We launched our exciting #BigDayGiveaway contest at the start of the month! We’re so happy to see the entries rolling in. We can’t wait to make one Bride’s wishes come true. With the contest closing May 31, we’ll be declaring a winner just in time for the busy Canadian wedding season. Did you know almost 70% of weddings in Canada take place between June and September? Most, in the month of August. IF YOU MISSED IT: We talked to Jessica Kurtz, a Great Lengths stylist in Nanaimo, BC about the photo shoot that resulted in the beautiful bridal photography for the contest. No wedding dress is complete without the right hair to finish the look! Great Lengths are an incredible solution for a bride-to-be with fine hair, or the bride who wants something spectacular on their special day. A bride can add length, colour, sparkle, or even double or triple the thickness of their hair on their big day. For many women, Great Lengths for their wedding day is a first-time experience that hooks them. This was the case with Chelsea, a bride whose hair we made over for her wedding day in June of 2018. “It is thanks to my Great Lengths extensions that my hair looked the best it has ever looked, on the most important day of my life. My hair was a huge part of my feeling as beautiful and as confident on my wedding day as I did. I would 100% recommend Great Lengths extensions for brides looking to achieve their dream hairstyle on their wedding day. I had such a good experience and I could not be happier that I decided to get them for my wedding day. I was expecting my hair to be longer and thicker after, but I was not expecting the entire process to be so smooth, and for the extensions to last as long and as well as they have.” With three different application methods, Great Lengths is a versatile solution, with each method offering different benefits. Thermal fusion keratin bonded extensions, our original method, continues to be the most sought-after extension technique available. Our cold fusion method offers the same incredible results using ultrasonic vibration, rather than heat, to soften and attach the bonds. Each offer incredibly natural results, versatile styling options and several months of maintenance-free wear. And then there are GL Tapes, which incredibly talented Great Lengths stylist, Steven Mathew, raved about in a recent guest blog: “Personally, I love semi-permanent technology like GL Tapes for quick changes, photoshoots, and especially for brides who want to have dream hair for their bachelorette, big day, AND honeymoon! Lasting approximately 4 weeks between maintenance visits, these are a fantastic choice for guests wanting a quick and reusable hair extension system.” Tapes also offer the benefit of being a quicker and more budget-friendly application. A wedding is a bride’s day to shine, and a hairstylist’s opportunity to help make that happen. If you’re a bride-to-be, do not miss entering our Big Day Giveaway for your chance to win our $10,000 Great Lengths prize package that includes the installation, styling and removal of our keratin bonded extensions by one of our talented certified stylists, an aftercare kit, and your very own professional photo shoot before your big day, to be featured in a Great Lengths ad. LOOKING FOR SOME BEAUTIFUL BRIDAL HAIR INSPIRATION? WE’VE GOT PLENTY OF DREAMY SUMMER WEDDING HAIR IDEAS HERE.
We’re very happy to introduce new products to our line and new stylists to our network! Read on to learn more. GREAT LENGTHS INTRODUCES MINI STRANDS AND GL TAPES MINIS Great Lengths Canada is happy to launch Great Lengths Mini Strands and GLTapes Minis. A welcome addition to the product range; these Minis promise to make the application process easier and quicker for the stylist and more detailed for clients. Great Lengths Minis are pre-cut to half the size of the standard bonded strands and half the size of regular GLTapes, making these mini versions perfect to use for clients with finer hair looking for a discrete application around the sides and/or fringe, or for areas of the head that look best when finer strands are applied (at the crown, around the face etc.) Currently, Minis are available in limited lengths and colours, but are available by special order in all existing shades (close to 90!). The Mini Strands and GL Tapes Minis have been welcomed by our stylists, says Louise Jenkins, Education and Creative Manager at Great Lengths UK. Our application methods are discrete but with the addition of the Minis, we are taking that up a level. These are especially good for clients that want just a couple of additions to enhance their natural look, rather than a full- head application. It opens up a lot of possibilities for our stylists to offer their client something that truly works for them, without compromise. Before bespoke looks could