Hair extensions are a great way to add length, volume, and even color to hair. They can also be used in order to create new hairstyles that would be hard or impossible with natural hair alone.
However, some people don’t know how to put them in themselves at home without the help of a professional stylist. This article will teach you just that!
My name is Bianca, and I am a self-professed extension obsessive. Name an extension method, and I’ve probably tried it. Most little girls outgrow their dream to be a mermaid, however, I’m not letting go of my dreamy, mermaid-length hair for anyone!
Clip-in extensions are an easy way for you to switch up your hairstyle. Let’s take a look at the best way of installing your clip-ins together.
Step-by-step Guide to Put in Clip-In Hair Extensions
Before we talk about the detailed steps to put in clip-in hair extensions, you will need to prepare the following tools:
Tools Needed
- Long-tailed comb
- Sectioning clips
- Hairbands
- Brush
- Clip-In Extensions
Detailed Steps
Follow the below steps to install your clip-in hair extensions easily.
Step 1: Brush out your clip-in extensions and lay them out neatly. There are usually sections with one clip, two clips, three clips, and four clips. I like to work out where I will place these and lay them out accordingly.
For example, the sides of my head usually take the single and double clips, so I’ll put those in two piles, one pile per side.
There should be two sets of extensions with three clips, those go on the lower section at the back of your head, so make a separate pile for the back of your head.
There should be one or two sets with four clips that will go at the back of your head.
Now that you have sorted your extensions, you should have three piles of clip-ins, neatly arranged and brushed out beautifully.
Step 2: Now brush out your natural hair and section it into upper, middle, and lower sections using your sectioning clips and hairbands.
There’s a good video tutorial here that shows you quickly exactly how to neatly section your hair.
The model in this video has wet hair as this is the same technique for all styling methods, add extensions, adding permanent extensions, coloring hair, and (as they are about to do) blow-drying. So it is a brilliant technique to learn.
Step 3: If you have short hair, you will either want to roll, braid or pop into pigtails the bottom layer of your hair like this.
If your extensions are the same or a similar length as your natural hair, then you can just start clipping your wefts in.
Starting with a three clip weft, clip the middle clip in the middle of the back of your head as close to your hairline as is comfortable. Give a SOFT pull on the clips to make sure they don’t hurt or slip.
Move up about an inch and clip in a four clip weft, again starting from the middle clips and working your way to the ends.
Moving up another inch, clip in a three-clip weft. This one should be quite close to the top of your head.
Step 4: Start on the side of your head and, as high up as is comfortable, clip in a two-clip weft. Take a single clip and place it underneath, wherever it looks like you need a little extra volume.
Repeat on the other side.
Step 5: Take the top of your hair down and brush it all out softly. Using two mirrors, look at your whole head and see where you need to add single wefts to break up your natural hairline further.
Step 6: Give another twirl in the mirror, glide on a final coat of lip gloss, and go knock ‘em out with your glam look!
FAQ
Here are some quick answers to commonly asked questions regarding how to put in clip-in hair extensions.
How do You Get Your Extensions to Blend Perfectly in Your Head?
Simply put? YOU don’t. A stylist, however, absolutely does.
My advice is simple, buy the thickest and, best quality human hair extensions you can afford.
If you have jaw-length hair I’d say purchase about 220 grams, if your hair is past your shoulders then you would need about 150 grams.
Get a shade one or two shades LIGHTER than what you think you will need. It is easy for your stylist to color your hair darker, however, it is damaging and very tricky to make it lighter.
So save yourself some disappointment and if in doubt, pick the lighter option. Ask a stylist to color match your extensions to your natural hair, and you will see how seamlessly your hair blends.
How Can I Make My Extensions Look Natural?
Here are some of the top tips to make your extensions look natural:
- Look for wefts that are very thin and have clips with silicone on for extra grip.
- Try to get extensions that are closely matched to your hair color.
- Styling! For the most forgivable look, style your hair in waves, as it breaks up the hair and makes it look natural.
- Ask a stylist to trim the front pieces and blend those into your natural bangs and hairline with a slow blend.
- If you are doing an updo and using extensions, then place your extensions upside down for a seamless look that is more comfortable.
Can I Wear My Clip-Ins Every Day?
Whereas the occasional use of clip-ins is not damaging to your hair at all and is totally fine, wearing them every day can be very damaging. When you hear people say, “I’ve got bald spots from extensions.”
That’s from clip-ins.
Basically, it is a lot of weight to apply to one little section of hair and while your hair and scalp can handle it occasionally, you can do real damage with daily wear.
If you want a permanent long style then look at a more permanent method of extensions such as tape-ins (my favorite), I-tips, sew-ins or similar.
Wrapping Up
Clip-in extensions are a great way to take your hair from meh to mesmerizing in 2 minutes flat! They are gorgeous, glamorous, and completely addictive.
Hopefully, this post has demonstrated just how quick and easy it is to wear and put in your clip-in extensions yourself at home?
Did you do it? Did you do before and after pictures?
Comment below! Everybody loves a transformation, so please share yours with us!