What’s the secret behind New York’s shiniest, most glamorous hair? For many, it means traveling to Queens and spending up to $7,500 on a session with the city’s most in-demand hair extension artist.
Working from her Kew Gardens studio, stylist Ester Yuabova has become a go-to expert for keratin-tip (k-tip) extensions. Her transformative results attract clients from across the globe, willing to invest heavily in temporary yet dramatic hair upgrades. Celebrities like singer Rita Ora, actress Stephanie Beatriz, and supermodel Karen Elson have all sought her skills.
Once a taboo topic, Yuabova proudly showcases the extension process on social media, rebranding them as a luxury akin to designer accessories. “Extensions used to be something people hid,” she explained. “Now, they’re a status symbol.”
Clients like reality TV star Devyn Simone attest to Yuabova’s meticulous approach: “She guided me through textures, colors, and maintenance, keeping my hair healthy over three years.” Though pricey—with sessions recurring every 3-5 months—clients like influencer Audrey Trullinger consider it worthwhile for both aesthetics and hair health: “Ester treats k-tips as an art form,” she noted.
Appointments last 4-8 hours, with results lasting 3-5 months depending on hair type. Dubbed the “Birkin bag of extensions,” k-tips blend virgin hair—ethically sourced from Eastern Europe—with natural strands using keratin bonds for seamless, damage-free volume or length.
Yuabova’s career shift was unexpected. After earning a master’s in psychology and working in addiction counseling, she pivoted to hairstyling during maternity leave in 2018. Self-funding her dream, she rebuilt a dilapidated Queens office into a lavish studio complete with Gothic mirrors, mood lighting, and personalized amenities like Wi-Fi, snacks, and cocktails.
Now teaching her techniques globally, Yuabova accepts only a select clientele, booking just three months ahead to accommodate changing hair needs. Her ultimate goal? Helping clients “graduate” from extensions as their natural hair strengthens.
“People assume celebrities are born with perfect hair,” she said. “I want to normalize that transformations like these are possible—and nothing to hide.”