be achieved by cutting Great Lengths down to size, Minis allow the stylist to speed up preparation time, saving valuable time while making applications even more customized to each individual guest. Standard GLTapes come in bundles of 10 panels, or five sandwiches; new GLTapes Mini’s come in bundles of 20 panels (ten sandwiches). Standard Great Lengths bonded strands come in bundles of 25 strands; the new Mini’s come in bundles of 50 strands. In terms of pricing, Great Lengths Minis are the exact same price as their standard sized counterpart. NEW STYLISTS We’d like to extend a very warm welcome to our Stylists certified in the last year! Welcome to the Great Lengths network, we can’t wait to see what you do! ALBERTA Amber Walliser - Amber is a Colour, Calgary, AB Lisa Bray - Salon Luminous, Calgary, AB Blaguna Gjorgjevik - Reflection Hair Studio, Edmonton, AB Jayde Morin - Dandy Salon, Edmonton, AB Mackenzie Barrett - Dandy Salon, Edmonton, AB Amy De Kock - Buzz Buzz Hair Company, Hardisty, AB Rachel Rogers - Buzz Buzz Hair Company, Hardisty, AB Kamala Knight - Studio D Salon, High River, AB Jenna Bosch - Plush Salon & Spa Ltd, Medicine Hat, AB Antonia Tagliapietra - Cherish Hair Design, Sherwood Park, AB Delayne Shaye M Karbashewski - Cherish Hair Design, Sherwood Park, AB ONTARIO Donna Morand - Innovations Hair Studio, Carp, ON Francesca Rauti - Salon Nimmi, Etobicoke, ON Jordan Weise - Nova Vita Hair Studio, London, ON Kaylan Gracey - Nova Vita Hair Studio, London, ON Cayla Grbich - Salon Entrenous, London, ON Shauna McCarthy - Salon Entrenous, London, ON Angela Hutchison - Alchemy The Salon, Mississauga, ON Anna Delong - Dolly Mixtures for Hair, Mississauga, ON Kendall Webb - Rinaldi Salon & Spa, Mississauga, ON Mijung Hewit - Salon Distribution, Mississauga, ON Alannah G. Cugliette - Hair By Adamo, Ottawa, ON Alicja Pintscher - Hair By Adamo, Ottawa, ON Assana McDonald - Julian Marc Salon, Ottawa, ON Jessika Corbin – Showpony, Ottawa, ON Julian Tagliavento - Julian Marc Salon, Ottawa, ON Megan Paulin - Dolmar Salon, Simcoe, ON Sara West - Dolmar Salon, Simcoe, ON Lisa Code Parri - Glow Hair Studio, Sudbury, ON Megan Kowalski - Evolve Hair Studio, Toronto, ON Patricia Miaco - Solol Base Inc, Toronto, ON Ruth Fraser - Solol Base Inc, Toronto, ON Saina Sarafian - Medulla & Co, Toronto, ON Suzanne McGlynn - Movie Industry, Toronto, ON Vanessa Hannah - Borg & Boutros, Toronto, ON Zinka Tuminski - Movie Industry, Toronto, ON BRITISH COLUMBIA Annella Cusano - Spa Utopia Salon & Spa, Langley, BC Erika Clare Condon - Vivid Hair Boutique, Langley, BC Mirva Schulze - Spa Utopia Salon & Spa, Langley, BC Rachael Louise Thorne - Vivid Hair Boutique, Langley, BC Tiffany Thomas - Serenity The Salon, Nanaimo, BC Deva Funk - Zazou Salon & Spa, North Vancouver, BC Saghar Keshavarzi - Zazou Salon & Spa, North Vancouver, BC Kellie Doan - Citrus Hair Salon, Vancouver, BC NEWFOUNDLAND Dominique Linehan - Colour Palette, St. Johns, NL Kayla Nugent - Colour Palette, St. Johns, NL QUÉBEC Alexandra Phaneuf - Salon XN, Blainville, QC Natacha Thivierge - Salon XN, Blainville, QC Alessia Foriero - Lov Coiffure & Spa, Laval, QC Alyssa Dias - Lov Coiffure & Spa, Laval, QC Angela Lambroulias - Nuva Beaute & Spa, Laval, QC Josee Landreville - Coiffure Carole Charron, Laval, QC Ricardo Da Silva - Nuva Beaute & Spa, Laval, QC Roxanne Ouellet - Lov Coiffure & Spa, Laval, QC Stacey Ann De Sousa - Lov Coiffure & Spa, Laval, QC Cloe Landry - Institut Edition Beaute Inc., Montréal, QC Dalia Di Benedetto - Labo Mtl, Montréal, QC Jo-Anny Proulx - Le Lowkey, Montréal, QC John Cicione - Salon Mute, Montréal, QC Maggie Semaan - Labo Mtl, Montréal, QC Marie Pier Gagne - Local B, Montréal, QC Mathieu Mainville - Espace JNFLD Inc., Montréal, QC Rebecca Duchard - Local B, Montréal, QC Sabrina Dumont - Le Lowkey, Montréal, QC Sophia Jabrallah - Institut Edition Beaute Inc., Montréal, QC Steven Heins - Stephen W. Atelier, Montréal, QC Micheline Leblanc - Salon Vogue, St. Catherine, QC Veronique Boyer - Salon Vogue, St. Catherine, QC Clementine Anceau - Complex 10e Avenue, Saint Georges, QC Karel Sevigny - Complex 10e Avenue, Saint Georges, QC Idalia Saavedra Galan - Medz Salon, Verdun, QC
