What Are the Different Types of Hair Extensions & Methods?

Hair extensions are a versatile and glamorous accessory – adding an instant boost in length and volume to your hair so you can achieve any style you desire.

But there isn’t just one standard type of hair extensions. There are many options, including temporary and semi-permanent methods, each with unique pros and cons depending on how you wear and look after them.

In this guide, we look at the different types of hair extensions and their various application methods, so you can decide which is best for you.

Which hair extensions are right for me?

Looking to add a glamorous boost to your locks but unsure which hair extensions are right for you?

The most important thing to look for in any temporary or semi-permanent hair extensions is that they’re made with 100% Remy hair.

This means you can heat, style and wash the extensions as you would your natural hair – to achieve any style and keep them looking and feeling their best. They’ll also last between 3-12 months with proper aftercare.

The type of extensions you choose will depend on how often you want to wear them and the aftercare routine you’re willing to stick to. And to help you decide, we’ll break down each type of hair extension and what to expect when it comes to application and maintenance:

Clip-in Hair Extensions

What are they?

Clip-in hair extensions are a temporary hair extension method that can be easily applied and removed. 

They are the safest and quickest way to achieve longer, thicker hair without the commitment of permanent extensions. And they require the least commitment compared with all other hair extension techniques.

Clip-ins are generally attached to a base weft with readily sewn clips, allowing for effortless attachment and removal. 

So, if you are looking to promote the healthy growth of your natural hair, clip-ins are the perfect method of extensions. 

Application and Aftercare

Clip-in extensions can be applied and removed at home. And depending on the number of wefts attached to your natural hair, they can take less than 10 minutes to apply and require no heat, glue or chemicals.

If you wear clip-ins regularly, we recommend using only 100% Remy human hair extensions – as, unlike synthetic alternatives, you’ll be able to heat and style them as you would your natural hair. Just make sure to use a heat protectant spray when curling, straightening or waving the extensions.

Clip-in hair extension maintenance is simple, as they don’t produce oil, so do not need to be washed regularly.

Tape-in Hair Extensions

What are they?

Tape-in hair extensions are a semi-permanent method of hair extensions and, after clip-ins, are the quickest and easiest hair extension method to apply and remove. 

Unlike clip-ins, though, tape-in hair extensions require a professional stylist to apply.

Tapes are typically around 1 inch in width and are secured to the hair using adhesive glue. As tape-in extensions are applied to a vast amount of hair, they do not cause as much tension and breakage to the natural hair as other permanent extension methods. 

Tape-ins are the most popular semi-permanent method used by celebrities and top stylists. They are the quickest to apply and remove with the most natural and discrete finish. 

Stylists often use tape extensions as a method to thicken a short bob around the front of the hair, creating a blunt frame to the face.

Tape-ins are perfect for most hair types and, once applied correctly, are known to do the least long-term damage to your natural hair.

Application and Aftercare

Tapes take around an hour to be applied to the hair and a similar timing to be removed. 

This method of hair extension involves ‘sandwiching’ the natural hair between two tapes – which are then fastened to the hair using a low-heated tool or professional hairdressing pliers. Your natural hair is then cut to blend into the extensions discreetly.

Tape-in extensions can last up to 6 months, before they’re removed using a solvent spray to the root of the extensions, which melts the adhesive and enables the extensions to be safely taken out. 

The extensions can then be reused, but the roots will have to be re-taped and often the length will be shortened each time. You must have your tapes reapplied every 6-8 weeks to avoid matting or the glue becoming too difficult to remove.

Like most semi-permanent hair extension methods, care is required when washing and drying the hair. Don’t use conditioner or any oil-based products at the root of the hair as this can cause your tapes to slip. 

We’d also recommend avoiding heat styling the root of the hair and using a lower temperature when blow drying your extensions to avoid melting the tape adhesive. 

Micro-Link/Cold Fusion and Nano Tip Hair Extension Methods

What are they?

Micro-link extensions – also referred to as I-tips or micro rings – are individual tips of hair extensions attached to tiny wefts of hair. Each individual tip is clamped to the hair using a micro-ring with a specialist hair plier.

Similarly, nano tip extensions are applied by threading small pieces of hair through even smaller nano rings. This makes them more discreet than micro-links, and perfect for those with finer hair, while micro-links are more suited to thick hair. 

