Making Hair Extensions Inclusive for All Hair Types

While we are only a few months into 2025, old Hollywood and vintage hairstyles are proving to be a defining trend for the year, especially in the middle of awards season. Hair extensions are one of the staples necessary to create these looks with extra length and volume. Yet, for the longest time, extensions have only been accessible in their best quality for straight-haired clients. As a curly-haired hairstylist and hair extension specialist, Jennifer Janisch (@jennifer_johnson_janisch) saw an opportunity to provide for textured clients by creating her own brand of curly hair extensions: Adored Hair Extensions. To learn more about the brand and learn tips for working with curly hair extensions, we reached out to Janisch and Chloe Hartnett (@curls.by.chloe), a curly hair extension specialist based at Janisch's salon, Adored Hair in Lombard, IL. 

Beauty Launchpad (BLP): How did you get your start in the industry? When did you start working with extensions?

Jennifer Janisch (JJ): I always loved everything about beauty. I had makeup on from the time I could hold an eyeshadow brush, and I taught myself how to French braid my own hair when I was 4 years old. I started as a shampoo girl when I was 12 at my mom’s friends' salon. At age 15, I started hair school through a high school program and graduated before the second semester of my senior year. For the remainder of my senior year, my mom called me off of school two days a week, so I could work full days at a salon, resulting in full time hours. In 2009, I started my education in hair extensions 20 years into my career.  At the time, hair extensions were not mainstream, but I was determined to build this revenue stream within my clientele. It took nine months after being certified in multiple install methods and a lot of hard work before I had a paying client for hair extensions.

BLP: What inspired you to launch Adored Extensions? What gap did you see yourself needing to fill? "When I launched Adored Hair Extensions, it was because there was a massive void in the extension industry — there weren't any ideal options for textured hair clients."Courtesy of Danielle Hardesty Photography Brands.daniellehardestyphtoography.com

JJ: When I launched Adored Hair Extensions, it was because there was a massive void in the extension industry — there weren't any ideal options for textured hair clients. All hair extensions were created using straight hair and from China.

To create texture, straight hair would be permed, but straight hair, even when chemically permed, reacts to humidity like straight hair — straight hair falls flat in humidity, and curly hair swells and gets fuller. As a result, textured hair clients wouldn't have extensions that would react to humidity the same way as their natural hair. The other downfall of this hair is that it is stiff. My clients refer to it as a horse tail. Hair from China also had a thicker diameter compared to clients in America.

For the most part, everyone installing only understood straight hair extensions. Extension artists were settling for these less than desirable options because they had no other choice. Being that the world’s population has 87% of some form of wave-kink in their hair, pretty much everyone was getting the wrong type of hair extensions. I was the first to say that, “Texture matching is just as important as color matching.” 

BLP: Tell us more about the brand. What can stylists expect from Adored?

JJ: Adored Hair Extensions is a small business. Our hair is sourced and manufactured in India. Everything is done by hand. Our commitment and the foundation of the company are built on customer service. Our strength is in our perfected product, and our support is our education. When you purchase from Adored, you are purchasing from a family-run business. Questions come to me, the owner and creator. It is my drive to help stylists and extension artists become the top 3% of the industry, producing 6-figure incomes. 

"I believe Adored stands out because we are a small business in a big business industry. We do not sell to the consumer, and we ensure every extension artist who purchases our hair has a license and hand-tied certification."Courtesy of Danielle Hardesty Photography Brands.daniellehardestyphtoography.comBLP: What makes Adored stand out from other hair extension brands?

JJ: I believe Adored stands out because we are a small business in a big business industry. We do not sell to the consumer, and we ensure every extension artist who purchases our hair has a license and hand-tied certification. With these requirements, we hope to avoid pit falls within the industry of people learning how to do hair extensions on YouTube and having a poor install, which can cause many issues for the client. If we sold to the consumer, our sales would triple, but that’s not my goal — my goal is to have an elite, premium product that offers an elevated salon service from start to finish.

BLP: How is Adored making extensions more inclusive for people of different hair textures?

JJ: We have created a product that works in many hair types, with three different texture options. Our subtle body extensions have the least amount of wave. This option is great for that client who just needs a little added texture to match their hair. Beach wave is the next step up. It's our most versatile texture, which is smooth and bouncy but can be blown out straight. This choice is perfect for the client with wavy hair. Then, we have our curliest texture option: the naturally curly extensions. This option has tons of volume and tons of curl! 

