Hair and beauty tools have helped millions with both cost-effective and time-effective results, and hair extensions have recently topped the list of beauty accessories. The number of people using them is increasing with each passing day.
All major brands and manufacturers now offer a series of hair extensions to fit particular needs. This has led to diverse application methods of hair extensions. Here is a basic classification based on installation methods to help you understand extensions better and choose the best possible option for yourself.
Toppers
Topper extensions are essentially the same as hair wigs. They help cover the top part of the head and have a definite shape given to them. They are known to change the appearance of a person completely. Hardly will you see people wearing these without any medical concern, e.g., alopecia.
They are not a well-accepted practice due to their unnatural appearance, added weight to the scalp, and recurrent headaches. However, they are best used to change the aesthetic appearance of a character in movies and commercial production settings.
Clip-in Extensions
Clip-in extensions are clipped to hair and have different pieces arranged in a set. They have a thicker texture compared to seamless extensions. They also come in a 5-clip, 7-clip, or 8-clip set or a single-piece volumizer. They are the most commonly used extensions owing to their affordable price range and easy, quick installation.
The sizes are, however, not absolute and can vary from vendor to vendor. Various companies offer customizable extensions which are measured perfectly to fit your hair length, texture, and thickness. Almost all extensions are available in both synthetic hair and human hair formation. The latter is preferred over the other, as it looks more natural, blends in with your natural hair better and has more longevity.
Seamless Extensions
As the name speaks, seamless hair extensions will give you a no-extension look daily. Seamless hair extensions are one step ahead of clip-ins because of their blend efficacy. Once you put these extensions on, they will effortlessly blend in with your natural tresses, making it nearly impossible for anyone to tell the difference. Hence, they are priced higher than regular clip-ins.
You can choose from an array of sizes and pieces depending on the thickness you want to achieve. The size of each clip or piece varies from brand to brand.
Invisible Extensions
Invisible hair extension is at large confused with seamless type extension. The difference stands mainly in the method of application. Seamless extensions are essentially clip-ins in nature and can be secured using their clips whenever you want, wherever you want. At the end of your day, seamless hair extensions can be taken off and stored safely in their box.
Invisible hair extensions, on the contrary, are melted into place using special hair guns and silicone glue or keratin. They can also be divided into subgroups based on the binding method. E.g., keratin extensions and micro-beading extensions.
Out of the two, keratin-based hair extensions cause more harm to your hair, because they use a strong chemical to melt the hair strands in place. Micro-beading uses silicone-based material for the same purpose. The piece of extension is attached close to the roots of the hair, and after heating up, they seamlessly melt into your hair, making them invisible.
Invisible extensions need renewal once the hair grows longer and the bonds come down; away from the roots. Their application is the most difficult of all hair extension applications, it requires a lot of time, and has to be done by a hair extensions specialist at the salon.
