"I will share with you my opinions of the different methods I offer based on my over 17 years of experience.

First of all, I have no intent to hard sell a particular method or bad mouth any methods.  Why?  My own hair is naturally long and very strong.  Therefore I can wear every
single hair extension method in the world.  In addition, I can choose to wear many textures too.  My hair has body.  If I let it air dry, I get 'beach' waves and brushing it out
will give me the fullness.  I wash my hair every 3 to 4 days depending on how dirty my scalp is.  Funny because when it is not washed for sometime, it has that sex appeal,
'bedroom hair mess' I love.  I brush my hair 2x a day when I get up in the morning and before bedtime and most of the day just finger comb it.
I use styling products or heated appliances only when an occasion calls for it.  So basically, I just wash and go most of the time.
My hair is a natural level 2 {dark brown}.  I love to experiment with colors.  I can color and use a lot of chemicals and yet my hair won't fall out.  The only thing I hate about
coloring my hair is that the color fades and my dark roots appear.  As a result, I love hair extensions.  I give my hair, without chemically damaging it, splashes of colors.
I love any manufactured synthetic hair because the colors just lasts and lasts.  I have worn blondes, pinks, blues, violets...  The texture stays pretty too.  I have plenty of
methods on my own hair and overtime the cyberhair and the synthetics looks the greatest and are so lightweight.
Other than that, my hair is amazingly naturally beautiful with no fuss maintenance.  I don't smoke, or do drugs.  I am not an alcoholic either.  I guess that's why people are
shocked when they learn my age.  
The purpose of this page is letting people know that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all hair extension method.  
They can say that so and so method damaged their hair, but I have learned that their hair and  lifestyle is trashy or unhealthy to begin with.Without further a do, here again
are my opinions, TAKE IT or LEAVE IT""- Charlene Blacer
EXTEND FROM A MACHINE-   My latest new toy!  It is called the ExtendMagic.  It was invented and patented by a Korean engineer who
works with paraplegics.  Since I first received this amazing machine in September 2005, I have discovered many different ways of
installations.  I am introducing SPIDERMANE and SNAKEMANE.  SpiderMane extensions are flat and microscopically they look like fine
threads of a spider's web.  SnakeMane is spun and looks like a hot fusion attachment but without the thick balls of glue.  Please bear with
me as I am still in the lab with this.  But feel free to enjoy my beautiful creations.    more pics
WEFTED HAIR-  I learned cornrows in cosmetology school back in 1991.  This was the only technique offered.   It is a tiny french braid
applied in vertical rows or an all over snake coil.  The weft of hair is the sown into that braid.  The french braids look like 'Island Braids', you'd
get in the Caribbean.  I don't offer this method anymore because it is uncomfortable, itchy and tight to the scalp.  Plus, since the hair is all
inside the braid, the result is an uneven cut and color touch up once after the extensions are removed.  I have learned other anchoring
techniques which I can sew the wefted hair onto.  Nowadays, I invented my own technique using strands, heat shrinks, tape or metals.  It
anchors to an even parting with no braids.  The upside is that the hair is reusable.  You get to choose from any hair texture and colors human
or synthetics and custom blends.  The downside is that since this anchoring utilizes about 8" to 10" {more for snake coils} of your own hair,
you have the entire 8" to 10" or more at risk.  Also if the weft does not come pre cut or with sturdy bonds, it may shed.  This is normal in
weaves.  This method is recommended to stay in the hair for up to 4 weeks and removed using a seam ripper.  more pics
MICRO TABS-  Yes!  Finally a seamless hair extension that gives the look of a full coverage weave, yet no bulk.  It is also the fastest in comparison to
the wefts.  These tabs are per measured and do not have threads therefore eliminating measuring and cutting the weaves.  It is made with sturdy
silicone tabs.  Double sided temporary or long lasting tapes are applied to the tabs and easily placed to the desired area of the hair.  Since it is made
by the Mark Barrington company, I can easily give him any hair or fiber you wish to turn into tabs.  So the sky's the limit!  The pre measured tabs are 2" in
width but can be cut to 1", utilizing much less hair than the traditional weaves.  This method is recommended to stay in the hair for up to 4 weeks and
removed using a solvent.  The hair can then be reused because my US company can customize any A+ to B+ quality hair!  Why settle for cheap hair?  
