Hair Extensions 101: Everything You Should Know

Whether you’ve gotten thin hair that you are looking to bulk up, short hair that you simply wish to lengthen, or are simply within the temper to switch up your hairstyle with out the dedication of a extra everlasting change, hair extensions are an excellent selection.

The subject of hair extensions is huge and complicated. There are quite a lot of several types of hair extensions — like hand-tied extensions, microlinks hair extensions, tape-in extensions, clip-in hair extensions, and halo hair extensions, to call only a few — and every sort has its personal checklist of perks and downsides. Aside from the associated fee, you may additionally wish to know find out how to correctly care in your hair extensions and the way lengthy they will final earlier than committing.

If you are contemplating attempting hair extensions for thin hair for the primary time, we’re sharing all the things you’ll want to know so you’ll find the most effective hair extensions in your wants with the assistance of 4 specialists beneath. They assist us break down the price of hair extensions in addition to the entire differing kinds. Keep scrolling to be taught extra.

Experts Featured in This Article

Louise Bailey is the founding father of Hair Extensions London.

Julia Venturin is a hair-extension professional at Luxy Hair.

Tatiana Karelina is the proprietor of Russian hair-extensions firm Tatiana Karelina.

Brynn Reed is the lead extension specialist at Mirror Mirror Salon.

Types of Hair Extensions

“There are many different hair types and application methods available, so you can experiment until you find the perfect look for you at a price point that suits your budget,” Louise Bailey, founding father of Hair Extensions London, tells PS. Before we get into the totally different utility varieties, let’s go over the 2 major classes of hair extensions: actual human hair extensions and artificial hair extensions.

“Human hair extensions are exactly what they sound like — they are made out of real, human hair from top to bottom, collected from a donor,” says Julia Venturin, a hair-extension professional at Luxy Hair. “Remy hair means all the cuticles (the outer layer of the hair) are intact, running in the same direction at the time of collection. This allows for almost no tangling and ensures that the extensions remain smooth and silky throughout their lifetime.”

Synthetic hair extensions, then again, are made out of assorted artificial, blended fibers — no human hair. “These fibers are usually very fine, plastic fibers that are manufactured to imitate real human hair,” Venturin says.

Here, we’re breaking down a couple of of the commonest varieties of extensions.

Clip-In Hair Extensions

Clip-ins are maybe the simplest, least time-consuming approach of including size, thickness, and quantity to your hair, and among the best issues about them is that you do not even need to see knowledgeable to have them put in.

“The good, quality clip-ins will look and feel natural, they will last years, there is no commitment, and you can fit and style them yourself,” says Tatiana Karelina, proprietor of Russian hair-extensions firm Tatiana Karelina.

These varieties of extensions clip to your hair, they usually come in useful whenever you wish to change up your hair for a specific occasion or prevalence and do not wish to decide to one thing extra everlasting. (You usually take them out after a day however can proceed to reuse them for lengthy after that.) Nowadays, clip-ins are available in all types of lengths, textures, and colours, and you’ll often purchase them in packs. For an editor-approved possibility, learn our full review of Bellami hair extensions; the model has loads of weft hair extension choices.

Tape-In Hair Extensions

Tape-ins are thought of semipermanent extensions; they’re much like clip-ins besides that they will last more and are taped to your hair. They’re additionally fairly weightless, so you do not really feel weighed down even in the event you’re carrying a head stuffed with them.

“Tape-ins are applied by a professional and can last for two months before needing maintenance,” says Bailey. “The hair is reusable with this method.”

Microlink Hair Extensions

Microlinks — additionally known as microrings or microbeads — are a well-liked various choice to sew-in weaves and tape-in extensions. These are usually connected to strands of hair utilizing small tubes or rings, and they’re stated to be safer than different kinds of extensions as a result of they do not injury the hair and scalp by placing an excessive amount of weight or stress on them. They additionally do not require the usage of glue or adhesive, making them loads much less noticeable in your hair.

One draw back, relying on the way you take a look at it, is that getting a full head of microlink hair extensions can take wherever from one to 5 hours to finish, however they will last as long as two to 3 months.

Sew-In Weaves

Installing a weave is a course of that requires a bit extra labor. They’re often put in by a hairstylist who braids the hair down into a particular sample — both what’s generally known as a beehive or straight-back cornrows — earlier than stitching bundles or “tracks” all the way down to the braids. This can often take wherever from two to 6 hours, relying on what number of bundles you are putting in (two or three is an effective quantity) and the way speedy your stylist is.

Weaves can final wherever from six to 10 weeks, although it is essential for individuals who put on them to additionally be certain they’re nonetheless frequently caring for their hair that is beneath the weave.

