Once the hair is turned into bulk hair that is ready to be sold several steps may take place.

 1.  The hair can be sold in bulk (non-wefted) 

2.  The hair is wefted

3.  The hair can remain in its natural state with no type of processing

4.  The hair can be processed for texture and curl/wave pattern

5.  The hair can be dyed to achieve different colours

6.  The hair can be turned into different product such as clip-ins, wigs, closures or frontals

This takes us back to the original question regarding “Virgin Hair” Now if the hair is cleansed an wefted and left in its natural state, this is what we would call Virgin Hair extensions. Nothing has been done to the hair to change its natural state other then it being cleansed and wefted….. this is true virgin hair. (considering if the person that the hair belonged to has not done any form of processing such as perm or dyed their hair however in most cases in the regions that the hair is collected it is normal for individuals to not process their hair in any way) The hair as mentioned is in its most natural state and is certified as Virgin hair which also considered remy hair.

Many people get these terms confused so let me explain it……

(Please keep in mind this is what we determined after much research is our understanding of these terms. Some may argue “our” definition of the terms but do a little research of your own and you will understand how we arise to these definitions)

Virgin Hair – 100% natural raw unprocessed hair. The hair has not been dyed, chemically or steam processed. The hair integrity is intact (some even say that virgin hair is hair collected by 1 donor however ……. If you really think about it logically how is that one bundles of hair from a donor can weigh out the exact weight of 4oz or 3.5oz in which hair is typically sold these days. Not every donor can donate the same weight of hair as everyone has different hair density that would weigh in at different amounts……. Hmmmmmmmm makes sense huh? So Virgin hair really couldn’t be determined solely based on it being from a single donor right? Ok so it is possible for you to have virgin hair that is from different donors to make up the weight to ensure you receive the correct weight you are paying for. I have found some vendors that will only weft hair that comes from a single donor but the bundle will not weight in at exactly 4oz or 3.5oz)    

Remy hair – The cuticle of the hair shaft is intact and has not been removed. Cuticles of the hair faces in the same direction and has not be compromised in any way.

Now here is where the two terms are misused and misunderstood. Some people call it Remy hair and others will call it Virgin hair. But if you clearly look at the meaning it is clear. It is totally possible for you to have virgin hair that isn’t remy and remy hair that isn’t virgin. In fact you can have both…… Virgin Remy Hair

Let’s look at it even further. If a company states that the hair they are selling to you is Virgin hair however the wave pattern is Body Wave or curly hair, how can that hair be virgin?

The hair does not come naturally in a perfect “S” shape or with uniformed perfect curls. (please keep in mind there is virgin curly hair that comes from the donor like that but will not have a perfect uniform curl) They can say the hair is Remy hair but it is obvious that it cannot be Virgin hair as virgin hair is unprocessed whether it’s chemically or steam processed it changes the original state of the hair and how it comes from the donor. .It definitely can be Remy hair because the cuticles can face in the same direction and still be intact however it has been processed for curl/wave pattern. In fact the methods used today and that is most popular is steam processing and if done correctly will not harm the cuticles of the hair strand. The texture may change but the cuticles still faces in the same direction and be intact.

Is this starting to make sense to you?

Now can a company sell hair that is Virgin but is not Remy, Yes, the hair can be unprocessed and totally natural but the cuticle can be facing in different directions and miss aligned……. Is that type of hair quality hair….. to an extent; it’s still unprocessed and totally natural…… is it acceptable to sell to a customer?, No! If the cuticles are facing in different directions and that is when you will see the hair start to tangle.

Let me explain……… Cuticles are scaly, protective outer layers of the hair strand. Now to give you an idea of what cuticles look like, visualize shingles on a rook in the was that its different layers overlap. The protein scales of the cuticle overlap to lock moisture within the hair strand. Now as I mentioned visualize the over lapping of shingles on a roof…….. now visualized the same idea on a hair strand and flip one strand in the opposite directions …….. wouldn’t the overlapping go against each other and start to catch or hook into eachother…… that is what causes tangling.  