But if you do want some affordable hair, I also offer the Seamless Mane     more pics
INDIVIDUAL BOX BRAIDS, HEAT SEALS, PINCH BRAIDS-  I learned the box braid back in 1991.  It is done by 2 people.  They both take
turns criss-crossing the strands and sealing the box braid with fiber and heat.  This is an individual strand technique but I do not offer this because I
need another hand at all times.  After the introduction of the ProStyles, life became easier and yet the very same results.  With synthetic heat seals, the
fiber is not reusable and only limited to using meltable fiber.  With the pinch braids, any hair or fiber is reusable and also the sky's the limit because
one can choose meltable fiber, thermofibre, as well as human hair.  The down side is that is if you cannot camouflage it well, these tiny braids are
visible.  This method is recommended to stay in the hair for up to 12 weeks and removed using the hands to break the candied heat seal or tiny
scissors for cutting the threads.  Since this uses loose hair, any width can be created as opposed to widths that are pre measured.  Rule of thumb,
the thicker the width, the riskier, the thinner the least risky but the most expensive since install timing is longer.  This is attached to even square
partings on the head.   more pics
PRETIP STICKS & METALS-  Reusable got easier.  I learned the Easy Hair method {now called EuroLocs} in 1996.  It involves a stick tip spun
from hot glue and inserted inside a metal shell.  Other names for shells are tubes, coils, cylinders, locs, rings, etc...  In the EuroLocs, after inserting the
stick hair inside the metal, it is then turned into a taco and closed like a book with a special clamp.  The same clamp opens up the twice-flatted metal.
Since I had experiences and broke my very expensive clamp in the middle of an install and had to pay full price for a new one, that I decided to shop
around for similar companies.  Finally, I learned to make my own sticks and find my own metals and use any clamp from a hardware store and clamping
turned from a 'taco book' to an even flattened ring!  As a result, EuroLocs has lost my business.  This method is recommended to stay in the hair for up
to 12 weeks and removed by inserting the points of the clamp.  The sticks must also be reheated to give back its sturdiness or dipped in glue if
stickiness is almost gone.  One thing, is that the selection of hair is limited unless you pay me extra for my time to make you some nice sticks for your
choice of hair.  Since this uses any size sticks and different sizes of metals, any width can be created.  Rule of thumb, the thicker the width, the riskier,
the thinner the least risky but the most expensive since install timing is longer.  This method does not work well for fine hair or hair with less density
since slippage occurs.  This is attached to even square partings on the head.  I now make or buy my own pretips and metals.  I call my system Metal
Mane     more pics
PRETIP PERMA PLUGS & SHRINK LINKS-  And furthermore, the reusable methods keep getting better and better!  Now I don't offer metals,
shells, tubes, coils, cylinders, locs, rings any more!  And I don't have to mess around with reheating the sticks or leftover metal hair discoloration.  I don't
even have to manufacture the sticks which disintegrate anyway.  It is now done by machine uniformly even in a quality controlled factory in the California.  
I have discovered the Shrink Links made by the genius who invented the Micro Tabs.  These pretips are coated with silicone.  In comparison to the sticks
and metals, these never, ever disintegrate.  These plugs can be cut in width for thin or thick installs.  Then the plug are inserted inside the heat shrink
links.  The Shrink Links itself gives off a holding power residue after contact with the heated flat iron enabling the plugs to stay put in the hair.  The sky's
the limit for your choice of hair!  Yes, he can pretip any kind of human, synthetic, or thermofibre into permanent plugs.  This method is recommended to
stay in the hair for up to 12 weeks and removed using the same flat iron.  Any width can be created.  Rule of thumb, the thicker the width, the riskier, the
thinner the least risky but the most expensive since install timing is longer.  This is attached to an even square parting on the head.  more pics
PRE BONDED GLUE, POLYMER, HOT FUSION STRANDS-  Most transparent of all!  In the past I used to offer glue guns or hot box
dispensers.  I found that to be very messy.  Suddenly, I discovered pre bonded strands.  After experimenting with other companies who offer pre bonded
strands, overall I am very satisfied with the Great Lengths hair and patented bond.  The bonds can be cut in width and is attached to an even square
parting on the head.  Because any width can be created, one has the option to apply the strands to very fine areas of the head.  Rule of thumb, the thicker
the width, the riskier; the thinner the least risky but the most expensive since install timing is longer.   The sky is not the limit for your choice of this hair.  
You must use only genuine Great Lengths hair which I must say truly wears better over time than other human hair pre bonds or sticks.  The hair is
processed in the Great Lengths factory in Italy.  The hair is collected from Indian temples and processed without bleach.  It uses weeks of
depigmentizing and weeks of color bathing.  The Italians really put a lot of tender loving care.  And if you ever went to their factory, you'd understand what I
mean. As a result, soft virgin long lasting colorful hair. This method is recommended to stay in the hair for up to 12 weeks and removed using the
solvent.  The downside is that removal is a much longer process because the bond is fused onto every single hair inside the square, whereas in the
shrink links, the links shrink wrap over the entire square. more pics
COLD FUSION CYBERHAIR-  Most healthy of all!  As you may have read, I used to offer the Pretip Sticks & Metals.  Suddenly, my discovers took
me to something more advance in regards to ease, no burning my fingers and saving money on electric.  Cyberhair is the name of a special kind of
patented hair made from nylon pellets.  Exactly 100 hairs are internally and externally inside a silicone coated sterling silver bead.  The silicone acts
as a cushion and cold adhesive that protects your hair inside.  Never have I seen a cold crimping technique with zero hair discoloration!  The hair itself
resembles virgin human hair and feels that way too.  It claims to be 4x lighter than human and unlike human, you can let this air dry.  I have had this
exclusive for 1 year now and the stories I hear are too good to be true.  One client swears that she treats this as if it were her own hair.  Application
is faster than the pre bonds or sticks.  The strands come pre attached with the bead.  Because it does not use a square parting, but a line parting that
looks like this -  the cyberhair is flared out giving the illusion of 2x thicker than human.  Also unlike other strands, this attachment replicates a 360
degree rotating ball so it can be placed high up the root giving the wearer more longevity and can rotate 360 degree {see comparisons}.   Did you
notice the difference from the top pics?  And because, it only anchors to very few hairs {compare the width to the others}, only fewer hairs are at risk.  
