The long and short of it

Katie Warburton has been suffering with one dilemma almost every girl on the planet has suffered with - growing out a bob. But the only way to get there is to live through that transitional stage.

Hair extensions could be the way forward.

Katie went to Barbara Gregori in Markland Hill Lane for her transformation and was treated to a new system of microweft hair extensions from Racoon.

Instead of being glued into the hair in individual strands they are in pieces which are quick and easy to bind to your natural hair.

The 24-year-old went for a 15 minute consultation where stylist Ruby Jo Lomax talked to her about how she wanted her hair.

With Katie growing her hair out for her wedding in July she was stuck in the transitional stage and wanted to get used to having long hair.

She said: “I wasn’t sure how long I wanted it. It was the longest I’d had it in a couple of years. It was really annoying me.

“When I get married I want it up and off my face but perhaps with something around the side so it needs some length.”

At the consultation Katie and Ruby Jo discussed the colour and did a patch test. Katie said: “When Ruby Jo told me it was only going to take 45 minutes I was really pleased.”

Ruby Jo washed the hair to get rid of any products. She then blow dried and straightened it before applying the microwefts.

Katie said: “It just felt really heavy and really straight and I was really looking forward to styling it.”

Ruby Jo left the hair long and curled it. She then put it in an up-do.

Katie, who has a 22-month-old son called Alfie, said: “I loved the style. I might have to have it a bit more tucked away for the wedding but I just couldn’t believe how strong they were. I was really happy with them. I just had to see how I got on and how I managed with them.”

A few days later Katie went back and had them shaped into a shoulder length style. She said: “It was fun having long hair. I loved having them in. I had to wear it up all the time because I have a little boy. I did have fun styling them for nights out. Alfie looked at me a bit strange at first but then got used to them.”

After three weeks she had them taken out. “It was just really hard having long hair as I’ve had it short for so long.”

Ruby Jo, who won this year’s apprentice of the year award at Bolton College, said: “They can be put in any type of hairstyle. Katie’s hair was easy to work with. A lot of people are scared to have them done. These ones are a lot kinder to your hair.”

So the final verdict? Katie said: “I had lots of compliments. They looked natural. You couldn’t see the joins and they haven’t done any damage to my hair. I would definitely have them done again.”

Aftercare Facts You can shampoo it as normal although just apply conditioner on the ends.

Racoon recommend using their brushes, the bristles are kinder to the hair.

They last between two to six weeks and cost £60 to have them put back in.

A half-head starts from approximately £85.