Hair extensions have long been associated with the glamour of Hollywood, being used to create iconic styles like vintage waves, dramatic updos and 1940s bobs. This connection, however, has often led to the assumption that extensions are not accessible or meant for the everyday consumer. Despite that, the market has only continued to grow. According to Technavio, the global hair wigs and extension market size is estimated to grow by USD 7.38 billion and at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2025-2029. This kind of rapid growth requires innovation.
In 2019, McKenzie Turley stepped up to plate to create an extension option for the always-on-the-go, everyday client that prioritizes comfort and quality, all while being invisible to the eye.
Making Extensions Invisible
Traditionally, if extension clients wore their hair in a ponytail or updo, the beads, bonds or adhesives from the extensions would be exposed. Not a good look, right? This type of style could also cause discomfort, allergic reactions or scalp damage when the beads or bonds made contact with the scalp.
Invisible Bead Extensions changed and reshaped the market forever, creating an install method for hand-tied extensions that solves those problems.
"IBE was founded because of a need — a need for a better method for clients that were plagued with the opposite of invisible: exposed, uncomfortable and damaging, to say the least," Turley shares. "Every single ‘Invisible Beaded Row’ you see right now is inspired by us."
What Turley didn't know at the time was how revolutionary (and needed) her technique was in the industry. In the six years since its founding, IBE now has over 5,000 certified stylists all over the world. By its 10-year anniversary in 2029, the brand plans to double its reach.
A One-Stop Shop for Extensions
Turley has experienced everything possible with hair extensions, from poor customer service to bad quality hair. As a true innovator, she decided it was time to pave the way for a high quality shopping experience for all weft stylists by sourcing the highest quality hair and rigorously doing quality checks and inspections.
IBE has developed strong, quality relationships with the factories where its hair is sourced. It also has a no questions asked 3-month guarantee on its products, rivaling its competitors.
The brand also prioritizes accessibility for clients' of all hair types, offering four different textures of hair extensions mixed with two different weft line constructions. There's also over 60 color options to choose from, making it a one-stop shop for licensed stylists offering extension services.
Elevated Extension Education
As the demand for extension services grows, so too does the need for education on how to properly and safely install them. After seeing plenty of one-day training courses and general lack of resources, Turley decided to develop a world-class education experience that has since set the tone of the entire educational delivery for the industry.
"Between having dozens of educators and mentors reviewing our installs and grow outs, we have over 20,000 data points of rows to understand how to educate stylists to install the healthiest extensions on the market," she says. "No other brand has been able to do this or will ever catch up to us."
Stylists receive a full extension kit with everything they need to get started and access to intensive video modules. They are also paired with a mentor, which is required to get certified. Unlike other install methods, the process is meant to be thorough and robust.
"Our goal is NOT to get stylists in and out so fast that they are left feeling uncertain about what to do next or how to troubleshoot," Turley adds. "We stand behind the belief that you CANNOT learn extensions in one day or even two days. We care that much about our clients scalp health and making true extension specialists."
In addition to the brand's IBE education and full-bodied shop, it also has a state of the art education center that offers stadium seating, a full projection screen and a hands-on area where mentors give stylists one-on-one feedback on installs and color.
Better For Business
Recent industry trends are all about inclusivity, with clients eagerly in search of stylists that can service their hair type. Cosmetologists are learning barbering services and gender-neutral cuts are growing in popularity. If you are looking to grow your offering menu (and your revenue), IBE may be the perfect option!
According to polls from the brand, stylists enrolled in the IBE program go on to see over 300% annual growth in their revenue by offering its extension services.
"We teach stylists how to immediately get a return on their investment by providing access to business coaches and training to market and position themselves as the educated stylists they are," Turley shares.
IBE also does marketing on behalf of the stylists through the Stylist Locator on its website and paid ads.
The brand aims to spread the message of its unique install method far and wide, so clients know to reach out to an IBE-certified stylist. This drives demand for clients and creates value for stylists. A win-win.
Connect with IBE
As a rapidly growing brand, IBE stays connected to its customer base, so they can continue to offer quality education and hair extensions.
"We know the importance of not only giving stylists access to high-quality hair but also that it maintains its quality and continues to innovate," Turley says.
She also shares that she messages customers daily, so she can provide solutions and ask for feedback.
The brand also regularly films educational content to stay relevant to the industry, as trends, demands and needs grow and change.
To keep up with IBE, you can follow the brand (@invisiblebeadextensions), Founder Mckenzie Turley (@itsmckenzieturley) and CEO Jasmine Hadjis (@justjasminenow) on Instagram. You can also visit the brand's website by scanning the QR Code.
What's Next?
As for the brand's future plans, IBE plans to help its stylists continue to grow by providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive.
Turley also teases that the brand has exciting plans for the top of 2026.
"Absolutely NO other brand has ever done this before, and they will never be able to offer what we are going to do for IBE-certified stylists," she says.
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