Human Hair Extensions: A Guide to Choosing Your Options

Hair extensions are a great way to add length, volume, and thickness to your hair. But there are many different types of extensions available, each with unique benefits. You may prefer one over another depending on your budget, lifestyle, and goals. 

Researching the different kinds of extensions ahead of time can help you feel confident when making a purchase. Not all application methods are ideal for everyone, and not all extensions are created equal.

Let’s break down the different extension types so you can easily choose the best one for your hair. 

Human Hair Extensions or Synthetic Extensions?

The first consideration when selecting extensions is whether to use synthetic extensions or human hair extensions. As the name suggests, synthetic extensions are made from artificial fibers instead of real human hair. 

Synthetic hair extensions are a good, affordable alternative to human hair extensions. They consistently retain the style they were pulled into and don’t lose shape easily. Also, synthetic extensions are low-maintenance and weather resistant. 

On the other hand, human hair extensions are made from real human hair instead of artificial fibers. So, if you’re looking for a natural effect and the ability to blend seamlessly with your own hair, you’ll want to go with human hair extensions. Plus, they’re long-lasting, and you can style and treat them like your own hair.

Another option to consider is Remy hair extension. These are also human hair extensions, but are superior in quality as the hair strands have the cuticles intact. This means the extensions are silky-soft, and the hair will mimic your hair’s direction, flow, and movement. Remy human hair extensions are a go-to option if you’re looking to make an investment in a high-quality set.

When shopping for Remy hair extensions, be sure to only purchase from a leading brand. Unfortunately, some lesser-known companies present non-Remy extensions as Remy extensions. The good news is that trusted brands like Zala hair extensions produce 100% genuine Remy hair extensions. 

Now that we’ve sorted the difference between synthetic and human hair, let’s talk about the different hair extension application methods. 

1. Clip-in Hair Extensions

Clip-ins are among the most popular extension types available because the application method is so simple. These are considered to be the best hair extensions for short hair because they can be easily and quickly clipped in and out without causing any damage to your natural hair. They come as individual wefts with tiny clips attached at the base. The best part? These are non-permanent extensions; you can install, remove, and reinstall the wefts whenever you want. 

You don’t necessarily need to visit a salon to apply clip-in extensions because you can take the DIY route to apply them to your hair in as little as 10 to 15 minutes. If you want to make your hair look longer, thicker, and fuller without a long-term commitment to extensions, clip-in wefts are the way to go. 

2. Tape-in Hair Extensions

Tape-ins also come as separate wefts but with adhesive tape at the base of each weft instead of clips. But we don’t recommend DIY installation for tape-in extensions because the application method is a bit more complex. You may end up damaging the extensions and your hair by trying it at home.

If you don’t mind heading to the salon for a professional application, tape-in wefts are a solid choice. Once applied, the wefts will stay in your hair for four to eight weeks, after which you’ll have to go to your stylist again to move them up. That’s because your natural hair growth can cause the extensions to loosen over time. 

3. Weft Hair Extensions

Also known as weave hair, weft extensions have a complex installation process. Your hairstylist will first braid your natural hair in cornrows and then sew the extensions into the cornrow or braid. It can take several hours to install these extensions.

Many people don’t prefer weave-ins due to the intricate application. Wearing this type of extension for an extended period could also cause damage and may slow your hair growth. 

4. Fusion Hair Extensions

Fusion or pre-bonded hair extensions come as individual hair strands with a keratin-based tip. Your stylist will attach each strand to your natural hair using a heat gun. The installation process generally takes three to four hours, and fusion extensions will need to be readjusted every two or three months as the hair grows out.

5. Microlink Hair Extensions

Microlink extensions are small hair wefts with a small silicone-lined bead at the base. Your hairstylist will attach each weft to small sections of your hair using the beads and then use a special tool to secure the wefts in place. These extensions generally last for up to four months. 

Installing the microlink extensions is a complex process, so you’ll need to go to an expert stylist. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your natural hair.