Invisible Bead Extensions Review – Installation & 1 Month Update
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In September, I did something I’ve never done before and got permanent hair extensions! Thanks to Siyan Scott at Ceron Hair Studio in Houston, I got Invisible Bead Extensions. I am in love and so glad I went on this journey!
In this blog post and video, I’m going to give you an in-depth review and update on how these hair extensions are doing 1 month into the process (we’re actually closer to 2 months now, but I filmed the video a few weeks ago).
Before you read the blog post, I definitely recommend you watch my video, as there is a lot of information jam packed in there!
Invisible Bead Extensions Review – Installation & 1 Month Update Video
I hope the video was helpful in giving a thorough review!
Now that you’ve watched the video, I’m going to go over some of the most FAQ, and things I was curious about before getting my IBE hair extensions. Hopefully this helps you if you are looking into hair extensions!
What are Invisible Bead Extensions?
Invisible Bead Extensions is a method of applying permanent extensions. With a lot of sewn in methods, metal beads are exposed underneath the hair weft. With Invisible Bead Extensions, the beads are sandwiched between wefts of hair. When the hair is lifted up and down, there are no exposed beads. It’s a little hard to explain, but once you see it, you’ll get it! Here’s a good IG post from Siyan, my extensions stylist:
This is the method I really wanted, especially as someone with fine hair and a lot of breakage. When flipping these extensions up, they’re so seamless and they blend perfectly into the rest of my hair. No need to worry if the wind blows or if I wear a ponytail! They are completely undetectable unless you really look closely, haha.
Here’s a good example of what other sewn in hair extensions look grown out compared to IBE. It’s astounding how healthier and seamless the IBE extensions look. Having no exposed metal beads make such a huge difference!
Is IBE the same as hand tied extensions?
People are using “hand tied extensions” as a catch all term, but hand tied extensions refer to the way the hair extension itself was manufactured. Hand tied hair extensions have a very thin seam where the hair extension is sewn together. Invisible Bead Extension artists typically use hand tied wefts for this method to avoid any bulkiness where they are sewn in. So, hand tied extensions = the type of hair weft, Invisible Bead Extensions = the method in which they are installed.
Invisible Bead Extensions Stylist in Houston
For my Invisible Bead Extensions, I went to Siyan Scott at Ceron Hair Studio in Houston, TX. Siyan specializes in various methods of extensions, but does IBE the most. She also is amazing with blondes (but honestly, any color)!
Ceron Hair Studio has two locations in Houston, but Siyan is at the Kirby Grove location. It’s centrally located and not too far of a drive for me! I was impressed with the professionalism and staff of the salon. They make it a very luxe experience!
If you’re not in the Houston area, make sure to check out the IBE stylist locator to find someone near you.
Hand tied extension brand we used – Sax & Ro Hair
The hair extension brand Siyan uses and loves is a new brand called Sax & Ro Hair. At the time of my install, they didn’t even have a website or a social media presence. They are a Houston-based small brand with amazing high quality hand tied hair extensions.
Sax & Ro Hair ethically sources hair from countries in Eastern Asia in which women are compensated fairly in exchange for their hair. The hair is meticulously sorted, hand tied, and colored. They’re also committed to employing skilled workers devoted to providing outstanding results. I could tell just by touching the samples how incredible the quality of this hair is.
If you’re interested in supporting a new small business with high end incredible hand tied hair, definitely tell your stylist to check out Sax & Ro. Even better, go see Siyan for your IBE needs!
I had a consultation with Siyan before my install, and here are the colors we decided on. We did mostly the rooted balayage with a few of the brighter blonde pieces sandwiched in.
How much hair we used and how many rows
If I remember correctly, Siyan installed about 170 grams of hair in two rows. She ordered (I believe) 20-inch wefts but cut them right about arm pit level. I originally thought I would go much shorter, but thought it would be fun to start out longer and cut them as time goes by.
This hair will last me a year, and I can get a long wear time out of them if I continually trim them. I’m having so much fun with the longer hair and I’m glad I didn’t cut them right away!
Siyan also applied color to my natural hair after the install (not to the extensions) and cut for a seamless blend between my hair and the extensions. You may not need color when you get your extensions installed for the first time, but we wanted to do the full transformation (and I was due for a little color).
I cannot get over how incredibly seamless the color is between my hair and the extensions – it is a perfect match from the roots to the blonde! I hate to see a stark blonde hair extension at the root, so it was important to me to make sure I have a rooted hair extension. It truly looks like a completely custom hair extension transformation.
