More About Monkey Barrz

What exactly is Monkey Barrz – and what makes it different from other hair extension adhesives? 

Monkey Barrz is a hot-melt adhesive designed specifically by an exprienced  hair extension artist for the specific purpose of attaching hair extensions. It is a professional product, sold only to licensed cosmetologists. Our goal is to manufacture and supply the best extension adhesive on the market. That is our expertise.

In addition, we can refer you to fantastic hair suppliers, offer education, technical support and counsel, to help you realize your creativity with hair extensions. So, whether you’re a stylist, or just someone who wants to look your absolute best, contact us. Use the Monkey Barrz Hair Extension Adhesive System for beautiful results you can count on.

Visit the site at http://www.MonkeyBarrz.com

Hair Extension Styles and Techniques Overview

The term “hair extension” refers to numerous techniques of enhancing ones natural hair by adding other hair to it. This “commercial” hair can originate from all over the world, usually collected for this specific purpose and comes in many lengths, colors and textures. Sometimes synthetic hair is used, depending on the technique and desired result. These hair additions can either be temporary, such as clip-in pieces and wiglets, etc. or they can be anchored to the natural hair in a semi-permanent fashion.

Methods for extending the hair vary and it seems there’s a new one everyday! Many extension artists will master several techniques. This is to more adequately service the different and particular needs of their clients. When choosing a suitable method, many factors should be taken into consideration. The “finished look” may be your biggest concern, but longevity, possible hair damage and ease of care are just as important.

Common methods are pole weaving, braid weaving, interlock, weft bonding, half braids, micro knotting and the hot glue technique. Using hot melt adhesive is sometimes known as “fusion” or “bonding”. This can be a little confusing at first (which is one reason for the lengthy dissertation). but don’t worry, we’re here to help you sort it all out.

To Glue or Not to Glue

To glue or not to glue??? There are a lot of names out there that stylists and companies use to avoid using the word “GLUE”. Fusion, bonding, strand by strand are just a few. If any one is melting a substance to bind your hair and the extension hair together, they are using a type of glue.  (If it’s not a form of adhesive, how could it possibly hold these hairs together?)

Example: It used to be taboo in the hairdressing industry to call bleach “bleach”. Salon etiquette stated that the term “lightener” should be used, as it sounded softer, therefore more appealing to the client. Come on……we all know it’s bleach! If you need bleach to get the look you want, then hey….use bleach!

This terminology thing spreads out to many other chemical services just so you won’t shy away from them. That’s why they should only be done by professionals. It’s not the products you should be wary of, it’s the person using them.

Your other alternatives to a “glue” method usually require some degree of tension. (This includes synthetic hair attachment as well.) Not always, but often, these methods can be severely uncomfortable for someone not used to wearing their hair tightly braided, knotted, or bound in tiny subsections. Imagine that, plus the extra weight of the extension hair. Then again, if neither of these sound appealing, there are always clip-on additions, wiglets, falls, etc. which can be fun and very versatile. All methods of hair extensions take an initial adjustment time. For some, tension methods work great. Other people can only tolerate the non-tension application that glue methods can offer.

The whole point here is don’t be fooled by words. Glue is glue, no matter what it’s called. 

Want to give your customers the very best results?  Visit us at MonkeyBarrz.com!

Announcing Brand New Monkey Barrz Packaging

All things must change…and hopefully for the better! And so it is with the Monkey Barrz packaging. Alas, the old label printer bit the dust…and made my long-dreamed-of-upgrade necessary RIGHT now! So, you’ll be seeing a new label…and possibly new bag color for my lovely Monkey Barrz Extension Adhesive Sticks. (The latter is still in the works…but hopefully I will actually pull it off!)

For those of you that have been long term Monkey Barrz users, you know I started out with the black and white matt labels on silver bags, then had the bags silkscreened with black ink forever-and-a-day….then last year I switched to full color labels on the silver bag….yada yada yada. Those silkscreened bags had to go. The print quality wasn’t up to snuff anymore, so it was time for a change. So, that brings us back to white labels on silver bags…..only this time, they’re in full color….beautiful and glossy.

WHY am I telling you all this? Because I want you to know it’s still the real deal, not a counterfeit product circulating out there. And, since I’ve had my share of copycats and counterfeiters, I thought I’d give everyone a little heads-up.

