Ever wondered how celebrities go from bob to bombshell overnight? Hair extensions are the not-so-secret weapon behind fuller, longer, red-carpet-worthy hair—and they’re more accessible and versatile than ever before.

The Basics of Hair Extensions

Hair extensions have become one of the most popular hairstyle choices among men and women. In the past, it was considered an almost untouchable luxury, but now, everywhere you go, people are rocking flawless locks of natural hair and synthetic hair at weddings, events, and even for everyday wear at the office. But what are hair extensions, and what has everyone rushing to the salon to get their next set?

What Are Hair Extensions?

Hair extensions are wefts of hair that can be added with a clip, sewn in with a bead, fused on, taped in, or even blended in with a clear band. There are many types of extensions, with some being permanent, semi-permanent, or even temporary. They can also be made of human hair to blend more seamlessly with your natural hair, or synthetic hair for a more cost-effective yet undetectable solution.

Why People Choose Hair Extensions

For those with thin or fine hair types, waiting for hair growth seems like a hopeless possibility. With hair extensions, having thicker and fuller hair becomes a reality. Others who have hair loss due to COVID-19, hypothyroidism, GLP weight loss shot side effects, and natural aging hair loss have found that hair extensions work miracles for them. Still, there are some who just want to achieve thicker hair without using bulky products or taking dangerous hair growth serums that only give a temporary effect.

Not everyone who chooses extensions has short, fine, or thinning hair. Hair extensions can help someone achieve a look of glamour, especially for their next big event. Weddings, proms, charity functions, and social events often have the ladies rushing to their expert stylists to become the envy of their friends and to have people talking about how incredible they look without even knowing why.

Different Types of Hair Extensions

Types of Hair Extension Materials

Hair extensions can be made of natural human hair or synthetic hair. Both can have the appearance of being like your own hair, but there are major differences that can affect what is the best choice for your hair and your own daily hair care routine.

Human Hair Extensions

Those who truly want the most natural look opt for human hair extensions. These extensions can last longer than most other options, and blend with your natural hair without any detection. Natural human hair extensions can be part of your temporary hair care routine as halo extensions or clip-in extensions, or as part of more semi-permanent to permanent solutions as sew-in extensions, tape-in extensions, or fusion extensions. Human hair extensions are also higher in quality and value. The best part is that they also last longer than synthetic ones in comparison.

Synthetic Hair Extensions

Many Types of hair extensions use synthetic hair versus real hair to save on cost. This is generally because synthetic hair extensions are often used for more temporary solutions to add volume or length to your hair. Synthetic hair extensions are made of:

Nylon
Acrylic
Polyester

The major drawback of synthetic extensions is a lack of versatility and styling options. Synthetic hair extensions come pre-styled and cannot be altered in any way, especially with heat. This can be a major downside for those looking to have more options with their extensions (curly, straight, braided) and more versatility.

Quality Differences and How to Identify Them

One thing you should know about hair extensions is that quality matters. Whether it’s synthetic or human hair, quality extensions will last longer should blend with your own hair. There are many ways to spot top-tier quality hair extensions versus lower-end quality extensions.

Low Quality Extensions:

Cheap & inexpensive
Thinning or very thin ends
Harsh or rough texture
Lacking natural movement like real hair
Odd chemical smells from poor packaging and storage
Frizzy
Poorly sewn wefts causing shedding
Unethically sourced with no sources listed
High in Static

High Quality Extensions:

More costly per weft of hair
Soft & Smooth like the Texture of Your Natural Hair
Natural and smooth movement
Tightly sewn wefts to reduce shedding
Ethically sourced with hair sources listed & known
Healthy and full ends
No chemical odor

Natural Beaded Rows Before After

Different Methods: How Do Hair Extensions Work?

With so many different types of hair extensions available, it’s not always easy to choose which hair extension method is best for your natural hair. It’s important to choose extensions for your hair type, your daily hair routine, your hair style goals, your lifestyle, and your budget.

Clip-In Hair Extensions and Halo Hair Extensions

Clip-in hair extensions are great for those who don’t want the commitment of semi-permanent or permanent hair extensions but have the time for daily application and removal. Clip-in extensions not only can add volume, but can also add lowlights as well as highlights to the existing hair color. Some can even add bangs without having to go to the salon for a cut.

