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There is no denying that hair extensions are a hit. One only has to watch a couple of Hollywood movies and admire the impossibly rich tresses of the female leads to know this. If you're thinking of getting your own extensions for that glam look, read on.

Here are the basics on extensions as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

There are many types of extensions. Generally, there are two ways to classify them. The first one is to classify them according to what material is used in them. The common types are synthetic, human and feather.

Synthetic hair extensions, as the name implies, are made from synthetic fibers, usually a form of plastic. These are usually a lot less expensive that human extensions. There is also a wide variety of colors to choose from. The benefits, however, end there. Since it is artificial, it tends to look fake. This option will not do for those people who want to achieve a natural look, and do not want others to know that they are wearing extensions. Another disadvantage of this type of extension is you can't straighten it, much less curl it. Heat will usually singe synthetic hair. However, there are manufacturers who have come up with synthetic hair that heat-resistant. Read the labels and consult with a professional.

Human hair extensions are much more authentic-looking. These are made from real human hair that was collected from all over the world - India, mainland China, Pakistan, even Southern Italy. There is also an urban legend going around about Russian hair which is supposedly bred by a Russian family that has kept their hair untouched and untreated for many generations, for the sole purpose of selling it. Please note that any hair imported into the US is required to be boiled and processed to a certain extent, so no hair sold in the US is really virgin.

Urban legend notwithstanding, human hair does have many advantages. First of all, it looks more natural. For the most part, it can also be treated like ordinary hair. However, it must be treated with care. Be gentle even with human extensions. This hair undergoes a lot of processing before it even gets to you, so heavy styling might cause it to break. Be careful when you blow dry it. Another disadvantage is that human extensions are a lot more expensive than synthetic ones. The color selections also tend to be more limited than the synthetic extensions.

The last type of extensions according to the fiber used are feather hair extensions. These are made from actual feathers and are added to hair usually to improve hair color. They are usually safe for blow-drying and are available in many colors. Some of these are natural and some are dyed. The disadvantage is they usually only last until three months.

Now that you know the different types of hair extensions, as well as the pros and cons of each, you are better equipped to make the right choice.