BY STEVEN MATHEW We’re so excited to introduce this guest blog by the Insta-Famous, ultra-talented, Great Lengths Champion: Steven Mathew. If you haven’t heard of Steven, well, you must be new to the world of Great Lengths. He’s well known for his amazing transformations, his excellent and educational social content, and his clients who fly from all over the world to entrust him with the application of their hair extensions. As a trusted source to so many, we thought Steven would be the perfect person to discuss how Great Lengths Hair Extensions are applied. Let’s be honest– Hair extensions aren’t going anywhere. They’ve gained a lot of popularity in recent years thanks to social media, but they’re not just a passing trend… they’re a timeless and luxurious hair accessory. New hair extension application methods are popping up constantly, but Great Lengths’ methods continue to be the most recognized and trusted on the market. Great Lengths offers three different hair extension application methods. LEARN HOW EACH OF THEM IS APPLIED BELOW. 1. CLASSIC THERMAL FUSION KERATIN BONDED METHOD The “OG” application method. Developed in the early 90s, this patented method of keratin bonded attachment continues to be one of the safest and most sought-after extension techniques available to this day. With this method of thermal attachment, small quarter-inch square sections of your natural hair are selected, and pre-bonded extensions of equal density are applied (strand by strand). They are then rolled around the natural hair just below the root, making them comfortable and safe, with full range of motion. This means when applied correctly, ponytails are totally doable! Great Lengths’ keratin is often imitated, but what makes it so unique is its ability to mimic the structure of human hair on a molecular level. I know, I know– that’s quite a mouthful. So here’s what you need to know... This keratin is hypoallergenic and will respond to heat and moisture the same way our natural hair will. When it gets wet or heated, it will expand and contract with our natural hair. This is especially important for clients wanting worry-free wear for several months at a time. Applications start with several washes with Great Lengths Clean Removal Shampoo, followed up with a blow dry. Then begins the application of keratin bonds and to finish: a blending haircut! The process generally takes several hours, but the trade-off is no return salon visits for maintenance until months later, when it’s time to remove them. With proper home care, these bonds will stand the test of time and be the closest, most natural hair extension to that of your own hair! 2. ULTRASONIC COLD FUSION KERATIN BONDED METHOD Great Lengths offers versatile application options; the same keratin bonded hair extensions can also be applied with the 5000 Ultrasonic machine. Similar to the thermal method, Cold Fusion applies a customized strand of equal density to natural hair, using quarter-inch square sections around the head. Rather than directly heating the keratin bond, this machine uses a high-frequency ultrasonic vibration to soften the keratin, allowing the stylist to mould and shape it to the client’s natural hair. This application is safe and versatile. It offers the ability to create flat bonds that fan out and lay flat to the head, offering a sleeker look and a very natural fall to the hair. The preparation for the Ultrasonic Cold Fusion Keratin Bonded Great Lengths is the same as the Classic Thermal method. Like the Classic Thermal method, the Cold Fusion method will take several hours to achieve your dream ‘do. When applied by a certified professional, this method of attachment also yields several months of consecutive maintenance-free wear… Totally worth it! 3. GL TAPES & GL TAPES+ GL Tapes and GL Tapes+ were developed to be a quick and reusable semi-permanent hair extension method; perfect for individuals who wish to change up their look frequently! What makes these babies so enticing is the ability to completely transform your hair in approximately 1-2 hours. After a series of clarifying shampoos with the Clean Removal Shampoo and a blow dry, the GL Tapes or Tapes+ are applied by sandwiching two pieces together using a surgical grade adhesive tape on each side of a very thin slice of the client’s natural hair, just below the root. This is (of course!) followed with a blending haircut to finish. Personally, I love semi-permanent technology like GL Tapes for quick changes, photoshoots, and especially for brides who want to have dream hair for their bachelorette, big day, AND honeymoon! Lasting approximately 4 weeks between maintenance visits, these are a fantastic choice for guests wanting a quick and reusable hair extension system. Great Lengths stylists are highly trained in determining which method of attachment might be right for you. During the consultation, you and your stylist will discuss looks, choose textures, lengths and colour effects. We will also, of course, outline pricing for your enhanced look. A consultation is the perfect time to arrive with your hair in its natural state so your stylist can properly assess it for the best match possible. If you are a client looking for more information on what method of hair extension might be right for you, to find a stylist in a city near you! If you’re a stylist looking to become certified in one of our award-winning methods, view our upcoming education dates here.
