Frequently Asked Questions
Wearing hair extensions offers several benefits. The biggest one is convenience. Other benefits include:
Instantly gaining hair length and hair volume to camouflage bald spots, thinning, and/or fine hair.
The ability to keep a similar hair care routine as you would with your natural hair.
Choosing the right type of hair extensions depends on three factors: your lifestyle, style preferences, and hair traits (e.g., hair thickness, weight, texture.) You also want to find hair extensions that will not make it look obvious you are wearing extensions. Select hair that looks similar in texture and weight to your own, whether you want the hair color to match, enhance, or contrast. To learn more information about what type of hair extensions are right for you, click here.
It is very tempting to select less expensive hair extensions. Purchasing synthetic hair will save you money but comes with very unpleasant downsides: they are typically inferior in quality, do not last as long, are photosensitive, hard to style, and difficult to blend. Human hair extensions are the better option for their long-term value since they can be shampooed and styled like your own hair. Their weight in grams determines the cost of your extensions. Check out human hair pricing here.
The longevity of hair extensions depends on the installation method, the regularity of wearing them, lifestyle activity, and cleansing products and styling tools. Read more about the average wear length of human extensions as well as helpful tips and recommendations to best care for your extensions here.
Selecting the right products for your hair extensions ensures that hair cuticles stay soft, shiny, and smooth. It is essential not to use shampoo or conditioning products that contain alcohol or sulfates. These harsh ingredients can cause the extensions to frizz, tangle, mat, dry out, grow brittle, and even snap off.
High-quality organic ingredients provide nourishment for the hair extensions, like nourishment provided by your scalp’s follicles for your own hair. Learn more about how to properly shampoo, rinse, and dry your hair extensions here. Learn more about styling hair at the right heat setting, how to use heat protectant spray, serums, hair masks, hair oils, and selecting the best combs and hairbrushes to use for your extensions here.
The hair should be long enough to install the hair extensions securely. Making sure the hair blends naturally is also crucial, especially when you are wearing shorter hair. Learn more about how to blend hair extensions for short, thin, or fine hair here.
Always brush from root to end. Hair extensions do get tangled, so frequently brushing your extensions with a tangle teaser or paddle brush can work out most kinks.
Avoid placing the extensions in a straight line. The best application method to blend your natural hair with your extensions is to attach them on a slightly crooked parted line. This will help the extensions fall more naturally. For more information on how to use styling tools and hair products to blend extensions with your natural strands click here seamlessly.
Educating yourself about proper hair application, maintenance, and hygiene of hair extensions is just the beginning. You will also need to learn the pros and cons of wearing clip-in vs. their semi-permanent counterparts.
Clip-in Hair Extensions
Clip-in hair wefts are the most convenient option to choose if you want longer, fuller hair without the maintenance demands typical of other types of hair extensions. You can apply or remove them easily in minutes! If you are someone that frequently engages in intense cardio exercises and showers often, your best hair extension choice might be clip-ins.
Premium clip-in hair extensions will last you approximately 3 to 6 months up to 12 months or longer, depending on how often you wear and care for them. Chlorine, sweat, and saltwater can adversely affect your hair extensions’ longevity.
To learn how to make clip-in extensions hold more securely to the hair, which products to avoid, and techniques to maximize their longevity, click here.
Micro-Link Hair Extensions
Micro-link hair extension installation requires using a small bunch of your hair and the hair extension, which are slipped into a small copper link and then crimped securely about an inch away from the roots using long-nosed pliers. Requires professional application. Many hair clients prefer this hair extension installation method.
Sew-in/Weave Hair Extensions
Sew-in hair extensions are recommended for those with super curly, thick, or coarse hair. Visits to the hair salon should ideally be every month and a half. Requires professional application. Your entire natural hair is securely braided into cornrows, and the extensions are then attached to the braids using a curved, blunt needle and thread. There is a method where weave hair extensions can be installed without braids (using micro-links to secure the weave) to minimize the bulkiness of the extensions after they are installed.
Tape-in Hair Extensions
The tape in hair extensions has wefts attached by broad tape bonds placed over and under your own hair and then clamped firmly and securely around it. The average longevity of tape in bands is between 1.5 to 3 months. The allowance to change your hairstyle in an upward bun or ponytail depends on your beautician’s expertise. Matting and tangling may happen with new hair growth. Learn the pros and cons of using tape in extensions here.
Glue-in Extensions
These hair extensions are applied using glue and a blow dryer or flat iron to bond your hair with the bands located at the top of the extensions. Requires regular salon visits to maintain. The bond can loosen when using oil-based conditioners, hair oils, and hot styling tools.
