Great color can add depth and dimension. A great cut can take years off someone's age and give them a fresh and fashion-forward finish. An intricate updo brings out a beautiful blend and makes hair a work of art. But perhaps no sector of the hair industry can create the feeling a client experiences the first time she gets extensions.

"Every woman should have extensions at least once in her life," says salon owner and stylist Tony Odisho. "They completely transform you."

Odisho knows a thing or two about extensions. Not only is he a well-respected and sought-after hair expert, but he's also the founder of his namesake hair extension and product company. After working in prestigious salons around Chicago, Odisho opened Exsalonce Salonin 2000 before launching his extensions and Ostia hair care range in 2006.

Just in time for the holidays, Odisho invited MODERN Senior Editor Mary Kaleta to his Chicago experience center for a total transformation. During the event, Odisho turned Kaleta's lob into long and lavish locks. He used the brand's Original Tape extensions in shades #8, #DB4 and #Ombre 8 into DB4 Dark Blonde and Golden Blonde all in 16-inch lengths.

Two years of research and development went into the creation of Tony Odisho Original keratin tape extensions. The Original line is made of 100% Indian remy hair. The extensions feature bio-keratin that adheres to itself rather than to the natural hair that can be reapplied up to three times. For Kaleta's final look, Odisho chose the Original line because of its natural texture once washed, which better matched hers. He included both sandwiched extensions throughout and single-tape extensions near the front. 

Clients who use Tony Odisho extensions are sent home with a kit that includes the Ostia 3-in-1 Mist to detangle shine and protect, as well as the brand's mixed bristle brush to detangle and comb through keratin protein bonds.

Tony's Top Tips:

For Color Matching...

• Always use a physical color swatch ring

• If possible, match in natural light

• Match extensions to mid-shaft and ends of the hair, not at the root (when using extensions to add length, you're creating the allusion of "extending" the ends)

• Consider using more than one color to create dimension and help with blending (one shade lighter or darker than dominant color)

For Cutting and Blending...

• Use a straight shear only to establish length

• Use a razor for face framing

• Use a fine-toothed texturizing shear to create layers and soften any corners

The Tony Odisho extension line also includes Satin Tapes (which feature naturally straight hair), Fusion extensions, and Velo. Earlier in 2019, Odisho announced the brand's beaded-weft extensions, which are 20 inches long and 40 inches wide and come in 15 shades.