A Comprehensive Guide to Hair Extensions

We are here to admit that we've been the victim of one too many impulse haircuts and unexpected "trims" from hairstylists. Don't get us wrong, we love short hair, but we prefer long hair on ourselves—and after our last spur-of-the-moment chops, we've vowed to put the scissors down.

In the meantime, we've relied on various extensions to return our usual look while waiting for our hair to grow back, and we feel like we've become a bit of an expert on the different types throughout the waiting game. Whether you want the versatility of short and long hair or are recovering from a regretful cut, here's everything you should know about the many extensions to decide which is the best for you and your hair.

Clip-In Extensions

Clip-ins will be the most low-maintenance type of extension you can purchase. On average, they are also the most inexpensive. 

We'd recommend clip-ins, especially to anyone who wants versatility with their hair. You can have a short bob one day and add these extensions for a special occasion. Clip-ins are also great if you want to add a few pops of color to your hair without damage from hair dye. 

If you're looking for something for everyday wear, we highly recommend checking out the following extensions.

 

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Sew-In Extensions

Sew-ins are arguably the most popular type of hair extension, and they were also one of our (and many others') first. They're a very reliable type of extension, lasting up to 10 weeks depending on upkeep, and are one of the most seamless. Since most of your hair will be in braids (and can be completely hidden with a frontal), you won't have to spend time ensuring your extensions blend with your hair. And overall, they tend to be less expensive than other semi-permanent hair extensions.

However, of all the extensions we've tried, we were most uncomfortable with a sew-in. Your stylist will braid your hair into cornrows—which means you're not a viable candidate if you have thin hair because it will create a lot of tension. We have thick hair and the braids still make our scalps feel sore, and if your stylist uses a net between your braids and bundles of hair, your scalp will feel scratchy. The feeling goes away after a few weeks, but you should be aware of the possibilities if you go this route!

 

Tape-In Extensions

Tape-ins are literally extensions taped to your actual hair. On the bright side, your scalp will feel less tense because it can hang loose. Tape-ins are a great option for anyone with thinner hair (they even make extensions specifically for people with fine textures) and still look great on anyone with thick hair.

Our favorite part of having tape-ins is that you can put your hair up in a ponytail, which isn't always an option with sew-ins, depending on installation. When you're precise, you can also do unique styles, almost as if it was your own hair.

The only downsides to tape-ins are they can be pricey (we've seen upward of $1,000), only a professional can remove them and you often have to work hard for your short hair blends with the extensions. We tend to use heated tools to keep ours blended, which can lead to damage if not careful.

 

Microlink Extensions

Microlinks are a new type of extension, and they exist in many forms. For the sake of this article, we're going to group in microlinks—which take a small piece of hair and use a bead to bond a lock or weft of hair—with keratin bonds—which use a bonding adhesive made of keratin to attach a small section of hair—because their mechanisms and maintenance are similar.

In our experience, microlinks lie between tape-ins and sew-ins with comfort. Your stylist might tie the bonds tight and close to your scalp and cause more tension. However, with the right professional, they can be extremely comfortable and still allow the flexibility for versatile style (meaning not just wearing your hair down). 

However, these extensions will cost you the most money. We've seen people pay over $2,000 for microlinks. We don't have any qualms with it, and we loved it when we had it, but the price turns us away.

 

Also read about: How to Keep Your Hair Healthy This Summer

 

Bottom Line

Our favorite type of hair extension is tape-ins. They have middle-of-the-road pricing, and they're great for all hair types. As long as you purchase extensions with textures similar to your own hair, they look gorgeous and can last weeks. And assuming you keep your tapes maintained, they can last you up to three or four uses. We think the few downsides of blending your hair are worth selecting tape-ins.

 

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