Hair Extensions, ELLEuk.com

And, like Cheryl and Drew, if you have neither the time nor the inclination to wait for your locks to grow before the next, new hair trend takes your fancy - follow suit, take the A-list option and fast-track your hair to ‘long and lustrous’ with a bit of help from the experts this summer.

We put hair extensions to the test and ask if they really are a good option when you don’t have a celebrity hairstylist on speed dial?

Lucinda Ellery

Lucinda Ellery, Hammersmith, London

Lucinda Ellery boasts an impressive celebrity client list that includes Cheryl Cole , Peaches Geldof and Rachel Hunter. The salon also specialises in helping people suffering with alopecia. If you’re looking to hair extensions to solve the problem of fine hair, then make this your go-to salon.

I arrived at the salon anticipating a total transformation: from blunt, thin bobbed hair into long, lustrous lengths. However my stylist immediately explained that the lengths need to be ‘layered in’ to look natural, so they would have to cut my hair even shorter to achieve this look. Under her wise supervision I opted for extensions that would add volume, rather than length to my style. I’d never had thick hair so this was exciting enough – as was the price – thickening costs about one third less than going long because less hair is generally needed.

Afterwards I was impressed - I have never seen my hair looking so ‘red-carpet’, it’s remarkably easy to style and my boyfriend loves my ‘new’ hair so much, he has offered to go halves with me on all my future hair extensions – result!

Prices start around £480; enq (020) 8741 8224; lucindaellery-hairloss.co.uk .

Balmain Hair Extensions

Balmain Hair Extensions at Venus Hair Design, Brighton
Yes, you read the heading right. Never mind that you didn’t get on the list for this summer’s most-wanted jacket by the house of Balmain , you can now have the hair instead. Venus Hair Design in Brighton is just one of the many hair salons in the UK who are trained to use the very same real hair that is made by Balmain and used for their catwalk shows in Paris. Obviously I couldn’t wait to try it.
If, like mine, your hair has a natural length that won’t grow much past your shoulders, hair extensions are a great way to add length and variety to your style for summer.
Before the extensions were attached, Jackie, my stylist, answered every question I had and talked me through some points I hadn’t even considered, which really put my mind at rest. Being a hair extension virgin, I decided to go for it and ditch my Pob for Cheryl Cole inspired lengths.
Afterwards my hair looked amazing, but my initial enthusiasm quickly wore off when I realised how high maintenance long hair extensions can be. Styling takes a while to adjust to and my old wash-and-go routine had to be replaced with a drying and styling regime that required more time and effort than I had imagined. I soon remembered why I cropped my hair in the first place, so I could lie in bed that bit longer in the mornings.
Luckily, you can have the extensions cut and styled while they are attached, so you can experiment with different lengths and styles before it's time for them to be removed.
Prices from £450; enq 01273 775322. venushairdesign.co.uk.

Racoon Hair Extensions

Racoon Hair Extensions, Nationwide
My favourite hairstyle – the 1920s bob with fringe – just so happens to also be the one that suits me and my wispy, fine hair most. However after years of feeling that my bob just didn’t measure up, and hours spent staring enviously at girls with those perfect blunt edges that can only be achieved with healthier, thicker locks, I decided to try hair extensions. Not just for creating the illusion of longer hair – it seems hair extensions are just the thing to make hair look thicker so I was more than happy to give them a go.
I had wefts applied (1 inch wide strips of hair) which can make your hairstyle less versatile (you can tie hair back in a low pony tail but can’t pull hair up into a top knot for example) but a couple of pieces on both sides of the head immediately helped create a sharper, thicker shape.
I now have my own sharp bob with all important blunt edges and absolutely no-one (bar my husband of course) has noticed or spotted the extensions.
Do consider cost and maintenance. Once you’ve signed up for hair extensions it could be impossible to go back! I am still devoted and contrary to popular beliefs my own hair remains in tip-top condition.
Prices start around £175 for full head wefts and £195 for full head bonds. Racoon is available in over 2000 salons nationwide; enq 01295 770999. racooninternational.com

Connect Hair Extensions

Connect Hair Extensions, London
Connect Hair Extensions in Chalk Farm has tamed the tresses of Cheryl Cole , Sharon Stone and Victoria Beckham amongst others. Nervous? Of course not – if it’s good enough for the A-Listers…
Unfortunately I inherited a thin mane that barely grows and has been the bane of my life, so I was more than thrilled to try hair extensions. After having the extensions individually heat bonded to my own hair it looked and felt like everything I had dreamed of… thicker, glossier and, most importantly, longer. However, my lack of styling prowess soon became an issue and as a result I took to wearing my hair pulled back into a loose ponytail as styling such long locks was time consuming, tricky and unfortunately essential for an A-list look.

Long hair extensions are a great treat and a good way to make a statement with your look – for the short term. They are ideal for special occasions, especially if you can pay someone to style them for you, but perhaps not suitable as a permanent beauty solution if you’re a low maintenance kind of girl like me.
Prices start from £500, enq (020) 7483 3845. connecthairextensions.com .

Dianne Marshall

Dianne Marshall, Manchester, Liverpool and London

Dianne Marshall has been specialising in the art of hair extensions for 22 years and has worked with the likes of Kate Winsle t for her film Titanic, Gwyneth Paltrow for Shakespeare in Love as well as boasting numerous other celebrity clients.
Dianne’s technique involves weaving in the extensions, rather than gluing and heat bonding, so if, like me, you’re a little nervous about any damage that could be caused to your own tresses – you can rest assured you’re in safe hands with Diane.
I have always been envious of women with long, thick hair that can be elaborately styled or left effortlessly wavy. My hair is that awkward on-the-shoulder length and refuses to grow and it takes far too much effort to make it look good. I couldn’t wait to see if hair extensions would solve my hair problems.
After Dianne had attached the extensions, cut my hair and styled it, I was shocked at how natural it looked and was over the moon with the end results. I now have to visit Dianne every six weeks to have the braids retightened which is quite a commitment, but I am happy to stick to it and invest the time if it means my hair looks better. Plus if I follow the maintenance guidelines the hair will last anywhere between 12 – 24 months.
The best thing? On lazy days I can press snooze as when left to dry naturally my hair now has an effortless, beachy look. I’m hooked.
Prices start from £400, enq 0845 869 3244 / enquiries@diannemarshallhair.co.uk. diannemarshallhair.co.uk . Dianne will travel to Manchester, Liverpool and London.

Do…

Do...

Go to a reputable salon, like the ones we have recommended. If you can’t manage to get to one of the salon’s we’ve tested, be sure to go to one that specialises in extensions.

Opt for real hair.

Get your colour done before your consultation. Your extensions are matched at your initial consultation, so it’s important that your hair is the colour you wish your extensions to be.

Take pictures. Go to your consultation with a selection of photos showing how you want your hair to look, this will help your hair extension stylist to get a true ‘picture’ of what you want.

Buy the salon products recommended. Most salons have their own shampoos and conditioners that won’t wear down or dissolve the bonds used.

Ask about maintenance and in-salon policies. Any reputable salon will usually offer eight week check-ups free of charge. They should also be on hand if you need tips to style your hair.

Keep hold of any extensions that fall out – your stylist should be able to reapply them free of charge.

Don't...

Don't...

Condition your hair at the roots or use any oil based products near the bonds. Oil can break down the adhesive.

Use straightners near the bonds. The heat could melt the bonds.

Always think that you have to go long. Extensions can be applied to add volume. If you have mid-length or short hair, going thicker has just the same impact as going long and will look more natural.