Quality Hair Extensions
Individuals that enjoy changing up their hairstyles every once in a while are sure to enjoy the flexibility and variety that come with using hair extensions. Hair extensions are available in a variety of styles, colors and types.
When considering the use of hair extensions, quality is important. Most people wear hair extensions because they want to create a certain style that may not be achievable with their existing natural hair. Hair extensions also offer a certain level of protection for one’s natural hair depending on the type of extensions used.
The selection of high-quality hair extensions cannot be underestimated. It truly affects the overall look of a hairstyle, and even the ability to maintain a particular hairstyle over time. The following are some factors to consider when choosing quality hair extensions.
Synthetic vs. Human Hair-There are the two main types of hair for hair extensions. There is synthetic and human hair. While both of these options are available for hair extensions, some people prefer one type over the other. Depending upon personal styling preference, some forms of hair are better than others.
Synthetic hair and human hair are very different and they do offer different options for styling. Individuals that are interested in hair extensions should consider the various properties of synthetic and human hair to determine which types of extensions are best for their hair needs.
Quality Hair Extensions
Styling Options-Depending on the type of hair extensions purchased, styling options will vary. Styling options for extensions are largely based on the type of hair that is used for the particular hair extensions.
In general, those that are seeking extensions that provide more styling options should consider human hair extensions such as Remy hair extensions. For those that are seeking a low maintenance hair extension, the synthetic brands are more preferable.
The frequency of Wear-When selecting hair extensions, it is important to consider how frequently they will be worn. Typically speaking, there are some types of hair extensions that are preferred for short-term and long-term wear.
Synthetic hair extensions are highly preferred for occasional wear for such items as clip-on or temporary pieces. Human hair, such as Virgin Remy, is perfect for those that want to wear their extensions on a long-term basis as human hair extensions are far more manageable than their synthetic counterparts.
Maintenance-When considering hair extensions, maintenance is a factor that is of great importance. The amount of maintenance necessary for hair extensions largely depends upon the type of extension purchased. In general, synthetic extensions are considered “low maintenance” as they do not need a lot to be maintained.
The human hair extensions, such as the Malaysian Remy hair, must be properly maintained on a regular basis to ensure their longevity. It is important to note that although synthetic hair extensions may require less work to maintain, people that use them must be careful not to not apply heat to this type of extension to ensure its easy maintenance.
Overall, there are both synthetic hair and human hair extensions such as Cambodia Remy hair. Those interested in more information on purchasing quality hair extensions should visit https://malaysianremy.com.
Soooo, if you’re like the majority of humans I know right now, you either (1) gave yourself a questionable at-home haircut while in quarantine, or (2) chopped off all of your hair as soon as salons opened back up. Either way, the end result—and question that’s been blowing up my phone—has been the same:
“What are the best hair extensions!?” Because whether you’re regretting a too-short cut, or are suddenly itchin’ for some bangs but are too afraid to commit, oooor you just want to play around in the world of fake hair for a bit, extensions can be completely overwhelming to figure out.
But thats where I come in. Because I’ve created the ultimate guide to the best hair extensions of 2020, so you can finally get the butt-length/baby bangs/curly shag/ponytail-whippin’ hair of your dreams.
Keep reading to find a breakdown on every type of hair extension (like clip-ins, tape-ins, I-tips, and more), which hair brand is best for you, and how much looking really, really (really) good will actually cost you.
Honestly, there’s no single answer for this, because the best hair extensions for you, personally, “totally depend on your budget, your skill level, and the look you’re going for,” says Kat Lewis, hairstylist and head of education at Bellami Hair.
If you want some really cheap $20 clip-in extensions that last one night, get some synthetic bundles from Amazon. But if you want high-quality, 100 percent REMY hair (more on WTF this is below) that you plan on wearing for months and months, go for a reputable, review-backed brand. Basically, just keep reading.
Not all hair extensions are created equal, and navigating the ever-growing market these days can be daunting to say the least, especially if you’re shopping online.
The last thing you want is to spend your hard-earned cash on some bundles only to have one of those “what I ordered” versus “what I got” situations once your package arrives. Sure, it might be fun for a viral meme, but in real life, cheap-looking, lackluster extensions just aren’t the move. You hate to see it. We hate to see it — and we want to help you avoid it.
