Your Ultimate Guide to Hair Extensions - How long do they last and which ones are best to buy?
Who doesn’t love changing their hair to something new, but not actually commit to the look for months! Female hair extensions have been around for long, but their popularity is only noticeable in recent years. This is mostly because of celebrities now being transparent about their uninterrupted use in the industry, and the rise of social media. Influencers post themselves with switching hairstyles so frequently, and you can too with Human Hair Extensions for women.
Now, you don’t have to wait until your short hair grows out so you can make that full length hair bun. You don’t need to get highlights done when you want your hair to look blue, but also chestnut. You also wouldn’t have to worry about your hair volume not being enough for a stylish high ponytail.
There are many hair extensions to choose from and it’s more than just picking a style that looks good! Each of them differs in the hair look they offer, their lifespans, way of wearing in your hair, maintenance that is required and more. So you will need to find hair extensions that suit your hair type the most and seamlessly blend into your natural hair, making it unnoticeable that you’re even wearing them.
You might not know which female hair extensions are right for you but we do! Get a Free Video Consultation to find out which hair extensions will suit your hair type the best or read through for understanding the types of hair extensions and their specific benefits.
Choosing the Correct Make - Synthetic or Human?
Now, female hair extensions come in synthetic (man-made hair fibers) and human hair extensions. The price points of both of these differ, the synthetic ones being fairly cheaper. But we suggest that you go for the best quality human hair extensions for women if you’re willing to invest in good quality hair extensions for women that look and feel natural.
As the name suggests, human hair extensions cannot be distinguished from your natural hair at all. They blend into your hair and can be colored, heat-styled, washed, and can be treated like they’re your own hair! Human hair extensions are good for the long-term and look natural.
On the other hand, synthetic ones are cheaper in price and quality, lasting for only 3 months at tops. They also are fragile, cannot be colored, washed, or styled using heat.
Your Options in Human Hair Extensions for Women
There is a good variety of hair extensions for women based on your style preference, and the amount of maintenance you’re willing to expend in. Each of them has their own advantages, and you will make the most out of your investment by learning which hair extensions work best for you. Many of them are hair extensions for short hairs and can be tailor-made to lengths of your choice. These are some of the most popular female hair extensions right now:
Clip-in Hair Extensions for Women
How long will they last: 3-4 years with good care.
The clip-in hair extensions are temporary, and they have wefts of hair attached to clips. You can easily insert these clips in your hair to instantly add some volume, length, or highlights to your existing hair. The removal is as easy as the wearing.
They are ideal if you’re new to hair extensions and wish to wear them temporarily. You don’t have to commit to a particular hairstyle and can easily elevate your hair look for photoshoots or special occasions like weddings with clip-in hair extensions.
Made from 100% human hair, the clip-in hair extensions are lightweight, heat resistant for curling or ironing, and have soft-quality clips to avoid damaging your hair. Maintaining them is easy, after 25 wears you can just wash them as you wash your own hair. Also, you can wear clip-in hair extensions easily yourself without needing a salon professional to help you with it.
Check out these variants—Clip-in Hair Extensions
Tips to Maintain Clip-in Hair Extensions
- Avoid excessive washing
- Wash using a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner
- Store in the a satin bag/protective pouch (included if you buy from the link)
- Use a wide-tooth comb for brushing your clip-in hair extensions
- Comb the bottom and slowly move towards the top to avoid pulling
- Avoid using too much heating products on your clip-in hair extensions
These steps will further help you to increase the lifespan of your clip-in hair extensions.
Tape-in Hair Extensions for Women
How long will they last: 4-6 weeks but reusable up to 3-4 years with good care
These female hair extensions are semi-permanent and you will require a professional to get them attached in your hair. Tape-in hair extensions have flat wefts of hair attached to small tapes which are sandwiched between sections of your natural hair.
They are very lightweight and you won’t even notice wearing them once inserted. They blend in with your natural hair perfectly and can be applied or removed very easily. One application can last for 6-8 weeks after which you may have to reapply them as your hair grows or the adhesive might weaken over time.