With both of these extension types, the rings are patterned in neat rows around the head and the beads are coloured to match your natural hair. This method of application doesn’t use any heat or adhesive glue to bond the extension to the hair and is a safe and discrete method when applied correctly.

Whichever method you use, it’s recommended to only use silicone-lined beads or rings, as the silicone will prevent damage to the natural hair and avoid slipping.

Application and Aftercare

Depending on the number of tips used, micro-link and nano tip extensions can take anywhere between up to 4 hours for application.

Similar to most semi-permanent hair extension methods, you can wash your micro-links or nano tips the same as your natural hair. But be careful if you have individual extensions, as you can pull the strands from the scalp whilst brushing, washing, or styling. 

It’s advised to regularly brush your extensions throughout the day with a specialised extension brush, to avoid matting. We recommended The Ultimate Finish Tangle Teezer brush. 

You should also sleep with your hair tied in a secure plait – and it’s recommended to use a silk or satin pillowcase to avoid friction and matting overnight.

Both micro link extensions and nano tips are considered a high-maintenance extension method. Beaded extensions require reapplication every 6-10 weeks to avoid excessive matting from re-growth. Beyond 12 weeks you risk seriously damaging your natural hair. 

To remove the extensions, the bead is unclamped or broken using removal pliers and slid off the ends of the hair. You may notice a lot of hair fallout at this stage due to the natural shedding of your hair.

If you’ve recently had your hair coloured, wait at least 48 hours to have individual micro links applied or you risk the extensions becoming loose. This is because natural hair expands post-colouring.

Sew-In Hair Extension Methods

What are they?

Sewn-in hair extensions – or ‘weaves’ – are typically applied using the L.A. weave or micro-ring method.

Weaves are a long weft of hair, similar to a clip-in extension, sewn to layers of your natural hair. The hair is either braided and sewn using a needle and thread, or it involves a micro-ring method of application. 

This hair extension method is only suitable for those with thicker hair, as weaves can often cause too much tension to hair that is fine or previously damaged. 

Application and Aftercare

Weaves take around 1-2 hours to apply, depending on the number of rows you require. A full head of weft hair extensions will generally require 3 rows. 

Depending on your natural hair growth, you will need to have your weave re-positioned every 8-10 weeks. You must have a trained professional stylist to remove your weave to avoid cutting or damaging your own hair. Without matting, it takes around 30 minutes to remove a weave from the hair. 

Post-application, a weave can feel uncomfortable, as it requires your natural hairs to be strained at the scalp. The pain and discomfort should subside within 24 hours and will soon feel like your natural hair.

Pre-Bonded/Hot-Fusion Hair Extension Methods

What are they?

Fusion bonds – or keratin bond extensions – are attached to your hair using a pre-adhesive extension tip, which is fused to small sections of hair using a heated clamp. 

Flat tip extensions also use keratin bonds in the manufacturing process, to create a flat tip that allows them to fit discreetly to the head. However, flat tips are attached by securing the extensions to a bead which is clamped shut to secure it in place, and no heat is required in the application. 

Pre-bonded hair extension methods are often a better option for those with finer hair, as they don’t cause as much strain to the root of your natural hair as other permanent hair extension methods. 

If your hair is damaged from over-processing or heat styling, your hairdresser may advise against fusion bonds – as hot-fusion will risk further damage to your natural hair and discourage healthy hair growth. In this case, flat tips may be the preferred choice.

Application and Aftercare

Similar to the cold-fusion method, the application time for pre-bonded extensions can take between 2-4 hours for a full-head.

You will need to have your bonded extensions removed and repositioned every 8-12 weeks - or every 6-8 weeks for flat tips - depending on your natural hair growth. Your stylist will crush the bond to break down the keratin, then apply a bond removal solution to remove the extension from the hair.

Bonded extensions are also often more expensive to maintain. If you require the hair to be reused after the initial application, your hairdresser will have to cut the existing tip from the hair and re-apply another adhesive tip to the extension, which can be a costly process.

As this method involves glue, you must also have a patch test prior to your appointment to avoid a reaction or excessive scalp irritation. In cases of irritation, flat tips can provide a more convenient alternative hair extension method, as they are simply clamped in place and don’t require glue.

Milk & Blush Hair Extensions

Milk & Blush stocks a selection of clip-ins hair extensions and professional hair extension options, to suit all hair types, colours and preferences. Simply attach and remove our clip-ins at home or take our professional products to your favourite salon for application.

Browse our range today or chat with our team for help finding your perfect product.