Georgie Kennett
Types of Hairpieces
Switches
A switch is a hairpiece that is used for creating a ponytail style on the hair. A switch can be both human or synthetic hair and is attached using the loop at the top.
Making a switch for my model is not appropriate since the style I am looking to create does not incorporate a pony tail. I am looking to put the hair up onto the hair frame therefore a switch is not the best option.
Half Wig
A half wig can be used to add length and volume to hair without completely covering someones natural hairline or parting. They often sit just behind or on the crown of the head, since they are not visible they are generally made from sewn wefts.
This would have been suitable for my project however I am potentially styling the hair upwards and the half wig probably would not sit correctly on the head and would be visible once the hair would be styled upwards.
Diamond Mesh
A diamond mesh is a long weft that is sewn together in the pattern shown to the left with thread and a needle. The weft is made with a thin wire as one of the weaving silks, this ensures the weft can be bent and moulded into the diamond chignon shape. A hair extention clip can then be attached to the hairpiece and it can be worn clipped onto the natural hair. The diamond mesh can be used when a ponytail is required or just an additional section of hair.
In this instance making a diamond mesh is not the best option for this project. The piece is quite easy to make if there is a point where I require one it does not take long.
Halo Weft
A halo weft is a relitively new way of adding extra length and hair. The hairpiece is a thick weft attached to a string halo that is placed onto the crown and covered with natural hair. Although these are a quick way of adding extra hair they are quite impractical since they do slip out of the hair when the head is tipped etc.
Athough something like this is an option to use for my project I would like to create hair pieces that stay in place and do not fall out throughout the shoot and require a lot of touch ups.
Pull Through
A pull through hair piece is exactly that; a hairpiece that natural hair can be pulled through it in order to bulk out the hair, add thickness and volume. It is the ideal solution to partial hair loss, bald spots, or overall thinning.
The foundation is constructed similar to a honeycomb, it is constructed from weaved hair wefts that are sewn together into the diamond shape with room between the wefts that hair can be poked through and incorporated into the piece.
Hair Wefts
Wefted hair extentions can be bought in all different colours and for different purposes. The hair extensions readily available are 90% of the time machine made therefore less time consuming to make and much cheaper to buy. Hand made wefts are much more expensive to buy since more time has been invested in making them. They are generally made with three weaving silks often with weaving wire that allows the wefts to be bent into a shape. The first picture to the left shows the making of hair wefts and the different knots that are used. The second picture shows a picture of two small wefts and the hair used to make them, it also explains a few ways of wefting that can be used.
The third picture shows a finished hair weft including two colours, this could then have clips sewn onto it and be used as hair extensions to add length or thickness.
Making hand made wefts are probably the best option for me since I am looking to add volume and length to the hair in order to incorporate it with the hair frame I will be using for the project.
The easiest way to add length is with synthetic hair since real hair can only be bought on most websites up to 35cm. The only problems with synthetic hair is that I will have to make sure the hair matches my models hair but also doesn't look too shiny in comparison. Ways I can dull the shine include; baby powder, dry shampoo, texturising spray or volume spray.