Change can be hard…good thing you won’t have to change!

I have already written about how the post-adhesive trend for supplemental hair is coming, if not already here. If you like the extension system you already know, that’s a good thing! If you already offer a re-usable, glue-free method, you no doubt totally see how our Connection design can make your work much simpler.

If your salon is like many we encounter, you already have an extension product in which you have invested a lot of time and money. Even if stylists/salons know they are losing business by not offering a reusable and glue-free technique, though, change can seem more like an obstacle than a direct path to making more money. So, suggesting a new system to add hair–even like the Transformation System with its obvious benefits–brings back thoughts of the first extension system you learned…and the steep learning curve and big expense and, often, big promises of profits that just did not materialize.

Yes, change can be difficult. So, good thing you do not have to change in order to integrate the Transformation System into your salon service menu. In fact, salons that offer the Transformation System along with another system have an extra advantage. You now have something new to talk about, something to create buzz. You have another method to get new clients in, as well as to find others who already come to the salon but have–up till now–not been interested in adding hair.

Adding hair has never been so easy and non-intimidating. This applies both to you and, especially, to your clients. Clients who aren’t interested in length will be able to add hair so they can add a little body without a perm, or add some volume in places their hair falls flat.

Think about it this way. Few salons use only one product line for their chemical services because, truly, one product line cannot be the be-all, end-all for every lifestyle and type of hair . You may find one bleach works better than another. One color line is the best but, then again, maybe you also use Redken shades or another color gloss product from a different company. You may offer the Japanese straightener but also offer the Brazilian brand for other hair types.

As stylists, we use different products from different companies because we want to have the right tools in our tool box. We use what we need in order to take the client’s hair to the destination we envision. One tool or one product line just can’t do everything we really want it to. So, we find what works best for us.

The Transformation System is the simplest new method to learn and master while also having the versatility to work as a stand-alone way to add length, volume, texture and color on the majority of hair types. I say “majority” because there are exceptions. Our System doesn’t work as well as other products on a few specific hair types, like clients with very thin, fine hair (especially on the sides) or clients with super-thick and bulky hair…or clients who like their current system and don’t wish to change what is working. However, our system does work in harmony with methods like hair weaving, fusion, hair replacement, and seamless or tape-weft attachments, because it can still provide benefits to these four important techniques in areas where these methods fall short.

For instance, with the non-strand by strand techniques of hair weaving, hair replacement and seamless hair, you can easily and quickly customize each of these services by adding independent strands of our Transformation Connections to the sides and top or back weight line. This allows you, the stylist, to take these techniques closer to the hair line and weight line so the final look is even more natural and versatile.

If you already do fusion, and roll them very tiny and small, you may find not all clients need such tiny, tiny attachments. You may want to continue to use the very small fusion bonds around the top and sides, but use our Transformation Connections throughout the middle and back of the head to create fullness and length quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively for you and your client. No more 6-8 hour applications. You make more with each service, have more time to do more services per day, and your client can pay less for hair over time.

There are no costly certification classes or overpriced tools to get started and, if nothing else, you will love our hair quality and our reasonable pricing!

So, if the learning curve is not very steep, and the investment is minimal, what about the profits? Will they truly materialize, too? Ultimately success is up to you, with our system as in life in general. Consider this, though…if we, as a company, don’t make our money in the training or in the set-up tools and certification, then we must be basing our success on your success as a stylist. Simple, isn’t it? And we are, in fact, basing our company’s success on stylists, on you. That is why we offer a system to you and don’t just sell you hair.

We offer a system that includes designing innovative products and techniques for adding hair, using only the highest quality hair and offering our products at reasonable prices. We also offer a lot of free support to each stylist and salon; support on specifically how to find and attract new clients but also how to keep clients and make more money by offering the Transformation System services over time.

So, no need to think of integrating the Transformation System into your current salon service as a major investment in time and money. Think of it as a quick and easy way to generate excitement and new revenue in your salon. Think of the possibilities of what you can create and how adding our System can give you an edge over your competition. Then don’t think anymore! Just call Cassie or Jessica and request your free sample, or ask for more information on our money-back guarantee on our basic kit. See for yourself that change can be good.

Take care, Christina~

P.S. Tell me any innovative ways you have integrated our Transformation System Connections into your salon or with other hair extension products. I love to hear success stories from stylists on the front lines!

Please call Cassie or Jess, our friendly and helpful customer service and sales reps.

Cassie Rupp
Jessica Leslie

888.220.8520                  www.thetransformationsystem.com

Many clients and stylists alike ask the question, “Does the Transformation System use 100% human hair?”

The answer is yes, but that’s not really specific enough to answer the real question. “Is your hair quality good?”

And, if I say yes, that’s still not specific enough to answer the true underlying question, which is, “Is my hair going to dry up, matt and become a big dry hairball after a few weeks?”

To answer these underlying questions, it is important to understand some basics about the human hair market and how the hair is collected, processed and manufactured. Then you, as a stylist, will be able to qualify the answers you give to these questions.

