I didn’t really know who Peter Gray was before I left for New York Fashion Week for the first time. I googled his name and saw enough to know he was important. You probably have seen his work in Vogue, on the runway, and in lots of Redken ads. I couldn’t escape the surreal feeling that I would have access to talk to a stylist of this caliber.

I was NYC Fashion Week supporting easihair and the tape in extension system I helped create called easilengths. We were there to make sure shows like Betsey Johnson, Carlos Miele, Nichola K, and Badgley Mischka  had all the extensions they needed to create the Fall 2011 runway looks.

Jennifer Edwards, director of education/easihar, carried a huge suitcase around filled with extensions and clip in bangs. In essence, we were hair dealers. Haha!

We got the chance to go to the Betsey Johnson show. We were there early and got in on all the behind the scenes action.

As a stylist I was blown away with Peter’s precision and passion to his craft. His Japanese team descended upon a model like an elite machine. 3 people, 6 hands, hairspray and bobbi pins moved in a circular motion around the model like a whirlwind. One mind and one objective: to wrap the long models hair around and around her head so they could use the China Doll wig by Jon Renau on the runway.

I stopped and stared. Mesmerized. I have never seen anything like that in my career. My only thought was, I want to be like that.

When we have potential clients come into our Dallas based extension salon, The Beauty Box, we have some basic requirements that are needed in order to get a seamless look. It is not a once size fits all answer. The are several factors to consider besides just the length of the hair.

7 Things You Need to Know About Getting Hair Extensions on Short Hair.

1. If there was a one size fits all answer this would be as close as you could get: Your hair needs to be chin length with some soft layers in it. It cannot be layered too much, however, all one length hair will not blend into the hair extensions.

2. If you have really thick coarse hair your length needs to be between your chin and shoulders.

3. If your hair is finer you can get away with your hair being shorter. You may even be able to get around the chin length rule if you are super good at styling your own hair.

4. If you have a pixie cut and wish to have extensions the answer is no. No matter what anyone tries to tell you or sell you, applying extensions to short boyish hair is the kiss of death. You are basically building a wig on top of your head.  I say get a wig. It’s faster and will most likely look better.

You may get lucky and and your hairdresser may style it up and make it look great the day you leave. The first time you wash it you will find it extremely difficult to style and blend. You will more than likely have your own hair poking out form the extensions. Worst of all you may be able to see the hair extension attachment.

Hair extensions on extremely short hair takes a long time to apply and the end result just is not worth it.

5. Hair extensions on short curly hair? No, for a lot of the same reasons above this type of hair is rarely a good idea to apply hair extensions on. Your best bet would be to wait till the hair is at least just above shoulder length when it is curled. This will make sure your hair looks good either curly or straight.

6. Another important factor to successfully applying extensions on shorter hair is having enough hair extensions to create a believable look. You cannot skimp on this. You could end up with a Joan Jett mullet. So unless you are planning on releasing your inner rockstar make sure you have enough weave for your head!

7. Your hair extensions need to be cut by a talented stylists who understands the art and craft of blending hair extensions. This is key to getting complements about your hair versus comments about your hair extensions.

Get more tips on all things hair extensions at www.hairextensiongeek.com