Avoid These Top 5 Hair Extension Mistakes

Everyone wants full-looking, shiny hair, but unfortunately, we’re not all blessed with naturally thick locks.

If you’ve already experimented with a bunch of hair products and tools and have been disappointed with the results, look instead to hair extensions — an instant solution to all of your hair problems. 

Hair extensions can transform your short locks into long, flowy tresses.

They offer a fun and convenient way to experiment with various hairstyles, but without the long-term commitment.

They also provide a hassle-free fix to a botched haircut, giving your own hair plenty of time to grow out.

In fact, hair extensions can be life-changing and should, therefore, be a part of every girl’s beauty routine.

The only trouble is that using them improperly can quickly turn them into a terrible experience — potentially even worse than getting a bad haircut.

If this is your first time using hair extensions, be sure to avoid these newbie mistakes:

Positioning the extension too high on your head

Bad placement can drastically affect the overall look of your hair.

The top of your head doesn’t have enough hair to hide hair wefts, so placing them too high on your scalp will result in visible bumps. 

These visible bumps will be a dead giveaway that you’re wearing hair extensions.

This is why the extensions should be applied at the eyebrow level, where they lie flat to achieve a seamless look.

Plus, if the wefts are installed close to the top of your head, there won’t be enough room for movement between the extensions and the real hair, which can also result in a painful scalp.  

Choosing the wrong hair color

Ultimately, the goal is for your natural hair and extensions to blend well together. Using dimensional color is the key to achieving this look. 

Instead of selecting only one shade of the extension for the entire length of hair, use two closely-matched shades, with one slightly darker than the other. If you’re not sure which colors to pick, ask a professional stylist for a shade match that will complement your real hair.

Also, avoid matching the hair extension to the roots. The hair extensions will look better if you color-match with the middle and ends of your hair.

Choosing the wrong hair type and length

If you have thinning hair, you might be tempted to use hair extensions made of thicker hair. However, it will look awkward if your fine hair is sitting atop a layer of thicker strands. Your natural hair won’t blend well with the extensions, making your secret obvious to anyone who looks closely.

Extra-long extensions also look unnatural with a shorter style, such as a bob or pixie cut. To that end, you should choose your extensions based on your current hair length. The bigger the difference between the length of your natural hair and the extensions, the harder it will be to get a natural result.

If you have really short hair, use extensions to improve on volume instead of length. Or better yet, grow it out to at least chin length before considering extensions.

To get the most out of your hair extensions, know what you want to achieve and decide if you are going for length or volume before you make your purchase.

Less is more

Just because you find yourself armed with an abundance of gorgeous hair doesn’t mean you should use it all. You might be tempted to use as many hair wefts as possible, but this can result in an unnatural, over-the-top look.

It’s also more difficult to hide the clips from plain sight if you’re using too many. Selecting the correct number of wefts ensures the most natural outcome for your hair extensions.

Ask your stylist for guidance on how many wefts you need to achieve your desired look. Then, have them cut layers once the extensions have been inserted so that they’ll blend in with the rest of your hair.  

Lack of maintenance

If you’re the type of person who rolls out of bed and puts your hair in a ponytail, hair extensions may not be for you. Your hair extensions need a little TLC to last and look their best, just like real hair.

Natural hair gets moisture from the scalp, but extensions don’t have that natural supply of oils.

To maintain your extensions, don’t wash them too often, and use styling tools sparingly. You can also visit a stylist for professional insertions. 

Additionally, use a few gentle, nourishing, and non-stripping hair care products that won’t leave residue to prevent buildup.

Hair extensions will stay their best and last you a long time if they’re maintained properly.

Hair extensions are the simplest and most cost-effective way to add volume and length to your hair care routine.

By watching out for these common mistakes, you can walk in to your first hair extension appointment and come out looking your best!