Everything to Know About Hair Extensions for Your Wedding
Everything to Know About Hair Extensions for Your Wedding
Hair extensions are the not-so-secret ingredient to just about any good bridal hair look. If you are blessed with lots of volume but your hair is shorter than you dreamed it would be for your big day, you might want to add hair extensions for the length. On the flip side, if you’ve got the length you want but not the volume, extensions are a total game-changer. Whether you’re wearing your hair up or down, extensions are great at holding shape, meaning your hair will still look good when you hit the dancefloor at the after-party.
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Get Wedding Hair Extensions?
If you’re interested in potentially wearing extensions for your wedding, booking a consultation with a hair extension specialist is the best way to find out if extensions are a good option for you. They will want to check the health and condition of your hair and scalp. Most people with healthy-ish hair are good candidates for hair extensions, but if you have any of the following, it might not be the best route:
Very short hair (think: pixie): It will be challenging to blend the extensions in without making it look choppy
Very thick, long hair: You probably don’t need extensions!
Fine and very brittle hair: Putting extensions in could cause more hair damage.
Very frizzy and textured hair: It could be challenging to find hair that matches perfectly. This doesn’t mean it’s not possible, it might just take more tries until you find the right hair.
Poor scalp condition (excessive shedding or hair loss)
When to Get Hair Extensions
Book a hair extension consultation as soon as you get engaged so you can create a plan with your stylist and figure out what might work best for your hair, the look you want to achieve, and your budget. A lot of girls start working out, or start a pre-wedding skincare routine when they know they are getting married, and starting a hair regimen should also be a top priority.
If you want a more permanent type of extension, such as the weft or tape, I recommend getting them in at least two months prior to the wedding. Then, about a week before the wedding, come in to either get a new install or a move up to make sure everything is 100-percent ready to go. This timing is ideal to make sure placement and feel [are] OK, and it allows time to take care of any last-minute adjustments.
Clip-ins
I usually recommend clip-in extensions for my brides if you have never had extensions before because it’s not a big commitment and you get to have beautiful hair for your special day. There is a wide array of clip-in options out there, but they can all be put in and removed quickly and fairly easily. They offer instant satisfaction and, thanks to the seamless removal, require almost no maintenance or upkeep. Plus, they are generally much more affordable than committing to more permanent extensions options.Tape-ins
Tape-ins are another good alternative for brides. They are attached to the scalp with a strong adhesive, with your natural hair sandwiched in between the extension pieces. They are generally fairly easy to put in and don’t typically damage the hair when done correctly.
Micro-links
There are few types of micro-link extensions, but essentially, they are small, individual strands attached with a bead. I use the I-tip method, which [are] extensions with keratin bonds shaped thin and long, hence the name I-tip. They last about a month and a half, but that will vary depending on your hair texture and scalp condition. It’s a bit gentler on the hair because there is no heat used to hold the hair together. It’s also pretty easy to take in and out because all you need to do is clamp and unclamp the bead.
Keratin Bond
Keratin bonds are a great option for brides who want extra hair beyond walking down the aisle (think: wedding night, honeymoon, etc.), but you have to be willing to commit both the time and the money. Similar to micro-links, these extensions are just small, individual strands infused together with the Keratin bonds with heat applied by a machine, who specializes in both micro-links and Keratin bond hair extensions. They last a bit longer than the micro-links—up to three to five months (if properly cared for). But, You have to be very gentle with your hair and pay extra TLC for it to last and not cause damage to your hair!
(It’s important to note that if you love to wear your hair up in a high ponytail a lot, or you’re planning on styling it in a pony for your wedding day, a beaded weft might not be the best option for you. Depending on the placement of the wefts, it can be hard to hide them in any sort of updo. )
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1. How much does Hair Extensions Cost?
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3. Which Hair Extensions Are Best For Thin Hair