So…….. Does it make sense to sell non- remy virgin hair.? No! it makes no sense to sell virgin hair that is not remy.

However, now understanding that concept …………this is where some vendors will take virgin hair that is misaligned and remove the cuticles by applying a acid bath (chemicals used to remove the outer layer of the hair shaft) to make the hair shaft appear smooth so that it will not rub against each other and tangle. They will then apply silicon to give the hair a shiny appearance. In the industry this type of hair is call floor hairs. The hairs for whatever reason have been misaligned and are typically sold and made into low quality extension similar to what is sold in the beauty supply store at a cheaper price. This is not desirable hair that is expected by the consumer. But unfortunately is pawned off as virgin or even remy hair. Sad but true. :( Will this hair tangle, eventually yes… once the silicon starts to remove itself from the hair strand the hair will start crawling up the back of your neck as it wasn’t quality hair to stare out with.

I had a conversation with someone the other day about this very same topic as they too where under the impression that Steamed Processed hair is considered virgin hair……. After explaining my understanding of the terms a questions was asked of me………. “ok so if virgin hair is considered unprocessed hair, (changing the original natural state of the hair) what about “Virgin” hair that has been flat ironed or curled with a heated tool…….. after the heat is applied isn’t the hair no longer virgin?”

Ok here is my simple explanation in my opinion about that question. Again this is my opinion ………. When hair is processed chemically or via steam it changes the structure of the hair permanently. The hair will never return to its natural state…….. ever!!! However if you use a heated tool such as a curling iron on virgin hair to achieve a curl it temporarily changes the hair structure……. However when the hair is wash or after time when the curl fades …….. doesn’t it return to is original state? Hmmmmmmmm Now that can be argued but over time and with the consent use of heating tools, one can eventually change the structure of the hair strand……. But again that is over time. Just like your natural hair…… if your hair is natural (not chemically treated for example with perm) and you flat iron your hair every single day, you well eventually turn your once tight coiled hair into a looser coil. So, like I said this can be argued but I am entitled to my opinion in the matter.

So, now that we have gone into deals about “Virgin” and Remy hair ……….. it starts to become clearer about what you are actually buying. 

When you think about it ……. It really does make sense.

So is it possible for you to tell if hair is virgin or processed?…………. Yes, to an extent!

1.       

S   Start with the simplest possible evidence. Does the hair have an unnatural curl/wave pattern? That is your first sign. Remember, un-natural looking wave patterns means it was either chemically or steam processed. That’s the clearest sign. Can the quality of the hair be good if it’s been processed? Yes, you can get hair that has been processed correctly and will last you several months, but keep in mind you have to apply extra care to these extensions to increase the lifespan.

    

“   Feel” I have experienced both types of hair and once you have as well, then you too will understand what “feel” means and it will make more sense to you. It has a very distinct texture and is very different then the texture of processed hair. The hair has a different type of sheen and look to it….. you can actual see the texture of the hair if you look very closely and when you run your fingers up the strand of hair in the opposite direction (from bottom to top) it feels rough or scaly. Textue, wheather its coarse hair or silky hair it just has a very distinct natural texture to it. The flow of the hair is natural and light, almost airy. Very different from what steam processed and chemically processed hair feels like. But again it is something that you need to experience yourself to understand. It may take you a couple try’s before you find that authentic true Virgin hair but once you do you will for ever know the difference.

There are some really good quality processed hair out there that dups virgin hair and will give you the same experience so don’t discriminate or be put off by processed hair.

In fact most people do prefer processed hair over Raw Virgin hair as it at times can be easier to maintain and style. Virgin hair sometimes has a mind of its own just like your natural hair. Our natural hair has good and bad days and doesn't matter what you do it will not cooperate with you no matter what. Whether it’s environmental factors like weather, care such as in the wrong products, at times it may be more difficult to manage for a novice. Processed hair in most cases will act better …….. don’t ask me why it just sometimes does……..

Ok so now that I’ve given you the low down and some things to think about I hope this helps you understand the difference and clears up some misconceptions to help you when making a purchase for your own hair extensions…….

