April 25, 2014

Feather Extension Style Guide : Looks for Medium Length Hair

Welcome to our Style Guide! This guide is for those with mid-length locks! See our other style guides for different hair lengths.

Our customers' average hair length is medium, and we get lots of requests for styling ideas in this length. There are many ways to wear our feathers, so don't be afraid to be creative and create your own unique look. We have a few suggestions to inspire your style.

A quick note about length:

The average feather of the long skinny type measures 8.5 - 13 inches (21.5 cm - 33 cm). If your hair is medium length, these should be just about right! Our fluffy feathers are a bit shorter, but also much wider. They often require a bit more creativity to place in medium length hair. Here are some fun styling ideas for both.

Look #1: Feather Highlights

feather hair extensions medium length shoulder hair

This is by far the most popular hair feather style. A long and sleek strip of feathers. Regardless of your hair length, you can easily achieve this look with our long skinny type of feather, like those offered in our colour combos. On medium length hair, it's a simple application.

How To:

For a subtle highlight: Stick with 1-3 loose feathers per highlight, and go with just one or two highlights. Stay with natural colours. Use white grizzlys for a little spunk, backed by a few natural solids that will blend in with your colour. Don't worry - you'll still see them - we promise! If you want them super subtle, forgo the white grizzlys and just use solid feather colours.

For a highlight that really pops : Go with dyed bright colours, or for stand out naturals, use white grizzlys backed by solids that will stand out against your colour. Solid colours create more 'pop' in the look, while grizzlys give it a little intrigue, so use a little bit of both.

Use 5 or 6 feathers per highlight.You can use loose feathers and place groups into the rings. Make sure all the feathers are facing out.

You will need: Your chosen feathers, some hair ties or clips, a brush or comb, the included micro rings and application loop, and a pair of pliers to crimp the rings with.You'll also need a mirror (or a friend).

1) First you pick an attachment point near the top of your head. Don't start right on your part. Part your hair again about 2-3 cm over from your normal part. This ensures that later on, some of your normal hair style will cover up the attachment point. Once you've decided on your spot, make a new part along it, and clip or tie the upper half out of the way.

2) Use the included application loop to put a ring here. Place the chosen feathers in the ring, and angle it so that it sits naturally with your hair. If it doesn't angle naturally and sticks out, that may cause pulling later on, so let it just angle down and hang naturally. Turn the feathers so they all face out.

3) Crimp the ring with your pliers, and trim off any feather bits sticking out the top of the ring. You shouldn't feel it pulling on your hair at all. If it's pulling, take out the ring and re-angle it to try again. Rings can be removed by just crimping the opposite direction. And that's it, highlight complete!

This style, just like any other, can last for months in your hair. Remember to brush gently over the attachment point and use the lowest settings on your heat tools to maximize the life of your feathers.

Look #2: Behind the ear

feather hair extensions medium shoulder length hair

This is a true rock n roll style, subtle from the sides and a real pop when you face someone. You can use long skinny feathers, or short fluffy ones, whichever you prefer!

How To:

1) Decide on a spot just behind your ear. Pick out a few millimetres of hair, and then clip or tie the rest of your hair out of the way.

2) Use the application loop to place a micro ring onto the chosen strand. Keep it around half a centimetre from your scalp. Place a feather (or a few feathers) into the ring. Make sure to turn the feathers to face outwards.

3) Use the pliers to crimp the ring tightly down. Fluffy feathers have thick quills, so it's important to have a nice and strong crimp to keep them from sliding down.

And that's it, done! The feathers will stay up to 6 months, but you can take them out at any time simply by crimping the ring the other way with the pliers. Enjoy your playful new look!

Look #3: Fluffy Feather Cascade

feather hair extensions medium shoulder length hair

This is a very bold and unique look. Often worn on a more temporary basis, it's great for a special night out.

How To:

You will need: About 3 loose fluffy feathers for each cluster. Depending on length, you'll have about 3-5 clusters total. You will also need some hair ties or clips, a brush or comb, the included micro rings and application loop, and a pair of pliers to crimp the rings with. You'll also need a mirror, or a friend!

1) Start at the top. Decide where you would like to place your feathers .The most popular placement is alongside the face, but you can also run them down any part of your hair, it's totally up to you! This will be a very thick and plush line of feather clusters going all the way down your hair.

2) Now we can pick an attachment point, at the top of our cascade. Choose an area a few inches from the centre of your head, just along the side. Create a part here, and clip or tie the upper half of the part out of the way. Pick a strand of hair on the spot you wish to begin your cascade.

3) Using the included application loop, place a ring around the strand of hair. Adjust the ring to hang about 1/2 cm from your scalp. You can now place 1, 2, or 3 feathers in that ring, and ensure the feathers are facing outwards. Angle the ring so that it sits naturally with your hair. If it doesn't angle naturally and sticks out, that may cause pulling later on, so simply angle it down and let it hang naturally. Then just crimp the ring flat with your pliers, and trim off any feather bits sticking out the top of the ring. You shouldn't feel it pulling on your hair at all. If it's pulling, take out the ring and re-angle it to try again. Rings can be removed by just crimping the opposite direction. And that's it, point A done!

4) The centre layers: Now we know where our cascade line begins. Follow down along the feathers, and just above the point where the 1st layer ends, pick out a good spot along the scalp for the next attachment point. If your cascade follows right along the edge of your face, the best spot will be just above your ear. For cascades running down the back and sides, a little lower will work better. We are simply continuing down the line of feathers that we started. Clip or tie the rest of your hair out of the way. Now apply the ring along the scalp. Add your feathers, and face them in the correct direction. Crimp your ring and trim the top again. And that's the second layer. If your hair is a bit longer, you may need to do this step one or two more times before reaching the bottom of your hair.

5) The end layer. This is the last bit, and it goes on the very bottom of the hairline near the scalp. Follow the cascade line that you've started, and find the spot down along the very edge of your lower scalp. Clip or tie the rest of your hair out of the way again. Place the ring here, always keeping it half a centimetre from the scalp. Face the feathers outwards, angle the ring to hang naturally, crimp, and trim off excess again.

And that's it, done! Just be careful when you brush, because now you've got multiple attachment points instead of one. The reason this look is worn more temporarily is because so many attachment points can make the area more difficult to brush. However, it should last quite some time if you don't mind minimal brushing in the area.

We hope you enjoyed our medium length style ideas. Remember, this is just a basic guide and with a creative touch, there are so many more ways to wear your feathers. Hopefully we've inspired some awesome feather styles!