New Hair System Studio

New Hair System was opened in 2005 by Helen Lee, the owner and lead hair technician, after her brother retired and many of his clients chose to follow her. Helen has also been featured on the television show Undercover Boss, where she worked on the look of the CEO of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The business works with men's and women's hair systems and extensions, and serves children as well.

Custom hairpieces and lace-front wigs are built from the client's own head measurements, with attention to blending so the piece matches the natural density of the client's hair. Extension options include Microchet, NXS track extensions and micro-ring extensions, which can be applied strand by strand or by weft, along with Double Ring-Tip extensions that attach two strands per micro-ring without glue or strong solvents. Cut-in service fits hair systems made by the business or brought in from elsewhere, and covers scalp preparation, attachment with tape, glue or a patented linking technique, blending, and styling of the client's own hair.

Consultations are free and can be booked by phone or through the appointment page. Appointments are recommended because same-day walk-ins are rare, though hours can be extended by arrangement. A full set of extensions or a hair replacement system ranges from $800 to $2000, depending on hair condition, length, style, quality and method. Hair repair and maintenance is done in person for local clients by appointment, and includes work on extensions installed at another salon. Hair systems can also be repaired by mail: the client downloads an order form, sends it in, receives an estimate, then ships the system with payment. Mail-in pricing excludes shipping, return shipping after repairs is an extra $9.95, and delivery takes 4 to 8 weeks depending on the job.

The Los Angeles studio is on Crenshaw Boulevard in a commercial-residential area, with free private parking in the back. The New Delhi studio, New Hair Studio, is in Chattarpur Enclave, where Monika Negi leads as the lead expert in India.

Training is offered through a series of one-day to three-day courses covering hair template fabrication and ordering, custom hairpiece and lace-front wig application, weft application, Microchet and macrame application, micro-ring and micro-cylinder installation, and hair ventilation and implantation. A comprehensive combo course runs four to five days, about 30 hours, taught one on one by Helen, and includes a toolkit, training material, a course manual and a certificate of completion signed by Helen. A cosmetology license is recommended but not required for the combo course, though cutting and blending require one to perform in the US.

Custom fitting from the client's head measurements, with a focus on matching the natural density of the client's own hair.

Private and discreet, with a garden and an air purifier at the Los Angeles studio.