Hand-tied wefts, tape-in, and keratin bond extensions — installed by certified specialists at The Salon Project by Joel Warren, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown NYC.
Extensions are a relationship purchase. Unlike a haircut or a gloss — services that stand alone — extensions commit you to a specialist for six to twelve months. The move-up schedule, the color maintenance, the removal and re-installation cycle: all of these require continuity. This is why the consultation is not optional and why the choice of salon matters more for extensions than for almost any other service.
At The Salon Project, our extension specialists are trained in all three major professional methods — hand-tied wefts, tape-in, and keratin bond fusion — and will recommend based on your specific hair type, lifestyle, and budget rather than based on what the salon finds most convenient to install. Our hair is sourced from Slavic, Russian, and European donors and custom-color-matched to your natural hair, so the result is not detectable to the naked eye.
Our Midtown location at 45 Rockefeller Plaza is particularly convenient for the pre-wedding extension timeline — many of our extension clients begin their relationship with us three to four months before their wedding date, allowing one full install and one move-up appointment before the day itself. We serve brides and bridal parties from across the five boroughs and from the surrounding tri-state area.
A hair extension consultation is not a formality — it is the most important appointment in the extension relationship. Your specialist examines your hair's natural density, thickness, texture, and growth pattern to determine which extension method is appropriate, how many grams of hair you need, and what color blend will match your natural hair seamlessly. We assess whether your hair is currently strong enough to support extensions safely and, if not, what preparatory treatment is needed first. We present a cost breakdown for the full year — initial installation plus the number of move-up appointments your hair type will require — so there are no surprises.
Hand-tied wefts are the premium extension method at The Salon Project — thin, flat, machine-sewn wefts that are attached to the natural hair using small beads and a hand-tying technique that creates an extraordinarily flat, comfortable, and virtually undetectable installation. The method is ideal for fine and medium hair because the wefts sit flat against the scalp without bulk. The quality of the hair — typically sourced from Slavic, Russian, or European donors — ensures a texture and color response that closely matches natural Caucasian and European hair types. Hand-tied wefts move and behave like natural hair because, structurally, they are.
Tape-in extensions are the most widely used professional extension method in the United States for a reason: they are fast to install, relatively affordable, and produce a result that is flat, lightweight, and natural-looking when applied correctly. Thin wefts with a medical-grade adhesive tab are sandwiched around small sections of natural hair, creating a flat bond that sits close to the scalp. Tape-ins are appropriate for fine to medium hair and can add significant volume and moderate length. The adhesive is heat-sensitive, so flat iron work near the bonds requires care. Move-up appointments every six to eight weeks are required as the natural hair grows.
Keratin bond extensions — also called fusion extensions — use a keratin-based adhesive that is melted with a heat tool and bonded to small sections of natural hair. Each bond is individual, which allows for precise placement and creates a result that moves with exceptional freedom. The method is appropriate for medium to thick hair types and produces the most natural movement of any extension method when installed by a skilled technician. The bonding process is time-intensive, making this the longest installation — but the longevity (three to five months between removals) and the quality of movement justify the investment for many clients.
A full extension application encompasses the complete installation of your chosen extension method — hand-tied, tape-in, or keratin bond — from initial sectioning through blending, cut, and style finish. Your specialist installs the extensions at the appropriate points for your natural hair density and growth pattern, then cuts and blends the extension hair and your natural hair into a seamless, unified shape. The final result is photographed for your file, giving your specialist a reference for future move-up appointments.
Extensions require ongoing maintenance to remain comfortable, secure, and natural-looking. As your natural hair grows, the extension bonds or wefts move away from the scalp, creating visible separation and potential tension on the roots. A move-up appointment re-secures the existing extension hair at a new, closer position to the scalp, extending the life of the extension hair and maintaining the integrity of the installation. Move-up appointments are typically scheduled every six to eight weeks for tape-ins and every eight to twelve weeks for hand-tied and keratin bond methods.
