greatest LENGTHS

 With high demand and good profit potential, hair extensions are a valuable addition to any salon menu says Fiona Vlemmiks

 Despite fluctuations in fashion worldwide, long hair is always en vogue in the UAE. Flick through Ahlan! or Hello and the society pages are filled with images of celebrities and other glam UAE residents sporting glossy, long locks. Yet even for those clients blessed with naturally strong hair, keeping it in perfect condition can be difficult in our arid climate. “Women want hair with great volume and length, but unfortunately we suffer from hair thinning due to our water quality and the effects of the sun, so this all adds up to create the demand for hair extensions,” comments Marium Qaiser, customer relationship manager at Zen Beauty UAE, which distributes the popular Zen Hair extensions in the region to salons such as Sisters Beauty Lounge, JetSet, Essentials, The Loft, BeBar, Beauty By Edge, Tara Rose, Y-12, Platinum Black, MyStyle, Sera Beauty Lounge and Casa Havana. Haysam EID, managing director of EIDEAL, who has just launched a range of hair extensions called EIDEAL EXTENDED says huge demanded from salons prompted the company to create the line. He says: We launched these hair extensions just a few weeks ago. In response to our salon partners’ demand for high-quality hair extensions, we chose to add to our portfolio of products with this meticulously crafted range.

“In the Middle East women love to be glamorous, and key to realising this look is showcasing luscious hair that boasts incredible shine, volume and a real wow factor. “While some women may be genetically blessed with showstopping hair, for many they need a little bit of help to achieve their hair goals – enter hair extensions.” Another key instigator for the rise in demand of hair extensions is their ubiquitous use by celebrities and social media stars. Qaiser reveals that Kylie Jenner uses Zen Hair.

Meanwhile Mane Luxury Hair Extensions launched in the UAE in 2017 through partners Blissology Beauty Supply and now distributed to salons such as The Dollhouse, Kozma & Kozma, and Vinca Rosea has key influencers  as fans. “As a baby brand we’re still very much growing and developing but Mane Luxury Hair Extensions are proud to privately support some of the UAE’s Sheikhas, regional influencers and women in the know in Dubai’s beauty and fashion industry,” says Amy Ward Middle East sales and marketing manager at Blissology. Likewise Vixen and Blush which has been in the UAE for just over a year and now supplies salons such as Belle Femme, Aveda, Blo out bar, Nail Candy and Salah at the Viceroy hotel, Yas Island, has star clients.  “We have bloggers working with us, from fitness models to influencers of 200k followers.  For us, although Vixen and Blush  is a luxury brand, it is targeted at every woman as our job is to make women feel empowered, natural and beautiful. “Our London branch has celebrity clients such as Sarah Ashcroft, Alicia Dixon, Amanda Holden and many more,” says Kimberlee Buchanan, founding partner at KJ Distribution which distributes Vixen and Blush in  the UAE. Another factor is that improvements in application techniques mean that extensions can be applied more quickly and without damage to the natural hair, creating a range of looks from thickening to lengthening.  “If you can go from a ‘lob’ to looking like a Kardashian and back again in a matter of an hour who wouldn’t be game,” says Ward. Offering hair extension therefore can provide great profit potential for your business and with more and more brands entering the market it’s clear that the demands for hair extensions show no signs  of abating. “Whether it’s for thickening your hair because its naturally thinner, lengthening it because you didn’t like your latest haircut, adding new colours without using chemicals on your own hair or covering up patches where you lack in hair, hair extensions will never go out of fashion” says Buchanan. So how do you choose the right partner for your business? We take a look at what some of the region’s top hair extension distributors can offer your clients.

Eideal Extended The EXTENDED range is made from 100% virgin, remy hair and is initially being launched as a tape-in system for salon use. “With EXTENDED the tape is virtually undetectable thanks to its manufacture from cutting-edge materials,” says Eid. “In the near future, we are planning to develop different type of hair extensions including ranges that we can retail.” Enabling a customised service, EXTENDED comes in a range of 30 colours featuring ombre, balayage and highlighted shades in addition to basic colours. “This complete colour choice means that the hair does not need to be coloured by the salon every time a client request hair extensions,” says Eid adding that the hair extensions can be coloured and highlighted safely if necessary. EXTENDED can be also styled at a high temperature setting (up to 210°C), which means they can be tonged or curled like the client’s own hair without risk of breakage or damage and come in two lengths, 35cm and 55cm, in a pack of 12 pieces.

Mane Hair Extensions Mane Luxury Hair Extensions supply professional-only, tape-in extensions made from 100% human, double drawn remy hair. The brand uses only fibre tapes, designed to protect the natural hair. Comprehensive training and support is given from the brand’s creator and creative director Orla Burke. Burke, who has extensive experience as an international trainer for L’Oreal and Great Lengths and advanced training in Trichology, includes advanced techniques in the training. “Amazing hair extensions don’t end at fitting. The best blow-dry can make or break your client retention so styling and follow on training is just as important to us,” says Ward. Going forward, Mane Luxury Hair Extensions will launch keratin bonds and a range of luxury, as well as more affordable, clip-ins and pieces in early 2019.

Vixen and Blush Vixen & Blush uses the micro ring application for most hair extensions with tape extension used for the 17inch series only. “The Micro Ring method has become very popular as it is not only reusable, but very safe and causes no damage to your natural hair. No glue, keratin or braiding is used to fit the hair extensions and both the fitting, and the removal processes are straight-forward, comfortable and simple,” says Buchanan. The range’s micro ring hair extensions (also called nano rings) last for three months and can be re-fitted again – three times – at half the cost to the client. All extensions are derived from Russian virgin hair and the micro ring ranges comes in 18 and 22 inches.  Salons are trained to match extensions with the client’s hair precisely and Vixen & Blush hair can be treated like the client’s own hair – cut, curled and blow dried using the salon’s or client’s normal products. There is a range of 40 colours in subtle mixes with multi tonal blends. With the micro ring method, a full head application takes no more than one and a half hours and the client’s natural hair can grow while wearing the extensions.

Zen Hair Zen hair was established over 35 years ago and launched in the UAE in October 2018. Zen Hair uses a source guaranteed to be from 100% virgin, remy hair and advanced processing techniques to ensures that the extensions perform exactly like the wearer’s own hair. Extensions come in three categories, Pure, Luxury and Ultimate. Each has the same hair quality but varies in top to bottom thickness according to client preference. The extensions are also available in more than 42 colours to suit all clients. Zen Hair provides a huge range of hair extension application types from tape extensions to keratin bond (UTip) and micro ring (ITip) extensions in 18 and 22 inches, with some series offering varying lengths including 14 inches. Zen Hair also offers a luxury clip-in extensions in 16 and 20 inches, which, says Qaiser, are becoming increasing popular in the UAE.