The Best Hair Extension Methods: Comparing Wefts, Tape-Ins, I-Tips, Keratin & More
Unless you’re a seasoned hair extension specialist, the world of extensions can be tricky to navigate. This guide is here to help you decide which hair extension method is best for you!
Who they’re for:
Wefts are universally accepted as one of the most versatile hair extension methods, with multiple varieties suited for different hair types. Hand tied hair extensions and interLACED (hybrid) wefts are ideal for those with fine or thin hair, and machine sewn wefts are perfect for those with thicker or short hair. Wefts offer uniform volume distribution, enabling stylists to create dramatic length and volume transformations.
How they’re applied:
Wefts are also versatile in their application style, typically applied to the head with beads and thread. First a section is carefully chosen to preserve the integrity of the natural hair, before a clothesline is created using bead and thread. Then, wefts are strategically stacked to curate a color combination that blends with the natural hair, and secured to the clothesline through careful stitching. Traditionally, the wefts are stitched over the clothesline, but specialty methods like the interLACED weft method allow for the wefts to sandwich the clothesline, concealing the beads from all angles.
What maintenance looks like:
It’s vital to remove and reinstall wefts every 6-8 weeks, as increased distance from the scalp due to hair growth increases the tension on natural hair, and may cause damage or tangling if left unattended. Take extra care to select a hair extension specialist that completely removes and reinstalls wefts rather than just sliding up the same section of hair, as placing the clothesline on different strands of hair prevents long-term tension and its resulting damage to hair.
Who they’re for:
Keratin hair extensions are incredibly popular with celebrities for their unmatched blend, movement, and downtime between maintenance appointments. They’re typically ideal for those with finer hair, as more bags are needed to match thicker heads of hair. However, clients best suited for wefts can benefit from keratin’s light weight and imperceptible bonding in the areas surrounding the hairline that can’t support the weight of or conceal a weft.
How they’re applied:
Keratin extensions are applied strand by strand, which creates their superior movement and blend with natural hair. Each strand of keratin hair extensions has a bond made of keratin at the tip, which is gently heated and adhered to a small section of hair.
What maintenance looks like:
Another reason keratin extensions are so popular is the downtime between appointments. Each install lasts as long as the hair does, allowing clients to go up to 6 months between applications. However, keep in mind that keratin hair extensions can’t be reapplied, so new extensions must be bought for each application. This leads to a higher price tag overall, so keep in mind when considering wearing or offering keratin extensions!
Who they’re for:
Tape-in hair extensions are widely popular for their ease of application and customizable volume placement. Tape-in hair extensions also come in a wide variety of lengths, and we offer both standard tape-ins and interLACED tape-ins to serve both fine/thin and medium hair types. This suits tape-in hair extensions for a wide variety of clients, from short to long haired and fine to medium hair types.
How they’re applied:
Tape-in hair extensions are applied by strategically adhering individual tabs to place volume and length where desired. interLACED tape-ins feature hair attached at the top of the tab, for superior movement and imperceptible placement in the sparse areas framing the face, or for those with fine hair up top. The amount of tape-in hair extensions varies depending on the existing hair and goal of the wearer.
What maintenance looks like:
Tape-in hair extensions must be removed and reapplied every 6-8 weeks. Luckily, tape-in hair extensions are reusable, as the tape tabs can be removed and replaced to re-install hair. As tape-ins grow out, the tabs will likely become more easily visible, and tension increases, so maintenance is incredibly important to adhere to (pun intended) for best results.
Who they’re for:
Clip-in hair extensions are the perfect fit for those who want a dramatic length and volume transformation without committing to wearing hair extensions full time, or the steeper investment of permanent wear and maintenance. We offer two Clip-In lines, suited to the wearer’s goals. For those who’d like to wear their extensions regularly with minimal tension on the natural hair and optimal blend, our Luxe Clip-Ins are the perfect fit. Our Volume Clip-Ins were created for anyone wanting a dramatic, high impact temporary transformation for special occasions.
How they’re applied:
Clip-in hair extensions can easily be applied yourself! To begin, pull a majority of your hair up with a sectioning clip or hair tie, leaving a few inches loose at the bottom. Starting at least two fingers’ width of hair in from your hairline, gently tease the section of hair you’ll be applying to (or add texture spray if desired) for grip, apply the open clip, then secure. Move up your head in sections, ensuring each clip is properly secured, and then style your hair as desired!
What maintenance looks like:
For best results, Clip-Ins should be color matched, applied for the first time, and then sculpted to blend perfectly by an extension specialist. Clip-ins should be gently washed and dried regularly, plus stored properly to avoid product build up and tangling.
Who they’re for:
I-Tip hair extensions offer stunning movement and color customization via strand by strand application, similar to keratin hair extensions. As they’re applied strand by strand, they’re ideal for fine or thin heads of hair. A celebrity favorite in the 2000’s, I-Tips give stylists an incredible level of creative control over their client’s transformation.
How they’re applied:
Where keratin hair extensions differ is that I-Tip extensions can be re-applied, as they’re fastened to strands of natural hair with clamped beads. As strand by strand hair extension methods are time intensive to apply, they’re incredibly popular for the more sparse pieces of hair surrounding the face.
What maintenance looks like:
Similar to wefts, I-Tips should be removed and re-applied every 6-8 weeks. It’s especially important to maintain these in a timely manner, as the growth causes easy tangling, matting, and increased tension. I-Tips should be re-applied on different strands of hair than the original application to preserve the health and integrity of the natural hair.