Ricardo Santiago's (@stylistricardosantiago) client had three requests: LOTS of hair, a red/pink base, and no lightening. So, how did he make her technicolor dream come true?

With a ton of Great Lengths GL Tapes extensions! GL Tapes are available in four lengths—10”, 14”, 18” and 22” —and more than 55 colors. For this look, Santiago custom-colored seven packs of 22" GL Tapes.

"My guest likes it as long and full as her head can hold, so I took the challenge and landed here," Santiago writes on his Instagram. "There are 70 GL Tapes on this head!" 

COLORING GL TAPES

Sticking to his promises, Santiago colored his client's own hair in hues of ruby and red at the base that melted into rose, magenta and hot pink. Not one to shy away from bold hues and creative color work, Santiago went beyond the confines of a pink base with his extension color formulation by adding pops of yellow, blue and purples. Watch him in action here:

When coloring GL Tapes, Santiago shares important pointers:

• "For the actual coloring of the extensions I began by using the packaging the hair comes in/on itself, as a coloring surface. The way the extensions are set is perfect for this because you can apply your color and then throw the sleeve away once you are finished with the color application! Less mess and less waste!"

• "Typically, I am not light handed when applying color on extensions, as we know they can be tricky with saturation. So saturating the hair through and through is vital. I like to load the color on the weft and saturate using an alternating side to side and up and down motion to help drive the color in. Once I’m satisfied with my saturation on the first side, I flip the extensions over by lifting only the plastic strip that the extensions are attached to and apply again to the underneath."

As an important note, Santiago says although GL Tapes have medical grade adhesive, it is important to make sure to not saturate at the adhesive area of the tape with color or water, as this could prevent the extensions from holding or reduce the strength of the adhesive. Here, he very lightly feathered over the hair to cover and then wiped off the color with a towel, after rinsing the length of the hair. 

APPLICATION

Next comes the application. Prep by flat ironing each section before applying GL Tapes. Then, starting in the nape area, Santiago begins his tape application about an inch and a half above the hair line, using his GL Computer as a guide for the location of the application to accurately place the wefts.

"For a varying technicolor finish, I pair different color wefts together in a sandwich," he says. "This way there’s always a pop of color that rests over or shows under my primary base color melt wefts. I continue this method of application leaving about a quarter to a half inch of hair in between each section working up towards the crown."

Santiago uses the GL Computer to map out where the wefts should be placed and brick lay as he works his way up. The brick lay ensures maximum coverage. Apply the extension from underneath a slice of hair first about 1/8"-1/4" from the scalp and then lay that down and sandwich with the piece above. This will ensure a more comfortable result for your client and prevent any pulling at the scalp or bulging out from being too close to the scalp.

Santiago used the brightest shades (in this case yellow) in the area just above the ear to make sure there was a bright pop of color in the final look. He utilized GLTapesPlus for the areas higher up towards the crown to best blend with the natural hair. 

According to Great Lengths, here are some need-to-knows about GL Tapes:

• They contain the same high-quality Indian Remy Great Lengths hair found in the premium bonded extension products.

• Extremely small attachment sites ensure smooth, flawless, discreet application results.

• Thanks to the quality of the hair, GL Tapes can be re-used multiple times. With proper care, they can last up to eight weeks.

• Because they’re lightweight, they’re perfect for extremely fine hair.

• They’re flexible—use them as single or double tape attachments.

• Every strand retains its valuable cuticle layer from root to tip.