How to Apply Extensions and Still Look Natural
If you're caught up in a battle with boring, lifeless hair, it's time to put down the damaging hair curler and step away from the cuticle-drying dye. You won't win this war by frying your ends! I would know, I've been there. How I beat my case of the boring hair blues? I started wearing extensions!
Before and after apply hair extensions
Wait, aren't extensions expensive?
Going to a professional can run you several hundreds of dollars, but you can also put in your extensions yourself at a fraction of the cost! I've been putting in my own hair for nearly a decade and I've never spent that kind of money on my extensions.
But, isn't it hard to find high-quality hair and other tools for do-it-yourself extensions?
The easiest way to find the materials you need is to buy them online. That's because hair extensions are versatile, coming in various colors and length, and cannot be found in one single store.
Still, beauticians go to school for years to learn how to put in extensions--is it really a do-it-yourself project?
There are several methods to putting in hair extensions (some easier than others). This totally simple guide on how to apply hair extensions explains how you can create your own clip-in extensions and work them into your hair for a natural look. If you prefer, clip-in extensions are also sold in ready made sets. If this is easier for you, skip ahead to the bottom where I describe how to apply hair extensions.
What You Will Need for This Tutorial
I've chosen to write about clip-in extensions because they are a great way to change your look without needing to make a long-term commitment to it. It's a great way to test out if extensions are right for you!
So, you'll need:
1/ Hair wefts (human hair): Human hair may be a little more expensive than synthetic hair, but it's more than worth it! Unlike synthetic hair, you can style human hair with regular heat styling tools (your straightener, your hairdryer, your curling iron). Human hair also blends more easily with your natural hair than synthetic hair does. Not to mention, if you use human hair, your extensions will last almost twice as long!
2/ Extension clips: You can also apply wefts. Of human hair directly to your scalp with a special hair bonding glue. However, when it is time to remove the wefts, you will find yourself stuck with a sticky situation, pulling your natural hair out. I recommend clip-ins for any first time extension wearers and to those with thinner hair.
I suggest Geoot Snap Clips on Amazon
3/ Scissors
4/ Needle and thread (try to match your thread color to the color of the hair weft)
How to Make Clip-in Hair Extensions
Once you've gathered the materials you need it's time to get started creating your hair extensions. It’s very simple to create clip-ins:
- Measure and cut your hair wefts: The first thing to do is to measure how long you need to cut the hair wefts. Each of the extension pieces you create will be different lengths. For the first, place the edge of the weft where your hair begins just above your ear and wrap the weft, holding it taught, around to the other ear. Cut the weft there. For the second weft, move upward along your head by about half an inch and use the same technique to measure. The third and fourth wefts should be placed such that they cover the ear, reaching a bit farther forward than the first two pieces. (I’ll help you figure out how to apply them later). If the wefts are particularly thin it may be necessary to create duplicate pieces, layer them, and sew them together.
- Sew on extension clips: The extension clips have several sets of holes. Find the one where you believe the clip will be stably attached and sew through multiple times. Be careful not to sew too many layers of thread or the clip will not be able to move very well.
How to Apply Extensions
Now that you have your extensions finished, it’s time to apply them. Follow these steps to see how to apply hair extensions.
- Clip your hair up out of the way: You will apply your extensions from the bottom most layer up. To do this, you need to clip your hair out of the way such that you clip your extensions into only thin layers of hair. Recreate the same layers you made while measuring the appropriate lengths of the hair wefts. The bottom layer shouldn't be a straight horizontal line even with where your hair meets your ear, all the way around the head. Each layer after this should be placed about half an inch higher on the head.
- Clip the extensions into place: To clip the extensions, simply apply pressure on the clip after settling it into the hair. Make sure the clips lay flat against your head. Even if you have store-bought extensions, it is possible that the clips require adjustment. This can be solved by sewing the clip on more tightly.
- Style your hair normally: If you have human hair extensions, you can now style your hair normally with heat tools. However, synthetic hair can burn or even melt! When styling your hair it may be helpful to hold the clips against your head when you pull the hair away from the head. This way you can secure the clips from falling out.
Did you enjoy this tutorial on how to make and apply hair extensions? I hope that you can now enjoy the look of naturally fuller and longer hair without the need to spend too much money at a salon! It’s much easier and cheaper to create your own, and the quality can be just as good if you know how to apply extensions yourself. Let me know how your results turned out in the comments and be sure to share with your friends!