Each hair weft is attached to a clip that is secured on or close to the root of your hair and can be removed daily, hourly, or whenever you choose. It is not recommended to wear them overnight due to the heavier weight pulling in your sleep, especially with large halo clip-in extensions.

Tape-In Hair Extensions

Tape extensions are a type of extension that is applied to sections of your natural hair at the root or base. Tape-in hair extensions are attached with an adhesive glue substance and require regular maintenance and upkeep to keep them fresh. Tape-in hair extensions work well for those who are looking for a more semi-permanent solution for voluminous hair.

For fine to medium hair, tape hair extensions are ideal. For those with thicker hair or oily hair types, the adhesives may not work as well or hold as long, which could lead to slippage and possible hair loss. Unlike most clip-in extensions, tape-in hair extensions generally use real hair versus synthetic, giving a more blended and natural look.

Sew-In Hair Extensions

Sew-in hair extensions are a popular choice because they also won’t cause damage to your hair, leaving your natural hair to grow with them. These hair extensions are used to give incredible length and volume, and cover any thinning portions to give even scalp coverage. Luckily, these tiny wefts of hair extensions are sewn in and attached to your natural hair growth. These hair extensions are applied with skilled and trained hands, especially for those that are carefully attached to beads and sewn together with a hand-tied weft with an expert method known as natural beaded row extensions (NBRs).

One of the great benefits of natural beaded rows and other sew-in hair extensions is that this method is suitable for all hair types (curly hair, straight hair, fine hair, long hair, short hair, oily hair, dry hair). Besides avoiding damage to your natural hair, natural beaded rows are of the highest quality and absolutely undetectable. This means only you and your stylist will know, but everyone will notice how amazing you look!

Pre-Bonded / Fusion Hair Extensions

Of all the different types of extensions, fusion hair extensions and pre-bonded hair extensions are among the more costly options, but are also among the longer-lasting options. These methods of hair extensions last longer than most others due to the process by which it is applied. Heat is generally used to melt the keratin bonds, as they are then carefully attached to natural hair for each small section of your hair. The number of wefts or bonds depends on how much hair to add for volume or how much is needed for the desired effect.

These types of hair extensions work for hair types such as fine hair, thin hair, and even thick hair. Your natural hair is generally unaffected by the process, but it stands a higher risk than other methods when it comes to damage and the possibility of hair loss. However, with an expert stylist, this permanent method of hair extension should outlast many of the others while providing a lengthy and voluminous look.

The Application Process For Best Hair Extensions

If you are looking for a guide to hair extensions from hair experts and extension clients, you’ll see that the application process can make a huge difference for the end results and for your natural hair overall. So let’s explore when it’s great to install your own extensions, and when it’s time to book with a professional.

Professional vs. DIY Application

For some types of hair extensions, it could be a simple process done at home, while others require a salon professional. For clip-in extensions and daily wear extensions, most people can clip them in at the base of the hair using a simple click, clamp, and go. For some higher-end halo clip-in hair extensions, it could be best to consult a professional stylist for placement tips and application guidance. A stylist can not only show you proper extension placement for clip-in hair extensions, but they can also help you blend them seamlessly if you choose to use them for daily or temporary use at home.

Learn more about NBR vs. Clip-In Extensions.

For semi-permanent (natural beaded row extensions, sew-in extensions, tape-in hair extensions) or more permanent hair extensions (fusion hair extensions), a highly trained expert stylist is needed for extension application. Without a skilled hairstylist who has put in the hours and proper training for these hair extension methods, you could have track slippage, scalp damage, and even hair loss. With a professional stylist who has put in the time for proper training, your hair extensions can have a long life, and you can have a beautiful head of incredibly natural hair with all of the volume and length you desire.

A woman having her hair extensions washed in the salon

Caring for Hair Extensions

No matter what type of hair extensions you have, taking significant care of them is greatly important. When your hair extensions are taken care of, you can increase their lasting capability and get even more wear out of them. But how you take care of them all depends on the different types of extensions, and how the extensions are applied.

