The Five Main Types of Hair Extensions

The hair extension industry is growing. People always want to look their best and that’s not something that’s likely to change. After all, your hair is one of your most noticeable features whether it’s seen in person or via video link! As an extensionist, it’s important to understand the different types of hair extensions. Then you can help your clients to choose the right method for them.

Here is our rundown of the most popular methods, which clients they work for best and why. Of course, you might also have clients who experience hair loss and are looking for a replacement system. You can find out all about those options here.

Celebrity Weave

If your client wants a showstopping head of hair for a special occasion, the Celebrity Weave method might be the perfect one for her. Using this method, extensions can be fitted in as little as 30 minutes to an hour and last around 6 weeks. The extensions are sewn in and easily removed by snipping the stitches. This makes this method perfect for red carpet events, premiers, weddings, and balls.

Fusion Bond

At the opposite end of the scale are Fusion bond extensions, also known as glue-in or hot fusion extensions. Of all the types of hair extension, this is the oldest method. Fusion bond gives a very durable and long-lasting result with fewer maintenance appointments.

To fit fusion bond extensions, the keratin tip of the extension is melted using a special tool. The soft keratin is then molded around your client’s natural hair. The resulting bond is about the size of a grain of rice.

This method is well known and trusted by clients who want a long-lasting and natural-looking solution. The only downsides are the long application process and the fact that they will have to avoid heat styling. Even blow-drying can risk softening the bonds.

Micro Rings

Clients who want to avoid heat and glue might prefer Micro Rings. These extensions have a keratin tip which is clamped to the natural hair inside a ring. Because the strands are individually applied they have a very natural look. Colours can be blended with a client’s natural hair or chosen to create an ombre effect.

Micro rings can take a while to apply. But once in place, they last up to 4 months and can then be easily removed and reapplied. This means that if your client wants to wear her extensions long term she could ultimately save money by choosing micro rings.

Nano Rings

Like micro rings, are the much smaller Nano rings. In fact, nanorings are 90% smaller! Making them the smallest available bond and almost impossible to spot.

They are applied in the same way as micro rings, using a special tool to crimp the ring onto a client’s natural hair. Nano rings are so small that they attach to just a few strands. Meaning they need maintenance appointments every three or four weeks. They may also be less suitable for clients with soft or oily hair, which can make them prone to slipping. 

Having said that, if your client can commit to the maintenance needed then nanorings give a beautiful, almost undetectable finish. Giving her a natural looking head of hair that can be styled in almost any way she chooses.

Tape Weft

The last method is tape weft. Using this method hair extensions can be fitted without any tools, heat, or chemicals. Instead, the natural hair is simply sandwiched between two tapes, each of which has new hair attached. Tape weft extensions can give wonderfully full and dense coverage.

One of the main advantages of the tape weft method is that it is both quick and affordable compared to the other methods. It works well for anyone whose natural hair is thick enough to hide the tapes. Tape weft extensions can last for two months before they need to be moved up. 

Find out More

If you would like to learn more about becoming an extensionist, including how to fit the different types of hair extensions, have a look at the Maxwell Melia training courses. Our Essentials course lets you choose any three methods to study, or you can cover all five in the Complete training course. Not only that, you can complete them online or at one of our in-person training sessions. We’ll look forward to hearing from you!