The first thing I need to tell you about clip-in extensions is this…

Lots of your inspiration photos will be of styles that are either on wigs or have one or two pack of extensions in!

This surprises and sometimes disappoints clients when I tell them that the hair dream they point to, is going to need some extra hair. But worry not, because clip-in extensions are comfortable and widely available in a wide range of colours, including balyage and highlights.

What are the benefits of clip-in hair extensions?

They are amazing for both length and volume and very comfortable to wear. When applied correctly and you have the right colour they are undetectable. They curl well and act as a sort of ‘scaffolding’ to help hold curls and waves in if you’re wearing your hair down, so are perfect for people whose hair doesn’t hold a curl.

How Long Do My Extensions Need to Be?

If you’re looking for volume/thickness then they should be the same length as your own hair. This applies if you were wearing your hair up or down. The hair can be up to an inch longer than your own. Extensions come in packs of 14, 16, 18, 20 inches etc…

If you’re looking to add extensions to add length for hair down then measure the extensions as below. Keep in mind that hair will appear shorter if it’s being waved or curled, so get a length a couple of inches longer that where you want the hair to sit to make up for the length you’ll lose from the curl or wave. The curlier the hair, the more length you’ll lose.

To measure: take the pack of extensions and put them about 1 inch into your hairline from the nape of your neck. This will help you to see where the longest extension would fall.

Above: Before and afters of just some of my clients who have used clip-in human hair extensions.

What type do I need?

I recommend 100% human hair and not a synthetic mix. Synthetic hair doesn’t curl as well and can look fake and don’t curl very well, if at all, despite what the packaging might say!

Do I need them for my trial?

Absolutely yes! The extensions will make a big difference to how your style is going to look.

What Colour do they need to be?

They should be as near to your hair colour as possible. They come in so many colours now you should be able to find a match. If you have an unusual hair colour (bright or fashion colour) ask your colour technician if they can dye them – make sure you speak to them before you buy any as they may ask you to buy a specific colour. If your hair is an ashier shade of blonde you colourist might be able to tone the extensions if you can’t quite find the right colour.

What if my hair is dyed/bleached/balyaged/highlighted?

Extensions now come with highlights and balayage too!

If your hair is coloured you should go to buy them soon after your hair is dyed. For example, if you’re getting your hair dyed 7 days before your wedding you should buy your extensions around the same amount of time after you’ve had your hair dyed to ensure the best match.

Where can I find them?

It’s best to go to a shop for the match in the daylight hours to get the best match. Any good store assistant should take you to the natural daylight to match them. If you live in Norwich, Just Essentials on Guildhall is good. However, there are now some excellent online companies that will colour match for you.

Some of my clients have had excellent matches and customer service from Foxy Locks (https://www.foxylocks.com/). You pay a premium, but the hair quality is excellent. I believe Clip Hair (https://www.cliphair.co.uk/), Milk and Blush (https://www.milkandblush.com) and Halo Hair (https://www.halohairextensions.com/) also do online matching.

How many do I need?

I’d always recommend buying a full head. An exception might be if you are having hair up, have a reasonable amount of hair and just need a small amount of volume, in which case half a head would be fine. If in doubt speak to your stylist.

How much do they cost?

The longer and blonder the extensions are the more they will cost. They usually range from £70-£150 per head/pack, but premium brands can be more for longer lengths.

Do they need clips sewn into them?

If you are wearing any of your hair down then yes, in some places they are charged as an extra cost. If you’re wearing your hair up and I can secure with kirby grips, buut this isn’t always ideal, so it is probably is best to have the clips sewn on if possible.