What Type of Hair Extensions Are Right for Me?

What Type of Hair Extensions Are Right for Me? Hair extensions are a great way to change up your hairstyle when you want something a little bit different from your natural hair. There are a lot of different options on the market now, though, and it might be hard to choose which ones are right for you.

If you’ve been looking through the different kinds of hair extensions and getting overwhelmed over which one is the right choice, you’re in the right place.

Whatever look you’re going for, there are extensions for you. Here’s a quick rundown of the different types of hair extensions that will hopefully make your choice just a little bit easier.

Clip-In Extensions

Clip-in extensions are one of the most common and popular types of extensions that you’re going to see offered.

They’re incredibly user-friendly, and they’re great for the person who just isn’t ready to commit to a look full-time. They’re easy to remove! That doesn’t mean they can’t look convincing, though.

The strands of hair are attached to a hair clip or pin that you hide in the hair that’s close to your scalp. You then style your hair as normal but with the added volume and length that your extensions have given you.

At the end of the night, you simply take out the extensions and put them away (carefully) with the rest of your beauty supplies.

This is a great choice for the person who just wants a little bit of added drama once in a while but overall is more committed to their natural hair. Of the different kinds of hair extensions, these are the easiest to remove, swap, and put back in.

Microlink Extensions

This is a much more committed kind of extension, so this is great for the person that sees the clip-ins and thinks, “No thanks!”.

Microlink extensions are installed using tiny beads that attach to the hair. They’re attached carefully by a professional and can take several hours to be completed. At the end of your extension process, though, you’re able to treat them like your natural hair.

There are a lot of different hair type options for these extensions depending on your needs, including hand-tied extensions.

These last for about 4 months if treated properly, but they should be checked after 2 months to adjust for new growth.

Tape-In Extensions

Tape-in extensions are more sturdy than they sound. Essentially, though, they are what they sound like.

Wafts of hair are attached to bases of adhesive. When a stylist applies the adhesive to your roots, it softens and gets sticky, attaching to your hair.

Unfortunately, because of the heat, this can cause damage to your hair.

These extensions last up to 2 months, but can often be reused if they’re well taken care of and left in good condition. They just need to be readjusted for new growth.

Sew-In Extensions

Sew-in extensions are colloquially known as weaves. For sew-ins, the natural hair needs to be tightly braided into cornrows. Then, the extensions can be sewn (or “woven”) into the braid.

When done correctly, this can take several hours. It can use individual wafts of hair or one large piece, similar to a wig.

For a sew-in to work, the person who’s getting the extensions should have thick hair to start with so that the braids can support the weight of the woven extensions.

While sew-in extensions are a longer-term extension, they also only last about 1-2 months before they need to be removed. Wearing these extensions for too long can impede the growth of your natural hair, so it’s best to give your hair a break if you’re able to.

Pre-Bonded Hair Extensions

This is another high-commitment kind of hair extension, but it comes at a cost.

Pre-bonded hair extensions bond chemically with your natural hair. It’s a process done by some hairdressers (only a professional can do this correctly) for long-term extensions.

It’s not advised for anyone trying to grow out their natural hair. While these extensions do last for a long time, they can seriously damage the hair and skin underneath.

The bonding that’s used is heated and chemical-heavy. While this can be a good choice for someone who might be rocking a pixie cut or even a shaved head after they’re done with their extensions, it might not be the best choice for someone trying to go long.

Wigs or Full Pieces

Wigs are great for the person who wants to change up their look on the daily. They’re also great for anyone suffering from hair loss, or who has hair too thin for standard extensions to really be a good idea.

Wigs come in several different styles in varying levels of realism, with lace-front wigs being a popular choice for those trying to emulate real hair with their wigs.

They can be changed up day-to-day for a new look as often as you want one. Wigs can’t be treated exactly like real hair, but often come with treatment instructions. They can also be re-used indefinitely so long as they’re kept in good condition.

There are other smaller hairpieces available, like faux pigtails, braids, or bangs that are also under this category.

Which of the Different Kinds of Hair Extensions Are Right for You?

There are so many different kinds of hair extensions that suit all different hair types and lifestyles. Someone who loves to change their style every day might love wigs or clip-ins, but someone who wants a more natural look might be looking for microlink extensions.

If you’re still unsure as to what extensions are right for you, you just need to find a stylist that you trust with your hair. They will be able to advise you based on your specific needs.

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