TLDR summary: Melia is incredibly talented with a variety of extensions and helps you choose the right kind for you and your hair. She's a master at color matching and blending the extensions (so no one knows you bought most of your hair!) If you're interested in longer and/or fuller hair, it's a no brainer to see her for her expertise. On top of that, I love chatting and laughing with her. She's amazing at her craft and as a person. 5+ stars!!! I have been getting my hair cut and colored at Smitten for several years. With fine hair that falls flat and looks oily by the end of the day, I looked into extensions to give me that thick, Instagram-worthy mane I always wanted. My stylist, who I've trusted with my hair for years, spoke so highly of Melia so I knew I was in good hands. In the consultation, Melia explains the different types of extensions and based on your hair type, lifestyle, and how you wear your hair, recommends the best type of extension for you. She answered all my questions and was up front about everything -- how to take care of the extensions, how long they last, costs, etc. I didn't feel any pressure during the consultation; it's clear Melia wants to help you make the best decision for you and your hair. I got my extensions installed one day after work. My color match was absolutely perfect. I'm naturally a brunette with blonde balayage, and Melia's recommendation to order two different shades of hair was spot on. Once installed, Melia blended the extensions perfectly. The next day at work, I had a few coworkers who knew something was different but couldn't put their finger on what changed. Even though I added several inches and bundles of thickness, it was impossible to detect my shoulder length hair from my extensions. Over the past year, I haven't had much (if any) issue following Melia's guidance on how to care for the extensions. Melia is clearly extremely talented with extensions. Her work speaks for itself. On top of her talent, she's also a truly wonderful person. As someone who gets antsy sitting for too long, I was most apprehensive about the appointments to move-up my tape-ins every 8-10 weeks. But Melia is so incredibly fun and personable and I truly look forward to sitting in her chair for a couple of hours every two months. There's no issue with my original stylist still doing my color (I could never cheat on her!) During my consultation, Melia assured me this wouldn't be a problem and she's helped me to coordinate my appointments. It's been seamless to see both of them, and I know this is true for other clients. This speaks to Melia's integrity and ability to work well with the other stylists at Smitten. I've had my tape-ins for a little over 8 months. Just last week at my move-up appointment, I asked Melia about the one step weft I saw on her Instagram. I've taken pretty good care of my tape-ins so Melia told me I had one more round left in them, to have them for a full year. With some events and trips planned for the spring, I decided to order the new hair to install at my next appointment in two months. I'm looking forward to trying a new type of extension. And of course to hang out with my girl Melia :) read more

Extensions by Melia - My before & after from my initial tape-in installation with Melia!! ‍ - Hair Stylists Near Me - Warrenton, Virginia

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I have been coming to Smitten for about 3 years and then a year ago decided I wanted to try hair extensions. I shared with my previous stylist what I was thinking and she grabbed Melia for a consultation. Melia specializes in hair extensions and met with me to go over and all questions, expectations, etc. I felt comfortable with her immediately and knew I was in good hands. Melia color matched my hair that day and gave me all the details about various hair extension types. We decided on tape-in's. I ordered my hair a few days later and then 2 weeks later, had my first appointment for install. For those considering getting extensions, Melia will tell you about all the hair extension options and make sure to help you choose the best option for you. Let me tell you, she knows what she's doing and is such an expert that you will not regret getting them!! To be honest, I was nervous about getting extensions initially. Fortunately, my hair is naturally blonde so I have never spent a lot of money on my hair. I was ready for a change and ready to indulge! Hair extensions are not cheap and they shouldn't be. You pay for the hair first for it to be ordered and then for Melia's skilled genius to install them! If you want it to look natural and beautiful and stay attached to your head/hair, you need a perfectionist professional like Melia! She talked me through the purchase and install, showed me what she was doing, and went over all specific details about how to take care of my new hair. The hair she recommends is extremely nice quality. This is very important because you want the hair to look as natural as possible and last a long time. She let me know the hair itself would last about a year, depending on how I maintained it and that I would need to come back for adjustments every 8-10 weeks, which I do religiously! I am a bit of a rule follower when it comes to personal care so I have followed Melia's instructions very closely and it's really paid off! I can dry my hair normally and curl it, use my fave products (seriously, the Bumble and Bumble products at the salon she recommended - Thickening Dry spun Texture Spray, Dry Oil Finishing Spray, and Dry Shampoo are amazing and all smell so delicious.) My hair and the hair extensions are very healthy. I have not regretted getting extensions for one second. Again, I attribute this to Melia's talent! With the tape-in extensions I originally got, I was able to wear them for about 11 months. By the end, they were shorter and really just adding volume to my hair because since I took such great care of my hair with the extensions, my hair really grew out! Which was my goal. New year, new hair though! Recently, within the last 2 weeks, I got the tape in extensions taken out and the one step weft extensions put in. Same deal, I ordered the hair (I had it expedited because I wanted to make sure the hair arrived by my appointment date and it only took a few days to come into the salon). The hair itself cost about the same as the tape-ins, but the initial install is a bit more expensive. They will need to be adjusted every 8 weeks or so, but the adjustment appointments are less expensive than the tape in adjustment appointments. Overall, the cost shouldn't deter you from getting the one step weft extensions, just the price of looking and living your absolute best life! I'm loving these even more than the tape-ins. They feel more natural on my scalp, but just like the tape ins, blend in so well with my actual hair. It's truly amazing. Maintenance and upkeep of the one step wefts is very similar to the tape-ins and just 2 weeks in from having them, I barely notice they are attached to my head. I get the most amazing compliments too, which makes me feel awesome! I am SO happy I started seeing Melia. Not only is she a complete rock star at hair extensions, but she also shaped my hair to blend in perfectly with the extensions. She is extremely good at what she does and it just seems like her personal goal to make you look the absolute best you have ever looked. Whether that's a haircut, hair extensions, styling, etc. I feel like a million dollars whenever I leave Smitten! I have surrounded myself with an awesome team of caring, talented people when it comes to my hair/nails/skin routine. I am so glad that Melia is a part of my team now. I always look forward to seeing her, chatting with her, catching up. It's so cool to have a connection with the people that make you look and feel your best. Melia is personable, positive and bubbly, as well as extremely gifted at what she does. I cannot recommend her services enough or say enough wonderful things about her as a person. She's my cheerleader and just generally so supportive! Plus, she has killer outfits, and always has some fun hair style. I trust her completely and I know she's going to make me look and feel my best. I wish I could give more than 5 stars because that's how truly awesome I think Melia is! read more

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