“Curly Hair Gene” is Found, Paves Way for Straightening Pill

March 8th, 2010

Recent research has indicated that there is a predictor of curly hair. Scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research has identified the culprit – the trichohyalin gene. Having analyzed data from 5,000 Australian twins over a 30 year period, Professor Nick Martin, who led the research, found that the variation in the gene determines the curliness of hair. Research suggests that 45 percent of Europeans have straight hair, 40 percent wavy hair and 15 percent are curly… and if you’ve got those curls, your kids have a 90 percent chance of inheriting them.

Scientists can then potentially develop new treatments to make hair straighter or curlier without actually treating the hair directly.
Curly Red Hair

The Science Behind Dyeing Hair Extensions

March 1st, 2010

THE PROBLEM with applying any color to the hair extension is that the results can be very unpredictable. The hair does not take color like normal scalp hair, since Hair & Compounds uses the highest quality permanent pre-metalized fiber dyes designed for the highest longevity and color integrity. Therefore, attempting to dye the hair extension would produce an outcome that could be drastically different from your normal expectations.

Highlighted Hair Ends

THE SOLUTION is to apply a color that will be the same level or darker, which offers better results than trying to lift the color. Lifting involves bleaching which can cause damage to the already pretreated extensions. The safest solution if your client wishes to go to a significantly lighter color tone, encourage them to invest in new extensions for a longer lasting and better appearance. As always, if you proceed with a demi-permanent dye, a strand test is strongly recommended.

Adhesive for Lace-front Wigs

February 22nd, 2010

The Perfector line was scientifically designed specifically for the hair replacement industry with an emphasis on lace-front wigs and hair replacements. Medically tested and proven, the Perfector line offers a non irritating pressure sensitive adhesive that bonds to skin for long term use. This water based formula which contains less than 1% VOC is now the most widely known adhesive for its safety and effectiveness.Perfector Line

Big Hair Extensions, Little Fockers – A Combination Sure To Please Audiences Worldwide

December 18th, 2009
Barbara Streisand in "Meet The Fockers"

Barbara Streisand in "Meet The Fockers" - Courtesy of Universal Pictures

In 2010, Barbara Streisand returns to the silver screen in “Little Fockers,” the much anticipated sequel to “Meet the Parents” and “Meet the Fockers” – and accompanying again Ms. Streisand will be Hair & Compounds!

Ms. Streisand reprises her role as Rozalin Focker, a middle-aged sex therapist living a torrid romance with her husband and dealing with the frustrations of the ever-controlling patriarch of the Byrnes family, Jack (Robert de Niro) and the misadventures of both families. Victoria Wood, a renowned wigmaker who works frequently with the stylist of the stars – like Streisand – designs Rozalin’s look for the film. Once again, Hair & Compounds is furnishing its quality custom blond and light brown Russian virgin hair that Victoria Wood custom curled and hand-tied into a lace wig, as a critical element to Ms. Streisand’s character.

Hair & Compounds is the leading hair supplier to film and television productions such as “Ugly Betty,” “Weeds,” “Memoirs of a Geisha” and many more.   The in-house custom fabrication team at Hair & Compounds is always eager to accept the challenges associated with creating unique looks for a myriad of characters utilizing custom made hair extensions.

Click here to view Hair & Compounds’ portfolio of entertainment projects.

Hair & Compounds maintains its leadership through our innovative research and development continually improving the quality and longevity of natural hair extensions.  The unsurpassed quality, innovation and unparalleled customer service makes Hair & Compounds the leading full service hair manufacturer for motion picture, fashion and salon professionals worldwide.

To learn more about the Hair & Compounds Research Institute please click here.

The newest tools for Cylinder Hair Extensions Application are here!

October 7th, 2009

We are always thrilled and excited to share with our valued customers new resources and tools that facilitate your client-stylist interaction.  It was through our relentless mission of replacing our mismatched instruments that we discovered much more compatible tools for applying our cylinder attachment system.