But remember you also have to keep in mind……… hair extensions whether it’s virgin, remy or processed hair takes time and effort. No matter what type of hair it is, the hair is only as good as the effort you put behind it. You treat your hair well and in turn it will treat you good!!!

You must increase your knowledge of hair care to achieve the right look and maintain the behaviour of your hair!

Happy Hair shopping!!!

TANGLING MESS, HELP!!!

One question that I receive from my customer usually 2-3 weeks after receiving their hair is “how do they combat tangling”.

My one and only response to this question is followed with another question “ have you clarified your hair”?

Many people wear hair extensions but do not truly understand how to maintain and care for their hair. This is no fault of their own as up until a couple years ago; before virgin hair extension became popular we were all use to buying beauty supply store hair. It was the norm to buy hair and after a couple weeks it became a tangled, troublesome mess or even looked weighed down, limp and couldn't hold a curl. 3 weeks later we’re right back at the beauty supply store buying more hair. So, this question is truly reasonable but I’m here to inform and educate you on how you can manage this issue without having to buy more hair. WHAT!!!!!….. That's correct, there is no need to open up your wallet and fork out more money on more hair. , I’m here to show you it’s as easy as a trip to the drug store and 20 mins........ Yes that's it,  that's all you'll  need.  I’ll have you defeating that unsightly tangled birds nest.

So let me go in to detail a bit more about this issue. Stuff builds up on your hair such as oils, (yes agron oil too) hair sprays…. (which you shouldn’t be using) mousses, moisturizers  shampoo and conditioners, pretty much anything you apply to your hair causes bundle up over time. Also hard water and mineral deposits, air pollution etc etc …. You get where I’m going with this. Over time your hair pretty much harbor’s all or some of these things causes it to not act right. Using a clarifying shampoo with uplift all the junk and in return you’ll have your hair that you first fell in love with.

So let’s get to the good stuff. How do you do this magically process that will save you a ton of coin!!!

Its easy!!!

Clarifying shampoo is no different than regular shampoo. It’s the same idea just a different type of product. One adds moisture and conditions and the other removes those same elements.

I personally love Neutrogena Anti Residue shampoo this product is amazing and affordable. It comes in a clear bottle and the shampoo itself is clear. You will find that most clarifying shampoos will be clear in colour. So once you’ve chosen your weapon….. lol product or brand, this is what you’ll do.

This is key….more is less in this case. Start with a small amount in the palm of your hand. After applying the shampoo you’ll notice it wont be sudy the first time around due to buildup. Massage it in your hair but do not rub. (Rubbing your hair extensions is not a good thing). Work the product though your hair for about 1 minute. Rinse well.

Repeat step one but the only difference is you’ll leave the shampoo in your hair for about a minute or two.  Letting the shampoo marinate a bit will help with releasing the buildup. You’ll also see more suds. Should your hair have heavy build up you can do this process a third time. Make sure to rinse all shampoo. I like to allow the water to run on the hair for about a minute while I’m working my fingers through it.

Go ahead and condition your hair as normal for this step. You may want to use a deep conditioner as clarifying shampoo has no moisturizers in it. Also, you have to remember it just finish removing all the moisture that was in your hair.  I love One n’’ Only hair mask but you can use what you’re comfortable using.

So you may be wondering……. When and how often do you clarify your hair. I would say a general rule would be once a week. However if you are someone that swims often or you use a lot of products then  twice a week would be better.

Once your hair  is air dried you’ll notice how alive it looks. It will be shiner, bouncy and more manageable.

If you notice that your hair is still lifeless and dull, you may want to limit the amount of hair your hair receives and heat damage is something that kills your poor hair and is hard to fix.

Hope the info was helpful and remember, less is more. Try not to use to much product on your hair as this is truly the cause in most cases for build up! 

Dont forget to check-out our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/candyhaircompany

Check out the website www.candyhaircompany.com 

What’s the lifespan……

So this is the burning question most hair reseller will get before a customer commits to makes a purchase of hair extensions.

