Everything I Wish I Knew Before Getting Hair Extensions

Long, voluminous hair is no longer a pipe dream. Thanks to hair extensions, anyone can now have long hair.

As a beauty editor, I’m constantly confronted with the sight of beautiful, overlong Rapunzel manes. So much so that I started to think, What works for stars like Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian must work for me too. Right?

“Extensions used to be seen as artificial, but that has changed,”  “Extensions are no longer just a trend, but an integral part of modern hair care and styling. They provide instant volume and are ubiquitous, especially among celebrities.”

But what I really wanted to know was: Do hair extensions look just as good in regular, everyday life, or do they only work if you have an entourage of stylists around you? Do they really work for every hair type, and how are they installed? Which method is right for me? And how much time is involved in styling?

I answered all of these questions and more by getting hair extensions myself. “The most important thing is to see an expert so that the hair is not damaged. If the wrong method is used, hair can break, or sometimes hairpieces are simply too heavy to be used on fine hair, for example.”

Ahead, find out everything you need to know about getting hair extensions.

“Many extensions are made of human hair,”  “This real hair can be attached to the hair in various ways, like in the form of tapes, bondings, or wefts.”

Quality is crucial. “You can recognize high-quality extensions by the fact that they look like highlights or seamlessly like your own hair color,” the expert says. “If you order online, you should either have the extensions dyed by a hairdresser or, if you have experience, adjust them yourself at home. Good extensions can be dyed, styled, and washed.”

There are countless ways to lengthen your own hair, from methods that last between six weeks and six months to hairpieces that are only used for one-off styling. The most common methods at a glance:

• Tape extensions: This is the most hair-friendly extension method, where real hair is glued on to your own hair using tape. They last up to 12 weeks, then they have to be reinstalled.
• Bonding: With bonding, the extensions are welded into your own hair. Bonding works using warm wax, which is anchored in the hair using heat. Bonding lasts up to six months.
• Weaving: Small plaits are braided on the head, to which the hair extensions are sewn.
• Micro-ring extensions: The hair is attached to a metal ring that is pushed on to your own hair using a needle. The metal ring is then pressed closed at the scalp using pliers.
• Tresses: Wider hairpieces are pulled into the hair, but they are relatively heavy, and therefore only suitable for thick, strong hair.
• Hairpieces or clip-ins: The hair extensions are attached to your own hair with clips, Velcro, or bands, and removed immediately after use. Many inexpensive clip-in hairpieces are not made from real hair, but from synthetic hair.

“There are the right extensions for every concern and every color,”  “Even small holes in the bangs can now be filled.” Tape extensions in particular are really suitable for every hair type, though it’s best if the hair is at least seven to eight inches long (think: bob length).

The choice of extension type also depends on how often you style your hair,  “Those who style their hair frequently and in a variety of ways should avoid adhesive extensions, as the adhesive pads are often visible in plaited hairstyles,” the expert says. “It’s important to think about your own style beforehand.”

● Adhesive extensions: Suitable for women who usually wear their hair down.

● Clip-in extensions: Ideal for flexible styles, especially if you often wear braids or pinned-up hairstyles. They can be attached to the back of the head and then styled as desired.

“Generally speaking, extensions work wonderfully with natural waves or even curls, “If the natural hair is more curly, we send the extensions in beforehand to have them permed to match the natural hair. This works up to a light shade of about caramel blonde.”

“Many manufacturers coat their extensions with a layer of silicone to make them shinier and last longer,”  “This often looks like doll’s hair in your own hair.” If you use real hair extensions that don’t have that silicone layer, however, it will look like your own hair while we

“The first step is to accurately determine your own hair tone,”  “Many people misjudge their hair color, like as dark blonde when it’s actually light brown. As soon as the correct shade has been determined, you should choose extensions in exactly that color.”

“In general, your own hair is always prepared before insertion,. “Either just by washing and blow-drying, so the extensions are matched to the natural hair color, or you dye, highlight, or tone and then match the hair extensions to the new color.”

Pro tip: Buy individual extensions first and color them at home to the shade of your own hair. This will give you a precise template, so then you can purchase high-quality extensions in the right shade. If you want to change the color later on, the extensions can easily be dyed at the same time.