Universal Pliers: $50Universal Pliers

- Swiftly closes and opens copper rings for attachment and removal
- Comfortably crimps ring with spring leaf handle
- Conveniently serves clamping and opening with two hole sizes
- Smoothly closes copper ring with flat tip nose and smooth jaws

Strand Hook: $12Strand Hook

- Easily fits into our smallest copper ring with tiny hook that allows for more control of hair
- Efficiently accommodates several rings at one time for multiple hooking
- Reliably manufactured to withstand numerous applications

Upon receiving and using the new Universal Pliers and Strand Hook, you will immediately experience what makes application pleasant and quick for both you and your client! 

Call and replace your old tools now: + 1 – 818 – 997 – 8810 

Project Update! Building A Better Hair Extension.

August 18th, 2009

small icon Lab Beakers and BottlesAs announced in early May, Hair & Compounds launched an intensive research project with a specialized engineering team to advance our hair extensions and application process.  This type of testing and analysis supports the science and innovation behind everything we do to bring you and your clients a better hair extension.  We are excited to share with you the initial results of our venture.

Following many days of project briefings and product orientations, it was clear that our objective of reinventing a reusable, swift attaching, safe removing and quick assembling extension system was a challenging one.  And one that would require hundreds of dedicated hours from our team of engineers.

After the R&D phase, the team immediately began the ideation process and from there began using sophisticated equipment, innovative materials and evolving techniques to ensure the best outcome.  They also looked at the industry as a whole, identifying the most common obstacles faced by all manufacturers.

Out of the many ideas that came out of this phase, the team focused on designing four prototypes to advance the current attachment methods.  Additionally, four improved tips were tested (and passed!) against extreme functionality and environmental conditions that would have been experienced on a much smaller scale in real life.

To see if each prototype could withstand the application and removal process, functional heat, solvent and pressure tests were intensified to gauge the lifespan of the new tips. 

Heat Test

To test for heat, the tips were first held in a hot iron at 180˚C for ten seconds.  If the tip passed, it was allowed to cool and then clamped in an ultrasonic hot iron ten times at 50,000 Hz for 1.8 seconds each.  Passing these two tests indicated that an extension tip would survive application of glue. 

Solvent Test

For the solvent tests, the beads of the tip material were submerged for thirty minutes in each of three solvents: acetone, isopropanol, and proprietary Poly-Remover.  Passing this test indicated that the tips could survive the fusion removal process.  Passing both the solvent and heat tests indicated that a tip material could be used for the fusion method. 

Pressure Test

Pressure tests consisted of crushing by pliers and rotating 90˚ sixteen times.  Passing this test indicated that the tip could survive being repeatedly crushed inside a copper tube, and that the tip material was appropriate for the fastener method.  All those that passed were considered to be the most probable models for a new extension system.

All four tips passed functionality testing and were further subjected to a series of environmental tests designed to exceed the conditions that a hair extension might be up against during everyday wear. 

These environmental tests included extended immersion in chlorinated water, salt water, hot and cold water, exposure to sudden changes in temperature, and immersion in hair care products such as shampoos, oils, straighteners, bleaches, hair dyes and acid perms.  All four tip materials passed each environmental test, indicating that there are several workable options for the tip material.

small icon Brownish Hair Close UpSeveral solutions were proposed and multiple options were scrapped but our research team succeeded in attacking the issue head on (no pun intended!).  We were extremely impressed with their focus and dedication to this project. 

The final step involves production and further testing of the new attachment method.  We anticipate launching our new extension by the middle of 2010.

A new, more moisturizing IONIX shampoo for Hair Extensions!

July 13th, 2009

scientistFar ahead of the rest, Hair and Compounds delivered to you and your clients, a hair care line so brilliantly and strategically engineered that we’ve come to exceed our very own invention through revamping our IONIX Shampoo. With the same outward appearance and a new white consistency (opposed to the previously clear hue), our combined scientifically advanced ingredients, all being 100% Sulfate-Free, will not only preserve & extend the elegance of natural and attached hair, but also infuse every strand with even more glossy smooth moisture!