My answer to that is “well it depends on how you treat your hair”

No single person will have the same hair experience with hair extensions. I can give 2 people the same type of hair and their end results or overview of the hair will not be the same. There might be some similarities but the experience will be totally different.

The first point is that each bundle of hair is from a different donor and won’t react the same to daily styling and hair care.  Sometimes the texture might be a little different; curl wave pattern will be similar but not identical.

The second point is how you care for the hair varies from person to person. These are some of the factors but not limited:

·        Products used on the hair.

·        How often do you use products and how much of it do you use.

·        Do you wash the hair daily, or weekly?

·        Environmental factors can also make a big difference.

·        The type of brush or comb you use.

·        Do you play in your hair or do let it be free.

·        How much heat are you applying?

·        Do you wrap your hair at night?

·        Do you use something to tie your hair and what is it made of…… silk, polyester or cotton? 

·        How long is your hair tied down for? Only at night or all day.

·        Your install can also be a factor.  

Just like us, your hair can be moody. Today one thing will work perfectly and then next week it’s not that effective. Our own hair behaves the same way if you really think about it.

Start doing too much of one thing or too little of another to your own hair and what will be the outcome? Same thing applies to your extensions. So you have to learn to find a healthy medium for your extensions because that will determine how long they last.

So just too really answer this question and other question that my customers ask me I have put the hair extensions to the test. I experimented with hair care, products etc;

Now mind you this was the hardest challenge for me as I am use to doing things the same all the time. I like what I like and I do what only works for me. Most challenging was the length of time I had the hair in. I love changing my hair often. Every 3-4 weeks because I like “change” So this was definitely new for me.

So I installed some hair in November of last year and took a commitment to leave it in until the hair died. So now its end of February and I still have this hair in.  Now it’s killing me because I want to try something new but the hair won’t die lol :)

It’s been fried and dyed and taken to all extremes….. I’ve used products some week and no products other weeks. Wore it straight for a couple weeks then curled with a wand or curling iron. Then wore it in its natural state. Everything I threw at it… the hair manage to keep up pretty well.

So the conclusion of my little experience is as followed:

·        The hair is 4 months old and still has life to it, I’m just impatient however I could wear it for another 2 months. Lol

·        The hair bleaches well however it needs to be deep conditioned at least once a week.

·        Shedding is impossible to prevent totally however sealing wefts, brushing the hair out properly, limited heat. Conditioning the hair can also help with this.

·        Over use of products cause the hair to be weight down and totally change the appearance of the hair.

·        This hair likes natural products

·        Air drying is the best option however when trying to achieve a sleek straight look, a paddle brush and blow dryer is the best option instead of flat ironing form it natural wavy state. Blow dry section by sections with a little heat protector and light argon oil and you’ll achieve beautiful silky flowing straight hair.

·        Do not play with or brush the hair after it’s been washed and you want to wear it in its natural state.

·        Wear the hair wrapped up and under a bonnet isn’t really good. Let the hair out to get some hair time to time.

·        Sleeping on a cotton pillow case with no head tie means dry brittle hair in the morning.

·        The hair doesn’t like alcohol based products at all. Mousse, gels hair spray Nope Nope and double NOPE

·        Frizz is prevented when I didn’t use the paddle brush often. I used my finger to comb out the hair with a little argon oil and found the hair was less frizzy during the day.

·        Cover you hair in cold weather….. Tends to get dry when it’s really cold. Especially when going into a heated environments afterwards.

These are some of the things I have found out about the hair.

Let’s face it…… hair can take on a life of its own and there are steps on should take to manage that. I’ve seen hair review on cheap hair and expensive hair and there are always “Hair Issues” you just have to learn what works for you and your extensions.

So to answer the original question ….”What’s the lifespan?” I have proven that it really depends on you! Treat your hair well and it will in return act right and last long.

Even with how I treated my hair….. I always maintained proper care and as a result has been good to me!

-       

FRIZZ……….I want a divorce! :)

So how many of you ladies feel like you’re ready to divorce FRIZZ and embrace shiny, sleek and healthy hair into your new hair relationship!

