Clip-in hair extensions are a fantastic way to add instant length and volume without a trip to the salon. They are temporary, easy to apply, and a great confidence booster. However, if you’re new to using removable extensions, beginners commonly make three mistakes that affect a natural look. that can ruin the natural look.
Key Takeaways
1. Mistake: Your Hair Color Doesn’t Match
The fastest way to look artificial that you’re wearing hairpieces is having a color difference. This often happens because people try to match the clip-ins to the hair at their roots, which is typically darker.
The Fix: Match Your Mid-Lengths and Ends
To get a perfect seamless blend, your hairpieces need to match the mid-lengths and ends of your natural hair, not the color at your roots.
Get help: Use a color-matching service (e.g., send a natural-light photo) to select the correct shade. If using Full Shine, follow their photo guidelines.
Use the wefts: If your hair contains highlights, choose a set with varied-toned wefts or mix wefts for a blended effect.
2. Mistake: The Extensions Look Unnatural (Too Long or Too Straight)
Many beginners choose extensions that are much longer than their natural hair, which creates a harsh, noticeable line where the two lengths meet. Also, if your hair is naturally wavy or curly and your extensions are straight, the difference will stand out.
The Fix: Choose a Smart Length and Blend with Heat
For a seamless transition, you need to create a soft, natural integration.
Be smart with length: If your hair is shoulder-length, don’t jump to 24-inch extensions right away. For the most natural look, choose extensions that are only 4 to 6 inches longer than your natural hair. This helps prevent the visible length transition.
Cut or layer them: Take your extensions to a hair stylist or carefully trim the ends yourself to add soft layers. This helps the ends of your natural hair blend smoothly into the extensions, making them look like one piece.
Style them together: Always style your extensions and your natural hair together. If your hair is wavy, curl or wave the entire look. The heat and styling will make the two types of hair look like one.
3. Mistake: You’re Placing the Clips Too High
Placing the wefts (the strips of hair) too close to the top of your head, especially near your part or the crown, is a common error. This leaves you with too little of your own hair to cover the wefts and clips, making them easy to see when you move your head.
The Fix: Start Lower and Section Carefully
Always ensure you have enough natural hair to cover the clips so they remain hidden from every angle.
Keep them low: Clip the top weft at or below eyebrow level to ensure adequate natural hair coverage. The wefts placed on the sides of your head should be clipped below the top of your ear.
Backcomb for grip: Before clipping in a weft, take the thin section of natural hair where you want to clip it and lightly backcomb (also called teasing, is a short combing technique to create grip) or tease it. This creates a small cushion for the clip to grip onto, making the weft feel more secure and less likely to slide down or peek through.
Check the mirror: Before leaving the house, gently move your head and look at your reflection from all angles (use a handheld mirror for the back) to make sure no clips are visible.
By avoiding these three common clip-ins mistakes, you will be able to wear your clip-ins with confidence and enjoy that full, long-hair look you want!
“Hi! I’m Alaia. By day, I’m shaping young minds as a teacher, and by night (or really, anytime in between), I’m a clip-in hair extensions enthusiast! For me, it’s not about hiding who I am, but about boosting confidence in just five minutes. I’m all about finding those little tricks to bring joy and ease to our busy lives. Think of me as your a friendly, practical guide for realistic, affordable, and totally achievable hair inspiration. Let’s embrace the fun of transforming our look and feeling fabulous, just for us!”
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