Best Salons For Hair Extensions In Tampa Bay
(photo credit: Super Star Hair / Credit: Kelly Machbitz)
You decided to try one of the "short and sporty" new hairdos, but now you are regretting it and want your long, luxurious locks back. It is faster and easier than ever to go from short to long hair with hair extensions, but it isn't exactly cheap. Hair extensions can vary in price drastically. The range starts at around $350 and can reach over $1,500 depending on the brand, volume and length of hair extensions desired. If you do your research, however, you can find pricing that will fit within your budget. So, if you are ready to make the transformation from drab to fab in a matter of minutes adding volume, color and length with hair extensions, check out one of these Tampa Bay salons.
Spa Bella
19241 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Lutz, FL 33548
(813) 949-4467
www.spabellatampa.com
Spa Bella specializes in a strand-by-strand system called Microlinks. The Microlink method uses a "bead" to attach an extension to the existing hair. This is the ideal choice for those with hair that may have damage due to chemical processing. Only 100-percent human hair is used for the extensions, which last approximately two months. After two months, the "beads" can be repositioned and tightened, preventing damage to your natural hair. Price ranges from $800 to $1,600 for initial installation and $150 to $200 for touch-ups. Call for a free consultation.
Tribeca Color Salon
920 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 250-0208
www.tribecasalon.com
Tribeca Color Salon offers two systems of hair extensions. The first system is the Thicken It Studios tape-in extensions. This system uses surgical-grade adhesive to attach flat, weft extensions (a weft is a small amount of hair pre-sewn together) to the roots of your natural hair. Because the wefts are flat, they are not noticeable. Thicken It Studios tape-in extensions last three to four months, at which time the wefts are removed and new adhesive tape is applied so they can be reused. This system costs $500 for installation, which also includes haircut, styling and shampoo and conditioner for home use. The second system is the Micro Rings system. Small copper tubes with a silicone lining are used to crimp the extension onto your natural hair. The process takes two to four hours to complete with a price of $200 per hour. The Micro Ring system last three to four months before touch-ups are required. Removal and maintenance of the Micro Rings will set you back $200 per hour.
Related: Best Places in Pinellas to Get a Manicure & Pedicure
Monaco Boutique & Salon
2907 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 870-1709
www.monacosalon.com
At Monaco, stylists don't believe in "one size fits all" hair extensions. Monaco offers a wide variety of extensions, as well as many different application methods including Great Length Hair Extensions, Socap USA Hair Extensions, Hair Additionz Hair Extensions and Clip In Hair Extensions. One of the most popular services at Salon Monaco is Great Length Hair Extensions which uses a high-tech method of bonding the extension to your own hair with a polymer chain (made from a molecular structure very similar to that of human hair). These can easily be removed by your Great Lengths Hair Extensions expert, however they cannot be reused. The extensions last four to six months, take two to four hours to attach and average between $800 and $1,000.
3169 Main St., Suite 4
Dunedin, FL 34698
(727) 437-8035
www.superstarhairextensions.comKelly Kubiak of Super Star Hair Extensions is certified in 17 different methods of hair extensions, so she certainly knows her business. The two processes she favors are Hairlocs and Hairdreams. Hairlocs is a no-heat, no-glue, no-wax method that utilizes copper rings to "lock" hair extensions in place. This process lasts six to 12 weeks, after which time the rings can be unlocked and repositioned on the natural hair root. The price for Hairlocs extensions averages $300 to $1,500 depending on density and length desired and touch-ups are $100 per hour. The second method Kelly prefers is Hairdreams, a favorite of celebrities such as Lady Gaga. Hairdreams uses keratin and a heat-fusion system to attach 100-percent, natural human hair extensions to your own hair. The extensions last three to four months and cost between $300 and $1,500. Not sure you want to invest all the time and money on higher-end procedures? At Super Star Hair Extensions, you can ask for the Quickies. These tape-in hair extension wefts are installed in about 20 minutes, last up to six weeks and cost around $350 to $400. Quickies are an affordable way to discover if extensions are right for you. In addition, Kelly offers hair extension correction, hair loss correction, eyelash extensions and spray tans for that "super star" look.
Coquette's Extension Salon
3216 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 374-2148
www.coquettehair.com
Coquette's is the only salon in the Tampa Bay area that carries its own brand of "100-percent human hair fusion extensions and sew-in weaves." A keratin bond is used to attach the hair fusion extensions strand-on-strand so your natural hair is not damaged. The extensions last three to four months before they must be removed and new extensions put in. The cost of the extensions depends on the length of hair and amount used, usually between $650 and $1,500. According to the website, "Coquette's Sew-in Weaves are applied by flat braiding your own hair in a special pattern and then wefts of our hair are sewn onto the braid and a style is created." Sew-in weaves start at $500 and can be worn approximately two months before they must be removed and reapplied.
Head to CBS Tampa's Best Of pages for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!
Kelly Machbitz was the on-air beauty expert for CBS 10 News and also appeared on 48 Hours. Author of "All About Face, A Guide to Makeup" and "Wear This, Not That!" (Amazon.com), Kelly owns a cosmetic studio and consulting practice in Tampa Bay. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
for more features.