Do you love the versatility of hair extensions but struggle to achieve a natural look with them? I’ve been in your shoes – choosing, blending, and styling extensions to create an effortless flow can be quite challenging.
This post is packed full of tricks I’ve learned from personal experience and my extensive research on making hair extensions blend seamlessly with our own locks. Ready for the secret sauce that makes your extension-enhanced hairstyle undetectable? Let’s dive into it!
How to style hair extensions to look natural?
To make hair extensions look natural, it’s important to master certain styling techniques that seamlessly blend them with your own hair.
Step 1: Blending extensions with your natural hair
Blending extensions with your natural hair is key to achieving a seamless and natural look. Here’s how you can do it:
- Start by choosing the right color: Take the time to find hair extensions that match your natural hair color perfectly. This will make the blending process much easier.
- Use thin sections of your own hair: When attaching the extensions, take small sections of your own hair at a time, rather than large chunks. This ensures that the extensions are evenly distributed and blend well with your natural hair.
- Tease your roots: Gently tease the roots of your hair where you will be attaching the extensions. This provides a little texture and makes it easier for the extensions to grip onto your natural strands.
- Attach the extensions properly: Whether you’re using clip-ins or sew-in extensions, make sure they are securely attached to avoid any slipping or visibility.
- Blend with a comb or brush: Once the extensions are in place, use a wide-toothed comb or a soft paddle brush to gently blend them with your natural hair. Be careful not to tug or pull too hard to avoid any damage.
- Style together: To create a seamless look, style your natural hair and extensions together as one cohesive unit. This could include curling, straightening, or creating up-dos that incorporate both your real hair and the extensions.
- Trim if necessary: If needed, trim the ends of the extensions to match the length of your natural hair. This will ensure that everything looks uniform and blends seamlessly.
Step 2: Creating up-dos with extensions
Creating up-dos with extensions can instantly elevate your hairstyle and make it look more glamorous. Here are some techniques to achieve the perfect up-do using hair extensions:
- Start by preparing your extensions: Before creating an up-do, ensure that your extensions are prepped and ready to be styled. If you have clip-in extensions, make sure they are securely clipped in and blended well with your natural hair.
- Tease for volume: To create a voluminous up-do, tease the roots of your hair and the top section where you’ll be attaching the extension. This will give you a solid base to work with and provide extra volume.
- Use bobby pins strategically: Depending on the up-do style you’re aiming for, use bobby pins to secure both your natural hair and the extensions in place. Start by pinning down any loose strands or layers, then work on pinning the rest of your hair into a desired shape.
- Incorporate braids: Braids can add a touch of elegance to your up-do while also helping to conceal any visible wefts or attachments from the extensions. Consider incorporating a small braid as an accent or even creating a braided crown before styling the rest of your hair into an up-do.
- Curl or wave for added texture: To make your up-do look more natural, curl or wave both your natural hair and the extensions before styling them together. This will help blend them seamlessly and create a cohesive look.
- Finish with hairspray: Once you’ve styled your up-do, spritz some hairspray all over to set everything in place. This will ensure that your hairstyle lasts throughout the day or night without falling apart.
Step 3: Creating natural-looking curls or waves
I absolutely love styling hair extensions to create natural-looking curls or waves. It’s a great way to add some extra volume and dimension to your hair. Whether you have short or long hair, here are some simple techniques you can try:
- Use a curling iron or wand: Start by applying a heat protectant spray to your natural hair and the extensions. Then, take small sections of your hair and wrap them around the curling iron or wand, holding for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat this process with the extensions, blending them seamlessly with your own hair.
- Try heatless methods: If you prefer to avoid using heat on your hair, there are still ways to achieve beautiful curls or waves. You can twist sections of your dampened natural hair and the extensions together, then secure them with bobby pins or clips until they dry completely. Once dry, remove the pins or clips and gently finger comb through the curls for a more relaxed look.
- Opt for overnight styles: Another great way to create natural-looking curls or waves is to style your hair before going to bed. Apply a curl-enhancing mousse or cream to both your natural hair and the extensions, then braid them together loosely into one or multiple braids. In the morning, undo the braids and shake out the curls for soft waves.
- Consider using sea salt spray: For a beachy wave effect, spritz some sea salt spray onto your natural hair and extensions before styling. This will give you that effortless tousled look that mimics naturally wavy hair.
- Don’t forget hairspray: To ensure that your curls or waves last all day, finish off with a light mist of hairspray over both your natural hair and extensions. This will help hold the style in place without weighing it down.
Tips for Choosing and Matching Hair Extensions
When choosing hair extensions, make sure to select the right color that closely matches your natural hair and choose the type of extension that is best suited for your hair type.
Choosing the right color
Selecting the correct shade of hair extensions is vital for achieving a natural and seamless look. It’s not just about picking the nearest color to your own, as most individuals have different tones running through their hair.
My recommendation would be getting multi-tonal shades instead of solid ones because it tends to blend more naturally with your unique color and highlights. For instance, Luxy Hair extensions come in various colors, offering you a wide range to choose from.
If you’re uncertain about which color will suit you best, try out several options or seek professional advice before settling on a particular one. The right choice should ultimately enhance your overall appearance rather than make the extensions noticeable.