So, thanks again for choosing Monkey Barrz Adhesive for your hair extension needs….and, for your convenience, visit monkeybarrz.com for more information and/or place an order….or just call me at 800.300.3473.

Here’s to a wonderful 2010 everybody!

Sherl

Glue. Shedding. The Golden Rule.

When I first started this little business of making glue, EVERYHTING seemed like an uphill battle. The mere idea of putting glue in someones hair, in and of itself, was questionable. We all got over that rather quickly as the many pro’s of strand on strand methods became apparent.

Next there was the matter of what hair to use. I started in the Stone Age of Hair Extensions and the pickin’s were slim! Since then, the range of colors, textures, lengths and quality has grown literally by leaps and bounds…So now we face another issue…one that’s a little more insidious and harder to detect.

In the manufacturers attempts to make extension hair softer, silkier and tangle-free, some hair is being processed to the point that NO glue on Earth will hold it. Basically, it’s stripped of all it’s cuticle (you know, those little boogers responsible for causing the tangles in the first place). With this hair there’s nothing for the adhesive to grab onto. The hair feels great…even after much wear….but we won’t get to experience that part, ’cause it sheds right out! So, that takes me back to one of my Golden Rules.

It’s the step no one can afford to skip….pre-washing your extension hair! You really don’t know what you’re about to put on your client’s head if you don’t pre-wash the hair. First we know the adhesive needs absolutely squeaky clean, 100% dry hair to create a strong bond. We must glue hair to hair…not hair to conditioner (or any other cosmetic build-up). But, say you wash your extension hair with your deep cleansing, ultra stripping-chelating shampoo…..and it just feels slimy no matter how many times you wash and rinse and wash and rinse. You can bet it’s been so over processed that nothing…not even Super Glue will hold it. (Trust me…I’ve tried everything!) You’ll most likely experience this with the lighter colors. Blondes have been and most likely will always be the most challenging hair extension clients for a banana boat full of reasons. You’re better off with the highest quality blond hair you can get your hands on. Your lightest blond European and Italian hair is usually lifted from natural grey/white hair. This means a huge difference in quality between it and bagged Asian Hair, which is generally lifted up from black and off-black hair. Hmmm, how interesting……

Anyway…that’s my tidbit for today…hope it helps. I’m just a phone call or email away if you need me. Thanks for looking.

For more information, visit monkeybarrz.com

Hello And Welcome To The Monkey Barrz Blog!

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited about the latest reincarnation of Monkey Barrz that I
decided to try something new….Blogging! I don’t usually go on forums and
do all this blog stuff. I’m usually too busy talking to everyone on the
phone! But, there must be something people like, ’cause half the world
is blogging about one thing or another. So, thought I’d better give it a
try. I’m hoping I’ll get to answer some questions, give out general
information….or maybe even learn a thing or two.

Monkey Barrz is a product for licensed cosmetologists only, so pricing
and some specific information will not be available for public viewing.
But for those of you just checking out hair extensions in general, this
may be a good way to get your feet wet. And, you may be able to explore
a few more ideas without making some big committment.

As always, your feedback is super important to me. I love listening,
troubleshooting and brainstorming to make Monkey Barrz the absolute best
it can be. Hair extension glues are tricky, because they have to go in a
certain way, hold up to wear and tear that would make other adhesives
shudder, and then come out with little or no damage to the client’s
natural hair. That’s a pretty tall order, if you really think about it!

So, thanks to everyone’s feedback and dedication over the past (many)
years, I’m still slinging glue for a livin’! More importantly, I’ve been
inspired to make Monkey Barrz even better. (Trust me, this has been a
real labor of love!) But, it’s been so worth it, the results have been
great. (YAY)

In response, I’d love to give my amazing extension artists a way to
showcase their talent on my website. If you’re already purchasing
directly from me, and have an email address….look for an electronic form
coming soon. You can write your “testimonial”, post contact information
and add your pictures. For the rest of you loyal Monkey Barrz
advocates….I’ll have to get creative and find a way to expose your
talent to the world too….gotta take this one little techno-step at a time.

For more information, check out monkeybarrz.com.