Coloring News - Donna Bella Hair
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SALON SUCCESS
How do you get started in the Color Takeover revolution? Stylists who have grown their business with extensions and hair color share their journeys, tips, and advice.

BAELEE REITER
Manager and Stylist
Evolution Salon, Minot, ND
@inbaeleeschair
My love of extensions took root in cosmetology school, and it was one of the best things I could have done for my career. After graduating, I tried different brands until introduced to Donna Bella. I love the quality of the hair—and the support.

What Has Changed?
Extensions are no longer just about super-long hair and four-plus hours in the chair. Now I am adding extensions just for pops of color, for highlights, to add volume, to extend or brighten an ombre or balayage service.

For thinning clients, we use extensions to add thickness. For finer-haired clients, we add darker pieces to create lowlights and added dimension with minimal fading.

To colorists who are skeptical or to any stylists who are a bit intimidated by the idea of bringing hair color and extension services together, I always say “think back to your first time doing a full head of highlights.” It takes practice—and time—but once you learn and go through the process a few times, your speed and confidence improve rapidly.

Why Specialize?
It’s worth it. You can boost profits so quickly by adding color and extensions. As with anything new in our craft, success takes an open mind and practice.

When I first started at the salon seven years ago, I was the only one who did extensions. Within two years, I was so busy with extensions and consultations, I couldn’t keep up. I had no choice but to train a few other stylists in the salon. When another salon stylist sees the money you can make by being an extensions specialist, they are intrigued and want to learn, too. Who doesn’t want to make more money?

We have grown so much with extensions in our salon and town. When I talk to stylists at Donna Bella classes or shows, I often hear, “I’m from a small town, no one would want extensions.” Then I tell them about how much business I do at my North Dakota salon, and that I believe almost every client is an extensions candidate.

Something for Everyone
Not everyone has to have a full head application, in fact most of my clients don’t. Some just want to fill in around the front, ears forward. Maybe they’ve had breakage or find the hair doesn’t grow as fast. Others don’t want to over-compromise their hair, especially now that balayage is so popular. I can add one package of platinum blonde or silver extensions to add brightness and make them feel a lot lighter.

Sampling Works
One of my best tips is to always keep product at your station. Show the client what adding just a few pieces might do for her. Start out with a type of extension that doesn’t have a commitment—Donna Bella offers four types—Tape-In, I-Link, Flat-Tip, and Kera-Link. Place a few and tell her, “If you decide within a week that you don’t like it, come back and I’ll take it out for free.” Nine times out of 10, she comes back—but because she wants more. For many, the extra thickness and volume are addictive.

Pricing Pointers
As far as pricing extensions, the nationwide average for Donna Bella Hair ranges from $5-10 per strand for the application process, plus what you charge for the hair itself. So if you install 20 to 40 strands, you would charge from $140 to $280. With practice, installing 20-40 strands should take about a half-hour. Then, depending on the method and the service, the client comes back in 6 to 12 weeks to remove the extensions and move them back up to the root area. You charge for the total time the service requires, which varies depending on the method. Even a few fashion color strands can generate $20-30 for a quick 5-minute add-on service.

Making a Difference
It all comes back to a conversation with your client and building trust. Extensions are a huge money-maker for our salon, but extensions also change people’s lives, and that’s very gratifying.

I had a client who was struggling with the fact that her hair did not grow back with the same texture after successful treatment for cancer. We found a solution with extensions. She was in my chair, in tears, so happy. Hair is one of the most important accessories we have, and extensions—along with hair color and a great style—allow us to give clients the accessory they want.

Another fine-haired client just wants to be as platinum on her ends as can be. So I said, let’s add some Color #60 (Donna Bella’s lightest, most neutral shade) to your hair. I’ve had her rebooking for a solid year now because I can give her the look that no other stylist can with hair color alone. I simply retouch her regrowth and just push up her extensions.

And then there are clients who crave those really fun fashion colors that are so huge right now. I can create a custom color with extensions or place a few bright pops, no pre-lightening necessary.

