Hair extensions – formally associated with the impossibly long tresses of WAGs – are taking on a much more subtle and sophisticated form. A form so subtle, that many women are simply unaware of its availability. Fortunately, Lucinda Ellery is here to shed a light on All Things Hair, keeping you one step ahead at all times.

Extensions to combat thinning

For years, women have been using extensions to lengthen their hair, but the turn of the decade saw a growing trend in using them to add thickness and volume to natural hair, without extending its length. Why the surge in demand? Well, hair thinning is a very real problem; and it’s one that comes in all shapes and sizes. In fact, over 45% of women  over the age of 40 experience it in some form. From alopecia and hormonal imbalances, to the natural changes that occur with ageing, there are many reasons women experience hair loss or thinning. Fortunately, there are now also many reasons that this so-called inevitability is no longer inevitable.

The process of using hair extensions to add lustrous volume to thin or thinning hair was once a luxury reserved for those who walked the red carpet.  But hair extensions — or ‘fillers’ (as they are often referred to) — have taken the media by storm, and now more women than ever are demanding the full and bouncy locks they’ve always wanted, and refusing to settle for anything less.

Sandra Howard’s search for thicker hair

Ex-vogue model, Sandra Howard, has gone through life longing for thicker hair (yes, supermodels have insecurities too!) but as she approached her sixties she found her already fine hair to be falling out in clumps and becoming even thinner. Although hair thinning is a natural and expected part of ageing, Sandra decided it was not one she would bow down too. And after seeing Great British Bake Off star, Mary Berry, sporting a fabulously voluminous mane at the age of 84, she embarked on a mission to find her own Mary Berry Boost. Sandra soon discovered the Lucinda Ellery salon for its specialist expertise in the ultra-natural (and cutting edge) Medi Connections. After getting in contact with Lucinda, the model-turned-journalist came for a consultation at the salon, seeking a hair transformation that she would write up for the world to see.

After discussing her desired results with Lucinda’s team, Sandra decided to go ahead with the fitting of around 50 Medi connections to see once and for all if the media hype was justified. The results? Well, you can see them in the article along with the before and after pictures — in short, Sandra fell in love with her hair in a way she never had before. She said “the weight of it bouncing around my shoulders made me feel perky, nevermind decades younger” and “there is no describing the joy I feel waking up without hair flattened to my scalp. I don’t even need rollers to add bounce”.

Medi Connections

The days of hair extensions being a one-trick pony are long gone. In fact, 95% of Lucinda Ellery’s hair extension clients are looking for added volume — not length. And when it comes to adding volume to thinner hair, Medi connections hold the key. Unlike traditional hair extensions, Medi connections are very small, lightweight human hair extensions that are placed underneath the clients own hair to add volume.

The weight of the hair is matched to the weight of the client’s own hair to ensure a natural blend. And more importantly, the minute size of these bonds (no larger than a grain of rice) ensure the discretion needed for someone with naturally fine hair, or someone who has had a general reduction in volume. Typically clients need approximately 50 Medi connections to add volume (as opposed to the 100—120 typically needed when adding length) making the process quicker, more economical, and far more subtle than typical hair extensions. Once fitted, you can expect them to last for around 3 months, at which point they can either be removed, or replaced with a new set.

Choosing and matching

In terms of the hair itself, getting as close a match as possible is key in creating a natural look. Clients interested in adding volume to their hair through Medi connections are invited to Lucinda’s salon for a free consultation, where her expert team will advise you on how best to achieve your desired look. In terms of texture, our three types of hair have all bases covered.

The preferred choice is Euro Grade Hair (Indian temple hair), due to its soft, natural look and feel as well as the extensive colour range and purse-friendly price-point. It’s called Euro Grade because it is very similar to typical European hair in its fineness and texture, providing a close colour match for many women.

Those with naturally curly hair may want to consider Brazilian Virgin hair. Brazilian is one of the most exclusive and rare types of hair as it has not been chemically treated to reduce the cuticle; and although the natural colour range is limited, Lucinda Ellery’s expert colourists will ensure your perfect match is achieved.

The third and final option is Russian Virgin hair, which is the finest quality hair and is straight, smooth and fine in texture. It tends to come in shades of mid browns and darker colours, but unfortunately proves limiting for our fairer haired clients, as sourcing virgin blonde hair is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But when it comes to hair, we always say when there’s a will, there’s a way. So if you long for thicker, bouncier hair, book a free consultation with Lucinda Ellery and we’ll find a way to make it happen.