Using Hair Extensions For Short Hair
There’s nothing that quite says ‘new you’ like a fresh hair style. For lovers of experimentation and flirting with different ‘do’s, hair extensions are a MUST! But if you have shorter locks you might hesitate to try hair extensions. Don’t! Hair extensions can be just as easy to use and are a gorgeous addition to any shorter cut.
What are the advantages to using hair extensions with short hair?
Hair is the one part of us that we can get tired of the quickest. Rather than stress about cutting or dying your hair, using hair extensions is a quick, easy way to breathe life into your look and lift your mood.
Or maybe you’re trying to grow out a short cut and are in that awkward too short and too long stage…well using hair extensions can help mask the stages of your hair growth…and when you’ve achieved the right length you won’t want to take them out!
How do you blend clip-in hair extensions with short hair?
Blending hair extensions with short hair is all about balance - balancing lengths and thickness. As there is a noticeable difference in lengths between your natural hair and your extensions, a good amount of effort needs to go into achieving a natural look.
- Choose a variety of extension lengths within a range of about four inches.
- Start by back combing your hair at the roots.
- Then, ensure that you install your extension wefts in even increments starting towards the back of your head about 2-3 inches from the nape of your neck, going upwards in horizontal lines to a little under the crown of your head as well as on the sides of your head above your ears.
- Try not to put any wefts too close to the crown of your hair because your hair naturally parts at the crown and will show the clips.
- After you have installed your extensions, back comb to create volume and cover any sight of the clips.
- You can now style your hair!
Get These Clip In Hair Extensions for that stunning new look!
Five tips to keep in mind when using hair extensions on short hair.
1. Your hair must be at least 3-4 inches long
The tops of all hair extensions are attached to your head using clips or sticky strips which are slightly thicker than the hair extensions themselves. If your hair is less than 3-4 inches long, these clips may be visible through your shorter hair…especially on a windy day! So 3-4 inches of hair is necessary in order to cover the clips and keep you looking chic. Also, the shorter your hair is, the harder it is to blend in hair extensions. The shorter the hair, the choppier your look will turn out.
2. The extension must blend
This one seems a tad obvious but it’s surprising how many extension users don’t blend their extensions into their natural hair enough to create a natural look. To start off, the colour of the hair extensions needs to match your natural hair colour. Also, remember that the larger the difference in lengths is between your natural hair and the hair extensions, the harder it will be to blend your hair extensions. Try not to use anything longer than 20 inch extensions.
3. Don’t use synthetic hair
While you may consider synthetic hair extensions for their relatively cheaper price, make sure you count the styling cost. Because synthetic hair extensions are made using plastic fibres they cannot be dyed. Therefore, colour matching the extensions to your natural hair is vital. Also, due to the plastic products used, most synthetic hair cannot be styled using heat and also becomes matted and damaged if slept in. In contrast, extensions made from human hair react in the same way as your normal hair does to washing, sleeping, heating, curling, and dying. Also, while synthetic extensions may last up to 6 months, human hair extensions will last you over a year, making them a smart investment for any extension-user.
4. Style your tresses with the extension clipped in
Assuming you’ve made the wise choice to use human hair extensions, then styling your hair is a breeze. All you need to do is use your usual flat iron, curling iron, or hair dryer to style your hair the way you normally would. Clip in extensions are strong so you can even braid your hair or style it into an up-do. By styling your hair with the extensions clipped in, you transform your hair into a natural, put-together look. This is simply not possible with synthetic hair as your styling tools will damage the extensions.
5. For more complicated and layered cuts, have your hairdresser layer your extensions
Layering your extensions evenly can be a challenge when you have short hair. If you attach the extension wefts unevenly or crookedly the result will be unnatural, ‘lumpy’ looking hair…not a good look! Especially if you have a ‘blunt’ cut such as a one-length bob, your extensions will be very noticeable unless professionally attached.
To ensure your hair ends up looking chic and beautiful for these complicated cuts, a good option is to leave it up to your hairdresser and have them layer (and colour if need be) your extensions. If your hair extensions are long, there will be a large difference in length between your natural hair and your extensions; a professional can cut the right lengths and variety of layers to create a fuller, more natural look and help to blend the extensions in.
If you’re worried about having a DIY looking haircut, you can always spend the extra money and have it done professionally.
If you keep these tips in mind, along with a bit of practice then hair extensions can be a really useful tool in your hair styling ‘arsenal’. So get practicing and be sure to let us know how you go! We’d love to hear your comments, questions or experiences below.