I was there before and vowed never to go back to undependable, unforgiving, embarrassing emotional hair killer called FRIZZ.

Ok, so where did this blog idea come from. Well it was sparked by one of my customers that asked me "how do you prevent the extensions from looking dry and frizzy"?. What do I use, what should I do? 

Now I’ve been a die heart “curly/wavy” hair wearer for many years. I love the look, the feel and the confidence that it gives me so I’ve had my battles with this type of hair. Especially because when I started out wearing this hair I didn’t even know about, nor had access to virgin hair extensions. So I had to deal with the curls and the poor quality of hair and it always seemed like a losing battle.

However after many years I found what worked best based on trial and error and I have a good method that works for me.  So after I was asked this question by a customer it got me thinking? We all know about frizz and we have an idea of the products that we should use to prevent it but what really causes frizz?

 So if we all went back to science and chemistry 101 and understand from that point of view maybe, just maybe we can learn how to combat the dredged FRIZZ monster.

We can all agree that just like any Natural Hair, even Human Hair Extensions tend to become frizzy. This is because in principal Natural hair extensions do not have the advantage of being supplied with the natural oils from the scalp like your own hair, and are therefore more vulnerable to drying out аnԁ becoming frizzy.

This is not because of the quality of the Hair or the process it undergoes that is responsible for it. 50% of the time Frizzy hair means that your hair needs moisture and the other 50% of the time some people experience frizz due to moisture.

Frizz happens when dry, porous hair sucks up moisture in the air, causing the shaft to swell. A dose of conditioner coats the hair shaft, making it harder for moisture to sink in.

Dryness due to lack of moisture and also heat damage can also cause hair to look frizzy and frayed – whether they its natural hair or extensions.

Humidity is another thing that causes frizz for some people. Hence the use of a Leave-in Conditioner is among the first things that must be done. Fact is conditioner should be regularly used on the Hair Extensions to avoid it getting too dry or tangled.

Ok so now we know what causes FRIZZ, what solutions can I give you to prevent it from happening or tame it?

I like to use a moisture-enriched shampoo as opposed to a clarifying shampoo. A great affordable shampoo is made by Herbal Essence, Hello Hydration. Perfect product to bring your dry brittle hair back to life. Another shampoo is made by Dove, Damage Therapy intensive repair. Both shampoo have sulfates however the level on moisture that it provides the hair is worth the use. I wouldn’t recommend it for daily use as its recommended that you use sulfate free shampoos on your hair extensions. But to combat frizz these shampoos have worked for me.

P.S ladies Do not use shampoos which contain alcohol. Alcohol dries your hair, leading to more frizzies.

Shampoo your hair, and then rinse with very cold water. After shampooing hair rinse your hair in the coldest water that you can to help lock in the moisture. Cold water helps close the cuticles and keep your color in so it last longer and will be shiner as well.

Be sure to rinse for several minutes before applying conditioner. After using conditioner, again rinse your hair with cold water for at least 3 minutes.

My preference in Conditions is Dove Intensive Repair daily treatment conditioner. The reason this is my favorite is that I co-wash everyday with this conditioner and wash the hair (shampoo & conditioner) once a week.  Washing everyday isn’t really recommended but this is what works for me and my last very long.

Apply an anti-frizz serum to your damp hair. I like to use argon oil or Bio Silk to give it a bit of shine or to act as a sealer to prevent frizz of fly-away.

My preference is to allow the hair to air dye.

After a wash, let the hair air dry with as little touching as possible. Never pull or stretch the hair, especially when it is wet. Don’t play with it, don’t brush it or dry it with a towel. A wide-toothed comb is best. This will also prevent the frizz. Use a t-shirt to soak up the water from the hair. Not sure what it is but using a towel …… makes my hair frizzy when it dries however when I use a t-shirt to take out most of the water…. No frizz.

Air dry your hair. Avoid using a blow dryer if at all possible. Blow drying your hair often can lead to damaged ends and more frizz. If you must blow dry your hair, use a diffuser only for a couple minutes after your hair is almost dry.

