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Hair extensions have increased in popularity over the years, so much so that There is a wide range of extension styles and types to choose from. They have even become a necessity for many people – after all, they make you feel good and confident by instantly adding volume and length to your natural hair!
However, choosing the best hair extensions to fit your look and style is important.
We recommend researching and considering the four key factors of choosing a hair extension set before you buy one or two. We’ll give you a good rundown of what you need to do and think about when getting hair extensions.
First, let address the key question.
What Hair is Best for Extensions?
Remy hair extensions are the gold standard due to its high quality, natural appearance, and virgin (not chemically processed). Remy hair is smooth and silky thanks to the intact and aligned cuticles. This makes Remy hair the best choice for achieving seamless, natural-looking extensions.
Now let's address what else is important when choosing the best hair extensions.
Choosing Hair Extensions: 4 Key Considerations
Since there are numerous types and styles of hair extensions available, you have to really think about what you want. They vary in:
- Colour
- Length
- Thickness
- Application Method
Each plays into your preferred taste and needs. In addition to taking the price, final look, and salon into account, you must consider these four important factors when choosing between the various types of extensions: materials, quality, look and texture, and treatment and styling.
Let’s break each one down!
1. Material
There are two main types of hair extension options available: human hair and synthetic hair.
Human hair, as the name implies, is made from natural human hair from top to bottom. Specifically Remy hair, as noted above. Remy hair extensions are known to be smooth and silky, so you can trust that they won’t give you the hassle of tangles.
Synthetic hair extensions, on the other hand, consist of all artificial, fine-blended fibres. The synthetic extensions, of course, do not have any trace of human hair, but the plastic used to make it is manufactured to imitate the look and feel of natural human hair as much as possible.
Once you’ve decided on the material, quality selection is next.
2. Quality
Most people want the highest-quality hair extensions. To achieve this, we recommend ones made from human hair. It provides the best quality you can look for. Human hair extensions can last even a whole year if you know how to take care of them well!
However, synthetic hair extensions can help you achieve the look you want and tend to be a cheaper alternative. However, synthetic extensions cannot last as long as human hair extensions. They typically only around one or two months, given that they are well taken care of.
3. Look and Texture
The vast styles and colours available for hair extensions offer a wide array of options; however, they do differ in how they look and feel.
Real human hair extensions shine in this category, mainly because they look super realistic and behave as naturally as your own hair.
Synthetic hair extensions can feel stiff and will not behave as naturally as human hair does. They can feel coarse or wiry and may not blend seamlessly with your natural hair.
The trade-offs here will depend on what you’re looking for style-wise.
4. Treatments and Styling
Finally, you should consider how you plan to style your hair with extensions.
Human hair extensions can handle the same treatments and styling you do to your natural hair. Whether you want to bleach, colour, curl, or straighten it—it does not matter; you can do it all with human hair extensions without any hassle.
Synthetic hair is more sensitive. You have to be careful with the treatments and styles you do with it. Chemicals such as bleach and hair dyes can irreparably damage synthetic hair extensions. The heat from curling irons and straighteners is also vary damaging to synthetic hair.
6 Best Types of Hair Extensions
Now that you have your selection criteria, let's answer the question: What are the best types of hair extensions?
Here are our top recommendations from a wide range of hair extensions. Be sure to read through it to find out which matches your style and taste the best.
1. Clip-Ins
If you are looking for a temporary, DIY hair extension solution, your best option is to buy clip-in extensions. Because they do not bond long-term with your hair, you can take them out whenever you want.
They offer a natural and seamless look when attached.
This is the most affordable hair extension you can buy. It does not damage to your hair in any way, and you can attach it by yourself!
2. Tape-Ins
Tape-in hair extensions consist of thin tape wefts of hair that are attached to your hair. This is a popular option because of its non-chemical quality, making it feel and look like natural hair.
Similar to clip-ins, tape-in hair extensions can be easily attached to your hair in less than an hour. If you take care of them thoroughly, they can last around two months and be reused thrice.
3. Micro Rings
Ring hair extensions are a good way to attach extensions to your hair without the need for heat or glue.
Micro ring extensions are one of the more professional techniques for applying extensions. It is attached through micro rings in which the extension strands are inserted and clamped flat.
Micro ring extensions look and feel like natural hair, and come in various sizes and colours, which is advantageous if you have coloured hair.
4. Nano Rings
Nano ring hair extensions are applied through a process similar to micro rings. The only difference is that nano ring hair extensions are the best extensions for thin hair.
The rings are exceptionally small, making the extensions virtually undetectable. To avoid hair strain, make sure to remove the extensions 6 to 8 weeks after the first application.
5. LA Weave
The LA Weave is a versatile and popular type of hair extension. It takes around an hour to attach it through micro ring attachments and specialized stitching methods. You can choose from 120g or 150g weave thickness, whichever suits your natural hair.
6. Keratin Pre-Bonded
Keratin pre-bonded hair extensions offer realistic and natural results if you want something to wear every day.
What makes this different from other styles is the keratin bond, also known as hot fusion, which connects the keratin square to a particular area of your hair. This is a very durable attachment. The hair technician will work on moulding and shaping the extensions to fit naturally with your hair, and the heat seals it all through.
Final Thoughts
Explore your options when buying hair extensions. If you are still hesitant after doing your research, we recommend consulting a hair technician for advice better tailored to you and your hairstyle.
If you are looking for high-quality and thick clip in human hair extensions in the UK, check out Foxy Locks. Our products are available worldwide, and the wide variety of options means that we’ll have something that fits what you are looking for. Check out our collection today and start shopping!