Frequently Asked Questions

Sorelle uses the Leggera weft — a premium European, one-donor machine-sewn weft extension. Leggera is lightweight, discreet and designed for professional installation. It is especially well-suited to fine-haired clients because of its featherlight feel and minimal bulk at the track.

All hair is single-donor, meaning it comes from one person rather than being blended from multiple sources. This gives it a more consistent texture, better colour absorption and a more natural appearance once installed.

Most people are suitable candidates for weft extensions, but suitability depends on your natural hair's density, strength, scalp health and the result you are hoping to achieve. A thorough consultation is essential before any installation.

At Sorelle, we assess every client individually. If extensions are not the right option for your hair at this time, we will tell you — and we will tell you why. We do not install extensions on hair that is not ready for them.

Correctly installed and maintained weft extensions should not damage your natural hair. The key word is correctly. Damage typically occurs when extensions are too heavy for the natural hair, when rows are placed too high or with too much tension, when incorrect weight distribution is used, or when maintenance appointments are missed.

The Structural Seam™ Installation System is designed specifically to protect the natural hair through controlled tension, mapped row placement, correct weight distribution and a planned grow-out. We assess your hair before installation and make decisions based on what your hair can support.

No. A correctly installed weft extension should not hurt during or after the appointment. Mild tenderness in the first 24 to 48 hours can be normal as your hair adjusts to the added weight, but significant pain, headaches or discomfort that persists beyond a few days is not normal and should be addressed immediately.

If you have had a painful extension experience before, we want to hear about it. It helps us understand your history and plan your installation more carefully.

With proper maintenance, weft extensions typically last between 6 and 12 months before replacement is needed. Move-up appointments (where the rows are repositioned as the natural hair grows) are usually required every 6 to 10 weeks, depending on your hair's growth rate and your lifestyle.

The longevity of your extensions depends on how well you maintain them at home, how regularly you attend your move-up appointments and the overall condition of your natural hair.

Leggera extensions are made from European human hair, which means they can be styled with heat tools in the same way as your natural hair. We recommend using a heat protectant before any heat styling.

Colouring extensions is possible but should always be done by a professional. Lightening extensions carries additional risk and should be discussed during your consultation. Extensions cannot be coloured at home without risk to the hair quality.

The Structural Seam™ is Sorelle’s signature installation method, developed by Nicole McDonell over decades of professional practice. It is a system built around clean sectioning, controlled tension, correct bead placement, balanced weight distribution, custom row mapping and planned grow-out outcomes.

It is not a shortcut method. Every head of hair is mapped individually before a single weft is placed. The goal is not just a beautiful install on day one — it is a comfortable fit, a clean grow-out and a client whose natural hair remains intact throughout the entire wear period.

The primary difference is the level of assessment and planning before installation begins. At Sorelle, we assess your density, scalp health, hair strength, lifestyle and long-term hair goals before making any decisions about which extensions are appropriate, how many grams are suitable and where rows should be placed.

We also plan for the full wear period, not just the day of the appointment. A clean grow-out is as important to us as the initial result. That is not common practice across the industry.

A consultation at Sorelle covers your hair history, current hair health, density assessment, the results you are hoping to achieve, your lifestyle and your maintenance capacity. We will look at your natural hair and discuss which products, gram weights and row configurations are appropriate for you.

We will also be honest with you. If the timing is not right or if extensions are not suitable for your hair at this point, we will explain why and give you a plan to work toward.

You can book directly online through our booking page, or reach out via the contact form and we will get back to you within one business day. The Sorelle studio is based in Mackay, Queensland, and operates by appointment only.

Walk-ins are not accepted. All services require a booked appointment.

Our studio services are for Mackay-based clients and those willing to travel to the Rural View studio. We do not offer mobile services.

If you are a stylist outside of Mackay looking to access Sorelle products or education, please enquire through our wholesale or education pages. Leggera extensions are available to stylists across Australia.

Pricing depends on the number of grams required, the length of your appointment and the result you are achieving. We are not a budget extension service — our pricing reflects the quality of the hair, the standard of installation and the level of expertise behind every appointment.

We will discuss investment at your consultation once we have assessed your hair and determined the right plan for you. Please reach out if you have specific questions before booking.

After your installation, we will provide you with a full aftercare guide covering washing technique, brushing, drying, sleeping and product use. Following these instructions closely is the most important thing you can do to protect your extensions and your natural hair between appointments.

In general: use sulphate-free shampoo, brush from the ends up, avoid applying product or oil directly to the bonds or beads, sleep with your hair loosely braided or tied, and never go to bed with wet hair.

Move-up appointments are typically needed every 6 to 10 weeks, depending on your hair growth rate. Leaving extensions in for longer than recommended increases the risk of tangling, matting and unnecessary tension on the natural hair as the rows drop.

We will recommend a maintenance schedule suited to your hair at your initial appointment.

Sorelle currently offers a beginner’s weft hair extension course designed for qualified hairdressers, apprentices and stylists who want to enter the extension industry properly. The course is taught by Nicole McDonell, a certified trainer and assessor with 37 years of industry experience.

Additional courses and masterclasses are in development. Enquire through the education page to be notified when new courses are announced.

The beginner’s course is designed for qualified hairdressers or apprentices who want to add weft extensions to their service menu. It is also appropriate for stylists who have done some extension work but want a stronger technical foundation before continuing with paying clients.

No prior extension experience is required, but a background in hairdressing is necessary. The course is not designed for at-home use or non-professionals.

The course covers the complete foundation of safe weft installation: density assessment, row mapping, bead placement, the Structural Seam™ technique, weight distribution, client consultation, contraindications, aftercare advice and troubleshooting.

Nicole’s courses teach the why behind the work — not just the steps. Stylists leave with the technical understanding to assess clients, adapt their approach and take full responsibility for their results.

Please enquire directly for current certification details, as these may vary by course and intake. Nicole is a qualified trainer and assessor, which means the education provided is structured, considered and built to professional standards.

Leggera is Sorelle’s core product range: a premium European, one-donor, machine-sewn weft extension. Leggera means “lightweight” in Italian — a name that reflects the product’s most important quality. The track is discreet, the hair is soft and the weight is minimal without compromising volume.

Leggera is available in 22-inch lengths across a range of shades, stocked locally in Mackay for faster access across Australia. It is designed for professional use only.

Yes. Sorelle Pro supports hairstylists and salons across Australia with wholesale access to Leggera extensions, professional tools and stylist resources. Enquire through the Leggera wholesale page or contact form to start the conversation.

Wholesale is not just about supplying hair. We support stylists with colour guidance, consultation language and professional advice to help them work with the product confidently.

Leggera is premium European human hair. Please enquire directly for specific sourcing information, as supply chain details can change and we want to ensure we are giving you current, accurate information rather than a generic statement.