5 Tips to Become a Master Extensionist

Every month in the United States there are 1.2 million searches on average for professional hair extensions, usually paired with related searches on the terms "near me", "tape", "best", "curly", "salon", "how to", "short hair", and "permanent". Particularly with the search terms "near me" and "salon", there are more customers than ever before looking for the hair extensions YOU provide.

So the question is…with all of the opportunity out there and customers hungry for the hair of their dreams, are extensions currently a large portion of your business? If not, why aren't they? Some of the most profitable salons in the country who are doing exceptionally well with add-on hair services including permanent weaves, tape-ins, beads and more all have one thing in common: a master of craft, marketing and message.

Tip #1: Life is busy, take advantage of online classes.

Be it freebie workshops, YouTube videos, Facebook/Instagram live, or even paid online courses…take every opportunity to keep learning. Nothing beats hands-on classes, but sometimes it's hard to get away from the salon or even a busy work/home life balance. Online classes, videos, etc. offer you the ability to learn at your own leisure, be it nights, weekends, Mondays when the salon is closed or even in the break room in between clients.

Watch, make notes, and practice on mannequin heads. Take charge of your own education experience, because even extensionists who have been doing this for years can also polish their skills. We have a complete library on online classes, articles and even videos to help get you started.

Tip #2: Even if you know extensions, get certified.

Technology evolves, technique evolves and sometimes even the way in which manufacturers recommend their products be installed varies from brand to brand. Part of this is sometimes to spin positive aspects of the way in which the extension is made, attached, etc. while downplaying challenges and anything negative. Online hair extension certification is more than just polishing up your skills on wefted extensions or tape-ins…it's also about showing customers that you know your stuff! Certificates in extensions or really anything skilled you do should be showcased in your salon. It breeds confidence that they're coming to a skilled Master Extensionist.

Not Perfect Locks Certified yet? Here's a collection of our available courses!

Tip #3: Leverage Social Media

Social media can be overwhelming at times, but it is an excellent early incubator for hair trends that you should know long before your clients show up asking for them. It's also an incredible place to learn, gain inspiration from other hairdressers, and showcase work of your own. Our social channels are FILLED with tips, tricks, hair hacks, information on extensions and lots of before and afters. 

Take the time to explore these and reshare them with your customers. It not only showcases and reminds them you offer the products or services of a particular brand, but also helps to keep feeding socials on busy days when you may not have time to plan, shoot or record something.

Tip #4: Find a Mentor

Mentors in life, art or business can be everywhere if you know where to look. It can be a fellow stylist in your salon, or even a stylist a few towns over or halfway around the world. It can even be friends, family or someone who is acquaintance…maybe even someone you look up to but don't know that well. Never be afraid to ask for advice, ask to be critiqued, show that you are open to grow and get better. If you want to truly be a Master Extensionist, go to someone who is and ask them questions and remember that they once were where you are today. Our team is also ALWAYS available to help you, be it in mastering add-on hair, business or marketing ideas or maybe even just ideas for your socials.

Tip #5: BECOME a Master Extensionist is:

• Mastery of the Craft of Add-On Hair - It's not just about being able to put whichever form of hair extensions you decide to offer competently. It's ALSO about doing a great consultation 100% of the time.
• Are you installing or recommending the right solution for them?
• Would clip-ins be better because they can't honestly commit to taking care of their permanent hair extensions?
• How is the condition of their hair? Is it too thin or damaged? Thinning?
• Mastery of the Marketing of Add-On Hair - When is the last time one of your existing clients looked at your menu? Chances are they looked at it once and never again. People tend to be creatures of habit, and unless you have both direct and indirect cues that you offer extensions (or really any other service for that matter), you could miss out on the sale.
• Hold regular promotions, particularly as wedding season and prom season heats up. The #1 way people try extensions for the first time is for a special occasion. Keep your ears open, our clients trust us and often share their lives with us as stylists.
• Offer a few pieces installed along the hairline as face framing highlights at a nominal price to get clients interested if they've never worn extensions before. It's an easy way for them to dip their toe in the water without much of a commitment to a half or full head install.
• Mastery of the Message of Add-On Hair - here's a rare fact that you can't say about every service on your menu: hair extensions are FOR every client. No matter what the occasion, what the challenge, dream or desire they have: there's a solution for them.
• Want color without commitment or damage? Use extensions as highlights, lowlights or all over pre-colored balayage effect!
• Have fine hair and want more density and volume? Extensions!
• Struggling with some thinning hair and need your confidence back OR dignity during treatments? With great empathy…we have solutions for them as well.

Being a Master Extensionist is no different than any other skill in the art of hairdressing, because all of the above starts with mentoring and education.