Hairstylist and extension expert Marc Mena encourages online shoppers to be resourceful. “To start, do your research on the type of extensions that you are looking for: There are clip-ins, tape, sew-ins and bonded extensions. Also, ask your hair professional what color your hair would be on a color chart, that way you can perfectly match your extensions if you are sourcing them by yourself,” he adds.
A word of advice? “Wearing extensions requires you to treat it like your own hair,” explains stylist Yene Damtew. “Investing in quality hair will pay off in the long run.” To take the guesswork out of your next online extension purchase, we spoke to a handful of hairstylists and editors to help lead the way. Keep scrolling to see which brands made the cut.
Indique Hair
Who: Yene Damtew, stylist (clients include Michelle Obama and Elaine Welteroth).
Why: “I love Indique because of the versatility they offer. They have wigs, bulk hair, wefted hair, and clips. All of their hair undergoes quality assurance and they stand by the reputation of their product. They also have a number of textures, as well as stores all across the country — this allows clients the ability to go in and touch the hair for [themselves]. The client’s experience is unlike anything else, very VIP and premium.”
Expert Tip: “[When caring for extensions] I wash them and let them dry so they are clean and ready to go for my next installation. Additionally, I either keep them in a Ziploc bag labeled with the texture and length or in the original bag it came in.”
Richy Hair
Who: Laura Rugetti, hairstylist (clients include Teddi Mellencamp, Tori Spelling, Delilah Belle Hamlin, Shannon Bedor, and Denise Richards).
Why: “Richy Hair is the best quality and hand-selected fine hair. In terms of the production process, they use 100 percent Russian Siberian hair that uses no harsh chemicals.
Unlike other competitors, Richy Hair avoids using bleach and, as an alternative, lets the hair soak for four to six weeks in a gentle, cold bath solution with proteins and enzymes that facilitate release of melanin pigment to lighten the hair in preparation for the dying process.
As a result, their extensions are uniquely able to maintain their cuticle for softer, more durable, undamaged hair. Honestly, they are the best extensions I have ever used. They’re [some] of the most natural-looking on the market.”
Great Lengths
Who: Marc Mena, hairstylist and extension expert (clients include: Madelaine Petsch and Mindy Kaling).
Why: “Great Lengths is pretty transparent from where they source their hair, unlike other companies. For example, they use 100 percent Remy quality raw hair from India and each bundle comes from one head so you have the same texture throughout the hair. [In terms of care],
I like to use sulfate- and silicone-free products, which are gentler and will help preserve the longevity of the hair.”
Expert Tip: “If you are using clip-in extensions, I like to clip them at the root on pant hangers and hang them in my closet.”
DHair Boutique
Who: Blake Newby, freelance beauty writer.
Why: “I’ve been wearing weaves since I was 15 years old, so I’ve tried my fair share of extensions. Frankly, the weave industry is now extremely over-saturated, and it can be hard to differentiate between what’s quality and what’s not.
However, with DHair Boutique the bundles are made to last, not just look cute for a few days. You really do get what you pay for. The wefts are perfectly secured, the hair returns to its original pattern after a wash, and the ends don’t come ratty like many other brands. Plus, Megan Thee Stallion wears their bundles.”
Expert Tip: “Don’t be so quick to purchase the hair that your favorite celeb or hairstylist posts and tags. I’ve made that mistake and have found that genuine word-of-mouth is the way to go. Additionally, talk to your hairstylist, the person you trust with your look. Ask them if the hair dyes well, what the shedding rate is like, etc.”
Kinkistry
Who: Brande Victorian, senior content director, MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful.
Why: “Kinkistry offers wigs, clip-ins, bundles, and ponytails in seven different curl patterns, from 2B to 4C, which is more than other brands on the market, so Kinkistry is really filling a void catering to a category of consumers which is often ignored in multiple ways.
Plus, the brand is founded, owned, and operated by a Black woman so it feels great to be supporting a double minority-owned business when you purchase.”
Expert Tip: “A lot of people think extensions are going to be drastically easier than dealing with your own hair. With some textures and styles that’s true, but extensions require maintenance as well, especially if you want to be able to use the hair multiple times.