Discover more about Caring For Your Hair Extensions

Washing and Conditioning Techniques

As you would your own natural hair, most hair extensions require regular washing and conditioning, especially with human hair extensions. Although extensions require washing and conditioning, ingredients matter. This means there are certain ingredients that should be avoided, such as:

Sulfates
Alcohol
Silicones
Fragances
Parabens
Formaldehyde

The two things you want to avoid at all costs are drying out the hair extensions or creating an oily or gunky buildup. Oil is naturally produced and distributed with your own hair when brushing or styling it. With hair extensions, they may be attached near the root of the hair, but they don’t have their own root at the scalp to naturally produce oil, which means they can be dried out easily if products with sulfates, alcohol, or other drying types of agents.

For top-of-the-line brands that are ideal for hair extensions, we recommend: Oribe De-Tangling Shampoo & Conditioner, Goldwell’s Kerasilk line is sulphate free, Goldwell Dual Senses Rich Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, and more. Goldwell holds itself to a higher standard when it comes to product, and your hair extensions deserve the best treatment for the best longevity.

Styling Dos and Don’ts

When it comes to styling your hair extensions, some have their limitations while others have more versatility. For temporary extensions such as halo extensions, ponytail extensions, or clip-in hair extensions, your styles are very limited due to the way the wefts of hair are attached to the clip, band, or ponytail band. With the exception of the ponytail clip-in extensions, most of the temporary extensions can only be worn down or straight.

For semi-permanent and more permanent extensions, you can generally wear your hair in a comfortable updo, ponytail, or braids. It is, however, recommended not to wear the hair extensions in a tight braid or updo. Loose or comfortable is definitely preferred to avoid any unnecessary tension on the hair extensions.

For synthetic extensions, avoid heat or any heat styling tool. This can cause the synthetic fibers to melt and can cause permanent damage to the extensions as well as the styling tools. For human hair extensions, heat can be applied, but it’s cautioned to apply gentle pressure when curling or running a flat iron through to the ends. Always use a heat protectant as well, but avoid sprays or oils near the hair root.

Sleeping with Extensions

When it comes to sleeping with your hair extensions, this is only recommended for semi-permanent and permanent hair extensions. Expert stylists recommended taking sections of hair and braiding your natural hair with the extensions. This prevents tangling and extra tension being put on the extensions, especially for the sleepers who tend to toss and turn. It is also advised to sleep with a silk or satin pillowcase to keep your ends from fraying and to keep the hair from detangling. Even without extensions, sleeping with a silk pillowcase has great benefits, too!

Swimming and Exercise Considerations

With most semi-permanent and permanent human hair extensions, swimming and exercise can be a part of your daily routine. However, it is not recommended to leave the extensions wet or damp for extended periods of time. This could cause slippage or unnecessary shedding with extra tension on the wefts. Chlorine from public pools can damage your natural hair and your extensions, so swimming is permitted, but it can also decrease the longevity of your hair extensions. To avoid this downfall, be sure to wash your hair immediately to remove any toxic pool chemicals that can cause hair damage.

For exercising with extensions, feel free to hit the gym. It’s best recommended to keep the hair braided or in a low ponytail for more extensive workout routines to avoid pulling or tangling. For clip-in hair extensions, it is highly advised to remove the extensions and keep them untangled in a cool storage place during your swimming and exercise routines.

Longevity and Maintenance

Taking care of your hair extensions can almost guarantee endurance for a long life for your hair extensions. With proper maintenance, care, and following expert recommendations, your hair extensions will outlast the rest.

How Long Different Types of Hair Extensions Last

Extensions can be installed in many different ways, giving them each their own shelf life and wear time. Here are the lifespans of each type of hair extension:

Clip-in Hair Extensions: 3-6 months overall
Tape-in Hair Extensions: 4-8 weeks between adjusting and reapplying. 4 -8 months overall
Sew-In Hair Extensions: 4-8 weeks between adjusting and reapplying. 6 months to 1 year overall
Fusion & Pre-Bonded Extensions: 3 to 4 months overall

Summary – Choose The Right Hair Extensions For You

The best hair extensions for you have many factors to consider before making your big decision. Your natural hair and hair extensions should blend together flawlessly, giving you volume, length, and confidence to match. Always consider your lifestyle, your hairstyle goals, and how you want to wear your natural hair and extensions before choosing. If you aren’t sure how to make the right choice, consult a professional extensions hairstylist today and feel confident with your look by tomorrow,

How Do Hair Extensions Work?