Well ladies that my secrets to preventing frizz and caring for my wavy/curly hair. So this was a 2 in 1 blog…… hope it helps!

 Going Direct!

So we all know that there is always a debate about re-sellers of Virgin Hair Extensions like myself.

As we all know by now Candy Hair Company sells Virgin/Non-Virgin extensions that are sought out from larger vendors that either collect and manufacture the hair or buy the hair in bulk and mainly manufacture the hair.  (example wash, inspect and produce extension such as wefting and or wigs)

This is a very large lucrative industry that has boomed over the past 2 years as people have found great gain from owning and or selling this hot commodity. The industry has become overwhelmed and now you can find any and every one from your aunt, your cousin and also I’m now seeing an increasing growth of men getting into the game.

So the big question from the consumer is ……. “Why buy from the middle man when we could go direct”.  Sounds as easy as a click of a button, and having access to millions of Chinese vendors that sell to the general public.

Why should you buy from a North American vendor when it seems so easy?

So being that I’ve personally been on both sides of the spectrum I totally understand the concept. In these times everyone purse strings are tight and saving is the name of the game however, there are many things one should know about buying direct.

Buying direct from a Overseas vendor may have its benefits and satisfies most people needs initially. For example, you save on the price. There are no frills involved. You have access to more selections of hair and origins of hair. You build a relationship with a vendor. However there is another side of it that isn’t too attractive and there are many consumers that can vouch for this.

When dealing with a Overseas vendor the first obstacle one must hurdle is communication barriers. As we know we’re dealing with people from a different country that speak a totally different language just like us and most causes English is a second language. Not to say the lines of communication are totally unbearable but you can tell by the response that you may receive via email or messaging. Sometimes you’re sitting there scratching your head like…………… WHAT!  Finding a vendor that communicates very well and is on the same page as you is hard to come by. I can’t tell you how many messages I’ve received that start out a little something like this… “Friend, what do you mean?” Its not funny but it’s true. Let’s move onto quality. As it is often debated about the quality of hair that both North American vendors and overseas vendors have one thing is for sure that you can 80% of the time guarantee that most North American vendors can see the quality of hair before sending out to you. So the risk factor has gone down whereas when ordering from a overseas vendor you never know what type of hair quality you’re going to get. Shedding, matting, poor weft construction and overall ……….are you getting true human hair. With an American vendor you can ensure most perform a series of checks before sending to you. How many people have bought from a vendor overseas and when something goes wrong with the hair and you try and get in touch with someone to help you, and that also understands you, that will actually help you out. I personally have experienced this as I can tell you it’s never as easy as when you’re actually buying the hair because that process goes smoothly.

I’ve never come to a resolution with an overseas vendor back in the days before owning my own company, on how they will compensate you for the “no good hair”. I’ve been asked to send pictures, I’ve been asked to send the hair back overseas. Mind you it’s close to $80 to ship back via UPS, Fedex or any other large courier services. If you try and send it back via regular mail it may be cheaper but you don’t know when and if it will get there. You don’t get a tracking number and its more of a hassle so what do you do? Nothing!!! You basically are out $150+

Now I know there are many that swear by buying direct and are comfortable with their overseas vendor and knows what their getting but now I’m seeing an over whelming amount of people that are not vets in the hair game trying their luck as well. So this takes us back to the original question, Why buy from a North American vendor that charges more than going direct?

The reasons are clear to me why. I’m not just saying that because I’m a North American vendor or company. I’m saying that because if you do not know the hair game as well as the vets, then it may end up costing you more in the long run. With that said, there are some things to consider when thinking about buying straight form an overseas vendor.

Here are some tips for those who wish to venture out into the Virgin hair world.

Research, Research, Research.

Just because an overseas vendor has a 3year gold star standard doesn’t mean that they have good hair. Never buy from a vendor that asks for western union upfront and in some cases paypal. There is a reason why this payment option is not really recommended on sites like aliexpress etc; You may find yourself out of your money for up to 60 days when disputing with paypal. In the case of western union you won’t see that money ever again.  If buying from these popular sites use their online credit card options. Even if they tell you they will charge you less….. That’s a red flag.