Be diligent about keeping the hair moisturized during the day and twisted or tied down at night for longevity.”
Extensionology
Who: Nelson Vercher, lead hairstylist at the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City (clients include Tamia, Kelly Rowland, and Carmen Ejogo).
Why: “There are so many good extension brands out there, so it’s key to identify what you want (i.e. clip-in, tape-in, wefted, etc.). Then, you can figure out which brand works best from there. I love Extensionology for tape-in hair as they have a wide range of colors, as well as seamless tape.””
Expert Tip: “Always brush your extensions out before bed or storing them. Even if you don’t wear them for six months, you should take them out and brush every couple of months to keep that shine.”
Elgin Charles of Beverly Hills
Who: Maisha Oliver, hairstylist (clients include Lauren London, Khloe Kardashian, Angela Simmons, Meagan Good, and Mariah Carey).
Why: “I actually work with a few different hair brands that help me achieve the desired look that my clients want. However Elgin Charles of Beverly Hills is consistent — I know what I’m getting when I buy from them. Hair that is tangle-free, shed-free, and easy to color.”
Expert Tip: “If you are a consistent extension wearer, after you remove them, label them with the style you wore and/or take a picture. This way, if you want to go back to that look you have a reference. Wigs in particular should be shampooed, blow-dried, and placed on a mannequin head until [you’re] ready to use again.”
True Indian Hair
Who: Ama Kwarteng, beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan.
Why: “While I’m not married to one brand of extensions, I do love True Indian Hair. It’s 100 percent virgin hair, so it can be styled and colored any way I want without sacrificing the quality of the extensions.
They don’t shed as much as other brands I’ve tried, the hair is super soft, and lasts for a long time.” [Editor’s Note: Vercher is also a fan of this line.]
Expert Tip: “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but don’t keep your extensions (specifically sew-in hair extensions) in for longer than eight weeks. You’re doing damage to your natural hair and opening yourself up to issues (like breakage) by keeping it in longer than that.”
By Wynter
Who: Tira A. Urquhart, digital style and beauty editor at BET.com
Why: “Density is everything. I’ve purchased bundles and they’ve been so thin. This hair has great density, doesn’t get tangled very easily, and doesn’t have a weird smell like some of the other brands I’ve purchased. By Wynter hair is affordable and it’s great quality.”
Expert Tip: “[For maintenance], I use The Mane Choice shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner — it’s great for extensions. I also pre-wash them and let air-dry before they are installed. For everyday maintenance, I use Moroccanoil Treatment to give a little shine.”
Hotheads
Who: Samantha Carlaftes, hairstylist and hair extension specialist (clients include Alicia Keys and Victory Boyd).
Why: “HotHeads Hair Extensions are my favorite tape-ins because they’re so easy to apply on my clients. They last anywhere from eight to 10 weeks and are extremely easy to maintain as a consumer. Tape-in hair extensions are truly the future for longevity and natural-looking hair.”
Expert Tip: “If you’re looking to buy hair extensions online, I would pay attention to the grams of hair you are looking to purchase. The higher the grams, the thicker and heavier the hair will be.
But be wary if you have fine hair and you buy 250 grams of hair — you have the chance [to create some] excess damage [if you put too much in]. Be realistic with what you think your hair can handle — a rule of thumb is to understand the density of your hair.
Consider how long it takes you to blow-dry your hair. For example for thin, fine hair takes roughly two to four minutes to dry, while thick, dense hair can take up to 15 minutes or more. [I’d recommend] 100 grams for fine hair, up to 150 grams for medium hair, and no more than 220 grams for thick hair.”
Who: Shan Arnold, LW Salon stylist. (Clients include NBC’s Sheinelle Jones, K-Michelle, and Jessica White).
Why: “Yummy Hair Extensions are 100 percent raw human hair, it’s absolutely tangle- and shed-free, and blends with all hair types. I also love that it holds a curl and style easily. Plus, it reverts back to its natural state after being washed. Most importantly, it’s reusable.”
Expert Tip: [When you buy extensions,] consider your lifestyle and what [kind] of extensions would be best for you. This will help when you are shopping online. For example, if you want volume or length for an event, clip-ins are worth the investment. On the other hand, if you go to the gym often or want more of a protective style, sew-in extensions are best.”
