Clip in hair extensions has become a girl’s best accessory, whether it’s adding a pop of color or dramatic change of length. Clip in hair extensions adds the quickest and safest way to augment hair for temporary use. One of the questions I get asked is how and where can I get them.
Human hair vs. Synthetic hair
Human hair extensions are the top choice by professionals. Human hair allows you to heat style and color just like your own. If taken care of well they can last for a very long time. Minimal wear and tear will prolong use of them. Synthetic hair is much more affordable but very limited in their styling capabilities. Even though it might say heat friendly it won’t perform as optimum as human hair. Synthetic hair cannot be colored and has an unnatural, shiny look.
Color and Texture
When choosing the right color for extensions you want to stay within 2 shades of your color to look the most natural. Natural hair has slightly lighter ends. if more darkening needs to be done you can have a colorist add lowlights for darker tones or darken them to match to blend them even more. unless you are a platinum blonde or have black hair, you should always get them a shade lighter to get the best possible match. The texture of the extensions is just as important. If your natural hair has a curl, having extensions with a similar curl will look the most natural. If your hair is thick and coarse, having a shiny soft texture will look mismatched. it will look artificial and can look like doll hair. your extensions should compliment your hair to achieve length or fullness.
…stay within 2 shades of your color to look the most natural.
Length and Price
Depending on the style you are trying to achieve having the right length will make a huge difference. Waved or curled styles will look shorter when curled so having a few extra inches will fall just right. Placing hair extensions below the crown can make the hair length look the longest.
Hair extensions can be anywhere from 8 inches long to 30 inches long and even ankle length hair like Crystal Gayle regardless of length. lighter hair extensions and special color hair sets cost more in the market as compared to darker hair sets. Prices can start at about from about $75 and up for shorter lengths and be as high as $300 and up for waist length hair.
While there are many companies that carry luxurious thick sets of hair, it may not be uncommon that more hair may be needed. sometimes the density on commercial hair is very skimpy and more hair will need to get purchased to get the right look. In big cities and metropolitan areas, there are also tons of local beauty supply stores that carry human hair extensions as well. You just might find what you’re looking for.
For glamorous and a various array of colors and textures, here are some of my favorite brands that include:
Online vs. retail store
Whether you choose to buy your hair extensions from a retail store or online, the options could be overwhelming. If at a store, the sales representative will guide you through the options that match your color and texture well. The great thing about going to a retail store is that you can see and feel the hair and will feel confident about your purchase.
If buying online, you must narrow down your choices to the colors and textures to get the best possible match. Although you are not able to see and feel the hair the advantage is you can order them easily and conveniently. Some online companies have live chats that can give you a thorough consultation to get you the best options.
If buying online, you must narrow down your choices to the colors and textures to get the best possible match
The market is flooded with great companies the consumer can purchase directly. Now in most cases, if someone has a medium density hair that’s 12 inches to the shoulder, you can easily blend in a set of hair extensions. However, if your hair is 12 inches and very thick density you will either need double the hair extension set to create a believable transition. Another way to attach your clip in hair is to braid down the hair you want to add the extensions over. When I section and braid down the area I am able to create a seamless transition between the natural hair covering over top the extensions, erasing that hard blunt hair cut line that shows when your extensions look skimpy in between thick hair.
When purchasing human hair extensions, the price may vary depending on the color, texture, and length.
However, spending money on them one good time will be worth it. You can easily apply them or have your favorite hairdresser use them on you to make your hairstyles looking voluminous. You could even color them a deeper shade if you decide to wear a darker color. Attempting to lighten extensions are not recommended. Since hair cannot develop oils to preserve the hair, lightening agents will only dry them out making them dull and damaged. so its best to deepen them instead of attempting to lighten them. Giving extensions deep conditioners and treatments are great as well. It helps keep them soft and manageable especially if they have constant wear and tear
Applying and styling
Clip on hair extensions is the quickest and safest method of augmenting your hair. When washing them its best to tie them all up together and tie with a hair tie and wash as a ponytail. This is because hair needs some time to dry after washing its best to a 1 day to a few days before to save time. Once extensions are clean and dry you can shape them.
When clipping the hair extensions on to hair you want to measure the sections and clip the size that matches the section. Backcomb roots and spray a flexible hold hair spray on the tease to prevent hair from sliding. Comb onto and snap them in place them Depending on the look I am doing. I will pre curl or straighten extensions to the end desired look. Doing this helps not tug on the hair when styling or curling is done.
When washing them its best to tie them all up together and tie with a hair tie and wash as a ponytail
Now you are ready to get the look started. wash and condition your hair. after detangling blow dry hair 50 percent and then add your styling products to your damp hair. section off the hair and round brush hair to a blow-dried finish.
If wearing a wavy to curly style. Have your pre-curled hair handy. Clip in hair extensions to your head and wave or curl your hair to match the wave pattern. For uniform curls, curl the hair in the same direction and for a tousled natural finish opt for curling hair in different directions for a softer look.
When wearing flat iron straight hair, place extensions first in their positions on to blow-dried hair. After they are clipped on, start from the bottom first and flat iron both extensions and hair to make hair blend seamless and flat together. Continue up the top layers till all hair is flat together with the extensions. Polish up straight tresses with finishing hair spray or add gloss drops for a glass-like finish
Removing and storing away
I never recommend sleeping with clip in hair extensions left on your head. They are meant to be worn and taken down after each use. When you sleep, you toss and turn and the constant tugging on strands can lead to irritation of the scalp or worse pull on the hair that the hair extensions are mounted on to. Clip-in hair extensions are for temporary use. The combs on clips face down when snapped in place tight and need to be unsnapped and lifted up when removing.
Clip-in hair extensions are meant to be worn and taken down after each use.
When removing after use, you will want to section off hair a bit a time and unsnap and slide up and away from the backcomb. Gently detangle the hair extensions and store them together like a ponytail. If curled you can toss them into a satin small pouch or even a plastic ziplock bag. They will naturally bend and set like a roller keeping the shape intact. If extensions are straight. detangle then gently and place them flat between a pillowcase. unless changing the look from curly to straight, there is no need to re-wash and style. Simply put away and reclip on when needed. Detangle your own hair and proceed to wash and condition your hair like normal and when ready to use again the hair will be ready to be clipped right back in.