Look at the satisfaction ratings. If you see a small amount of feedback I would be careful. Also if you see most of the feedback are general with 5 stars and no actually feedback from customers, I would be careful of that as well.

Read the details carefully and don’t look at the pictures as most of the pictures posted have been taken from other sites and many not be pictures from the actual vendors. How many times have you ordered based on a picture and get excited about the curl/wave pattern to later find out later when you get it, that it looks nothing like the picture you seen.

And most importantly, do not relay on the dispute method from these sites…… Most times they will leave it up to you to deal with the vendor and then it will never get resolved.

So at the end of the day I think it is good to buy from local vendors as you will not have to deal with a lot of the hassle you may have to deal with but, “too each his own”!

Do what you can afford, do what gets you better results and happy shopping!!

And remember; keep Candy Hair Company in mind for your next purchase!!!!

Here a 5% newbie code if interested code used in shopping cart: NEWBIE1

Visit Site at http://www.candyhaircompany.com/

Everybody Has a Story....... This is mine!

I'm coming into this business with many years direct experience within this industry. My personal interest has extended back 15 years on a more leisure basis. Keeping abreast to the latest trends of hair and hair care. I was introducted to this hair extension game from a very young age. I was rocking clip-in ponytails back in 95'.  I was installing extensions to rock stacked curls in 96' ......... I was doing all of this when most girls were still wearing braids like Brandy. Those were the days when bamboo earrings and chaparrita's was it! You know the days ........ gold ball that were turned into flowers and pinned in your pony to make it look fly. lol..... that was the saying back then. I go way back!

At 16 years old my hair game went from bold to more of a refined look..... I moved to pin curls and 12" weaves. At this point I knew what I wanted to do as a career....... I wanted to learn the skill and craft of hair styling. So.........  I went to work at a local beauty salon assisting the hairstylist and owner with booking of hair appointment ordering of products and sometimes washing and roller setting of client’s hair. Just to get some experience.

Being exposed to this field gave me a good feel for the industry hence furthering my interest in this business.  Family and friends would describe me as a creative and crafty individual that always prides herself on looking good and most important having the best hair and hair styles possible.

After years of having this interest and working at the salon, I realized that as a hair stylist there are benefits and downfalls in the hair styling industry.

In Toronto hairstyling in the black hair community was one of the top choices and must do career choices in 1998. Everyone wanted to be a hairdresser. The field was overwhelmed. I also realized that hairstyling had long hours, limited breaks and the saying “When it rains it pours” was very true. When the money was coming….. it was coming. But when the money wasn’t coming it truly wasn’t. Hairstyling had its ups and downs and sometimes inconstant moments. So, when it was time to choose a career, I went with something more traditional. A nine to five job. Being a single parent, this was the choice that I had made to provide for my child and offer stability and a steady income. My dreams were put on hold.

Nevertheless I chose a different career path, I always had my mind on the dream. Although I was not a professional hairstylist or licensed, during college I supported herself and my child by styling hair for friends and family members making a decent living. In 2001 within a short period of time I was known for weaving and making wigs. That is when I was truly exposed to the world of hair extensions.

Weather it was reading hair magazines, visiting the local beauty supply stores or making wigs, I was hooked. All eyes were always on people’s hair and hair extensions. Just by a quick glance I could tell quality verses “cheap” hair extensions or installations. In hair magazine I could notice if even a strand of hair was out of place, where there were mistakes and what would made it look better.

So, I had a new dream……it was still in line with the old one however this would be a more lucrative and exciting business opportunity.

In 2011 I aligned myself with a well-known virgin hair company as a Sales rep. This is where I started to get a better understanding of the hair extensions industry…. What worked verses what didn’t work.  The customer service, the product, the proper hair care, the manufactures, the targeted market, marketing, sales, demand and profit.  

I believe that I’m truly knowledgeable about this industry, hence the eagerness that lead me to starting this business. I can truly say that this was something that was 15 years in the making.