Are tape-in extensions a good option? The short answer: Yes! We may be slightly biased towards fusion extensions, but that doesn’t mean we don’t LOVE what tape-in extensions have to offer- which is a lot! Tape-in extensions are one of the most requested forms of extensions in hair salons across the world. Here’s why. Affordability The big draw for tape-in extensions, compared to the many other forms of hair extensions, is cost. Tape-in extensions are the least expensive semi-permanent hair extension option. This is largely due to the quick application. A quick application results in a lower cost! It depends on individual needs, but a tape-in application can be as fast as 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll be in and out of the salon in no time. They are the happy medium of hair extension options There are many different types of hair extensions you can get; from fusion, to clip-in. Where fusion extensions offer a longer term option and clip-ins have a one-night vibe, tape-ins are the happy medium in between. You don’t have to commit to them long-term if you don’t want to, but they can last up to 8 weeks. And after your 8 weeks of wear… They are reusable! Another great aspect of tape-in extensions is the ability to re-use the hair multiple times; a huge benefit, especially if you’ve had your extensions custom cut or coloured. Tape-in extensions can be re-taped 3-4 times, depending on the brand and quality of extensions you use. GL Tapes, Great Lengths tape-in product, can be re-taped up to 3 times. Check out a review of our tape-in system here. Easy to apply, easy to take care of and easy to remove When you invest in high quality tape-in extensions, your extensions will not shed, matt or tangle and maintenance will be super easy and hassle free. You’ll need to brush your hair at least three times a day, and wash your hair less frequently (So invest in a good dry shampoo!) When you have worn your extensions for the 6-8 week period and the time has come to remove them, the removal process is as quick and easy as the application. Your stylist will gently rub a removal solution at the root, and your tape-ins will simply slide off with no damage to your natural hair. They are discrete, flexible and completely natural looking Tape-ins lay completely flush against the head, for results that are virtually undetectable and comfortable to wear. The tapelines in tape-on-tape systems on the market today are small, (GL Tapes are only 3 mm wide – and new Mini GL Tapes, measuring 1.5 mm wide, are on the way!) allowing for a 100% natural look. During application, stylists have the ability to maximize placement options to ensure a genuine and clean look for each individual client. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN TAPE-IN EXTENSIONS, THERE ARE A FEW KEY THINGS YOU SHOULD REMEMBER: It’s really important to have a skilled professional install your tape-in extensions! If the stylist installing your extensions isn’t trained to place them correctly, the tapeline will be easily detected. They could also be installed too close to the scalp causing pain and even permanent damage to your natural hair. After your stylist installs your tape-ins, a great cut is a must to blend the extensions with your natural hair. The colour of your tape-in extensions is equally as important as the application process. Your stylist will colour match with your natural hair. Tape-ins are applied with a medical grade adhesive so they are hypoallergenic, and the adhesive is strong and will stay firmly in place. It is very important for the health of your hair that a professional stylist also handles the removal. And of course: when installed properly, no one will be able to tell that you are wearing hair extensions. 🙌 Switching up your hair is fun! One of the best, and most non-committal ways to achieve a major hair makeover is experimenting with tape-in extensions. Your hairstyle options are practically endless. Find a Great Lengths stylist near you to learn more about how our tape-in system, GL Tapes, can enhance your hair.