The Best Hair Extensions to Change Up Your Look

Finding the Right At-Home Hair Extensions for You

Lots of us want super long, full hair — but few of us have the time, patience (or genetic luck) to actually grow it ourselves. Hair extensions are a great solution! While going to a salon often provides the best results, it's often very expensive. With the right products and a little insider knowledge, you can actually save that money and do it yourself at home.

But, before you jump into making any purchases, you should take a glance at our carefully researched buying guide. Our guide will lead you through the tricky process of finding the best affordable hair extensions for your desired look.

What Are Your Hair Extension Goals?

The most important question to ask yourself when shopping for hair extensions is — what do I want from this — because there are actually a couple different reasons to get extensions, and these differing goals will impact my recommendations for you.

Length

The most common goal for hair extensions is to create the appearance of longer hair. For this you'll want to make sure the ones you choose match your existing color and are made of real human hair, instead of synthetic. Quality also wins over quantity here so I would advise against any deals that seem a bit to good to be true, as these options are often cheap and unnatural looking. I think the GooGoo hair extensions are a great choice for this goal.

Volume

If you want to increase the volume of your hair, try something close to your existing length with some highlights for added dimension. These balayage clip in extensions from Moresoo are a great choice. It comes with seven full strands that are thick enough to make your hair more voluminous.

Color

For adding pop-up colors to your hair, choose a hair extension pack that also acts as a highlighter. These packs usually come with 20 to 37 pieces, featuring different colors like green, bright red, silver, white, brown, neon pink, and more. Each strand has a thin volume because you simply need to add a highlighted tuft. Because these will already look less natural, you can afford to spend a bit less on these types of extensions. This 26 pack of colorful hair extensions is under $10 and will deliver your desired look.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Hair Extensions

When purchasing hair extensions online, there are several factors you need to consider to ensure you get the best quality and the most natural look.

Hair Type

Human Hair Extensions - My Personal Recommendation

Human hair extensions offer the most natural look and feel because they are made from real human hair. They can be styled, colored, and treated just like your own hair, including using heat tools to straighten, curl, or blow-dry.

With proper care, human hair extensions can last longer than synthetic ones. They also tend to be more resilient to tangling and matting. Human hair extensions blend seamlessly with your natural hair texture, making them virtually undetectable when worn correctly.

Synthetic Hair Extensions - A Good Budget Choice

Synthetic extensions are generally more affordable than human hair extensions, making them a budget-friendly option. Synthetic extensions have limitations when it comes to styling. They cannot withstand heat styling tools, as the heat can melt or damage the synthetic fibers. While some high-quality synthetic extensions can look quite natural, they often lack the natural movement and luster that human hair provides, making them more noticeable compared to human hair extensions.

Quality

When choosing hair extensions, prioritize quality over price. Look for extensions made from high-quality hair that is soft, silky, and tangle-free. Extensions labeled as Remy or virgin hair are considered the highest quality. In Remy extensions, the hair cuticles are intact and aligned in the same direction, reducing tangling and matting. Virgin hair has never been chemically treated or processed, ensuring the hair's natural texture and color are maintained.

Color Match

Matching the color of the extensions to your natural hair is crucial for a seamless and natural look. If you can't find an exact match, choose a shade that is close to your natural hair color and can be easily blended or customized by a hairstylist to achieve a perfect match.

Length and Thickness

Decide on the length and thickness of the extensions based on the look you want to achieve. Whether you're looking to add volume, length, or color, choose extensions that will help you achieve your desired style. Consider your natural hair's length and thickness when selecting extensions. If your hair is thin or short, choosing too long or thick extensions might look unnatural.

Clip Quality

The quality of the clips is essential for the extensions' secure attachment to your hair. Look for clips with a silicone grip to prevent slipping, ensuring the extensions stay in place throughout the day. Clips should be easy to open and close, allowing you to attach and remove the extensions quickly without causing damage to your natural hair.

By focusing on these aspects and considering your personal preferences and needs, you can choose clip-in hair extensions that not only enhance your natural beauty but also provide a comfortable and long-lasting wear.

How to Care For Hair Extensions

• While shampooing, try to use moisturizing or hydrating shampoo with the hair extensions to lock in the moisture and maintain a silky smooth texture.
• Do not comb your hair with the extensions in wet condition. Let it dry a bit and then use a wide-toothed comb to free the tangles from damp hair.
• Check the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent exposing the chosen hair extension to excessive heat as that can cause permanent damage to its texture and softness.
• When you want to style your hair with extension in a professional manner, always use a heat protectant to reduce damage and achieve the perfect look.
• You should deep condition your hair with extensions at least once a week. You can also DIY a conditioner at home using natural conditioning packs like yogurt with honey and lemon juice.
• Trim the ends of your natural hair and the hair extension strands to prevent a mismatch in length or the appearance of split ends.

Top Styling Tips

• Dye the hair extension strands with matte colors to achieve a more natural look.
• If you want glossy highlights, use bright hair dye and color only a few strands to create a dynamic color.
• Curl the ends of the hair extension strands to match your hair texture.
• Wear the hair extension strands and style your hair into waves to get beach vibes.
• If your hair is neck or shoulder length, straighten the hair extension strands from the top and curl halfway down. This method will ensure that your extensions and hair blend seamlessly together.