Interview with Asya Rahim of Remy Kiss

All hair extensions are not created equally. When it comes to weaves, wigs and other additions, you get what you pay for. That's why it's so important to find a high-quality product if you want the best look.

I have the pleasure of presenting an interview with Asya Rahim, founder of RemyKiss, a company that offers extensions you'll be proud to wear.

Black Hair (BH): Ms. Rahim, what led you to create your own hair extensions business?

Asya Rahim (AR): I started wearing hair extensions to transition from relaxed to natural hair. I knew there was no way I could do it if I still couldn’t have cute low maintenance style options. So I started getting hair extensions and wearing weaves. Before launching my own hair line I tried beauty supply store brands and even purchased some hair from eBay; this was back in 2005. I was never 100% satisfied with the hair I bought, it was always something. My hair has always been my most important style feature. I’ve always been a girly girl but with a strong business sense, so for me it just clicked one day to launch my own hair line. I had already started a successful Internet marketing company so it wasn’t hard for me to research and make the first steps to get into the hair business. So now I’m 30 years-old and my husband and I run the company. We are very hands-on and make sure we are constantly reinforcing the quality of our brand, and I absolutely love every minute of it.

BH: We hear a lot about virgin hair when it comes to extensions. What’s the difference between virgin and non-virgin extension hair?

AR: Virgin hair extensions are free from any chemical processing. Non-virgin hair has been in some way processed to achieve its texture, feel and or shine. Virgin hair is in its natural state from the time it was cut from the donor. Virgin hair will look and feel natural, and act just as your natural hair would. It responds well to color, it can be washed, curled, flat ironed, and with proper care it will outlast non-virgin hair. It doesn’t come in a rainbow of colors; virgin hair is the same color as the donor's head of hair. Usually if it looks too perfect or too glossy, it’s not virgin hair.

BH: That's good information to have. What does RemyKiss offer in terms of different hair textures, colors, styles, etc.?

AR: RemyKiss offers a full line of hair extensions in virgin textures, including natural straight (Chic Collection), Natural Wavy (Posh Collection) and our Natural Loose Curl (Lush Collection). Our colors are natural Black/ Brown usually from a 1b to 2. We currently offer hair wefts for weaving and clip-in hair extensions.

AR: We have a very picky selection process. Since no two heads of hair are the same, we always source samples from our suppliers in India. We are looking for things like dry and split ends, excessive gray hairs, fullness and natural shine. We also choose to select wefts that are single drawn, meaning the hair bundle is from one donor; this insures a natural flow. Not all hairs are of the same length in this type of bundle, just like your natural head of hair; in my opinion single drawn hair just flows and blends better with your natural hair.

AR: Before we pack and ship out orders, we triple wash each bundle. This is very important. When we import our hair we take it upon ourselves to makes sure our customers are getting a product that is ready to wear. It should be soft and full of bounce and life and we believe every bundle should smell absolutely amazing. That’s why we deep condition our bundles using natural products and essential oils.

BH: Why is virgin Remy hair a good choice for the customer who wants style versatility?

AR: I believe changing your hair should be as easy as changing your shoe style. Hair is a fun accessory on its own, so it should be fun and worry-free. By choosing virgin remy hair, you are investing in a product that will last through more than one installation. Virgin remy hair can be worn straight, it can be flat ironed, it can be dyed, and it will keep its texture after you wash and dry it. This translates to a ton of options for anyone that isn’t afraid to experiment with their style.

BH: Do you hear that, ladies who love to switch up your look? Now, how should a woman care for her extensions on a daily basis?

AR: Daily care and maintenance is extremely important for your hair extensions, especially for virgin hair. Just like your hair, it is fragile and needs love and attention. For long extensions, get in the habit of either braiding or plaiting your hair before bed and tying it with a silk scarf or headband. Satin pillow cases are good if you don’t want to wrap your hair. Sulfate free shampoos are great as well as conditioners with natural ingredients like shea butters, jojoba and coconut oils. Most hair extensions won’t need daily styling aids like gels and crèmes unless you are going for a very styled look. To keep your natural curls looking luscious and full, try steam treatments at your salon; there are also some nice hair steam systems you can get for home. As a rule, if you wouldn’t do it to your own hair, don’t do it with your extensions if you want them to last.

BH: Can you give some advice to women buying extensions online so that they make the best choice and get a quality product?

AR: When shopping online for hair extensions, don’t get caught up in the hype words Remy, Virgin, Indian, Malysiaon hair, etc. The truth is, by now most websites know how to get your attention. Always ask for samples, try to find online reviews. Also check their return policies and see if they offer any product guarantees. Finally, if the hair is too cheap, most times it’s not a virgin remy hair product even though it may be called virgin hair. Do your homework and shop around before you buy.

Ready to give these gorgeous extensions a try? Please visit them at RemyKiss.com for all your hair addition needs. You'll be all set to rock a hot look that's long on style!

A big thank you to Ms. Rahim for this interview, which was full of information that should help anyone shopping for extensions find a great product.