I am beyond excited to finally share this story with y’all! I can’t wait to see how many of you are completely shocked by it! 😉 I hope this answers all of your questions and that you all share in this excitement we have for our newest blessing!!
I love you all and thank you so much for all the kind messages, prayers and love we have felt over the last few months!!
Have any other questions? Come post them on my IG post HERE!!
HAND TIED EXTENSIONS UPDATE
Read entire post for an in-depth review of my experience!
So I’m updating this post as a reference for those of you who have followed my hair journey over the last almost 2 years!!
I wore my first set of extensions for about 9 months before I took them out to go on a cruise with my family! I had absolutely loved everything about them just didn’t want the upkeep when swimming, being at the beach with 4 kids! It was time for new hair almost so I just decided to give my head a break and rock short hair for awhile! It was fun while it lasted but I was ready for my long hair back!! And I know it’s difficult to find legit Indian hair reviews online, but I found this amazing website worth checking out.
In July of 2019 I went back to Jill to get new hair and it started out wonderful! Jill has the opportunity to try out some new hair so we decided to try it out on me! It was good for the first month or so before it started falling out like crazy, getting super tangled several times a day and getting shorter by the day! I of course contacted Jill and told her I wanted to come in to show her how thin/short it was and of course she told me to come ASAP! When I went in Jill was shocked and was so very sweet & helpful! She kept apologizing and I told her to stop, she didn’t make the hair, she just installed it! Which by the way, the install was wonderful! It was just the longevity/quality of hair that she had been deceived by the company selling her the hair!!
At that time we hadn’t ordered new hair for me so we decided to cut the extensions to help them look more full until I could get my new hair put in!! The shorter cut sure helped the extensions look better in the waiting period and I’m so glad she suggested it!!
In January 2020, I got my new hair and it’s been my favorite so far! It is holding up so nice and you can honestly feel/see the difference in how it’s going to hold up!! I am still so in love with my hand tied extensions and will most likely keep them in for a while unless I get crazy pregnancy ideas! Haha Jill talk me down!
Here’s a few questions you guys have asked this time around!!
How many wefts do you have?
I have 15 wefts and 3 rows!
How long are yours?
Mine are the 22″!
What color do you get?
Jill does custom coloring and we just talk about what look I’m trying to achieve before we order the hair! Jill can help you out in this department because she’s great at color!
Does it feel heavy?
It doesn’t feel heavy to me! Lol the first day after an install your head is somewhat sore but nothing crazy!
How often do you wash them?
I wash my hair about 1x a week, sometimes 2! If my roots get super oily I just wash them so I don’t have to worry with drying the extensions because sometimes (well most days) I don’t have time for that!
What shampoo/conditioner do you use?
Currently I’m using Navy Hair Care search and rescue shampoo/conditioner! You can buy it here and use code BAY for 30% off!
Jill has SO graciously decided to run a new special for all of you!! You can now get $500 off a set of 22″ hand tied extensions and $350 off a set of 18″extensions! Y’all, that is such an amazing deal so if you have been thinking about getting extensions, NOW is the time!! You guys will LOVE Jill! She has such a passion for this and a great heart for helping others!!! Also Jill offers free consultations so you can set up an appointment to see how many wefts, what length, color etc to help understand the process!!
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Below is my first post about hand tied hair extensions!
Hair extensions have been something I have wanted to try for many years. I could never find one that I felt totally good about because I had heard negative things about each brand/type until I found hand tied hair extensions. I have seen them all over the internet and everyone was raving about them so I knew these were the ones that after years or searching I wanted to try out. I researched for awhile trying to find someone in my area who was certified in doing them! That’s when I found Jill Payne at Ecclectic People! I stalked her Instagram and knew I wanted her to do my extensions! I asked Jill to type up a little bit about her to help you get an inside look at her passion and love for hair!
Hello, my name is Jill Payne. I am the owner of Eclectic People salon in Lubbock TX. I enjoy living life with my super cute husband, Austin and my fur baby, Levi the Schnoodle. (And they are now expecting a baby girl in April) I started my career right here in West Texas and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel to larger cities to learn the best techniques from the best stylists very early on in my career.
To me, part of providing quality haircare is keeping the hair healthy, while still offering beautiful results. I specialize in haircolor and hair extensions. From the haircolor my salon uses to the products I recommend, it is all in an effort to take the best care of your hair possible. So, even with the hair extensions that I offer, it is also extremely important to me to keep your hair in it’s best shape! Extensions should always help you get to your healthy hair goal, not keep you from it. I believe that the extra work it takes to make sure salon services are done the right way is always worth it!
While I love traveling and learning from the best of the best, my real passion is to bring quality haircare back to West Texas.
I was born and raised here and I personally believe that we should have access to every big city amenity right here. Including the best in salon services.
This town is special to me and it means the world to me that I can play a part in helping it grow to its maximum potential.
Can’t you just feel the love and passion she has for not only West Texas and keeping people local but also the quality in her services! She wants to enhance your natural qualities in your hair and make it the best she can without damaging consequences!
I’ve had so mnay questions and comments about my hair that I figured the best way to get everything answered was to let you guys ask me questions that I would answer here so here we go!
