Blog Article-Hair Extensions 101: Everything You Need to Know

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Ever wondered how some celebrities have short hair at one event and longer or different-colored hair at another and how could their hair not be so damaged from all these changes? Well, the answer is hair extensions!

Celebrities and many daily life people like you love the versatility that hair extensions provide; one day you could have shoulder-length hair, and the other waist length or even a snappy ponytail extension or bangs.

Choosing the right extensions can seem like a very intimidating process as there are so many different types of hair extensions with different textures and color matching and even different installation methods.

According to Byrdie, there are different grades of hair that can be used, such as synthetic, human, or cuticle-intact unprocessed human hair. The two most common ways to differentiate between hair extensions are either real human hair or synthetic.

Synthetic hair is typically plastic and cannot be styled with heat but is the most economical option of all the types of hair extensions. This can be a great choice if you are trying extensions for the first time and may want to get clip-ins for occasional use. Synthetic hair extensions are coated with silicones to make it look and feel soft and shiny but with gradual wear and tear, the extensions will be more likely to get tangled.

Human Hair with the highest quality is known as, 'Remy', which means the hair is virgin or has not been treated with chemicals or is as healthy as possible with the cuticle lying flat in all directions. Remy hair is ideal for extensions as it is high quality and maintains a soft and silky texture. Human hair is sourced from many parts of the world with the highest producing countries being China and India. In fact, did you know a lot of human hair is sourced from Hindu Temples? CNN states that Indian hair has a reputation for high-quality hair, hence, its exports are worth $300 million a year.

It can be so overwhelming to choose the right hair extensions from such a wide variety available everywhere. From clip-ins to sew-ins or beaded wefts or tape-ins, there are so many. Keep reading to find the right fit for yourself.

It is important that you find the right expert to install your hair extensions in case you go for sew-in or tape-in options. You don't want your hair to break off and become damaged and fragile due to improper installation.

Clip-ins and wigs are great options if you want to add in length or volume temporarily. You could add a few inches to your length, style a ponytail, clip-in bangs, or buns with clip-in extensions. These are low commitment, low hassle, and low maintenance as you can wear and remove them however you want. Moreover, wigs can be a great option as well if you like experimenting with different colors, textures, densities, and lengths. Just like clip-ins, wigs are also low commitment but if you want you can have lace front wigs installed for an extended time.

The installment for clip-ins and wigs is instant as you just have to clip them in, whereas, lace front wings installment can take up to an hour. The cost of clip-in depends on the quality, amount of length, and hair. The prices may also vary from brand to brand, for example, Glam Seamless offers 20-inch clip-ins at $299.99, whereas, Zala offers them at $129.99

This is a great option for long-term wear as it is sewn into the natural hair after being braided into cornrows. Weaves or sew-ins do not work well with thin and fine hair as they need to be anchored firmly to the natural hair. They can also be heavy and lead to hair breakage and strain on the scalp. It is important to find a good quality salon and stylist who can sew in these with proper technique and precision.

The installment can take several hours but these extensions can last for months. As these are the longest-lasting and the most seamless, the cost tends to fall between $85-$600 depending on the amount of hair and hair type.

Tape-ins get taped or glued into the hair, hence, these also need to be installed by a stylist. These type of extensions needs to be aligned with the roots with a heated glue so they can be taped into the real hair. Tape-ins are not ideal for people who prefer air drying or those who need a lot of moisture for their scalp as these factors can break down the adhesive more faster.

The installment of tape-ins can take up to an hour and a half and they last for 6-8 weeks. The cost can range from $200-$400.

Byrdie states that beaded rows are by far the easiest to maintain and install as they require no heat or adhesive and use only about 10% of the individual's hair leading to less damage.

Beaded rows give more volume and give off a denser feel. The density can definitely be controlled as well as color blending while the wefts are installed.

The installment can take 2-5 hours depending on the number of rows and can stay in the hair for 10-12 weeks. The cost comes out to about $500-800 depending on the type of hair used.

As the name suggests, it is literally a 'halo' of hair that you put not the crown of your head and blend with your natural hair. It just needs a short visit to the salon where the stylist will cut and blend the extensions with your natural hair and a quick application at home. Halos can last years if taken care of and maintained well. The price varies from brand to brand, for example, for a 180 g and 20" Halo extensions, Glam Seamless offers a price of $339.99, Luxy Hair at $285, Bellami Hair at $245.99 and Zala Hair at $199.99.

Choosing the right extensions all depends on your personal preference, hair type, and budget. There is a plethora of hair extensions available nowadays, therefore, it is important that you do your own research before you invest into the type of hair extensions you want.