We’ve shared before that not all hair extensions are created equally. At Olivia Christensen Salons, we always use the highest-quality, real human hair for our extensions, but the quality of hair extensions and the various hair extension techniques can vary wildly across the industry. In fact, this recent post exposed some of the darker sides of the hair extension industry.

Today we’re going to dive into the various hair extension techniques so you can get a clear idea of what style is right for you. 

Different Hair Extension Techniques

These are the most typical or popular hair extension installation methods: 

• Clip-In
• Halo
• Tape-In
• Sew-In (Weft/Weave)
• Keratin Fusion (K-Tips)
• Microbead Extensions (I-Tips)

Each of these hair extension techniques can be divided into three main types: 

• Temporary: are taken in and out daily
• Semi-Permanent: lasts for 6-8 weeks
• Permanent: remain in your hair for a couple of months

Of course, there are pros and cons to each of these different hair extension techniques, so let’s dive in a bit further. We will start with temporary extensions and move our way into the more permanent extension techniques. 

Clip-In Extensions

Clip-in hair extensions are a type of hair extensions where the hair is attached to a clip, that is then clipped into your hair. Because clip-in extensions are usually mass-produced, it’s important to know where that hair comes from. Here we shed more light on why human hair extensions simply can’t be mass-produced. 

Also, because clip-in extensions tend to be mass-produced, this hair extension technique won’t match your hair perfectly – each strand won’t be blended to match your natural hues and shades. This means that they often look like extensions, instead of looking like real hair. 

The biggest con about clip-in extensions is that they can cause hair loss, especially for anyone with thin/fine hair. My client with baby-fine hair was using clip-in extensions which ended up causing bald spots from hair loss. 

The pro of clip-in extensions is that they can be taken in and out at home, which means you can play around with length and style whenever you want to wear your extensions. They also tend to be the cheapest hair extension technique. 

Clip-in extensions should last for years with proper care because you’re able to take them out and keep them brushed, cleaned, and stored properly. 

Halo Hair Extensions

Halo hair extensions are very similar to clip-ins, but in our professional experience, we recommend these above clip-ins. Halo extensions are worn like a headband, which means they’re less damaging than clip-ins that weigh your hair down and cause hair loss. 

They’re made up of multiple wefts sewn together to create a thicker weft. You then wear it under your natural hair like a headband. You’re able to take these extensions out each evening, meaning with proper care they should last for years. 

However, because Halo extensions are pre-made unless your hair is in one natural color, they’re not going to match perfectly. As with clip-in extensions, halo extensions make it look like you’re wearing extensions as opposed to more natural hair extension techniques. 

Tape-In Extensions

Tape-in extensions are a semi-permanent extension solution that came on the scene after clip-ins. They’re 1-1 ½ inch sections of hair that are pre-taped. Then a stylist will use a medical grade glue to attach the extensions to your natural hair.

This is not a DIY extension technique, you do need to have them professionally installed. They need to be applied to clean, dry hair to ensure that the adhesive sticks and is sandwiched between your natural hair. However, they’re a fairly easy installation process requiring no tools or chemicals. 

Tape-in extensions will last anywhere from 8-10 weeks depending on your natural hair growth and the quality of the extensions. It’s important to note that they also need to be taken out by a professional, using a specific tape-in remover solution. 

It’s recommended that you buy the extensions “pre-colored” because the tape cannot get wet. This means this hair extension method will not likely match your hair perfectly. 

Sew-In Extensions (Weft/Weave)

Sew-in extensions are often referred to as a weft or a weave. They’re a hair extension technique where the strands of hair are sewn onto a super-thin cloth strip that is attached to your head. 

There are hand-sewn and machine-sewn weft extensions. Machine sewn extensions are cheaper because they’re made faster while hand-sewn extensions will take longer but can be better customized to your hair. Once again, you will need to have these extensions installed by a professional, if they’re installed incorrectly they can cause headaches and hair loss. 

In all the years our founder Christina has worked as an extension specialist, she has seen a lot of hair loss/tension from wefts sewn into her client’s natural hair. This happens because the wefts are bulky and heavy. They weigh down your natural hair, causing tension and alopecia. 

Sew-in extensions will usually last around 6-8 weeks depending on how you care for them and how quickly your hair grows. 

Keratin Fusion (K-Tips)

Keratin fusion or K-tip extensions stand out as a hair extension technique because they use keratin bonds to attach individual strands of hair to your hair. They’re called ‘Keratin’ but the bonds are still made with glue. The term ‘keratin’ is misleading because it often leads clients to believe there won’t be any damage to their natural hair – but glue is typically more damaging.  

With this technique, your stylist can create unique strands of the extension hair to perfectly match your natural hair. When the technique is done correctly, you should be able to wear these extensions for 8-12 weeks without the hair slipping down. 

Microbead Extensions (I-Tips)

Lastly, we have microbead extensions, which are the style of extensions that we use at Olivia Christensen Salons. We take individual strands of hair to create bundles that we then bond together. These become your extensions, that then get beaded onto the natural strands of your hair. 

To see an example of what this looks like, watch this video. 

Like keratin fusion, this technique allows our stylist to perfectly blend your natural hair with your extensions. With microbead extensions, you can do everything you would normally do with your hair, especially because we only use the most high-quality, human hair. 

This ensures that your extensions behave exactly like your natural hair. Our clients need to come in for regular maintenance appointments (every 6-8 weeks) but because we rebond the extensions each time, your extensions should last for 1-2 years. This technique is truly unmatched in the industry. 

Microbead extensions are the safest and most natural way to achieve fuller, longer hair with extensions. When it comes to the pros and cons of various extension techniques – the only con you might find for microbead extensions is the cost. They are going to be the highest cost extensions on the market, but like we always say “Quality isn’t expensive. It’s priceless.”

When it comes to the various types of hair extension techniques, you might be tempted to cut corners and choose a more cost-effective method. When you’re just starting out on your extension journey and you’re not sure you want something permanent, that’s OK. 

But when you’re ready for natural-looking extensions, microbead (i-tips) is the best direction you can go in. 

Wefts v.s. Microbead (I-Tips)

When it comes to the age-old question of wefts vs microbead extensions, we can tell you that wefts tend to be heavy. We often hear from clients when we help them switch from a weft that our microbead technique makes their head feel lighter and can help with occasional headaches caused by the weight of previous extensions. 

We also know that all that weight isn’t healthy for your natural hair. Our microbead technique keeps your extensions light and doesn’t cause tension on your natural hair. 

If you’re ready to make the switch, or you’d like to explore getting extensions for the first time, make sure to book a consultation with us today. For more hair extension inspiration and recent updates from our team, follow us on Instagram @oliviachristensensalon and our founder Christina @hairgoddessofNY.