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If you’ve been dreaming day and night for the perfect head of hair, look no further! You can have the hair of your dreams by simply adding some luxurious hair extensions. The best part is that you can get it all without any chemical processes. Beautiful AND healthy hair? Yes, please!

There are a few different types of hair extensions and people will make the choice for themselves, or with their hair stylist, according to what best fits their lifestyle. Some are easier to install than others, some last longer than others, and then there are clip-in extensions which you can apply and remove at will.

While they all provide you with beautiful length and volume, there are three main options when it comes to selecting hair extensions: strand-by-strand, clip-ins, and wefts. From there, there are still a few different application processes for each option as well as benefits, downfalls, and different ways to maintain them.

Here is the complete guide to caring for your hair extensions, whichever style you choose!

1. Tape-in extensions

Pros:

Tape-in extensions are really easy and quick to apply. For full volume extensions, the application time is under 45-minutes and for added length extensions, application time is between 45-minutes and 1-hour.

What makes tape-in extensions so easy to apply is that you don’t need any tools at all! The thin tape strips lay flat against the head and can’t be seen if applied in the proper places.

Tape-in extensions are a great option for those with thin or fine hair because the weight of the hair is distributed out over the long piece of tape, which makes it so the wefts aren’t too heavy.

Tape-in extensions last for about 6-8 months and are reusable, if taken care of properly, of course!

Cons:

Tape-in extensions need between 24-48 hours to bond to your hair so you can’t wash your hair for a day or two OR partake in any activities that will make your head sweat. It would probably by a good idea to not wear any hats during this time period, either!

Oils will make the adhesive deteriorate so you can’t use any silicone or oil-based products when you have tape-in extensions in. That means no coconut oil hair masks!

Maintenance:

Gently brush your hair from the top of your head, down to the root, and make sure you do this every day.

Don’t use any oil or silicone-based products.

Sew-ins and weaves are the best options for people who have particularly thick, curly or coarse hair. To create a base for the sew-in or weave, the hair is first braided at the scalp. Next, the wefts of hair are sewn into the braided hair, as close to the scalp as possible, with a hair needle and thread.

Pros:

You can use any products with a sew-in or weave and they don’t be damaged because the wefts are attached to the hair with thread.

The hair extensions are very unlikely to slip or fall off.

Sew-ins and weaves are the best if you have curly, coarse or super thick hair as the braids can stay in place for longer.

This is a damage-free option as the hair is protected by braids and you don’t need any glue or heat to apply the wefts.

Cons:

They take a long time to apply.

Sew-ins and weaves must be washed frequently.

If the hair is braided too tight during the sewing process, the scalp may become irritated or headaches might occur, so make sure you get a professional hairstylist to install your weave.

Maintenance:

Wash the extensions when needed and keep them clean.

Don’t style or brush the extensions too much – you don’t want the underlying braids to come loose!

Wash, condition, dry, curl, or straighten as you would natural hair.

Clip-in hair extension wefts have clips along the weft that attach to your natural hair. This is the best option for people who want to use extensions on a day-by-day basis or want to play up their hair for a special occasion.

Clip-ins Extensions: 

Pros: 

You don’t have to wear them every day, so you have lots of styling options for your hair every time you get ready.

You can apply and remove clip-in extensions by yourself instead of spending hours and lots of money at a salon.

Cons:

You should remove extensions before bed because sleeping in them might damage the clips or your hair.

The clips might be too heavy or bulky for those with thin and/or fine hair.

Maintenance:

Only wash your clip-in extensions if you can tell they really need it.

Apply a deep conditioner if you notice the hair is feeling dry or looking dull.

When combing clip-in extensions, use a wide-toothed comb.

In this method, strands of hair that weigh 0.5 grams to 1.0 grams are applied to the hair using a hot or cold keratin glue bond. The keratin bonds are placed between two pieces of your natural hair, creating a layered effect which hides the bonds.

4.1 Hot Fusion:

Hot keratin glue bonds are applied to the natural hair with a few strands of hair extension in between.

Pros:

Hot keratin bonds are extremely durable. If taken care of properly, they can last for 6 months!

They blend with your natural hair extremely well so no one can tell you have extensions!

Cons:

Application time can take up to 6 hours, depending on how much hair there is.

The glue bonds can be a bit heavy, so they’re best suited for people with thicker hair.

Maintenance:

Don’t style the extensions too much or you can weaken the glue bonds.

Avoid oil-based products as they will weaken the glue.

Comb gently

Wash, condition, dry, and style as normal.

4.2 Cold Fusion:

This method is similar to the Keratin hot glue bond method except cold fusion application is carried out using small metal beads and a clamp rather than a glue bond and heat.

Pros:

Cold-bonded extensions last for up to 6-months if taken care of properly.

No heat or glue is needed so, ultimately, this is a better option for your hair.

Beads can be removed, and the hair can be reused in the next application.

Cons:

Application time can take up to 6 hours, depending on how much hair there is.

The beads can be a bit heavy, so they’re best suited for people with thicker hair.

The beads might be visible on people with thin or very light hair.

Maintenance:

Don’t over style or you risk the beads coming loose.

Avoid oil and silicone-based products, which might make the beads slippery against the hair.

Comb gently.

Be careful when you are blow drying your hair as the bonds may heat up. Thankfully with XI HAIR pre-bonded hair, we use Italian Keratin glue which can resist high heat.

Wash, condition, and style as normal.

Now that you have the run-down of all the different types of extensions, which type will you choose? Let us help you find the perfect XI Hair extensions for you, today!

Now, let’s break down all this information into something that’s a little easier to digest, why don’t we?