If you’re exploring hair extensions as an option to add volume and length to your hair, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you plan on wearing them every day or just for special occasions, you have a few options to help you find the right type of hair extensions for your needs. Explore this overview from Posh Hair Company to learn everything you need to know today!
What Are Hair Extensions Made Of?
Regardless of which types of hair extensions you choose, you always have an option between synthetic and 100% real human hair extensions. There are pros and cons to each material, but most people prefer real hair because it feels more natural, offers better heat resistance when styling, and lasts longer. The main benefit of synthetic hair instead of 100% human hair extensions is that they’re more affordable.
At Posh Hair Company, our extensions and wigs are made of Remy hair in lace and silk bases. Remy hair is even higher quality than other human hair products because the cuticles of the hair are completely intact.
1. Clip-In Hair Extensions
Clip-in hair extensions, also called clip-in wefts, are types of hair extensions that come on a strand of contoured base material. The base material is typically fabric or silicone with clips attached already. You snap the clips open and attach them in a line along your roots.
Clip-in extensions are considered semi-permanent because you can remove them any time you want in order to wash and care for them. Depending on how many wefts you add into your hair, you can expect it to take 10-15 minutes to clip all the pieces in – no chemicals or heat needed! When you style your extensions, treat them as you would your normal hair, blending them together seamlessly.
Care & Maintenance
When it comes to our 100% human hair extensions, we recommend washing them every 10-15 wears, or any time there’s excess product buildup on the strands. Buy shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for use with hair extensions and follow these instructions to clean them:
- Soak the extensions under running water in a sink or basin
- Gently massage shampoo into the extensions from root to tip
- Rinse out the shampoo under running water
- Massage conditioner into the extensions and let sit for 3-5 minutes
- Rinse the conditioner out with cool water
- Gently squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible
- Lay the extensions to dry flat on a towel away from direct sunlight
Clip-In Durability
With proper care and maintenance, you can expect this type of hair extension to last three to six months, but some of them can last up to a year.
Explore our clip-in extensions in a variety of lengths, densities, textures, weights, and colors today!
2. Tape-In Hair Extensions
With tape-in hair extensions, you have pre-taped edges instead of clips that help you apply this type of hair extension to your natural hair. With our tape-in hair extensions, you can find your preferred style and color online. Tape-in hair extensions do require specialty heating tools to melt the glue/tape so that the extensions attach to your natural hair.
If you have the tools, you can always put them in yourself at home. But if you do require assistance, book an appointment with your hairdresser or stylist so you can have help applying tape-in extensions. Expect the process to take around an hour. When it comes time to take them out, you can do this yourself at home with a glue remover or book another appointment with your stylist.
Care & Maintenance
Tape-in extensions are a bit on the delicate side because harsh products and heat can cause the tape or glue to come loose. With intensive styling, these extensions may slide off without warning. There are special styling products, shampoos, and conditioners that better preserve this type of hair extension.
Tape-In Durability
Another semi-permanent type of hair extension, tape-ins typically last 4-8 weeks before you need to remove them. However, if the hair is in good condition, you can reapply the same extensions.
3. Sew-In Hair Extensions
Also known as a weave, sew-in hair extensions are wefts that are literally woven into your natural hair. Your hair must be braided into cornrows, and then the weave is sewn in with a needle and thread.
We usually suggest this type of hair extension only for people with very thick hair because the application requires a sturdier grip on your hair. If you apply a weave to light or thin hair, you might feel that it’s too heavy or pulling on your scalp too much.
Weaves are the most permanent, seamless, and natural-looking of all hair extensions, but they require expert application, and the process can take several hours.
Care & Maintenance
You can treat a human weave hair as you would your natural hair, but you must pay careful attention to scalp moisturization. Apply moisturizer to the scalp and edges of your hair weekly with deep conditioning products. You may also want to wash your hair with protein-rich shampoo to minimize damage and keep hair strong.
Weave Durability
You should remove your weave every 6-8 weeks to allow your natural hair time to grow, breathe, and revive. The maximum amount of time you should keep your weave in is around four months. If you keep this type of hair extension in for longer, you can expect it to start affecting your hair growth.
4. I-Tip Hair Extensions
I-tip hair extensions have many names. You may see them referred to as micro link, micro bead, or micro loop hair extensions. With this type of hair extension, you take your weft of hair and attach small sections to similar-sized bundles of your natural hair with a small, silicone-lined bead. Secure the bead in place with a special tool – no heat or glue necessary. Beads come in micro and nano sizes, and your choice will depend on the size of the bundle you attach to your hair.
While applying these beads is relatively simple. But be careful, as tightening the beads too much can cause hair damage.
Care & Maintenance
If you use 100% human hair extensions, you can wash I-tips just like you would your natural hair. Use your regular washing and styling products, but keep a gentle touch to prevent too much tension on individual strands.
I-Tip Durability
You can expect these hair extensions to require repositioning every few months. However, as long as the wefts are in good condition, you can remove and reapply them every 2-4 months to accommodate your natural hair growth.
Find Quality Extensions at Posh Hair Company
Ready to start shopping for extensions? Or are you looking for a little more guidance? Check out the rest of our blogs for more advice, and explore Posh Hair Company’s incredible line of natural hair extensions and more!