Sky's the Limit
My main message to share with fellow salon professionals is simple: if you can specialize in extensions and the custom coloring of extensions, you will set yourself apart from other stylists and salons. The sky really is the limit. From mermaid hair to subtle lowlights, the opportunities are there, in your chair.

Don’t let hesitation hold you back. Try new things on fellow stylists and family. Take pics and post your transformations. One really good before-and-after on a professional Instagram page can get you 10 new clients, easily.

Visit the Color Takeover Portal today to learn more about combining the art of hair extensions with the science of color in your salon!

 

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Tips
Pull your hair to the front and avoid tucking it behind your ears
Natural lighting is best, ideally in front of a window
Tilt your head slightly forward
Ensure your clothing contrasts with your hair color
Wear your hair straight for best results
No filters or edited photos
Avoid harsh sunlight on your hair and face

We're about to color you happy! Take or upload your photo and instantly get 3 color matches. It's basically magic!

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Tips
Pull your hair to the front and avoid tucking it behind your ears
Natural lighting is best, ideally in front of a window
Tilt your head slightly forward
Ensure your clothing contrasts with your hair color
Wear your hair straight for best results
No filters or edited photos
Avoid harsh sunlight on your hair and face
Results may vary depending on the quality of photo.
*Seasonal colors and collections may not show up in your color match and may not be available in all lengths and application methods.

We're about to color you happy! Take or upload your photo and instantly get 3 color matches. It's basically magic!

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YOUR COLOR OPTIONS

*Seasonal colors and collections may not show up in your color match and may not be available in all lengths and application methods.
Still not sure? You can contact our customer service team for help with your color match. Contact Now.
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I-Link
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Flat-Tip
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Hybrid Weft
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COMPARE METHODS

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APPLICATION
QUALITY
METHOD
LENGTHS
PER PACK
AVERAGE WEIGHT
MAINTENANCE
MAIN BENIFITS
PRICE RANGE
Tape In

Tape-IN

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Adhesive
LENGTHS
12”, 14”, 16”, 18”, 22”, 26”, 30”
PER PACK
10 Single Wefts
AVERAGE WEIGHT
15g - 40g
MAINTENANCE
Every 4-8 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Fastest install
  • Stylist preferred
  • No tools needed
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $55 per pack
Hybrid Weft

Hybrid Weft

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Sew-In
LENGTHS
18”, 22”
PER PACK
1 Single Weft
AVERAGE WEIGHT
60g - 120g
MAINTENANCE
Every 6-10 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Most innovative
  • Machine + Hand
  • Tied Weft design
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $160 per pack
Kera Link

Kera-Link

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Keratin Bond
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 22”
PER PACK
20 Single Strands
AVERAGE WEIGHT
14g - 20g
MAINTENANCE
Every 12-16 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Longest-lasting
  • Customizable
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $50 per pack
I-link

I-Link

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Beaded
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 22”
PER PACK
20 Single Strands
AVERAGE WEIGHT
14g - 20g
MAINTENANCE
Every 6-10 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Heat resistant
  • 360 movement
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $50 per pack
Flat-Tip

Flat-Tip

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Beaded
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 22”
PER PACK
20 Single Strands
AVERAGE WEIGHT
14g - 20g
MAINTENANCE
Every 6-10 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Heat resistant
  • 360 movement
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $50 per pack
Clip-in

Clip-in

APPLICATION
Do it yourself
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Clips
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 20”
PER PACK
10 Single Wefts
AVERAGE WEIGHT
  • Deluxe 140g - 160g
  • Regular 120g
MAINTENANCE
None required
MAIN BENEFITS
  • At-home application
  • Instant length & volume in a snap
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $129 per full set
Halo™

Halo™

APPLICATION
Do it yourself
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Halo™
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 20”
PER PACK
1 Single Wefts
AVERAGE WEIGHT
  • Deluxe 145g - 165g
  • Regular 105g
MAINTENANCE
None required
MAIN BENEFITS
  • At home application
  • Instant length & volume in a seconds
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $154 per full set