Selecting the right type of extension for your hair
Understanding the right type of hair extension for your hair is crucial for a natural, flawless look. Not all extensions are created equal, each comes with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
For instance, sew-in extensions, also known as weaves, provide a more permanent solution. They’re braided into your natural hair and can withstand heavy styles and products – great for those with thicker locks.
On the other hand, clip-in extensions offer flexibility – these are an excellent choice if you like to switch up your style regularly or want additional length or volume only on special occasions.
Plus they can be easily removed before bedtime to give your scalp some rest — perfect when considering healthy hair habits. Aligning the type of extension with both your lifestyle and specific hair needs ensures not only a realistic look but also promotes better maintenance and longevity of the extensions themselves.
So always consider factors like texture match, lifestyle convenience, intended purpose (volume boost vs length), ease of application among others when choosing between types like wigs clip-ins or even seamless LuxyHair extensions.
Ensuring you have enough extensions for a natural look
Don’t underestimate the importance of quantity when aiming for a natural look with your hair extensions. Too few, and you risk them not blending well with your own tresses, leading to a choppy or inconsistent appearance – far from the seamless integration that we all want.
On the other hand, overloading can also be problematic; too many extensions may feel heavy or uncomfortable and appear overly voluminous.
So, how do you strike that perfect balance? For most needs, a standard full head set is usually sufficient while working with clip-in or Luxy hair extensions. But if you have particularly thick hair or want more substantial length alteration, consider investing in more pieces or higher-density sets to ensure saturation matches across your scalp evenly.
Whichever route you take, consistency is key – distribute those extensions evenly around your head so they blend effortlessly and mimic natural growth patterns. It’s about making them an extension of you rather than an addition!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid overloading your hair with too many extensions, as this can make them look unnatural and bulky. Properly blend the extensions with your own hair to create a seamless and natural look.
And don’t forget to use the right color or type of extension for a flawless finish. Read on to discover how to avoid these common mistakes and style your hair extensions like a pro!
1. Overloading with too many extensions
One common mistake to avoid when styling hair extensions is overloading with too many extensions. While it may be tempting to add a lot of extensions for extra volume or length, using an excessive amount can actually make your hairstyle look unnatural and heavy.
It’s important to remember that less is often more when it comes to achieving a natural look with hair extensions.
Instead of adding as many extensions as possible, focus on strategically placing them throughout your natural hair for a seamless blend. Start by sectioning your hair and clipping in the extensions at different layers to create dimension.
You can then use a teasing comb or brush to gently backcomb sections of your hair near the roots before attaching the extensions, which will help provide better grip and prevent slippage.
2. Not properly blending the extensions with your own hair
One common mistake when styling hair extensions is not properly blending them with your own hair. This can result in a noticeable and unnatural contrast between the extensions and your natural hair, which is definitely not the look you’re going for.
To avoid this, it’s important to choose extensions that closely match the color, texture, and thickness of your natural hair. Take into consideration factors such as shade variations and highlights in order to achieve a seamless blend.
Additionally, try layering or trimming the extensions to create a more cohesive look with your own hair length. By properly blending the extensions with your natural hair, you’ll be able to achieve a flawless and natural appearance that looks completely effortless.
3. Neglecting to use the right color or type of extension
Choosing the right color and type of hair extension is crucial if you want a natural-looking result. Neglecting to consider these factors can easily give away that you’re wearing extensions.
When it comes to color, make sure to match the extension shade as closely as possible to your natural hair color. This will ensure a seamless blend between your real hair and the extensions.
Additionally, selecting the right type of extension for your hair texture is important too. If you have fine or thin hair, opt for lighter weight extensions like tape-ins or clip-ins that won’t weigh down your strands.
FAQs
1. How do I choose the right hair extensions for a natural look?
To achieve a natural look with hair extensions, it’s important to consider factors such as color match, texture match, and quality of the hair. Look for extensions that closely resemble your own hair in terms of color, texture, and thickness.
2. What are some styling tips to make hair extensions blend seamlessly with natural hair?
To ensure your hair extensions blend seamlessly with your natural hair, try these styling tips:
– Use heat tools (such as curling irons or straighteners) to create uniform waves or curls throughout all of your hair.
– Backcomb or tease sections at the roots before adding clip-in extensions for added volume and grip.
– Apply a small amount of hairspray on both your natural hair and the extension piece before clipping them together for better hold and blending.
3. Can I wash and style my human-hair extensions like my own hair?
Yes, you can wash and style human-hair extensions just like you would with your own hair. However, it is recommended to use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to prolong their lifespan. When using heat-styling tools on human-hair extensions, be sure to apply a heat protectant product beforehand.
4. How long can I wear my installed tape-in or sewn-in hair extensions without them looking unnatural?
The duration you can wear tape-in or sewn-in/extensions without them appearing unnatural varies depending on individual factors such as growth rate and maintenance routine. Generally speaking though if proper care is taken (e.g., regular washing & conditioning), most professionals recommend having these types professionally removed/reinstalled every 6-8 weeks approximately so they continue blending naturally over time while preventing any unnecessary damage from occurring along way.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, styling hair extensions to look natural is all about choosing the right color and type of extension, as well as properly blending them with your own hair. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this blog post, you can achieve a flawless and realistic look with your extensions.
Remember to avoid common mistakes such as overloading with too many extensions or neglecting to use the right color or type. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll be able to confidently rock natural-looking hair extensions that seamlessly blend with your own locks.