Human hair is not like gold…although it may cost as much! It is more like a steak; you can have two pieces of the same cut of beef, but their quality can vary greatly depending on how they are grown, processed and served. All of the stores that carry hair, including Sally’s, sell 100% human hair. Obviously, simply having human hair is not the key.

In general, there are three main origins of human hair in the world market: Chinese, Indian and European.

Chinese hair is coarse, and is typically sold as non-Remy hair. Chinese hair is commonly gathered from women’s brushes, so the hair strands go in many directions instead of lying as they naturally grow.

For that reason, the cuticle layer–similar to shingles on a roof–is stripped off using a chemical treatment. The hair is then de-colored before processing. It can be processed into a weft or loose or in strands. A coating of silicone is used to seal the hair to help prevent the remaining cuticle layers from making the hair mat and tangle.

Indian hair is a finer texture of human hair. It is not gathered from brushes, so is typically processed root to point, or in the direction it grows from the head. This is what distinguishes Remy hair.

Because the hair is kept in its natural direction, it is not necessary to remove the cuticle layer before de-coloring and processing into its final form. That means no silicon coating is necessary. This hair is more expensive, as it is less processed and therefore usually remains tangle-free longer.

European hair is the finest texture of the three, meaning the diameter of each hair strand is smaller. This hair is considered the highest quality because it is typically not processed, or is processed minimally.

This hair is not available in the high volume Chinese and Indian hair is, simply because population numbers are far lower in Europe than in Asia and India. For this reason, European hair is very expensive and in very limited supply at longer lengths.

Now that we’ve covered the origins of human hair, let’s talk about some common terminology.

The hair business, like many businesses, uses marketing terms to sell its goods. Factories may say their hair has “European texture,” which makes some stylists think this means European origin. It’s not the same. You can chemically strip Chinese or Indian hair down to the diameter of a European texture…a minor detail that may purposely get lost in translation.

When I had my hair extension salon, we had a competitor who advertised a full lengthening service of “European human hair” for $500. Many of us know very well that the hair alone would cost as much, or much more, than $500, even for some of the most well-advertised hair extension brands who do not use European hair.

Obviously, my former competitor was mistaken and, most likely, the company she bought her hair from was not interested in correcting her. I, and other professionals in the hair extension/supplemental hair industry, find that these kinds of misconceptions harm our businesses.

If one person advertises European hair services for so little, then is the Indian Remy hair of lesser quality? Are the others, who are selling Indian hair, just gouging the consumer?

Let me answer that this way. If you are in the U.S. and you are buying European hair, you should be paying a very high price—two to three times more for true European hair–because of its limited availability and because of the dollar exchange rate against the Euro.

The Transformation System uses 100% Indian Remy human hair. Because our partner, PerfecTress, has been in the hair business for over 40 years, we have long-standing relationships with hair vendors. That allows us to keep our hair prices more stable and our hair quality high, whereas some other companies find it difficult to be as consentient in both arenas.

True European hair can truly be a fabulous thing. However, it can also be too fine to give many clients the volume and longevity of Indian Remy.

Some of the top hair extension companies are mixing lower-quality human hair with that of good quality, or moving away from hair of Indian origin altogether. Have you noticed? Have your clients noticed?  It may not be your imagination if you feel that the hair you buy from other vendors is not as good as it used to be.

Now that you understand more about the way hair is gathered and processed, you’re in a better position to choose wisely. Don’t pay more and get less! The Transformation System by PerfecTress is truly some of the best quality hair on the market. If you have not tried our hair, do it today! We’re confident you’ll find our quality a cut above, so,, if you contact us, we can send you a free sample today.

Understanding how to charge for and schedule supplemental hair services

As I travel around to new salons, I find a lot of confusion about both the pricing and maintenance of hair extensions/supplemental hair.

I can’t stress enough how important the pricing issue is for both the stylist and the client. Consistency in pricing is the foundation of a successful added-hair business! Why? The client will leave if she feels there is no system to the pricing, while stylists will quit if they can‘t make enough.

I’ve personally witnessed two big mistakes stylists make when starting to offer supplemental hair services. First, charging labor per hour. Second, selling hair as a separate product not related to the service. These mistakes both stem from not establishing a set pricing system that is easy to understand and follow.

Fortunately, there is a way to de-mystify the process. Here’s the Transformation way to charge for hair extension and supplemental hair services:

The first step is to evaluate who your competition is in your area. See what types of extension/supplemental services they are doing and what they charge.

Second, honestly assess the skill level of you and your salon, as well as the location and quality of your accommodations, to inform the price you can charge. Meaning, are you in an upscale location with higher-level accommodations? If not, where do you and your salon fit?

Last, once you establish a good price range for your retail price, use this metric to determine the basic numbers you and your clients need to know and understand before you do business.

The main number you need to know is the price of a New Full Lengthening service. This is the price on which you base all of your supplemental hair prices. We base our pricing on the cost of 6 packs of 25 individual strands of Transformation Connections.

