The Best Hair Extensions for Fine Hair, According to a Hair Extension Addict
If your hair is fine like mine and you’d like a bit more volume or longer locks, hair extensions are an excellent option. But finding the best hair extensions for fine hair can be tricky business since they can be a little harder to blend in.
What’s more, if you don’t get the right types of extensions for your hair, they may be noticeable—and that’s the last thing anyone wants!
Even if your hair is fine, you can totally achieve a natural look for more volume and more length with the right extensions.
Here, I’ll break down the different types of hair extensions and the pros and cons of each to help you decide what are the best hair extensions for you.
I’ve tried just about every type of hair extension there is and have used them for more than a decade, so trust me when I say I know a thing or two about hair extensions for fine hair!
And whether you’re looking for extensions for a special occasion or want Rapunzel-like locks on the daily, there’s a great option for you.
TL;DR
EASIEST TO DIY: Halo Hair Extensions
BEST CLIP-INS FOR FINE HAIR: BFB Hair
BEST SEMI-PERMANENT METHOD: Tape-in extensions or hand-tied wefts
LEAST DAMAGING HAIR EXTENSIONS: Halo Hair Extensions
DIY Hair Extensions vs. Salon Hair Extensions
Hair extensions come in so many different options these days that you don’t even have to see a salon professional to get the look.
You can try several different DIY hair extensions at home, which is especially great if you don’t want to spend the time (or money) at a hair salon.
Typically, DIY hair extensions include clip-in hair extensions and halo hair extensions.
Some women are brave enough to attempt sewn-in and tape-in extensions at home, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a salon professional.
The Best Clip-in Hair Extensions for Fine Hair
Like many, my first foray into hair extensions was trying clip-in hair extensions at home.
There are SO many different hair extension brands that it’s easy to fall down the YouTube rabbit hole trying to figure out what the best ones are.
What’s more, when so many influencers and YouTubers are sponsored by hair extension brands, it can be hard to tell who is being genuine about their experience.
For the best clip-in extensions for fine hair, I love and recommend Barefoot Blonde Hair. These are high-quality human hair extensions that blend really well into your natural hair.
Barefoot Blonde Extensions come in straight, wavy, curly or coily styles and you can choose from 21” to 24” in length. There is also an “updo” version you can buy, which is perfect for bridal hairstyles or if you like to wear your hair up.
For shorter hair, I really like the fill-ins which look incredibly natural on fine hair. These are great if you have fine, shoulder-length hair or shorter.
BFB Hair ships incredibly fast.
I’ve also tried clip-in hair extensions from:
- SKR Hair (now closed)
- Sally Hair Extensions
- Bellami Hair
- Milk & Honey hair
The hair extensions you can get at your local Sally Beauty Supply were the worst by far. After all, you get what you pay for! The quality was just not there as typically what you’ll find is synthetic hair whereas the best quality is remy hair extensions.
The Sally Beauty hair extensions were so fine they were basically see-through.
Bottom line: out of all of the ones listed above, I had the best experience with BFB Hair. It is ethically sourced, 100% human remy hair.
How to Blend Clip-in Extensions for a Natural Look
Once you get your clip-in hair extensions, you’ll want to make an appointment with your hairstylist so she can trim and blend them into your hair.
Do NOT skip this step. This will ensure that your clip-in extensions blend naturally into your hair, which is especially important when you have fine hair.
Your hair stylist can also teach you how to easily put them in and take them out.
PRO TIP: Order a Color Match Kit from BFB to get 5 hair samples sent to you. You’ll get $10 applied for your order of your hair!
Pros & Cons of Clip-in Hair Extensions
Clip-in hair extensions are a great option for anyone as they aren’t nearly as expensive or as much of a commitment as going to the salon.
If you’re concerned about potential hair damage as well then clip-in hair extensions may be a good option for you.
That being said, there are some Cons to consider! Take a peek at he Pros & Cons below.
Pros
Clip-in Hair Extensions
- Affordable hair extensions
- Easy way to experiment with different colors and length
- Less damaging than semi-permanent hair extension methods
- A DIY solution that doesn’t require a pricey salon visit.
- Holds a curl well so you don’t have to style every time.
Cons
Clip-in Hair Extensions
- You can’t sleep in them; must be put in whenever you need them.
- Not an ideal solution for daily wear.
- Can be a learning curve when placing in and styling.
How to Put in Clip-in Hair Extensions
When it comes to wearing clip-in hair extensions with fine hair, you’ll want to create a bit of grit with product and do some backcombing.
I love and use Redken Quick Tease and spray it before backcombing my hair with a teasing comb like this. I’ve also liked and used OSiS Dust IT Mattifying Powder.
