At one point or another, you’ve most likely found yourself committed to a haircut that you weren’t quite ready for. Maybe summer came and you wanted a big chop, or a bad breakup left you wanting a new look. Whatever the reason, you got stuck with hair much shorter than you wanted. With a hair growth rate of approximately six inches per year (via Healthline), growing your hair out following a regrettable trip to the salon isn’t exactly a quick solution when you’re longing for lengthy locks. Extensions from the salon can be pricey and time-consuming, but clip-in hair extensions can offer a much more feasible solution.
Maybe you’ve heard of clip-in extensions before, but you haven’t quite committed to the idea for any number of reasons. It’s understandable to think that they might be a little bit difficult to get just right, but, luckily, there are a number of things you can do to ensure that your extensions give your hair the boost you’re seeking.
With tons of options on the market, from clip-in bangs to ponytails to full sets of hair with individual wefts (sections of hair), you can give your hair any kind of update you want with a bit of help from extensions. Read on for the clip-in hair extension hacks you need to know.
The basics of good hair extension application
Before you even think about styling your hair and your extensions, you’ll want to make sure they’re secured to your head. You don’t want to have to chase down a rogue weft on the dance floor, and luckily, you won’t have to if you apply the extensions properly. Try teasing your hair at the root to give the clips a little more staying power, and give yourself a bit more volume by teasing the hair just above where you’ll be clipping in your wefts, according to Cosmopolitan.
The main goal of wearing clip-in hair extensions is to make them look like your natural hair, so you’ll want to avoid having clips show or any similar faux pas. To do so, you’ll want to braid your bottom-most layer of hair and pin it up. Otherwise, your shorter hairs may peek out and make it obvious that you’re wearing a full set of hair, according to Luxy Hair. If you’re wearing extensions to amp up your updo, Cosmopolitan suggests clipping in your hair extensions upside down, against the root, for more natural volume.
If you have layered hair, you can clip your extensions in diagonally to align with your hair’s varying lengths. You can also bring your extensions to a salon to have them professionally cut for a perfect match, or try stacking your extensions on top of each other by clipping one weft into another to achieve a layered look.
Style your extensions earlier rather than later
Sometimes, the ultra-smooth texture that most clip-in extensions have might not match your natural texture. Cosmopolitan recommends adding a bit of shine serum to your natural hair to give it more of a glossy look or adding a texturizing spray to the extensions to give them a more natural look. That way, your extensions can easily blend into your natural hair. This step works especially well if you’re experimenting with a clip-in fringe to take bangs for a test run.
If you have a big event coming up, clip-in extensions can be the perfect way to add the extra touch of glam to your look. While you might be tempted to style them the morning of for the freshest curls, Luxy Hair actually recommends curling the extensions the night before your event and pinning the curls up to set overnight. Once you unravel the curls the next day, they’ll be set for a long-lasting night-out style.
Don't forget to take care of your extensions
Once you’ve mastered the art of applying your clip-in extensions, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing all you can to take care of your hair extensions to prolong their lifespan. Most high-quality clip-in extensions will be a bit costly, but you can get a lot more wear out of them if they’re properly maintained. Luxy Hair suggests investing in a hanging carrying case for your extensions. That way, the hair is less likely to tangle or become damaged. The less tangled your extensions are, the less breakage you’ll experience when you brush them out.
Clip-in extensions can feel a little daunting, but, with proper care, they can add the perfect extra touch of glam to your overall look. Don’t be afraid to experiment with ultra-long locks — just be sure to use a little extra care when you’re applying them.
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