It is certain that you will discover exactly what our Research and Development team broke through in their intensive lab tests. Even before precise chemical analysis began and after such a swift cleanse of the hair, we were amazed, at first touch, by its delicately soft texture. It was then we invested grueling hours in our own on-site lab just to confirm that the hair was saturated with more than 10% moisture than with the previous formula. This being a profound discovery only in chemistry terms, all of Hair and Compounds guarantee these moisture maximizing results!

Now coupled with a richer and more refreshing aroma (a Hair and Compounds Staff favorite), we invite you to share our excitement and place your order today.  Call us now +1-818-997-8810.

We support you with genuine consideration for your Stylist-Customer interaction by backing our hair with a complete and harmonizing extension care maintenance line.

ionixs

Our IONIX Line consists of:

Pre-Shampoo
Mild Shampoo
Daily Conditioner
Deep Conditioner
Maintenance Spray

We want to make sure that you always pick the right color for your hair extensions!

June 30th, 2009

Every professional Stylist knows that no color lasts forever and that is the same with our color ring.  Even if we use high quality color and special conditioners to ensure long-lasting and accurately matching hues, our colors eventually fade. It is highly recommended to replace your color ring yearly as we want to make sure that you and your clients get exactly what they see. If you are unsure when you bought your last color ring, just give us a call and we can find out for you.

Purchase your new color ring now  for $60 per ring and replicate its vibrancy for your client with true matching colors every time!

Call us now at: + 1 – 818 – 997 – 8810

hc_color-ring2

Bonding with Hair Extensions

June 15th, 2009

science-logo1We take our business very seriously and delivering the highest quality products is what motivates us every day.  Our poly extensions have fallen short of our highest expectations and we are working diligently to improve the adhesive and ultimately the application process.  Some of the issues we’re addressing are based on real customer feedback, including optimizing the application process (currently takes too much time and non-Hair & Compounds tools don’t get hot enough to seal the adhesive) and increasing resistance to slippage. 

 

In order to address these issues and deliver an adhesive option that’s as high quality as our hair, we’ve enlisted the help of a private company to formulate a new polymer bond which will result in faster, stronger and more resistant hair extensions.  Specifically, the new adhesive will respond to a lower heat setting which will enable a quicker application and ultimately a stronger, more resistant bond.  That being said, we are also mindful of the positive attributes of our current poly bond and will maintain the softness/flexibility of the adhesive so it moves with the hair and doesn’t cause breakage during removal. 

anya-reel-51We will be conducting rigorous testing of the new adhesive in the coming months and need volunteer stylists to take part in the study.  We will provide free bundles (limited colors) to those who are willing to participate and provide feedback.  For more information or to sign up, please contact us via email:  hair@haircompounds.com.

Our goal is launch this revolutionary new adhesive by the end of the year.  Stay tuned!

 

 

Why We Don’t Coat Our Hair Extensions

June 1st, 2009

Customers often ask if our hair is coated (meaning a silicone coating) and what will happen to the quality/texture of the hair extensions after washing. Other companies deliver coated, pressed and packed hair extensions which change appearance after washing. Stylists will typically attach these extensions and after the first couple of washes, the hair looks completely different (texture has changed, hair becomes dry, tangled, etc.) because the coating has washed off and the hair has reverted back to its natural physical texture.

At Hair & Compounds, we do not coat the hair and once we get our hair shipment from the factory, it goes through a rigorous quality control process including washing each and every bundle, checking for tangles, and ensuring a 2-step conditioning process using Ionix Daily Conditioner and Maintenance Spray. Once the quality control process is completed, the hair is hung up to dry naturally, so the hair that is delivered looks exactly like it will when your Client starts wearing it. Because we don’t use coatings and adhere to the strictest quality control process, our hair texture will not change after washing.