Hair Extensions 101: Types, Cost, and How to Care for Them
Extensions have moved a long way from the obvious clip-ins of fifteen years ago. Applied properly and matched well, nobody should be able to tell. Here’s what actually matters when you’re deciding.
The main types
Tape-in extensions. Thin wefts sandwiched onto your own hair with medical-grade adhesive tabs. They lie flat, so they work well with fine hair, and they’re among the quickest to apply. Expect to have them moved up every six to eight weeks as your hair grows.
Sew-in (weft) extensions. Your natural hair is braided and wefts are stitched onto the braid. Very secure and long-wearing, best suited to thicker, stronger hair.
Keratin bond extensions. Individual strands attached with a keratin bond. The most versatile for movement and updos because each strand moves independently — but also the most time-intensive to apply.
Clip-ins. Not a salon service, but worth mentioning: perfect if you want length for a single event and nothing permanent.
What extensions can and cannot do
They can add length, add thickness to fine hair, fill in a growing-out haircut, and add colour without chemical processing.
They cannot fix damaged hair. If your hair is breaking, extensions add weight to hair that is already struggling. A good stylist will tell you to wait — and if a stylist never says no to anyone, that’s worth noticing.
Caring for them
This is where most extension disappointment comes from. The rules are simple but not optional:
- Brush daily with a proper extension brush, holding the hair at the root so you’re not tugging on the bonds
- Sulphate-free shampoo only — sulphates break down adhesive and strip colour
- Keep conditioner off the bonds. Mid-lengths and ends only
- Dry the bonds properly. Going to bed with damp bonds is the single fastest way to cause slippage and matting
- Braid loosely before sleeping, or use a silk pillowcase
- Heat-protect before styling, every time
Follow that and good-quality hair lasts through multiple move-ups. Skip it and you’ll be disappointed in six weeks, whatever you paid.
The honest cost conversation
Extensions are priced by the amount of hair, the type of application, and the time it takes — so a quote needs a real consultation, not a phone estimate. What we can tell you is that maintenance is part of the cost, not an extra: budget for move-ups every six to eight weeks.
Cheap extensions are the expensive option. Low-grade hair tangles, sheds and won’t hold colour, and you replace it far sooner.
Book a consultation in Summit, IL
We’ve been fitting extensions at InfinityStyles since 2013, at 7432 W. Archer Avenue in Summit — convenient for clients from Bedford Park, Bridgeview and the surrounding area.
Call (708) 594-2050 to arrange a consultation, or read more about our hair extension services.