When extensions are removed — whether because you are taking a break from wearing them, transitioning to a different method, or ending your extension journey — the removal process must be handled as carefully as the installation. An improper removal can cause breakage, bond residue on the natural hair, and mechanical damage to the follicle. At The Salon Project, removal is a deliberate service: we dissolve adhesives fully, detangle the extension hair from the natural hair before cutting any bonds, and follow removal with a deep conditioning masque or Olaplex treatment to restore the natural hair's condition.
Co-founder of the legendary Warren-Tricomi salons, Joel Warren has spent four decades shaping the hair of fashion's most influential figures — from editorial runways to Hollywood red carpets. His philosophy informs every service at 45 Rockefeller Plaza.
We are not a chain. We are one meticulously curated salon at the heart of Midtown Manhattan, where every appointment receives our full attention. Third Floor, 45 Rockefeller Plaza — steps from 30 Rock, Radio City, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Every member of our team is personally vetted and continually trained. Our colorists are among the most sought-after in New York; our stylists have dressed hair for editorial shoots, Fashion Week presentations, and Broadway opening nights.
We believe that beautiful hair and healthy hair are the same thing. Every service — from the first consultation through aftercare — is designed to strengthen, protect, and elevate the integrity of your hair, never to compromise it.
Your extension specialist examines your hair, discusses your goals, recommends a method, selects a color blend, and provides a full-year cost estimate. This step cannot be skipped — the wrong method for your hair type produces an unsatisfying and potentially damaging result.
Extension hair is ordered and prepared specifically for your consultation result. The color is matched or custom-blended to your natural hair. The hair is prepared (hand-tied onto wefts, individual bonds applied) in advance of your installation appointment.
Your specialist installs the extensions using the agreed method. The process is methodical — each section is clean, each bond or weft is placed at the appropriate distance from the scalp, and the coverage is checked throughout for evenness and natural distribution.
Once all extensions are installed, your stylist cuts and blends the extension hair with your natural hair, creating a seamless, unified length and shape. This step is as important as the installation — the cut determines whether the extensions are detectable or invisible.
Before you leave, your specialist walks through the complete aftercare protocol: how to brush, how to shampoo, what products to avoid, when to return for your first move-up, and how to sleep in a way that minimizes stress on the bonds.
The Salon Project at 45 Rockefeller Plaza is in the center of Midtown Manhattan — accessible from every major subway line and within walking distance of The Peninsula, The Knickerbocker, The Lotte New York Palace, and Conrad Midtown. For extension clients who are committing to a year-long relationship with their specialist, location matters. The B, D, F, and M trains at 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center make us reachable from virtually every neighborhood in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens without a cab or rideshare.
For bridal clients, our proximity to St. Patrick's Cathedral, The University Club, The Plaza Hotel, The Pierre, and Capitale means we are the natural starting point for wedding-day hair preparation. We build extension timelines around wedding dates, coordinate with bridal party schedules, and are accustomed to the specific logistical demands of a Midtown Manhattan wedding.
The extension market is crowded with marketing language that obscures more than it reveals. Here is a practical, unvarnished comparison of the three methods we offer at The Salon Project.
Hand-tied wefts are the most refined method. The weft — a thin strip of extension hair sewn together at the top — is attached to a row of small silicone beads placed along the natural hair. The result is extraordinarily flat: less than a millimeter of bulk at the attachment point. For clients with fine or thin hair, this flatness is essential — any other method would be detectable. The hair quality used in hand-tied installations is typically the highest available, and the longevity of the hair (six to twelve months of re-use across multiple move-up appointments) justifies the higher initial cost.
Tape-in extensions use a pressure-sensitive adhesive to sandwich thin wefts around small sections of natural hair. The installation is faster than hand-tied or keratin bond methods, which makes the service more accessible in terms of both time and cost. Tape-ins are appropriate for fine to medium hair and add volume more readily than length, though both are achievable. The bonds are heat-sensitive — care is required when flat-ironing near attachment points — and the adhesive can be dissolved efficiently during move-up appointments. For clients who want extensions without the multi-hour installation commitment, tape-ins are a logical starting point.
