BetterLength: Hair Review Series (Pt. 1)

I have returned with another hair review—this time featuring BetterLength—and I am thrilled to share it with you! If you missed out on my initial review series featuring Amazing Beauty Hair, do not panic. You can still find it on the blog. Better yet, you can check them out right here: Part 1: Unboxing & First Impressions, Part 2: Hair Maintenance & The Wash Process, Part 3: The One-Month Post.

Similar to that series, this will be divided into parts addressing everything you need to know about my order and experience with the hair. In this part, I will be covering the costs, customer service, and shipping. But before I begin, let me provide a quick overview of BetterLength Hair.

About BetterLength

BetterLength was launched on May 14, 2014, with a mission to provide Black women with a wide variety of premium, textured clip-in extensions to promote inclusivity within the black hair community. The online store offers eight high-quality 100% human hair textures to ensure that there is something for everyone.

Hair Textures Available:

- Light Yaki for relaxed/permed hair
- Kinky Straight for transitioning/newly natural
- Coarse Yaki for straightened natural hair
- Kinky Coarse for blowout natural hair
- Curly for 3a-3b hair
- Kinky Curly for 3b-3c hair
- Afro Kinky Curly for 3c-4a hair
- Afro Kinky Coily for 4b-4c hair

BetterLength specializes in double-wefted clip-ins to ensure you achieve a full look with just one bundle and without having to break the bank.

You can find BetterLength on Instagram where they share video tutorials showcasing how our Black queens install and style their clip-ins—it is a great source for hair inspiration.

My BetterLength Order

I think it is safe to say that the only time I ever place a hair order is when I am preparing to travel. Aside from that, I am wearing my satin bonnet or scarf 24/7 because I honestly have no business going anywhere anyway. However, due to personal reasons, I will be travelling during the middle of a pandemic. Regardless, I will continue to take preventive measures to ensure my safety and the safety of those around me.

My online shopping experience was straightforward, mainly because I knew what I was looking for in advance. As I have shared before, when it comes to hairstyling, I am very basic and low-maintenance. I tend to play it safe because 1) I lack expertise in hairstyling, and 2) I do not trust just anyone with my hair.

Needless to say, I decided to evolve my signature look (middle-part low bun) with this particular purchase. It is extremely low-maintenance and basic, but adds length.

I ordered the Natural Textured Ponytail (100% Virgin Human Hair Drawstring Ponytail); Hair Texture: Kinky Coarse (Natural hair blowout); Hair Color: Natural Color (similar with 1b/2); and Length/Weight: 16 inches/100 grams.

Cost of Drawstring Ponytail | $188.94 CAD

My subtotal for the 16-inch Kinky Coarse drawstring ponytail came out to $129.90 USD before shipping and taxes. I managed to secure a $5.00 discount code through Wethrift. With the coupon code applied and the international shipping fee ($16.00) to Canada, my final checkout total came out to $140.90 USD.

However, as a Canadian consumer, once the conversion rate was applied on my purchase date, the final total was $188.94 CAD.

BetterLength Customer Service

I wanted to highlight my experience with BetterLength’s customer support team because they were efficient and reassuring.

I placed my order on December 6, 2020, received an order confirmation the same day, as well as an email from their support staff. The email thanked me for my purchase and provided a status update, letting me know that the customization process had begun and that their processing time takes 7 to 17 business days.

I am not going to lie, I panicked. My departure date was set for December 23rd, and I placed my order on the 6^th. The customization process as stated could take 7 to 17 business days to complete, and I hadn’t even factored in the shipping time. All of this to say, I was not at all confident that I would receive my order before the appointed time.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please be advised that all hair orders through BetterLength go through a customization process that can take 7 to 17 business days to complete. Once your order is ready to be shipped, BetterLength will send you an email confirmation.

Communication with BetterLength

I immediately reached out to the Support Team via email the next day, inquiring if there was any possible way to expedite my order. I placed urgency on the matter, explaining that I needed this package in my possession before December 23rd.

The Support Team responded in a timely manner and brought my attention back to the Important Note posted on their website (Oops, I missed that part).

BetterLength important message MUST READ BEFORE ORDERING!!!!!

In addition, the team informed me that they would rush my order. They told me if threw were no accident, I would receive it by December 23—though they could not guarantee it 100%. At that point, I could only thank them for their efforts, hope for the best, and wait for a shipping update.

Shipping

To my surprise, I received my shipping confirmation from the support team on December 9th. The email read:

“Dear Abigail,
Wish you have a wonderful day!
The item(s) that you ordered on our website has been shipped out by FedEx and you can expect it on your doorstep within the next 2-6 business days (may be sooner).”

It was followed up with detailed information to track the status on the carrier’s tracking system, as well as an important standard reminder (must read) regarding the shipment of my package.

My order was shipped out on December 9th and was delivered directly to me on the December 14th, (in 3 business days)—talk about fast customization and shipping!

To Conclude

I am more than pleased with my shopping experience with this brand. Navigating through the BetterLength website was user-friendly, the checkout process was straight to the point, and communication with their support team was efficient and assuring (top tier).

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where I will be sharing an unboxing and my first impressions of the 100% Virgin Human Hair Kinky Coarse Drawstring Ponytail.