Hair extensions can give you the hair length, color and density that you have always wanted. Extensions are a way to quickly change up your hairstyle. With the right extension method, almost any length of hair can be achieved. Extensions aren’t only for length, fullness and thickness can be added to thin hair. Thicker hair will let give you more styling options!
Natural Beaded Row Hair Extensions Review
There are many types of extensions and installation techniques. Today’s review is all about Natural Beaded Row hair extensions. These are the ones that I have been wearing for a few months and really love. I’m sharing the pros and cons and how I take care of them in today’s post along with my review and thoughts on this extension method.
How do Natural Beaded Row Hair Extensions Work?
Natural Beaded Row hair extensions are an exclusive extension method created by Danielle K. White of DKW Styling. Natural Beaded Row hair extensions are a type of hand-tied hair extensions. They are a specific brand and technique within the hand-tied hair extensions method. The Natural Beaded Row hair extension method uses wefts of natural hair instead of tape in or keratin pieces.
Once your stylist colors the wefts to match your hair they are sewn in. The hair extensions are placed in your hair in rows called tracks with this bead and string method that is exclusive to the Natural Beaded Row technique.
Depending on the hair length and thickness that you want, you may have anywhere between 1-3 tracks on your head. And each track can have several wefts of hair on them. This is all customizable to your specific hairstyle goal. The tracks are put in your hair in a halo shape from ear to ear to make them the most seamless. Depending on your hair growth, every 6-8 weeks the extensions are taken out and moved up close to your roots again.
Natural Beaded Row Pros and Cons
As with anything, there are pros and cons to Natural Beaded Row hair extensions. I have now had mine for a few months. I’ve tried them out and have had the extensions moved up. I have also had lots of time to style them.
Pros
Little to know damage
To be honest I have been hesitant about hair extensions for myself personally. While many of the different types look great and I love the long luxurious hair, I’ve always been worried about damaging my hair. For any extension method the more the hair and the extensions touch, the more damaging it can be. Natural Beaded Row hair extensions have the least amount of points of contact with your hair than any other extensions method. This means it is seriously little to no damage. When I had my first move-up appointment and the extensions were taken out I checked my hair and I didn’t see any damage.
Tape-in extensions can be really damaging the longer you wear them. Each time you get your extensions moved, your hair is damaged and some is pulled out. The tape is hard on your hair and causes damage at the point of contact.
Look Natural
A few steps are taken to have the most natural-looking extensions. First of all, they are natural hair! The wefts of hair are color-matched to your exact hair color. The roots are even colored your root color to really look seamless. Since the hair is applied in wefts and not bundles or tape-ins, the hair lays really flat against your scalp. The extensions are sewn in a halo around your hair and not just horizontally on your scalp. This allows it to really integrate with your own hair and blend. Once the extensions are installed, your stylist will cut them to the length you want and then blend them together seamlessly.
Completely Customizable
There are really endless options for hairstyles that can be created with this extension method. The wefts come in several hair lengths, so a stylist can create almost any length. In terms of fullness and thickness, a stylist can layer several wefts together for each track. This is how thickness can be created with only a few rows of extensions.
The natural beaded row extension method can also add thickness to thin hair. A track or two of hair is sewn in and then cut to the length of your hair.
Work for most hair types
Because the whole process is so customizable, Natural Beaded Row extensions can work for almost every hair type. Whether you have thick, thin or somewhere in between, this extension method will work for you. The natural hair wefts come in different hair textures and thicknesses and can be layered in each track. This means you can truly match almost every hair type!
Cons
Investment
All extensions are expensive and you really get what you pay for. Quality natural hair comes at a cost and you’ll want to talk to your stylist so you know what the investment is for the hairstyle you want. The wefts of hair can last up to about 8 months depending on how well you take care of them. Beyond the actual natural hair, you are paying for the expertise and technique of your stylist. Natural Beaded Rows don’t wreck your hair. You can take them out at any point and your hair will be ok. Also take into account that you have to get the extensions moved up every 6-8 weeks.
