Following his recent successful debut masterclass, renowned celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins returns with the “Power of Extensions” tour bus with Donna Bella Hair Extensions. Hosted at the company’s Los Angeles headquarters, the event celebrated the brand’s extensions which are now stocked inside Cosmo Prof stores nationwide.
Last week’s LA stop featured an array of live extension demonstrations and educational tips, an exclusive look at Donna Bella’s full professional extension portfolio, personal time to chat with the Donna Bella team, and an in-depth look at what the new Cosmo Prof partnership with Donna Bella entails. Hawkins (whose clients include Olivia Rodrigo, Addison Rae and Rachel Zegler) was also there with his charismatic charm to host, chat with attendees, and provide an insider scoop.
To get an even deeper look at this collaboration between Donna Bella and Cosmo Prof, The Tease had an exclusive chat with Donna Bella Brand Ambassador Olivia Thompson. In this conversation, Thompson also spills why she thinks extensions are the most overlooked service and gives advice to stylists who are extension-curious but haven’t taken the leap to trying them.
The Tease: Let’s start at the beginning! What stands out to you about Donna Bella Hair that made you want to partner with the brand?
Olivia Thompson: For me, it came down to two things: education and quality. I’ve always believed beautiful hair should never come at the expense of healthy hair, and that’s something Donna Bella and I have always shared. They aren’t just a hair extension company. They’re invested in helping stylists grow. From education to innovation, they’re constantly giving artists the tools and confidence to expand what’s possible behind the chair, and as an educator myself, that’s something I immediately connected with. I primarily work with Hybrid Wefts and Signature Tape-Ins because they allow me to completely customize every transformation based on my guest’s lifestyle, hair goals, and hair density. Healthy hair has always been the foundation of my work, so partnering with a brand that shares that philosophy felt like the perfect fit. As a Donna Bella Brand Ambassador, extension specialist, and master haircutter, I love helping stylists see extensions differently. They’re not just about adding hair, they’re about creating customized transformations that look natural, feel comfortable, and fit each guest’s lifestyle.
Hair extensions have evolved from a luxury service to an everyday salon offering. Where do you see the biggest opportunity for stylists to incorporate extensions into their business, even for clients who aren’t looking for dramatic length?
Thompson: I honestly think extensions have become one of the most underrated color services in our industry. Most guests aren’t asking for dramatic length anymore. They’re asking for brighter, fuller, healthier-looking hair. With strategically placed extensions, I can create a bleach-free blonde transformation, brighten the face frame, add dimension, make the ends appear lighter, or fill in areas where hair naturally lacks density, all without applying color to their natural hair. It’s color without commitment. It gives guests the freedom to experiment with brighter, more dimensional hair without making a permanent chemical change to their natural hair. Many of these transformations can be completed in under an hour, giving guests an instant before and after while protecting the integrity of their natural hair. That’s exactly what inspired my Liv-ed In Blending Method. It combines strategic extension placement with precision cutting to create seamless, believable hair that moves naturally and grows out beautifully.
Donna Bella Hair is now available through Cosmo Prof. Can you tell our audience about the products they can shop?
Thompson: This is a huge step for stylists because it completely changes how we can serve our guests. Imagine a guest comes in for a consultation wanting more fullness, brighter pieces around the face, or a complete bleach-free transformation. Before, we’d have to order the hair, wait for shipping, and push the appointment out. Now I can run to Cosmo Prof, pick up Donna Bella Signature Tape-Ins or Hybrid Wefts, and have that guest back in my chair for their transformation the very next day . That’s a game changer. As hairstylists, we all know how exciting it is when a guest is ready for a change. Being able to say, ”Let’s do it tomorrow” instead of, “Let’s wait until the hair comes in” creates a completely different experience. It allows us to say yes more often, generate revenue faster , and give guests instant gratification. I think that’s one of the biggest reasons this launch is so exciting. It removes one more barrier for stylists and makes offering extensions more accessible than ever.
How do you think having easier access to professional extensions changes the game for stylists who may have been hesitant to add extension services?
Thompson: I think this is one of the biggest moments we’ve seen for extensions. Now that Donna Bella is available inside Cosmo Prof and The Power of Extensions Tour is traveling across the country, stylists have access to both the products and the education. They can stop into Cosmo Prof, then attend a tour stop to see the techniques demonstrated, ask questions, and build confidence behind the chair. That combination removes so much of the intimidation. For stylists who’ve always wanted to learn extensions but didn’t know where to start, this creates an easy entry point into one of the fastest-growing services in our industry. I always say extensions are the” next tax bracket” service because they have the power to completely change a stylist’s business. One extension guest isn’t just one appointment, it’s an entire client experience. It starts with the initial installation, followed by maintenance appointments every 6 to 8 weeks, recommended home care, and often referrals because extensions create some of the most impactful before and after transformations we see behind the chair. Once you know how to confidently consult, customize, install, cut, and blend extensions, you’re not just adding another service to your menu; you’re creating an entirely new income stream.
For a stylist who’s extension-curious but hasn’t taken the leap, what’s your advice for getting started, and what are the biggest misconceptions about offering extension services behind the chair?
Thompson: Start before you feel completely ready. Take a class, master one extension method, and then start creating opportunities to practice. Bring in models, schedule dedicated content days, and document every transformation. Create content that speaks directly to your ideal guest’s pain points, whether that’s fine hair, lack of fullness, wanting brighter hair without bleach, or hair that won’t grow past a certain length. The biggest mistake I see is stylists waiting until they feel like an expert before they start marketing themselves. Your content is what builds trust and fills your chair. Show your process, educate your audience, and let your transformations speak for themselves. The biggest misconception is that extensions are only for guests who want long, dramatic hair. In reality, many guests simply want fullness, dimension, brighter-looking hair, or a confidence boost. Once you start educating people on what’s possible, you’ll realize extensions aren’t just another service; they’re one of the best ways to build a loyal clientele and grow your business.
This new Donna Bella and Cosmo Prof partnership introduces an efficient era of extensions to stylists. Brand ambassadors Clayton Hawkins and Olivia Thompson are prime examples of how gorgeous, ready-to-wear extensions within 24 hours is the future of hair thanks to this collaboration. Shop now and don’t miss upcoming stops on the “Power of Extensions” bus tour.