For instance, your retail price for a Lengthening service:  $1500

Divide your retail price by 6 to find the retail price per pack: $250

Divide the per-pack price by 25 to determine the individual Connection price: $10

To recap:

• New Full Lengthening: $1500
• Per-pack retail price: $250
• Per individual strand: $10

You’re a professional, so you know how many packs it takes to do a typical service. As a reminder, though:

• Lengthening service on normal-density hair: 6 packs, 2 Small and 4 Medium
• Volumizing service on normal-density hair: 3 packs, 1 Small and 2 Medium
• Accent service on normal-density hair: 2 packs

As you can see, once you have your base price set, the rest is easy. To determine your re-fitting price, you will use the retail price for one pack, or $250.The re-fitting is based on 1-1.5 hours of time to do the move up, plus the addition of five or so Connections for no additional charge.

The client must come with clean, dry hair, washed but not conditioned and free of styling products. If the client’s hair needs to be washed and dried, it is an additional charge…just as it would be for a wash and dry added to any service.

We always price for the “look” the client wants to achieve, but setting our base price in this way gives us set prices that both the client and the stylist can bank on. Of course, the individual Connections price should not be used often, but only as a way to price when you are fixing or adding hair that is not part of a complete service or formal re-fitting service.

We also join the hair price and the labor together as one. This keeps things simple and assures the stylist makes the money she should on each hair application, no matter how small.

There is no need to “save” hair and try to keep track of your client’s property. This is too confusing and can allow for problems in the future. Simply save any extra Connections and have the client pay for them as she needs them along with a service.

With the Transformation Connections, the re-fitting schedule is as follows:

The first re-fitting occurs 2 months after the first service application date.

The second refitting will occur 2 months after the first, or at the 4-month mark.

The third re-fitting will occur 2 months after the second appointment, or at the 6-month mark. At this appointment and thereafter, the client has two options. She will either go another 2 months and then have a complete takedown and re-do service or she will elect to go into re-fitting maintenance mode. Maintenance mode means that, at every re-fitting, she will pay for ¼ of the original service at each 2 month appointment, including the re-fitting charge and adding approx 1.5 units of new Connections hair.

The re-fitting maintenance may vary from client to client depending on how clients care for their extensions/supplemental hair. Some may need less or more, and you can adjust the retail price for them accordingly once you and they both understand the pricing structure.

I hope this takes some of the mystery out of the process. Pricing is not the most exciting topic to blog about, but it is extremely important to understand so you can make a price list and stick with it. Then you can get on working magic without fretting over the Benjamins!

A few years back with I had my hair extension salon I noticed two significant changes in the inquiries coming in from new potential clients. One discouraging change was clients not even asking if hair extensions caused any damage to the natural hair but just asking how much damage they could expect. The second question I was asked was about the link or loc method of attachment. Turns out that the perception in the general public was that the non-adhesive or no glue extension methods were “safe” and the fact that these methods are reusable only gave the public more reason to ask and request this type of extension service. 

I was and still am very skilled in the fusion extension technique and I know as many professionals do that it’s the stylist not the method that determines if the natural hair is damaged so I did not really feel too concerned about these changes in the customers’ calls and anyway, I had a large inventory of pre-bond hair. I did not want to go down that long, long road of testing and trying yet another extension method or product. 

Then one day as fate would have it one of my competitors star stylists who was doing loc hair extensions exclusively, but using low quality hair, decided to pick up and move to Arizona but she gave me her clients! I had never even met this stylist! As you can imagine it was a good and bad .. good to get the new free business but bad because the loc salon’s owner was pissed off at me. 

I absolutely had to learn to work with the link / loc technique and do it fast!  

At first I hated doing the loc services. The technique is easy enough but chasing the tiny and expensive copper rings all over was a big pain and I could never quite move up the links easily. Also I noticed the copper turning green and the soft tips of the hair extensions holding odor from the client’s sweat. Yuck! 

Every month these clients were accustom to come in and have a maintenance appt. They would sit with a Ziploc bag full of extensions that had fallen out and like solving a complex puzzle I would try to add them back in place according to the length, what a nightmare! 

I’m here to tell you this story from a few years ago because if it’s not a familiar story to you and your extension business it will be. Dear Brittney shaving her head sealed the general public’s fears that extensions are bad and fusion extensions are really bad. 

If you are not offering a reusable loc / link based alternative you should be because you are now or will be losing business. 

Our product the Transformation Connections is a link or loc based system that I helped develop so there would be an easy, safe and durable solution to similar link / loc based systems on the market. 

Don’t waste your time buying junk off the net or taking expensive certification classes when you are already skilled at extensions. Get the benefit of my past mistakes and lost money and jump ahead of your competition and use our system. 

I tested it on the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders no less so it really works and our hair quality is some of the very best in the industry. 

Click here for a special offer so you can try us  

Click here so you can see the easy technique 

Don’t be fooled, other products may look the same but ours is unique and different once you use it and see how it works.