Here’s a little fun video of my before and after:
Invisible Bead Extensions Cost
I hate to be that person, but the cost truly depends on a number of factors. How much hair you get, the brand of hair you buy, how many rows you get, who your stylist is, and the salon you go to. It’s really hard to throw out a concrete number.
However, I will say that this is an investment. Be prepared to throw down a pretty penny. I will say, I think it is worth it.
How to Wash and Style Invisible Bead Extensions
Maintaining my extensions has been much easier than I thought! Wash days are definitely a process but once that’s over, I don’t really put heat on my hair or worry about it too much until I wash it again! I wash my hair every 5 days (I’m trying to get to 1 week but my scalp just can’t take it by day 5… maybe I’ll get there soon).
When I wash my hair, I make sure to gently go row by row. I make sure to use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. I use a hair mask, too. I’ve also been using Olaplex No 3 and K18 on my natural hair to pamper it and help rehabilitate it after the breakage fiasco I had (more on that in my video). Here are some of my favorite hair products I’ve been using with my extensions:
When I dry my hair, I also dry row by row. I wash and dry my hair at night (I like to take showers at night). When sleeping, I braid my hair into a really loose braid, secure it with a silk scrunchie, and sleep on a silk pillowcase. I find that I’ve had zero tangling or matting. I also don’t feel any tugging, tension or pain! To me, these don’t seem damaging, but as I wear them I will update.
Invisible Bead Extensions Move Ups & Long Term Maintenance
People go back to the salon every 6-10 weeks for a move up. It all depends on how fast your hair grows. You don’t want the grow out to get too long – it will make your hair more susceptible to damage or tangling.
I am going in for my first move up next week at exactly 8 weeks. Stay tuned to my Instagram where I will share more. I will also plan to share more on my blog and YouTube as I wear these extensions. My plan is to wear them for at least a year so I can give a full detailed and thoughtful review.
Bottom Line?
So far, I LOVE these extensions and I’m sad I haven’t done it sooner. They’ve been easier to maintain than I thought, and I have a lot of newfound love for my hair. I’m really glad I went with the Invisible Bead Extensions method!
Wow! And you have fine hair too? How odd.. I literally, less than a mo. Ago had my extensions put in, I went to a new salon because this place was known for being great and for having a gal who basically only did extensions, I can’t remember if it was 4 or 6 kinds (keratin bonds, the metal beads like you have, and tape in is all I recall atm) I’ve had keratin bonds and it’s wayyy too costly, it’s pretty visible after 4-6wks as the bond breaks down and you can’t reuse the hair, plus not really fine hair friendly… So I was looking at the beads and the tape ins til my consult date figuring she’ll know what’s best… And she said tape is less damaging for fine and thin hair esp since I went 2 20″ bundles…
It’s been a mo so far and my appointments around the 10wk mark because my hair just doesn’t grow (watch all it needed was constant weight tugging on it lol.)
Do the beads allow you to wash whenever you want? I try to only stick to 2 washes, and I have to instantly dry where the tape is, because water is like it’s enemy (honestly I’m kinda upset I wasn’t given more advice with the tape ins, but I’m trying to learn the best I can via internet until my next apt.)
I’m jelly you can go to bed directly after bathing, that’s a no no.. gotta ensure that scalp and top areas all dry, either blow dry or preferably air dry, but without piling hair on your head.. so I had to part with my turbie twists (I don’t remember keratin bonds being so much work but I’m sure it’s just because I’m a bit lost and feeling like I’m going on my own atm)
I definitely need to make sure my hair is dry before going to bed – no sleeping on wet hair! I just try to let my hair air dry as much as possible before going in with the blow dryer. I let the hair sit in a turbie twist for a little bit and then take it out to air dry, then hit it with the blow dryer. This method really does allow you to wash whenever you want, but I stick to about every 5 days. This is a really flexible method, and I’m super happy with it!
Thank you very much for doing a video on IBE. It definitely helps make the decision much easier to make. You look amazing!
I have hair loss, age, menopause. I always had fine fair but I had hair. Like you I mulled for about 9 months. I was very worried about damage. I finally took the plunge and had my first move up appointment. You hit all the points. You took all my thoughts and experience and gave a great video I felt like a star! Couldn’t tell me I wasn’t cute!!! It took me about 2 weeks to get a groove on how to style. Sooo much hair now, takes me longer to style. You’re not kidding about this being an investment!
I will look for your updates and hope we’re both still ecstatic with our new hair. Thank you ❤️
So, how much wAs the “investment?”
I enjoyed your article very much. You have provided a lot of good and interesting information for me and everyone. Thank you very much.
Hi recently got the IBE. And i love them. But i do have some questions 🙂 Do we know forsure the beads are made of metal, and have you had to go through a metal detector with them in? If so did they go off?