Keratin bond extensions use individual bonds — small pieces of keratin adhesive melted with a heat tool and fused to single sections of natural hair. The individual nature of the installation means each bond moves independently, creating the most natural movement of any method. For medium to thick hair, this freedom of movement is significant: the result looks and behaves like natural hair in a way that is difficult to achieve with weft-based methods. The installation is the most time-consuming (four to six hours for a full install), but the longevity — three to five months between removals — and the quality of movement justify the investment for the right client.
Extension hair is sold at a wide range of quality levels, and the marketing terms are frequently misleading. At The Salon Project, we use single-donor hair — hair collected from a single individual, with all cuticles aligned in the same direction. This matters because cuticles that are misaligned (as in blended or lower-quality hair) create friction between strands, leading to tangling and matting over time. "Remy" refers to cuticle-aligned hair; "virgin" refers to hair that has not been chemically processed. We source from Slavic, Russian, and European donors whose hair most closely matches the texture and color response of naturally light to medium European hair types.
Extensions are the most expensive service category in the salon, and we believe clients deserve full transparency about the annual commitment before they begin. A typical hand-tied weft installation — hair plus labor — is a significant initial investment. Over the course of a year, add three to four move-up appointments at a reduced rate, plus any color services to maintain the match between your natural hair and the extension hair. The total annual investment for premium hand-tied extensions, including all maintenance, is substantial. Tape-in extensions reduce both the initial cost and the move-up cost. We present a full projection at your consultation. There are no hidden costs.
Extension hair responds to color services differently than natural hair — particularly lightening, which should be avoided on extension hair that has already been processed. Regular deep conditioning masques extend the life of the extension hair and maintain the health of the natural hair beneath. A precision cut and blend after installation is not optional — it is the step that makes extensions undetectable.
The answer depends on your natural hair's density, texture, and condition. Fine hair benefits most from hand-tied wefts, which are the flattest and lightest method. Medium hair has the most flexibility and can accommodate all three methods. Thick or coarse hair often responds best to keratin bond extensions. At your consultation, we will assess your hair and make a specific recommendation.
The extension hair itself — if properly cared for — can last six to twelve months, depending on the method and quality of the hair. The installation requires move-up appointments every six to twelve weeks (varies by method) as your natural hair grows. After two to three move-up cycles, the extension hair typically begins to show wear and is replaced.
The total annual investment includes the initial installation (hair plus labor), plus three to six move-up appointments over the course of the year, depending on your method. We provide a full-year cost projection at your consultation so there are no surprises. Extensions are a meaningful investment — we treat them as such.
Extensions applied by an experienced specialist to appropriate hair do not damage the natural hair. The risks arise from improper installation (bonds placed too close to the root, causing tension), neglected maintenance (bonds that have grown too far from the scalp, creating leverage), or improper removal. We mitigate all three risks through proper consultation, regular move-up appointments, and careful removal protocols.
Extension hair can be toned and glossed to adjust the color, but significant lightening is not recommended — most extension hair is already lightened during processing, and further chemical treatment risks structural damage. If you plan to change your hair color significantly, do so before your extensions are installed, and we will source hair to match the new color.
Brush from ends to roots with a soft-bristle extension brush before shampooing. Use sulfate-free shampoo and apply conditioner from mid-length to ends only (never on the bonds). Sleep with your hair in a loose braid or low ponytail. Avoid swimming in chlorinated water without a protective cap. Your specialist will provide a complete written aftercare protocol at your installation appointment.
Tape-in extensions take two to three hours. Hand-tied wefts take three to five hours. Keratin bond extensions take four to six hours. The exact time depends on the number of rows or grams of hair being installed and your hair's density.
45 Rockefeller Plaza, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10111. The B, D, F, and M trains stop at 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center, which is steps from our entrance.
Yes. Volume is often the primary goal — particularly for clients with fine hair who want the density they cannot achieve naturally. Extensions applied for volume are typically placed through the interior of the hair at medium lengths, without necessarily adding significant overall length.
For first-time clients, we require a separate consultation appointment before installation. This allows us to order the correct hair in advance. The installation is typically scheduled one to two weeks after the consultation. For returning clients on a move-up cycle, we work from your existing file.