Why I Created the Elite Method of Hair Extensions
Quick answer: I created the Elite Method in 2004 after a salon bleaching mistake left my own hair badly damaged, and the only extension options available were sew-ins or expensive fusion methods. The Elite Method is lightweight but structured, works for all hair types and textures, and uses no glue, tape, sewing, or fusing.
When women come in for a consultation, one of the first things they ask is what makes the Elite Method different.
The honest answer starts back in 2004, with my own hair, before Elite Extensions even had a name.
It Started With My Own Hair
In 2004, I had my hair bleached at a salon, and the stylist left the bleach on far too long. Much of my hair fell out, and what was left was badly damaged.
I was devastated. I needed to find a way to get my hair back and my self-confidence. That horrible day is what led me to hair extensions.
So when a client tells me she's lost hair, or that her hair was damaged by a bad salon experience, I truly understand. I've been there.
What Wasn't Working With Hair Extensions in 2004
When I started looking for extensions, the options were limited. There were sew-in extensions, and there were high-end fusion extensions.
Sew-ins wouldn't work on my fine, damaged hair, so I tried the fusion extensions because they were my only option.
The price was extremely high, and the installation took six hours. Even then, they didn't blend well with my own hair. They looked stringy and some would randomly fall out, which was embarrassing.
They matted together even though I followed every one of my stylist's instructions and bought the special brushes. When it was time to take them out, the acetone used for removal made my already damaged hair even worse.
I was one of the first stylists to bring the micro-bead hair extension method to Michigan, and between my own experience and working with extensions every day, I saw firsthand where the options at the time fell short. Too many of them caused damage to the natural hair they were attached to, cost more than most women could afford, or simply didn't look natural.
I kept thinking there had to be a better way, one that was kinder to natural hair, comfortable enough to forget you're wearing it, and within reach for more women.
How the Elite Method Was Born
In 2004, after a terrible bleaching incident, I started creating my own method. I spent that year testing, adjusting, and perfecting it until it was something I was proud to offer every client, and in January 2005, I opened Elite Extensions.
The goal from the very beginning was a method that could be used on all hair types and textures, including fine, thinning, and damaged hair. That meant it had to be lightweight enough for fine and thinning hair, while still being structured enough to stay secure and blend beautifully.
It also meant leaving out the things that worried me most about other methods. The Elite Method uses tiny 2mm beads in a structured design, so it isn't attached a few hair strands at a time like I-Tip or K-Tip extensions, and it's never sewn onto beaded sections.
There's no glue, no tape, no sewing, and no fusing, and removal is easy and gentle on your natural hair.
Beautiful Hair Shouldn't Be Only for Celebrities
It is estimated that between 70% and 90% of female actresses, musicians, and public figures wear hair extensions, both on screen and off. Hair extensions are no longer a secret, and most women are happy to share that they wear them.
When I opened Elite Extensions, I wanted to offer top-quality hair extensions at a more inclusive price.
So many salons offering high-quality extensions charge prices that are out of reach for most women, and I've never believed beautiful hair should be reserved for a select few. That's still true today.
We use only premium 100% Remy human hair, and with proper care, it can often be reused 2 to 3 times, which helps make the investment last longer.
What Makes the Elite Method Different Today
More than 21 years later, the Elite Method is still the only method we use at Elite Extensions. It works for women who want more length, more fullness, or both, and for women whose hair has thinned or changed because of health issues, hormones, medications, pregnancy, or simply time.
Because it's lightweight but structured, it's comfortable to wear every day and gentle on natural hair that needs extra care. Every set is customized and color matched in person, so the finished look blends with your own hair instead of sitting on top of it.
I've worn hair extensions every day since 2004, including on my wedding day, and I absolutely love them.
Kristin King, who has specialized in hair extensions for more than 13 years, was trained in the Elite Method personally by me, so every client receives the same standard of care.
What I Want Every New Client to Know
You don't have to settle for extensions that feel heavy, look obvious, or put your natural hair at risk. The right method should work with your hair, not against it.
If you've been nervous about extensions because of something you've heard or a bad experience in the past, I understand. That's exactly why I created the Elite Method, and it's why every new client starts with a real conversation about her hair, her goals, and what natural-looking means to her.
FAQs About the Elite Method
WHAT IS THE ELITE METHOD OF HAIR EXTENSIONS?
The Elite Method is a hair extension method created by Lacy Shields in 2004 and used exclusively at Elite Extensions when we opened in January 2005. It is lightweight but structured, works for all hair types and textures, and uses no glue, tape, sewing, or fusing.
DOES THE ELITE METHOD USE GLUE, TAPE, SEWING, OR HEAT?
No. The Elite Method uses no glue, tape, sewing, or fusing, and removal is easy and does not involve chemicals.
CAN THE ELITE METHOD WORK FOR FINE, THINNING, OR DAMAGED HAIR?
Yes. The Elite Method was created to work for all hair types and textures, including fine, thinning, and damaged hair, because it is lightweight but structured and gentle on natural hair.
HOW LONG HAS ELITE EXTENSIONS USED THE ELITE METHOD?
Lacy created the Elite Method in 2004, perfected it, and opened Elite Extensions in January 2005. It has been the only method used at the salon ever since.
IS THE ELITE METHOD THE SAME AS MICRO-BEAD EXTENSIONS?
Not exactly. The Elite Method uses tiny 2mm beads, but the extensions are structured rather than attached a few strands at a time like I-Tip or K-Tip extensions. We also don't sew extensions onto beads. Lacy created the Elite Method in 2004 to be lightweight, comfortable, and suitable for all hair types.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE ELITE METHOD IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Start with a free consultation. We'll look at your natural hair, talk about your goals, and explain exactly how the Elite Method could work for you. Color matching is always done in person so we can get a perfect match.
Experience the Elite Method for Yourself
Twenty-one years after I opened Elite Extensions, my goal hasn't changed. I want every woman who sits in our chair to leave loving her hair, having more self-confidence and feeling more like herself.
If you're curious whether the Elite Method is the right choice for you, the first step is a free consultation at our Highland, Michigan salon. No pressure, no obligation, just honest answers about your hair.
Owner and Hair Extension Specialist, Elite Extensions
Lacy has specialized exclusively in professional hair extensions for more than 21 years, with particular experience creating customized solutions for fine and thinning hair.
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