Best hair extensions for your hair type
By: Dawna Jarvis
Tags: Hair, Hair Care, Hairdressers, Hair Extensions

Which type of hair extensions are the best?

Have you been thinking of getting hair extensions but are unsure which ones are best for you? Thanks to their versatility, there are unlimited reasons to get hair extensions. Hair extensions can instantly transform your hair’s length, volume, and even add a perfect pop of color for a special occasion.

But the big question is, Which hair extensions best fit your needs and more importantly, your lifestyle? Do you need them to last for months, for the weekend, or just for a night? After 20 plus years in the hair industry , I have used all types of extensions and installation techniques. Let me share with you all the options you have to choose from, I even threw in some maintenance tips for the extensions.

SEW-IN WEFT HAIR EXTENSIONS

These are my personal favorites! They are perfect for anyone who wants a long and fuller hair look, with extensions that easily blend with their hair. They are installed using the Sew-in technique — Usually, 2–4 wefts of hair are sewn into each row, which is created with beads to secure the wefts. Sew-In hair extensions lay flat on the scalp, so they are pretty much invisible, comfortable to wear, and super flexible. With sew-in hair extensions, you can easily pull your hair up into a ponytail or other updo hairstyles.

That said, it’s important to note that sew-in hair extensions are not recommended for people experiencing hair loss or thinning hair. They are best for people with medium to coarse, thick hair.

If properly cared for, Sew-in hair extensions can last over a year. And the best part? You do not have to take them out to maintain them. Your stylist simply moves them up at your maintenance appointment (between 6–8 weeks). Pretty convenient, right? Some people even reuse their hair past the standard 12 months — that’s a bonus. Because glue is not used during installation, you can freely use your favorite oil-based products on your scalp and hair while wearing sew-in extensions.

Pros of sew-in wefts

Their installation doesn’t require the use of glue or heat.

Fast application.

Easy maintenance.

Longer use up to 12 months.

Cons of sew-in wefts

Not great for thinning hair.

Improper installation can cause hair breakage.

KERATIP- EXTENSIONS

If you have uneven hair density and you’re looking to fill out sparse areas, Keratip extensions are your go-to option! Keratip Extensions are individual small bundles of hair that are infused (with heat) to your hair. They are lightweight with a natural movement that flows with your hair. The individual placement makes them virtually unnoticeable and super flexible, so you can easily style your hair up or down, without indication of added hair. They work best with medium to coarse hair but can also be used on fine hair to add a little bit of volume, however, I would not recommend doing a full head of Keratip-Extensions on fine thinning hair. The application lasts about 3 months, and the hair can not be reused.

Pro Tip: A full head application can be quite time-consuming, so if that’s what you’re going for, make sure you are prepared to spend a few hours at the salon.

Pros of Keratip Extensions

Lightweight.

Easily blended with your hair.

Not noticeable on the scalp.

Cons of Keratip extensions

Time-consuming.

Only lasts for 3 months.

You can not reuse hair.

Improper installation/uninstallation can cause hair breakage.

TAPE-IN HAIR EXTENSIONS

If you are after thick, voluminous, and bouncing hair, then tape-in extensions are for you. Tape-ins are one of the most common extensions used on the market. Mostly because of their fast application — they take between 20 min to an hour to apply. Tape-ins are wide and can cover a large area, adding a tremendous amount of volume.

Unlike Keratip Extensions, Tape-ins can be reused. They just need to be re-taped and re-applied, around 8 weeks.

Tape-ins work best on medium to coarse hair but can be used on fine hair to add some volume and length. On thin hair, I would recommend using a single extension with double-sided tape as this is less weight and stress on the hair.

Placement is key with tape-ins as they are more noticeable in the hair than other extensions.

Pros of tape-in hair extensions

Quick application.

Hair can be reused.

They are great for adding volume.

Cons of tape-in hair extensions

Not as easily blended

Improper installation/uninstallation can cause breakage, especially because of the glue used during installation.

CLIP-IN HAIR EXTENSIONS

If you enjoy switching up your hairstyle often and don’t want to commit to maintaining extensions, clip-ins would be great for you. Clip-in extensions are affordable, super versatile, and the easiest extensions to install, so you can change up your hair color and look in just a matter of minutes! Clip-in hair extensions are meant for temporary use and are most popular for special occasions.

Pro Tip: Clip-in extensions should not be used for days at a time and should always be taken out at night. Failure to do this can cause hair thinning and breakage.

Pros of clip-in hair extensions

Versatile.

Affordable.

Low-maintenance.

Great for special occasions.

Cons of clip-in hair extensions

They can cause hair thinning.

Are ideal for short-time use only.

I hope this article has given you some insights into hair extensions. It’s best to consult with a professional hairstylist to ensure you truly understand the process involved with every type of hair extensions before investing in them. You can book a complimentary consultation session with me here. And if you live in the Los Angeles area and are looking for extensions, feel free to text Dawna Jarvis @ 818–527–5463 to set up a free consultation.

Check out my Instagram @hairbydawnajarvis for amazing hair extension inspiration.