BLP: What advice do you have for stylists working with curly hair extensions for the first time? What are some tips/tricks they should know? "First time buyers of our hair are required to purchase our care and styling tutorials. This is an online library of 17 videos with detailed information on how to care, maintain and style the curly hair extensions."Courtesy of Danielle Hardesty Photography Brands.daniellehardestyphtoography.com

JJ: First time buyers of our hair are required to purchase our care and styling tutorials. This is an online library of 17 videos with detailed information on how to care, maintain and style the curly hair extensions. I created these after many long days behind the chair and longer nights answering lots of DMs from clients of extension artists that installed their hair asking how I styled my own hair. These videos are informative and answer many questions that may arise during or after an install. We encourage the extension artists to share these with their clients. In some cases, the client will purchase the tutorials themselves. When it comes to a curly install, it is completely different than a straight install. You need more hair to build out to the fluff of the clients natural hair and cut into to blend. When it comes to the cut, it has to be precise — you can’t just shatter the ends. The proper styling of curly extensions is crucial to the lifespan of the actual hair extensions and the success of the install. A curly extension client should leave the salon with dry, styled curls — not wet hair and a prayer that it will look good. There is a process and system behind styling curly.

BLP: How should hairstylists price an extension service if they want to add it to their books?

JJ: Pricing a hair extension service is not a one-size-fits-all. Every salon does things differently, and many salons under price hair extensions. When pricing hair extensions, you must consider the cost of the hair and the time the extension artist spends custom coloring, installing, cutting and styling the hair extensions. When we do a fresh install at Adored Salon, we have included a 2-week follow up visit to ensure the client is properly taking care of their investment. In our salon, a volumizing with no added length ranges from $1250 - $1550. A full lengthening ranges in price from $2100 - $4000.

"I love traveling and going into salons, seeing their unique spaces, training other stylists/extension artists all about an Adored Curly Install and coaching them on how to grow and scale their extension business."Courtesy of Danielle Hardesty Photography Brands.daniellehardestyphtoography.comBLP: What plans does the brand have for 2025?

JJ: In 2025, I want as many extension artists to know and love Adored Hair Extensions. I plan to continue with the Curl Tour. We are kicking off the year at Adored Salon with our first class. Then, we head to Salem, NH in April and Perth, Australia in November. I would love to add 2-3 more salons on the tour, and we will likely add more dates at Adored Salon. I love traveling and going into salons, seeing their unique spaces, training other stylists/extension artists all about an Adored Curly Install and coaching them on how to grow and scale their extension business.

BLP: How can beauty pros learn more about Adored Extensions or begin to work with them themselves?

JJ: They can visit our website and our education page. You can email [email protected] with questions. For updates, check us out on social. You can follow the brand page (@adored_signature_handtied_hair) and my personal page (@jennifer_johnson_janisch)!

Making Your Business Boom with Curly Extensions 

Chloe Hartnett (@curls.by.chloe) dives into how she got started working with curly hair extensions and how the service has helped her grow her business. 

What made you decide to start specializing in hair extensions?"I previously never knew that textured extensions were possible. Once learning about them and all their benefits, I realized I could help triple the number of people I can service by offering various textures."Courtesy of Chloe Hartnett

It was something I was exposed to even before beauty school. My mom would wear them, and she raved about how much she loved them. When I entered beauty school, I soon realized that many women wanted them for more than just looks. So many women struggled with thinning hair and premature shedding, and I knew I could provide a service to help that. 

How did you specifically start working with textured extensions?

I began working with textured extensions through Jennifer. I previously never knew that textured extensions were possible. Once learning about them and all their benefits, I realized I could help triple the number of people I can service by offering various textures.

What were some of your pain points/struggles when working with textured extensions? What did you learn from the experience?

It is NOTHING like working with straight extensions. The amount of hair used, the installation methods and the cutting and blending are all completely different. From this, I learned that so many basics taught in standard extension courses do not apply to textured hair. It is a lot of trial and error in the beginning, especially due to the lack of curly extension education out there.

How has working with textured hair extensions helped you grow your business?

My business can grow exponentially because I do not have to limit who my extension clients are based on their hair texture. In the past, curly babes would straighten their hair daily to try to match their hair to their extensions, causing way more damage. Now, there’s no need for unnecessary heat and forcing a texture match. For that reason alone, people seek us out to prevent damage while growing their curls.

What should stylists know about pricing the service and adding it to their books?

Like I previously stated, a curly install and a straight install are completely different. There are more steps, and it’s much more tedious, time consuming and a complete specialty. Do not feel ashamed of charging your worth. This is not an ‘average’ extension service, so do not price it like one.

What advice do you have for stylists who want to start working with curly hair extensions? What are some top tips they should know?

DO IT! This is a completely overlooked niche in the extension industry right now. You will set yourself apart from all other extension artists in your area, but you need proper training and knowledge because a curly install can go south fast. The Adored Signature Curl Tour is the BEST and only all curly extension class out there. It teaches you all things texture and color matching, install methods made for textured hair, cutting and blending, custom coloring, marketing, pricing and so much more. This is the course I personally used to grow my niche and success in curly extensions!