Keratin Bond/Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions

Keratin extensions are also called k-tip extensions. Bonds are fused to the hair utilizing keratin and a warmth gun. This course of can take a couple of hours to finish since, like microlinks, every extension is related to your pure hair individually till the specified look has been achieved. These aren’t everlasting, however they do last as long as 4 or 5 months, relying on private upkeep.

UV Hair Extensions

LED or UV hair extensions are touted as essentially the most seamless extension method up to now. To get the look, single strands of hair will likely be bonded onto your pure items of hair, utilizing a particular glue that can then be cured with a UV gentle to maintain all the things in place. How lengthy the method takes is determined by how massive the world that you simply’re working with is, and the outcomes final for about six weeks. The price is often about $250 per session and roughly $1200 in your total head.

Halo Hair Extensions

If you are searching for a fast and simple approach so as to add size to your hair, you would possibly wish to think about Halo hair extensions. The extensions use a skinny wire to safe the hair across the crown of your head, and your pure hair goes over it. They’re straightforward to placed on and take out, which makes them excellent if you wish to add slightly further size and thickness for a particular occasion. There are a couple of totally different manufacturers that make this sort of hair extension, like Zala Hair Extensions and Luxy. Read our full Luxy Halo Hair Extensions review.

Do Hair Extensions Damage Your Natural Hair?

Sadly, there’s plenty of misinformation on the market about hair extensions, together with that they’ll injury your pure hair. In truth, this notion is generally false. Bailey explains that when utilized by knowledgeable and cared for correctly, injury just isn’t probably. “If you’re considering getting hair extensions, it’s important to do your research and consult with a hair-extensions expert to ensure that they’re right for you and the correct hair type and product is used,” she says.

How to Care For Hair Extensions

Hair extensions require particular care. The higher you take care of them, the extra use you may get out of them. The number-one rule of dealing with hair extensions is to be light. “Brush them gently with a soft-bristled brush, and avoid using harsh chemicals or too much heat,” says Bailey. Venturin provides: “The more you wash and heat style your extensions, the shorter their lifespan will be, so try to keep the washing and product use to a minimum.”

Nonsynthetic extensions can and ought to be washed identical to the hair in your head. This helps forestall product, filth, and oil buildup on the hair. “Use a mild shampoo and conditioner, keeping conditioners away from the attachment points,” says Bailey. However, simply as you do not wish to overwash your own hair, attempt to keep away from washing your extensions an excessive amount of. “Unlike your own hair, which receives natural hydration from the oils on your scalp, hair extensions don’t have a natural hydration source,” says Venturin. “Therefore, keeping them hydrated is key to keeping them shiny and in good condition.”

Cost of Hair Extensions

If you are questioning, how a lot do hair extensions price? That’s a tough query to reply as a result of many several types of hair extensions accessible available on the market — hair extension costs are based mostly on the hair you select, in addition to who installs it. “High-quality, hand-tied hair extensions will look more natural and last longer than synthetic extensions but require a higher cost to purchase and install,” says Brynn Reed, the lead extension specialist at Mirror Mirror Salon.

Quality extensions comprised of human hair, corresponding to clip-ins, usually vary from $100 to $350, whereas extra “permanent,” long-wearing extensions which might be professionally put in can price $350 to upward of $2,000. Synthetic hair extensions, then again, are far cheaper.

Things to Keep in Mind When Getting Hair Extensions

There are many advantages to extensions, however you need to think about your present hair routine to find out in the event that they’re best for you. “Extensions are not a wash-and-go style,” says Reed. “They must be blow-dried. Leaving extensions wet for prolonged periods causes the wefts to break down and shortens the lifespan of your extensions. If you commit to extensions, you commit to the blow-out.”

Additionally, the haircut you’ve gotten issues. Extensions are in a position so as to add quantity and size to your current fashion, however to ensure that the ultimate outcome to look seamless, you may wish to keep away from any blunt-style haircuts. “This makes the job so much harder to blend,” says Bailey.

Jessica Harrington is the senior magnificence editor at PS, the place she writes about hair, make-up, skincare, piercings, tattoos, and extra. As a New York City-based author and editor with a level in journalism and over eight years of business expertise, she likes to interview business specialists, sustain with the most recent tendencies, and take a look at new merchandise.

Renee Rodriguez is a workers author and social producer for PS. She writes throughout all verticals, however her major areas of experience give attention to style and sweetness content material with an emphasis on opinions and editor experiments. She additionally produces social content material for the PS TikTookay and Instagram accounts.