Before Getting Hair Extensions, Read This

There’s always that envious moment when watching a shampoo commercial—some woman running her fingers through her long, luscious tresses. Of course, it’s meant to imply that the shampoo is the star, the reason for the voluminous hair. But in reality, for many women, it isn’t that simple. The truth is, the thickness of your hair is largely genetic. So women with fine or thin hair turn to hair extensions more often than you think.

Hair pieces are way more ubiquitous now than ever. There are more information, more options, more application techniques, and more products… So, how do you know what’s right for you, your hair type, and your goals? That’s what we’re getting into in this article.

Types of hair extensions

Hair extensions aren’t all one and the same. There are actually several different types, each with its own pros and cons. What’s right for one person may not work for the next, so you’ll want to get familiar with the types of hair extensions. That way, you’ll be sure to get the perfect match!

Clip-in hair extensions

If you have commitment issues with your hair, then clip-in hair extensions are exactly the type you’ll want to go for. They come as sections of hair with clips attached to them, the installation process is quick, easy, and something you can do on your own at home.

How long clip-ins will last will first and foremost depend on how well you take care of them—this stays true for any type of hair extension. But with proper care, clip-in hair extensions can last from a few months sometimes even up to a year.

Tape in hair extensions

There’s not really a whole lot of mystery when it comes to tape-ins. They’re exactly what they seem to be—bonded to your hair using a special adhesive tape.

To apply them, your stylist will take two tape-in pieces and place a piece of your natural hair between them. For a full head of tape-ins, you can expect to spend around an hour at the salon. But you’ll need to remove them and get them replaced every one to two months.

Sew-in hair extensions

You’ve probably also heard them referred to as weaves. Sew-in hair extensions first require braiding portions of the natural hair across the scalp. Afterward, using a needle and thread, the hair extension piece is sewn directly into the braid.

Sew-ins work best for people with thicker hair and for these, you can go into your appointment expecting a lengthy installation time of a few hours. They’re sturdy and last a good few weeks, but it’s recommended to remove them at the six to eight-week mark. Keeping them on for longer could inhibit the growth of your natural hair.

Fusion hair extensions

Yep, you guessed it—fusion extensions are basically “fused” to the hair. They come in individual strands that are bonded to your natural hair through the use a glue (usually keratin-based) and a hot tool.

Get comfortable in the chair because fusion hair extensions can take up to four hours to install. The good news is, they last longer than tape-ins and sew-ins, even up to four months. But usually, you’ll want to aim for getting maintenance done on them between two and three months.

Micro-link hair extensions

Micro-link, micro-bead, micro-loop, maybe you’ve also heard the brand name Easilocks—micro-linking is a method of many names. If you want to avoid treatments that involve heat or glue, this one is for you. Micro-links are installed by taking attaching small strands of extension hair to the natural hair with a small bead. Once the hair is effectively placed, the bead is clamped down to “link” it all together.

Depending on how much hair you have, you’ll spend about two to four hours getting them done. Like fusion extensions, micro links can last a similar amount of time. Still, you’ll want to go back to the salon after two to three months to reposition the beads.

For more ideas on must-have styling tools for hair, check out this blog next.

Cost, aka investment…

So what’s the damage done to the wallet at the end of it all? Well, that’ll depend on a few different things. Where you live and what specific salon you choose to visit can have a lot to do with what the price will ultimately look like. Besides that, the cost will also vary between the different hair extension types and whether the hair extensions are synthetic or real.

Clip-in extensions are the least expensive of the bunch, where you can score decent quality natural hair clip-ins starting at around $100 and up. For tape-ins and sew-ins you’ll probably pay around $300 or so. While with micro-link and fusion extensions, it could end up coming out to anywhere between $300 to $1000.

Caring for hair extensions

You’ve decided to finally do it and achieve thick, long, and lustrous hair—full support. But keep in mind, that hair extensions (no matter what type), do require a good bit of TLC. Here are a couple of do and don’t hair extension care tips that’ll help you get the most out of your mane:

–   Do them installed at a trusted salon

–   Don’t forget regular maintenance

–   Do wash your hair as needed

–   Don’t overdo the hair products

–   Do try using a silk or satin pillowcase

–   Don’t go to sleep with your hair wet

–   Do brush your hair (with care)

Hair extension salon near me

If you decide to go for a DIY option like clip-in hair extensions, you’ll easily be able to find them at your local beauty store. But otherwise, if you’re choosing to go with another method and book a professional hair extension installation, you’ll need to locate a trusted stylist.

Thankfully, Booksy has your back—use the Booksy app to discover salons that offer hair extensions in your city and book your appointment online.