Thinking about hair extensions but not sure what to expect? Extensions are a significant investment, and the process can feel unknown if you’ve never done it before. Here’s a complete, honest walk-through of what getting hair extensions at Iron + Ivy actually involves.
Step One: The Consultation
Before any extensions are applied, you’ll attend an in-person consultation with one of our extension specialists. This is a separate, standalone appointment — and it’s essential. Your specialist will assess your natural hair’s density, health, and suitability, talk you through the available methods (Bellami K-Tips, Bellami Volume Wefts, or Great Lengths Cold Fusion bonds), and show you colour samples to match your hair. You’ll leave with a clear plan, a quote, and your application day booked.
Application Day
Extension application is a patient, detailed process. Depending on the method and the number of bonds or wefts required, your appointment typically runs between three and six hours. Your specialist works methodically through the hair — sectioning, placing, and fusing each bond or weft with precision. Music plays, conversation flows (or doesn’t — it’s your time), and we’ll keep you comfortable throughout.
The Wash and Blow Dry
Once your extensions are in, your hair is washed with extension-safe Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner — applied carefully to avoid the bond area. You’ll still get the warm towel and head massage, just with a little extra care around the bonds. Then comes the blow dry: your extensions are styled alongside your natural hair, blended to move together as one seamless result.
The Reveal
That first look in the mirror is always a moment. The added length. The volume. The way your hair moves differently. Our extension clients consistently say it’s one of those experiences where you’re not quite prepared for how different it feels — in the best possible way.
Leaving: Your Home Care Guide
Before you leave, your specialist walks you through your home care routine: how to brush correctly (always from mid-lengths down, never from the root), which products to avoid near the bonds, how to sleep with extensions, and when to return for your first maintenance check — typically 8–12 weeks after application.
Ready to explore extensions? Visit our Hair Extensions Queenstown page for full details, or book your consultation today.
BACK TO BLOG
