Hair extensions go back thousands of years, with Queen Cleopatra being one of the first females to sport the accessory. Fast forward today, extensions have evolved and the most recent edit looks the most promising!

Remember the coloured clip-ons of the '80s and the '90s? Or the eerie looking straight black hair that you would see hanging outside the cosmetic stores at New Market and Gawsia? Well, they've had a makeover and they've never looked better.

Historically, at least in the case of Bangladesh, hair extensions were usually whipped out during weddings or stage functions requiring extravagant hairdos. Things are different now — even if brides continue to consider extensions a staple part of their wedding look, more and more women are found to be reaching for the coveted accessory for daily use.

The reason for the burgeoning popularity of hair extensions is really quite simple and we'd be lying if we say it doesn't have us excited. They look more natural, come in a variety of lengths and colours and are quite readily available in a number of beauty parlours. What's more, putting it on no longer needs a complicated weave — one only needs to clip or stick it on.

"I love wearing extensions from time to time," says Sameera, a twenty-something student at BUFT. "I host a lot of events at my university, and extensions give my hair some natural volume when I'm on stage."

As women in the country become increasingly aware of the cons of using heating tools and excess product on their hair, hair extensions serve as handy, low maintenance accessories that require neither heating, nor additional styling. Sameera mentions that she has bought extensions that are a shade lighter than her natural hair. "It creates an interesting look — almost as if I have highlights!"

Prominent beauty parlours such as the Ombre salon keep a handful of hair extensions in neutral or popular shades in house. They do however, suggest that those who wish to style their hair with extensions bring their own for a more precise match.

Hair extensions come in both synthetic and natural varieties. The synthetic ones have a shinier texture and should generally not be styled using heating tools if one wishes to maintain them properly.

Extensions made of treated human hair are a notch more expensive but look decidedly more natural, and can be styled with tools. Nafisa Mehrab, the owner of the only local manufacturer and seller of human hair-based extensions, Eterea Hair, maintains that natural hair extensions can last for up to four years, if taken care of well.

For those who wish to experiment with the rising fad, it may be useful to know that synthetic hair extension clips can cost you anywhere between Tk 400 to 1500 per clip, whereas natural hair extensions can set you back between Tk 12,000 to 40,000 depending on colour, length and quality.

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