Why did you get extensions? Is your hair thin?
No, my hair isn’t thin by any means! I actually have quite a bit of hair but it’s postpartum hair that DOES NOT GROW! It has been the same length for so long and it just keeps breaking off so I got tired of waiting! I wanted that length I’ve been dreaming of for years and I finally got it! I’m so happy with the length now and don’t see myself going without them for a good long while!
How many rows did you get?
I have 3 rows in my hair! They go from one side of my head to the other and get smaller as they go up my head!
How much did it cost?
The cost varies depending on how long you get them, how many bundles and how much volume you want to achieve but for a reference they can cost between $600-$2000! I have seen from so many friends that the one thing with extensions is you are truly getting what you are paying for! If you get super cheap, they are probably going to not only look cheap but probably cause more damage that will take years to fix! Don’t take a short cut on your hair!
How often do you get trims on your hair?
Before I got extensions I am pretty much the worst at getting trims!! I feel like ill probably get trims now every time I go in to get them moved up!
How often do you wash your hair?
1x a week is my normal! Definitely no more than 2x a week unless I get spit up or some other unknown #momlife thing in it!
HOW do you have long hair with a baby?
When I’m home I usually have my hair in a high messy bun so he can’t grab it! But let’s be honest I don’t leave the house much! haha But I think it’s just one of those things you get used to! I’ve had long hair with every baby, sure it’s gonna get pulled and tangled in their sticky hands but it doesn’t make me wanna have short hair!
How long did it take?
I went on a Thursday to get my hair colored first so she could color the extensions to match perfectly! So I got my hair colored and then she colored the extensions that night to add dimension and depth! On Friday I came back to get them put in and that took about 3 hrs! It was a vacation for me and I enjoyed it so much!
Are they hand tied or dream catchers?
Mine are the hand tied extensions! They are different from other brands because it uses larger wefts with less points of attachment to your natural hair. It uses “sewing” and one bead that goes on the under side of the weft. It is the newest method and causes minimal to no damage to your natural hair because there aren’t so many pieces attached to your natural hair.
Do you shampoo like normal?
Yes, you can use salon quality shampoo & conditioner on them just as if it were your normal hair! I love this about them! I just make sure to get under the attachment points with shampoo and rinse really well. I’ve also continued to only put conditioner from the nape of my neck down to keep the roots from getting heavy/greasy!
Can you brush them?
Yessss! I changed one thing about brushing and that’s that I do it more slowly now. I use a regular brush and never have any issues!
Are they comfortable?
With anything semi-permanent there is an adjustment period! I had a week or so where my head was tender! It didn’t cause any headaches but I had a few spots that were tighter feeling so after a week those loosened up naturally and then it feels totally normal!
How long do they last?
The hair itself can last up to a year if taken care of properly! This means brushing them, keeping them from getting tangling, using sulfate free shampoo/conditioner and just simply treating them well!
How often do you get them moved up?
It depends on the quality of upkeep and your personal hair growth but the average is between 6-8 weeks! For those who are interested in grow her hair more efficiently I recommend to get Folexin, click here to visit the website.
Can you style them like normal?
Yes! I use hairspray, serums, heat tools, etc! I am able to braid them, pull them up in a high pony tail and essentially do anything I would do with my normal hair! That was one of the main selling points for me because I wanted to be able to pull up my hair without seeing tons of beads or feeling like I was constantly worrying if people were able to see my extensions!
Are they hard to maintain?
Not in the least bit! I seriously wash my hair once a week. Curl them with my T3 iron and the curls last days! I brush them 2x a day usually, add some smoothing serum and use salon quality products to keep them looking fresh! I was honestly so nervous that I had signed up for something that was going to take me tons of time to keep up with and it has been the complete opposite!
TIPS
Always sleep with it in a braid or low pony to avoid knots/tangles…or strangling your hubby! 😉
Use a heat protectant!
Use a leave in conditioner, the hair obviously isn’t connected to your roots so it doesn’t get any natural nutrients from the roots so it absorbs things you put directly on it!
Save up and invest in these because they are truly the least upkeep and from what I’ve heard and seen they cause no damage!
PRODUCTS I USE
I use this curling iron.
This smoothing serum.
This blow dryer.
I ONLY use these hair ties because I’m OBSESSED!
If you would like to know more about Jill and her life then follow along over at @jillpaynehair.eclecticpeople , @eclectic_people!
You can also like them on Facebook HERE! Thanks so much Jill for partnering with me on this post! I can’t wait to see some of you babes rocking your new hair!
This post is in collaboration with Jill Payne. All thoughts, images and opinions are that of my own!
Self-care and “me” time are buzzwords for moms right now! While it’s totally true that most moms do need to spend more time on themselves, many are left asking, “But how?” If it feels impossible to try and squeeze any more time out of your day for yourself, switch tactics. Instead of trying to get more time for yourself, find ways to fit more “me” time into your regular routine! I know it can be so hard, trust me, this mom of four feels you on a deep level and somedays just aren’t meant to have me time but I truly think investing in yourself and filling your cup sure helps when you are constantly pouring from it! These four little people are my world but if I am not in a good space for myself then it’s impossible for me to be the happy mom they need and deserve!
