Compare all types of hair extensions in the UK. Our experts list the pros and cons of clip-ins, tape-ins, sew-ins, micro ring, and keratin bond extensions.
Types of Hair Extensions: Complete UK Buying Guide
When it comes to the different hair extension types out there, you might understandably get confused. After all, the best hair piece to give you temporary volume for a big night out, won’t necessarily be the extension you should consider if you desire seamless length lasting for months, or a full transformation.
Our experts, then, have scrutinised and compared all five hair extension types: clip-ins, tape-ins, micro rings, sew-ins, and keratin bond extensions. The types of hair extensions included in this guide are all available to purchase in the UK. So, along the way, our team has set out the relevant UK prices, too.
Clip In Hair Extensions
Clip-in hair extensions are one of the most popular and accessible ways to add instant length, volume, and thickness to hair.
Clip-ins consist of wefts (flat sections of hair) with small, pressure-sensitive clips sewn along the top edge. These clips snap open and closed, gripping the natural hair securely without the need for any glue, tape, heat, or tools.
One of the biggest advantages of clip-ins is the quick and easy application process, with no salon appointment needed. Even beginners should only need up to 15 minutes to attach clip-ins, and with practice, most people can apply them in barely five to 10 minutes.
You can expect to pay between around £70 and £200 for clip-in hair extensions, depending on the hair quality, length, and brand. The prices for this range of clip-in hair extensions, for instance, go from around £93 to £185.
If high-quality Remy clip-ins are well looked-after, they can last as long as a year or more before needing to be replaced.
Overall, clip-ins are best for temporary, DIY application for circumstances such as events, photoshoots, weddings, nights out, or even just bad hair days.
Tape-In Hair Extensions
Tape-in hair extensions are semi-permanent hair pieces that many people appreciate because of the super-flat, lightweight, and natural-looking results they deliver.
Tape-ins consist of thin wefts of hair with a strip of strong, medical-grade polyurethane adhesive tape applied to the top. It takes about one to two hours for a professional to apply tape-in hair extensions in a salon. This service typically costs around £150 to £400 at entry-level to mid-level, with this price also including the extensions themselves.
As natural hair grows, tape-ins slide down, causing tension, tangling, and visibility. So, you can expect tape-ins to last for around eight to 12 weeks before the bonds will need to be refreshed. This longevity of tape-in hair extensions prior to necessary “moving up” can be as short as six to eight weeks if the wearer has especially fast-growing hair or an oily scalp.
You may be likeliest to choose tape-in hair extensions if you’re seeking a semi-permanent, natural look. Tape-ins are flat and difficult to detect, and it is easy to commit to this type of hair extension for months without daily hassle.
Micro Ring Hair Extensions
Micro-ring hair extensions are often chosen by people in the UK who aspire to discreet and long-lasting length and volume without using any glue, tape, or heat.
Also sometimes referred to as micro-bead or loop extensions, micro-ring hair extensions involve individual strands or small groups of hair being attached to the natural hair, using tiny metal rings. The rings used for micro-ring hair extensions are usually made from copper or aluminium and are often silicone-lined for extra grip and gentleness.
The installation of micro-ring hair extensions is a professional salon service, with a full-head application normally taking about two to four hours. For a full head of premium Remy human hair micro-ring extensions, a cost of roughly £200 to £500 is typical, including initial fitting.
The rings of micro-ring extensions tend to stay secure for about three to four months before needing to be moved up as the natural hair grows.
Micro-ring hair extensions may be the most suitable option if you desire a solution for long-term wear that doesn’t require any glue or heat (thereby minimising the damage risk).
Sew-In/Weave Hair Extensions
Sew-in hair extensions, also known as weave extensions, are a semi-permanent solution for adding length, volume, or colour to natural hair without glue, heat, or clips. Sew-ins look natural and are impressively durable.
The technique for sew-in extensions begins with the creation of a foundation of tightly braided cornrows (plaits) close to the scalp, using the wearer’s natural hair. Hair wefts – strips of bundled hair – are then sewn onto these braids using a needle and thread to ensure a secure attachment.
Sew-ins need to be professionally installed in a salon by a trained stylist. The salon application of sew-in hair extensions usually takes around two to four hours. Prices for this service begin at roughly £150 for basic synthetic wefts, while premium human hair installations can be priced at £400 or more.
With proper care, sew-in hair extensions can last for six to eight weeks before it becomes necessary to reposition or remove them.
Sew-ins tend to work best on medium to thick hair textures, given that the braids need a sturdy base to hold the wefts without slippage. Sew-in hair extensions excel as protective styling.
Keratin Bond Extensions
Keratin bond extensions use small, keratin-based bonds to attach individual strands of hair to the natural hair.
Also often referred to as fusion or pre-bonded extensions, keratin bond extensions consist of individual wefts (small sections of hair) pre-tipped with a keratin polymer bead or tip. The application process for keratin bond extensions involves a stylist using a heated tool, such as a fusion wand or keratin gun, to melt the keratin tip and fuse it directly onto small sections of the wearer’s natural hair; as a result, a secure and virtually invisible bond is created.
It normally takes about three to five hours in a salon for keratin bond extensions to be applied. Basic or shorter lengths of keratin bond extensions tend to start at around £300 to £400; full-head premium Remy keratin bonds often fall in the £400 to £700 range, or even higher.
If you take proper care of your keratin bond extensions, you can expect them to last for three to six months before removing or re-applying them becomes necessary.
With the tiny bonds being nearly invisible, keratin bond extensions tend to appeal to people seeking the most natural and “premium” appearance.
Which Type is Best for You?
The best type of hair extensions for you will depend on such factors as your lifestyle, budget, hair type, level of commitment, and how long you want your extensions to last:
- If you’re seeking a DIY ‘at home’ solution, clip-in extensions are the easiest entry point, with no salon appointment needed.
- If you’re on the lookout for a semi-permanent look, tape-ins can make a lot of sense, due to their quick installation process and their very natural and comfortable feel.
- If you want a long-term solution that can last for three to six months without you needing to intervene much, give some thought to micro-ring or keratin extensions.
- If your budget is tight, clip-ins win for affordability; prices start from only around £50 or so, they’re reusable, and there are no ongoing salon fees.
Conclusion
When it comes to whittling down the various types of hair extensions in the UK to the options that best suit you, we recommend this formula: if flexibility matters above all else, look to clip-in extensions. Clip-ins are a great starting point for newcomers to the world of hair extensions, too.
As for if you’re yearning for a permanent solution, we urge you to think about salon options like tape-ins, sew-ins, micro-ring extensions, or keratin bond extensions.
Hopefully, you will now feel well-informed enough to make a confident choice about the best type of hair extensions for your needs!
