How Do I Know Which Hair Extension Brands are Ethical and Safe?

Inanch Emir
Feb 1
3 min read

Q: "I’ve seen some scary stories online about unethical hair extensions and poor application practices. How can I be sure I’m choosing the right hair extensions—and that they’re ethically sourced?"

A: This is such an important topic—and I’m really glad you asked. There’s been a lot of media attention lately on the darker side of the hair extension industry, and it’s raised awareness around how essential it is to choose the right hair, the right brand, and the right stylist. So here’s what I always recommend to anyone considering hair extensions—whether for the first time or even if you’ve worn them before.

1. Check Your Hair Extensionist’s Credentials

First and foremost, make sure your extensionist is qualified—this is non-negotiable. Ask if they’re state registered and if they’ve received formal hair extension training from a reputable brand.

For example, at Gold Class, our salons and stylists go through a rigorous certification programme where they’re trained in application, aftercare, and client safety. Only stylists who pass at an acceptable level are certified to work with our hair.

If your stylist can’t show you any proof of training or registration, that’s a red flag. Reputable hair extension brands always provide professional training and certification—and this tells you a lot about their standards and ethics too.

2. Investigate the Hair Extension Brand

Once you know which brand your stylist uses, dig a little deeper:

Visit the brand’s website to see how they source and process their hair.
Look for transparency around ethical sourcing practices.
Check whether they list their certified salons or recommended stylists.

At Gold Class, for example, we work with ethically sourced hair, from temples in India, where hair is donated willingly as part of religious rituals. We believe in full traceability, quality, and integrity from sourcing through to application.

3. Look at Your Stylist’s Work

Together with qualifications and brand sourcing and ethicality, one of the best ways to gauge whether someone is the right stylist for you is to check their portfolio:

Ask to see before and after photos of previous clients.
Read client reviews—both on their website and their social media.
Check that their transformations look natural, healthy and well-blended.

A reputable stylist will be proud to show off their work—and their clients will often do the talking for them. Bonus points if they’re listed on the supplier’s official website, which tells you they’re trained and trusted by the brand itself.

4. Know What to Avoid

If you’re unsure whether your extensions or stylist are the real deal, here are some red flags to watch out for:

🚫 Large or bulky bonds:

Today’s top-quality extensions use tiny, discreet bonds that sit naturally in the hair.

Large, heavy bonds are outdated and can put unnecessary stress on your hair.

🚫 Poor application techniques:

Your stylist should work methodically, section by section. You shouldn’t feel any pulling or irritation, and the bonds should be neat, clean, and comfortable to wear.

🚫 Hair that looks too shiny or plastic-like:

This often means the hair is coated in silicone to give it an artificial gloss. It may look good at first—but it doesn’t behave like natural hair and won’t blend properly with your own. Worse, once the silicone wears off, the hair can become dry, brittle and unusable. Opt for 100% Remy human hair instead, with a natural finish and proper cuticle alignment—this is what we use at Gold Class.

5. Ask the Right Questions

When in doubt, ask your stylist the following:

Where is this hair sourced from?
Is it ethically obtained?
What type of hair is it—Remy, Virgin, or processed?
Can I see your certification or training credentials?

A confident and qualified stylist will always be happy to answer—and if not, it might be time to explore other options.

Final Thoughts from Inanch

Hair extensions should be a luxury, not a liability. When fitted properly with ethically sourced, premium-quality hair by a certified stylist, they can transform your look while keeping your hair healthy and strong. At Gold Class, ethics, safety, and professionalism are at the heart of everything we do—from sourcing our hair to training every stylist that carries our name.

If you’re ever in doubt, feel free to contact one of our Gold Class-approved salons—we’re here to help guide you to the very best for your hair, with no compromises.