Which Type of Hair Extensions Should You Get?

Are you tired of going through the vicious cycle of waiting for your hair to grow, getting tired of waiting and then chopping it all off just to be right where you started? Wishing you had more hair!

I’ve fallen victim to this cycle many times, as have many other women. The good news is – there’s an easier way! Get the perfect volume and length from your hair with the addition of hair extensions.

This blog will explore the different types of hair extensions, from extensions that you can easily install at home in minutes to professional, long-lasting extensions. There are many different styles, materials, and installation methods for hair enhancements, so there’s something to fit every lifestyle. Read on to find out what type of hair extensions are right for you.

Some types of hair extensions can be easily installed at home without a cosmetology license or degree. These methods are quicker, easier, and generally more affordable than professional extension methods.

Clip-in extensions are basically a barrette clip with a comb that you clip into the root of your hair to add both length and volume to the hair. Clip-ins are the easiest and most budget-friendly way to get the hair of your dreams. We went into depth on wearing clip-in extensions and caring for them in a couple of previous blog posts.

There are synthetic clip-in extensions and human hair extensions available. Both options have several colors, styles, and textures available, from sleek straight to kinky curly. Synthetic hair is much more affordable than human hair, but human hair can be heat styled, bleached, and dyed. Human hair extensions will also look much more natural compared to synthetic hair and will last longer.

Synthetic clip-ins are a great option if you only want to enhance your hair for special occasions like weddings, nights out, or vacations. If you’re going to wear your clip-ins daily, human hair extensions are recommended. Either way, the great benefit of clip-in extensions is that you can remove them at the end of the day and don’t have to put up with the maintenance of semi-permanent and permanent hair extensions.

Crochet hair is a semi-permanent type of hair extension done by cornrowing the natural hair and then looping the strands of hair through the cornrows with a crochet hook. The process may take some practice, but you can achieve it at home. Crochet hair is another affordable option, as crochet hair is typically made of synthetic fiber; it comes in hundreds of styles and colors, including twists, curls, locs, and more.

This semi-permanent option is excellent for those who want to have their hair already styled daily. Crochet hair can last up to 8 weeks if cared for properly, so it’s long-lasting and protective for the hair while giving you many style options. Crochet hair looks natural since it is looped pretty tightly at the scalp.

If you’re an updo queen but wishing you had longer, thicker hair, then ponytails might be the extension method for you! While not a typical hair extension method, you can get creative with fake ponytails and buns and create various styles. There are even bang and ponytail options for a different look.

Ponytails are generally easy to install at home and are only worn for the day. Most ponytail extensions are installed with a claw clip, drawstring, or velcro wrap around the natural hair. Pony’s are usually made from synthetic or blended hair and come in many different styles and colors. They are fun to play around with, as you can create several different ponytails, pigtails, and bun combinations.

If you’re looking for extensions that you can wear daily, that don’t require frequent styling and application at home, you may want to find a professional, licensed cosmetologist to install them for you. While these extensions are more of an investment, they will be a semi-permanent or permanent type of extension that you don’t need to remove. The hair is usually higher quality as well, so it will give a more realistic effect. Read on to find out about different types of professional extensions.

Weaves are a great permanent hair extension with various styles and come in synthetic and human hair options. The process of weaves or sew-ins is done by cornrowing natural hair horizontally, then sewing wefts of hair into the braids to keep the hair tight against the scalp. Because the hair is close to the scalp, it looks incredibly realistic. This method of hair extensions is also long-lasting, staying in for about two months.

Weaves can be customized to your exact head shape and size and come in a large variety of textures. There are plenty of synthetic and human hair wefts available so that you can go high-end or more affordable. So, if you’re looking for a permanent hair extension style, a weave may be an excellent option for you!

This permanent type of hair extension is convenient and lays extra flat against the head. Tape-ins are inch-long pieces of hair attached to a sticky adhesive. The tapes can either be placed on either side of the natural hair and layered up or used with a strip of tape for less volume.

The nice thing about tape-ins is that you can re-use the same extensions once they start to grow out. So even though tape-ins are an investment, they can be adjusted and re-applied to the natural hair again and again. Tape-ins don’t require heat or special tools to apply, so they usually cause less damage to the natural hair. These types of extensions are also relatively quick to install, taking a professional stylist about 45 minutes to an hour to install, depending on the volume of extensions you’d like.

Another professional hair extension application, micro bead extensions, is also known as micro links or I-tip hair extensions. This method is done by attaching a thin piece of hair to a small piece of natural hair with a silicone-lined bead. The bead is clamped around both the extension and the natural hair to secure. The microbeads can also be used to create a loop system in the natural hair, which wefts can be sewn into (as pictured).

This hair extension method uses high-quality human hair and can be long-lasting. Once the hair grows out, a stylist can remove the beads, and the hair will be re-adjusted, so you won’t have to buy new extensions for a touch-up. The advantage of this method is that it can be fully customizable, and you can add length and volume wherever you’d like throughout the hair. The downside is that this method is tedious and will take multiple hours in the salon to achieve.

Also known as Keratip or bonded extensions, fusion hair extensions are installed by using heat to adhere keratin-tipped extension pieces to the natural hair. This method appears extremely natural because, similar to the microbead extensions, the fusion extensions can be placed virtually anywhere on the head where volume and length are needed. You can also add as many or as few as you need.

The downside to fusion extensions is that since they are applied with heat, they can cause damage to the natural hair. Depending on how many extensions you’re getting installed, they can also take a few hours to install.

Overall, hair extensions provide many people the option to enhance their hair; whether you’re looking for more length, volume, or even an added layer of color and dimension, there is a type of extension that can work for your lifestyle. Clip-in hair extensions and ponytails have been my go-to because they are temporary, non-damaging, quick to install, and affordable.

What is your experience with hair extensions? Tell us in the comments below!