Stylist-to-the-stars Christian Pare, owner of Toronto’s EMC2 salon, demystifies the allure of hair extensions to ELLE.
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At fall fashion weeks around the globe, long, lush locks rocked the runways. But, along with sky-high heels and barely there minis, it can be a perilous look for some of us. While extensions promise the allure of Gisele-like manes to those who suffer from thin, brittle hair or a more serious condition, illusion-destroying tabloid close-ups of Britney Spears’ extensions may have you fearing that if a posh celebrity can’t pull it off, who can?
Elle spoke with stylist-to-the-stars Christian Pare, owner of Toronto’s EMC2 salon, to find out how to get it right.
Elle: Who have you applied hair extensions to?
CP: Chantal Kreviazuk for her L'Oreal Garnier (garnier.ca) campaign last fall, Jennifer Love Hewitt for her movie The Tuxedo, and Jessica Alba for her movie Honey. From Reese Witherspoon and Miley Cyrus to Jessica Simpson and Megan Fox, the desire for long, flowing sexy hair is everywhere.
Some clients come to us because growing their bangs out is too difficult, so we give them longer bangs. For many, their hair is thinning, perhaps from stress or child birth or malnutrition. Others lose their hair due to alopecia, chemo or cancer medication. Once their hair gets three to five inches long, we can add extensions and no one would be able to tell. This is very emotional for the client and for my staff and me as well. Clients can look forward to enhancing their image and their self confidence as well.
Elle: What kinds of hair extensions are available?
CP: Extensions come in many forms: pre-bonded strands for all over length or volume, braided strips of hair known as weaves, and clip-ins for one-night affairs or simple ponytails.More tips on how to get and care for hair extensions on the next page ...