Check this out—Tape-in Hair Extensions
Tips to Maintain Tape-in Hair Extensions
- Avoid oil-based or heavy styling products near the roots (can weaken the adhesive)
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo
- Wash your hair gently and don’t scrub harshly at the tape area
- After washing, always dry the tapes
- Get your tape-in hair extensions retaped regularly
Sew-in Hair Extensions for Women
How long do they last: 6-8 weeks with proper maintenance
These female hair extensions are sewed into a braid of your natural hair, that is made close to your scalp, using a thread and needle. For these female hair extensions too, you will need a professional to sew these hair extensions to your hair.
These are a good option for thicker hair, as they stay secure for long. If you’re looking for permanent hair extensions that require minimum maintenance, the sew-in hair extensions will work for you.
But one con of these hair extensions is that they need to be kept gently to avoid damaging your hair. As your hair grows, tightening is regularly required at the salon. You also need to make sure that your braid is dry after every wash to prevent molds or mildew from forming.
I-Tip Hair Extensions
How long will they last: 3-4 months with regular adjustments
These hair extensions are permanent and need a salon professional to apply to your hair strand by strand. Each strand has a link that can be clamped onto small sections of your natural hair. It doesn’t require any heat or glue for attaching the hair extensions and is a safe and healthy option in permanent hair extensions for women.
The i-tip hair extensions can be used several times. You will just need some readjustments as your hair grows, but this is usually after 4-6 weeks.
Check this out—I-Tip Hair Extensions
Keratin Bond Hair Extensions for Women
How long do they last: 3-4 months with proper care
This is also a permanent hair extensions solution. Each strand of hair extensions is bonded to sections of your hair using a protein that is naturally found in human hair - keratin.
But these bonds are fused to your hair using a heating tool, and over time it can cause damage to your hair health. The process itself too is very time consuming.
Wigs and Other Hairpieces
How long do they last: 3-4 years for human hair wigs and toppers
The varieties available in hair extensions doesn’t end here as there are even more options apart from hair extensions for women. These are hair wigs, hair volumizers, hair toppers, ponytail hair extensions, curly hair extensions, messy bun, and bangs.
Human hair wigs in particular look too natural, can be worn easily, are lightweight and comfortable, and can help you to change your hairstyle in minutes. They can be washed and styled like real human hair, last for up to 4 years, and can be styled everyday.
Check these out:
Ponytail Hair Extensions for Women
Curly Hair Extension for Women
How to choose the right hair extensions?
Which hair extensions work best for you totally depends on your personal needs and what you expect out of your hair extensions. Here’s the catch - choosing the right hair extensions depends on whether you want a temporary change in your hairstyle, long-term wear, added volume, or something that is really easy to maintain.
If you’re looking to change your hair look temporarily, clip-in hair extensions or hair wigs can be perfect. For longer wear, tape-in hair extensions, sew-ins, and keratin bonds may be good but also consider their minus points as mentioned above in terms of care and maintenance.
For adding volume, clip-in hair extensions are the best choice. And for adding length, keratin bond hair extensions can be good.
For easy maintenance, clip-in hair extensions and hair wigs are a must have in your wardrobe.
Check this out—Clip-in Hair Extensions and Human Hair Wigs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How long do female hair extensions last?
Female hair extensions made from 100% human hair can last up to 4 years. Check this out—Gorgeous Hair.
- How many types of female hair extensions are there?
- Clip-in Hair Extensions for women
- Tape-in Hair Extensions for women
- Sew-in Hair Extensions for women
- Keratin Bond Hair Extensions for women
- I-Tip Hair Extensions for women
- Which type of hair extensions for women are best?
Clip-in Hair Extensions for women are the best ones. They can be inserted and removed easily, and don’t cause any damage to your hair.
- Is it ok to wear female hair extensions everyday?
Yes! Clip-in hair extensions can be worn everyday safely, without causing any damage to your hair. Made out of human hair, these are soft, offer a natural look, can be heat-styled like your own hair, and washed too.