The sky is the limit as far as manufacturing.  This company is able to create different colors and textures for extra dollars.  And they can manufacture
and copy a hair texture and color that is a rare find.  This method is recommended to stay in the hair for up to 12 weeks and removed using the same
plier that flattens the soft silver and then opens it up again by turning the edges over.  This hair is perfect for fine or thin even damaged. This is not
good for people who deliberately trash their hair on a daily basis.  If you constantly need to use heated appliances for your own hair, then I would not
recommend this to you.  This hair by itself is made for a wash and go type of lifestyle- simple and easy because the least you do to this hair the better.  
Men love the Cyberhair micropoint links.  It's made for their lifestyle. Women have curled this hair with steam rollers or a roller brush.  This hair has
memory just like synthetic, so you can twirly bun your hair and out comes curls.  You can even 'cold curl it' without heat!  Brush out the curls for body.  
Sure go ahead and dye your own hair and apply conditioner to your scalp without fear.  And just like synthetic, the color never fades.  Plus the hair never
sheds.  Even its luster stills remains.  Since this is fairly new in the field of hair extensions, more colors and textures are continuously being
introduced.  This hair is also the easiest to cut and style- how time worthy is that!  more pics women       more pics men
INVISIBLE HAIR SKIN GRAFT-  Made for severely damaged hair, hair shedding
due to meds, bald spots, see-through hair.  The key points to know about this hair
extension method is that while all the top anchors only  to the hair; this method
anchors to both the hair and the scalp.  Therefore further eliminating the pulling and
tugging associated with strand or weft extensions.  This hair is reusable and comes in
single to double tone shades.  The grafts can easily be trimmed from its original 10"
length to cover certain 'bald' areas.  I would not recommend this for thick hair.  This is
recommended to stay in the head for up to 8 weeks.  more pics
Shown from left to right the strand comparison:
Cyberhair, Great Lengths, EuroLocs {flatten}, Shrink Links
{by themselves and anchored to the hair}  {Pinch Braids and Heat Seals are not part of
this comparison because those hairs are NOT predetermined and therefore any width
from thick to as thin such as these can be created}

Here are your choices- you decide and please do further research as I am not
the type of specialist who will force you or give you deadlines for payment.  
These are my opinions based on numerous surveys.  Always remember
NOT ALL SPECIALISTS ARE CREATED WITH EQUAL TALENTS.  
And NOT ALL CLIENTS ARE CREATED WITH EQUAL HABITS.
1 on 1 VIP Consults are highly recommended
WORD OF ADVICE  If you have heard negative comments on any of the methods above,
why don't you ask that technician if she/he has ever in their lives installed a full head of
fresh hair or even had the opportunity to play with it on their own hair {LOL}. ;b
Types of Human Hair from around the World

Ok, now you decided on your method.  Let's take a closer look at human hair.  
My hobby is traveling.  I love to tour the world.  I find beauty in every cultures.  From my experiences as a cosmetologist and the people in our earth, I have
learned that there are many different types of human hair.  Scientists have identified three basic types of hair in today's human population, and have
related them to these three early races Asian, Caucasoid and African.  Over many thousands of years these three groups of people have intermingled.  
Therefore it is prejudice to say that 'European hair' is the best hair in the world. The most important is the hair's history from the collection to the
processing or patented processing.  These factors conclude to its expense.  Rule of thumb, the rare finds are the most expensive, whereas the most abundant
are the least expensive.

As a professional, I do not have a narrow mind to tell you, that a certain type of human hair is the best in the world.  Stylists who only offer a
one-size-fits-all human hair type, for example, "European full cuticle from Spain, Russia, Italy", let's say, and claims that this type hair is the best that
money can buy are considered bias and very uneducated.  To learn more on the science of hair and to realize the true facts, visit Hair Determined By Genes
"Since I am a specialist and will be for many more years to come, I am always seeking newer inventions.  And
because I am a licensed cosmetologist, I have the luxury to buy and try all kinds of hair and methods sold
to professionals only.  And because I have naturally strong, long hair, I can taste every single hair extension
method I want without having to bad mouth like the competition.  I have plenty of faithful clients and as you
can see I can afford to take classes and fly all over the world seeking the most advanced methods the world
has to offer.  BRING IT ON!"  - Charlene Blacer