5 Tips To Make Hair Extensions Look Natural If You Have Thin Tresses
Adding hair extensions to a haircut or style that adds volume back to thinning hair can be a quick way to bring even more volume and length, or try out a new 'do without waiting months for your natural hair to grow. But let's be honest, they only look good when they're installed and cared for correctly. And that can be easier said that done. Even famous faces with their own glam teams don't always get it right, as these celebs who suffered hair extension fails that made us cringe know all too well. But clip-ins have also been used by countless of our favorite celebrities the right way – including Demi Lovato (who looks so different without her hair extensions) – and they look totally gorgeous when they blend seamlessly.
"Women with thin hair often get very intimidated by clip in extensions," Stephanie Angelone, master Stylist at RPZL Hair Extension & Blowout Bar in New York City, exclusively told us. "[A] challenge women with fine or thin hair may face are the extensions showing or the hair being too full where it doesn't blend naturally," she added. But that certainly doesn't mean they're to be feared. "If done the correct way, none of these things will be an issue for anyone with hair of this nature," Angelone confirmed. But how do we avoid the major pitfalls? We asked Angelone to share her best tips, and we're passing them on to you.
Choose clip-ins with a flat seam
One of the most obvious signs a person is wearing clip-in hair extensions is the seam (that's the top part of the extension where it fixes into your natural locks) showing. Anything too bulky or thick under thin hair may become visible as your locks move, and could also push out your hair in an unnatural way. "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Layla Taylor knows that all too well, as she poked fun at her own extension fail on TikTok when her extra tresses were clearly visible on the reality show.
@laylaleannetaylor The back of my head is none of my business
"You want something with a small, flat seam so nothing shows or bulks out at your root," Stephanie Angelone told Women.com exclusively, recommending RPZL products for how flush they sit to the head. "RPZL is one of the only extensions brands that offer micro skin weft clip ins. The wefts are 50% thinner than most other brands and the weft itself is super thin and mimics the look of your scalp, so it will never be shown when placed correctly or look bulky," she said. "The skin weft is extremely lightweight, which prevents snagging on your natural hair," Angelone added.
Remember less is more
If you have thin hair, it can be tempting to attach multiple layers of extensions to your natural locks to really bulk up the volume. But resist the urge to overdo it, as too many pieces may make your clip-ins more obvious. "An issue women seem to face is when they add a ton of hair, the top of your hair will still look thin while your bottoms look overly full. This looks unnatural," Stephanie Angelone exclusively explained. "Less is more you don't always have to add all the hair that comes in your clip in packages," she added. "Some women only wear one or two wefts to achieve a natural fullness so it's your hair but better."
To decide what's right for you, we suggest purchasing a hair extension pack with multiple wefts and installing them all in front of a mirror. Then, remove each piece one at a time until you achieve a look you're happy with that looks natural and feels comfortable. You could also take your extra locks with you to your next haircut appointment, as your hair stylist can provide tailored advice on how many pieces to apply and where to put them.
Tease your locks and apply volumizing powder before adding extensions
As thin hair can still look flat at the top with clip-in extensions installed, Stephanie Angelone exclusively told us some users may benefit from (gently!) teasing the hair around the clips and adding volume powder. Not only will teasing create a more voluminous look to match the extensions, it will also help keep the hairpieces in place and prevent them slipping down your thin locks. This can be done using a teasing comb, such as LLTGMV's Triple Teasing Comb for Fine Hair or the Goody Ace Comb for Teasing.
"When applying clip ins, do a light tease at the root with adding RPZL Volumizing Powder to help create a secure hold so nothing slips and shows," Angelone suggested. "Simply take the section above where you applied your clip in extension, sprinkle some product on and give a nice tight tease. Comb the teased section over the clip and this will 100% assure you that nothing will stick out or show through the day." Applying a thin layer of hairspray or texturizing spray can also help prevent your extensions from slipping down, as it will create more texture and grip.
Don't place your hair extensions too high
When installing clip-in extensions in thinner hair, ensure you're not placing the strands too high on your head. "Keep them low," Stephanie Angelone said during our exclusive chat. "Women with thinner hair on the top should not be placing their clip-ins anywhere above their temples. Use this as a guide to know where to place throughout the perimeter of your head." Of course, you don't want the strands to be installed too low either, but placing them overly high is more likely to expose the seam. That's because there may not be enough thickness in a thin, top layer of your natural tresses to fully cover the top of the accessories.
Another factor to consider when choosing the right area for your clip-ins is where your hair is naturally thinnest. If you're looking to add volume over length, you may benefit from only clipping hairpieces into the areas that require a little extra bulk (much like we only apply concealer in the areas we need it, not all over the face). For example, if you require extra volume at the front of your head only, try bang-only extensions, such as REECHO Long Side Air Bangs or the Long Side Bangs Clip-in Hair 2-Piece Set by Vavanga. These will help frame the face without risking being exposed at the back of your head.
Remember to style your hair extensions and take care of them
Hair extensions come with their own care instructions (which will vary depending on factors including if they're human or faux hair, the clip style, and how they've been styled) so pay close attention to the tailored advice given with your hair pack. However, most will require washing using a sulphate-free shampoo and brushing regularly to stop them tangling and knotting. How often will depend on how much you wear them and the amount of product used each time in styling and creating grip, but the it's important to keep them in good condition, as any kinks or tangles will show through thin hair. Some companies offer brushes designed specifically for use on extensions and wigs, such as The Mermaid Extension Care Store's Boar Bristle Brush or the RemySoft Beauty & Opulence Boar Bristle Brush.
It's also paramount you style your extensions in the same way as your natural hair. To make them look more natural in thin tresses, try carefully styling them after they've been clipped in. That way, they're more likely to blend and assimilate with your own mane. Equally, thinner hair can look fuller when it's tightly curled and curled extensions can look less obvious than a straight 'do because of the added movement and texture. You could even try this hair stylist trick for getting voluminous curls to stay. Just make sure your extensions can be styled using heat (and check the highest temperature that can be applied to them) first.