Put it on the Calendar
Plan out your “me” time and put it on the calendar! Even if it’s just a 15 walk alone once your partner gets home or a 5 minute break upstairs while the baby is napping, jot it down. Putting it on the calendar means you’re less likely to forget or shove your personal time to the back burner. It also shows the rest of your family that this is a priority!
Lock the Bathroom Door
Seriously, lock it. Like most moms, you’re most likely available to your family 24/7. While being as available as possible can provide your children with much needed security as they grow, it can also mean you’re not getting the time alone that you need. Secure young children in a safe playpen or crib, hand older kids an independent activity, and head to the bathroom and lock the door. Even if you don’t actually have to go!
Declare the Shower Your Sacred Space
Moms are infamous for forgoing basic necessities like showers in favor of another task that seems more important. It’s not! Take that shower, momma. You deserve to feel clean and refreshed, and you can create some additional “me” time by declaring it your sacred space. Arrange a time to shower when you’re least likely to be needed and talk to your family about shower time being your well-deserved alone time! #PREACH
Wake Up Before the Kids
It seems counterintuitive to your sanity to get a bit less sleep by waking up before your kids, but I promise you’ll feel so much better once you’ve made this a new habit. Getting up first means you have the whole house to yourself and no one is demanding your attention yet. Dress as slowly as you want (or don’t get dressed at all), and sip your morning coffee or tea while it’s still hot! I struggle with this SO bad but when I do it, goodness I feel soooo much better!
Break It Up
When you aren’t able to set aside a large block of “me” time, try breaking it up throughout the day. Take 10 minutes before the kids wake up to drink a hot cup of something, then spend an extra 3 minutes in the bathroom. On your lunch break at work or while the little one naps or has quiet time at home, sit and catch up with your friends on Facebook or Instagram. When coming home from work, take a few moments to just sit in your car before heading into the house. At night, turn your phone off and pick up a book for 10 minutes before going to sleep. While it seems like those little snippets of stolen time are meaningless, they’ll add up to less stress for you and more “me” time for a mom who really needs it!
Moms. invest in YOU! Fill YOUR cup before pouring from it! I promise you will see a difference and so will the people around you that need you the most!
I was compensated by QVC for this post!
Finding baby items you love is something every mom values! Adding a child to the mix can always come with trials and obstacles so that is why I always am on the look out for items that make having a baby easier or just things I love for my kids! I rounded up a few of my favorite things that I would love to share with y’all! With warm weather quickly approaching I wanted to find a few things that would make spring/summer a little more manageabale for this mom of four! I found all of these things in THE BABY SHOP by QVC and they literally have so many great things y’all! If you’re like me, you didn’t even know QVC had a baby shop but they do, and it’s so good!
My big kids are constantly on the go and Sway is off and running every chance he gets! This portable play yard is the perfect answer to keeping that little guy contained while the bigs play outside on the play set or at the park! Sway loves being outside more than anything so this is a great way for him to still enjoy the outside without me having to chase him every second of everyday! I can throw a few of his favorite toys or balls in here and he is happy as can be! It is easily folded for storage and comes with a travel bag for complete ease! It’s also super lightweight but sturdy enough to feel comfortable letting your baby/toddler hang out in it! The other great thing about it is the detachable canopy for those super hot days or days at the beach where you want to keep them out of the sun! I honestly wish we would have had this thing for our cruise last year! Oh, and don’t forget QVC offers Easy Pay where you can buy your item now, it ships and you pay it in equal installments with no interest! How amazing is that? So if you have several big items you are wanting this is a great option to spread some of the spending out!
Next is this portable highchair! Y’all, this thing is SO neat! It also has a canopy shade on it and a removable tray for meal/snack time so this things is going to come in so handy for picnics, park time and I can just imagine how cute little man will look in this thing watching his brothers play baseball! It’s made of a durable, easy to clean fabric and is so sturdy! He loves just sitting in this thing and looking around! It grows with your baby and can be used from 3 months old and on up to toddler!
These Minnetonka booties obviously aren’t for spring/summer but little man has been living in these during all this cold weather! He wears them around the house and even out running errands! They are such great quality and keep his feet so warm! I couldn’t recommend them enough for your little one if it’s still cold where you are! We will be wearing these all through February and maybe even into March because Texas weather is all over the place!
SHOP WHAT WE HAVE
OTHER FAVORITES
Christmas graphic tops have become so popular over the last few years and let me just say…I ain’t hatin’ it! I think they are so cute and especially fun during the Christmas season! They have come out with some of the cutest sayings and I truly think they can be dressed up or down! I have found several of my favorite ones online for you guys and think you will love them! You can click directly on the top and it will take you to the retailer! What says Christmas better than a cute comfy top that makes everyone smile?!
You can now shop all of these tops by simply clicking on your favorite! I think my favorite is the MERRY AF sweatshirt! I can just see it paired with these leggings, these boots, and this beanie! AHHH, the perfect Christmas outfit!
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Check out my holiday Christmas guides here!