High Upkeep
Having extensions is not low maintenance. From washing to styling, natural hair has to be taken care of so it will last. It takes longer to wash and dry your hair as well as style it. This may seem like a lot more time, especially if you are adding a lot of length or thickness to your hair. You also can’t go to bed with your hair wet. You’ll need all of your hair to be dry and then tie it back with a silk scrunchie before you sleep.
Salon Appointments Every 6-8 weeks
Depending on your hair growth, you’ll need to get the Natural Beaded Row hair extensions moved up every 6-8 weeks. In this appointment, the extensions are first taken out. Then your own hair is colored (if it needs to be) and the extension color is touched up (if it needs to be). Your hair and the extensions are dried separately and then the extensions are sewn in again.
How to Wash your Natural Beaded Row Extensions
One of the things that I had to really figure out when I first got extensions was washing my hair. Suddenly having a lot more hair was overwhelming to wash. After some trial and error I have, it figured out and have a few tips to help you.
Wash in Sections
Use a sulfate-free shampoo that works for you hair type. Since I color my hair, I always use a color-safe shampoo that is moisturizing. Once your hair is wet, I recommend dividing your hair up horizontally into two or three sections. I use these clips to hold the sections. Take each section and apply shampoo to it and work it in. Make sure to really work it in around the top of the weft. This is where product can build up. Let the shampoo sit while you move on to the next section. Letting the shampoo sit on your hair allows it to break up the oils and products in your hair. Then you can work in sections to wash it out.
Wash your hair twice
This may seem a little crazy but even before I had extensions I would always wash my hair twice and it makes such a difference. Both times you wash, focus the shampoo on the roots with only getting the ends shampooed the first time and only put a little bit of shampoo on them. The first time you wash your hair it won’t lather very well. Work the shampoo in well and then once you’ve done all the sections rinse. Do the whole process again and this time you will get a better lather.
Apply conditioner only to the ends
Don’t apply conditioner to the roots of extensions. They can make the beads in the natural beaded row extensions slick and they will move down faster so the extensions will need to be oved up sooner.
Use a wide tooth comb or Wet Brush
Wet hair, whether it is your own hair or extensions, is the most susceptible to damage. Be very gentle with wet hair and keep brushing to a minimum. To work out any tangles use a wide tooth comb or wet brush. Start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up as you detangle. Don’t worry about getting every single tangle out while it is wet. Get the majority out and then when it is dry, you can work out the rest.
Use a microfiber towel
Microfiber towels are not only gentler on your hair but they are very absorbent. As soon as you are out of the shower, wrap your hair in a microfiber towel. It will absorb a lot of the excess water in your hair. Microfiber is gentler on the hair’s cuticle so it won’t cause as much breakage or fly aways as a traditional towel.
Let Hair Air Dry 70% before Blow Drying
As soon as you have extensions installed you suddenly have more hair! That means more hair to dry. Letting your hair air dry 70% helps in several ways. First of all it saves your hair from as much heat. Next it saves you some work. Blow drying all of your hair from sopping wet to dry can take a long time and will be exhausting. Once it is 70% dry, dry your hair as usual.
Are Natural Beaded Row Extensions Worth It
Are natural beaded row extensions worth it? That is a big question but for me, it has been a big yes! I wanted a few inches of length and thickness at my ends. My stylist added one track of extensions which has 5 wefts of hair on it. I love how the extensions look and feel. I have had several people compliment me on my hair and they had no idea I have extensions. The added length is so fun and I love how my hair looks curled. I also really love how thick my braids and ponytails are with all the extra hair! I have a serious power pony!
What I really love about natural beaded row extensions is that it hasn’t stopped me from putting my hair up, even in a high ponytail. The way the extensions lay looks so natural no matter what hairstyle I have!
Disclosure: I may earn an affiliate commission on any purchases or clicks thru the links in this post. This is at no cost to you and I only share things I love.
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