This helps the hair extensions stay in longer since it can be easy for extensions to slip out of fine hair.
For more tips on how to insert, hide and style clip-ins, check out this video:
Shop My Favorite Hair Extension Accessories
Halo Hair Extensions
Halo hair extensions are arguably the easiest to put in of all the hair extension types.
They are simply one large weft of hair connected by an invisible wire. You put it on on top of your head like a headband and then use a fine-toothed comb to lift your hair over the wire. That’s it!
You can wear halo hair extensions every day and they take no more than two minutes to put in.
Most hair extension specialists can order halo hair extensions for you.
Like clip-in hair extensions, you can also order these on your own and have your hair stylist cut the wire and cut the hair so it blends well.
Some brands to try include:
- Hidden Crown Hair
- BFB Hair (Halo + clip-in hybrid)
- Glam Seamless
Pros & Cons of Halo Hair Extensions
As I mentioned, I LOVE halo hair extensions since they are so easy to pop in! These are the least damaging hair extensions since there is no tape, glue, braiding or clips involved that will pull on the hair.
Of course, there are some Cons to keep in mind as well. Take a peek below to help you make your decision.
Pros
Halo Hair Extensions
- Takes less than 60 seconds to pop in
- Least damaging hair extension type; no tape, glue, clip or braiding!
- Fair price point; hair can last 6-12+ months
Cons
Halo Hair Extensions
- The weft is very thick and heavy, and can be harder to blend in to very fine hair while looking natural.
- Can get matted quickly if worn while sweating or in the summer months.
- Updos can be tricky.
If you are suffering from hair loss, halo extensions are the best choice since they won’t further tug on or damage your hair and will provide the extra volume you’re looking for.
PRO TIP: If your hair is thinning on top, Hidden Crown Hair has a hair topper you can try.
Fusion Hair Extensions
If you want semi-permanent hair extensions, you may be interested in fusion hair extensions. These are also known a K-tips or Keratin-tip extensions.
These extensions are small pieces of hair strands individually bonded to your hair shaft with keratin bonds. The bond melts and glues the extension to your hair with a small iron.
A professional hairstylist will be able to give you pricing based on your desired look. Once you purchase the hair, you will be able to reuse it several times.
It will require maintenance, however, as your hair naturally grows, your extensions will grow out, too. Expect to book a “move up” appointment every 6-8 weeks.
During a move-up, your hair extensions will be removed and then put back in like your first appointment.
I have fine, yet full, hair and fusion hair extensions are what I started with when getting extensions. After trying out different methods, however, I no longer prefer fusion extensions.
RELATED: 5 Hair Secrets from a Beauty Editor for Gorgeous, Luscious Locks
The biggest “Con” to this type of extension is that they can sometimes appear “stringy” if not styled well. (These are the type of extensions you see Britney Spears wearing).
I personally found them harder to blend into my natural hair than other extension types.
What’s more, as they grow out you may lose individual strands here and there so that’s something to keep in mind.
Pros & Cons of Keratin-Tip Extensions
Although I no longer get fusion keratin-tip hair extensions, there are definitely some advantages as well as disadvantages to consider.
Pros
K-Tip Extensions
- One of the oldest and most popular hair extension methods
- Bonds are safe and made of keratin
- Easy to style hair in updos and other styles
- Longer lasting than other hair extension methods
Cons
K-Tip Extensions
- Can appear stringy if not styled right.
- Expensive and regular maintenance is required every few weeks.
- Harder to blend into very fine hair if the right hair isn’t chosen or put in by a professional
Tape-In Hair Extensions
Another popular hair extension method for fine hair are tape-in hair extensions. With tape extensions, small wefts of hair that are about 2 inches wide are taped to your hair. This is done by essentially sandwiching your hair between two tape wefts.
Like fusion hair extensions, these will grow out and you’ll have to make an appointment to remove and replace them every 6-8 weeks.
Tape-in hair extensions can be more expensive than fusion, but they are much more natural looking and are an excellent option for finer hair.
If you desire fullness, tape-in hair extensions are gorgeous. Your stylist can tell you how many to order to get your desired look.
Once you buy the hair, it can be re-used several times and can last a few months up to a year. This depends on how you care for it, of course, as over time it will need trims.
Pros & Cons of Tape-in Hair Extensions
Tape-in hair extensions blend really well into fine hair. You won’t have to pop them in and out every day and the actual hair can last up to a year if you care for it well!
Pros
Tape Hair Extensions
- Hair can last up to a year if taken care of well.
- Wefts blend into hair nicely
- Excellent for both length and volume
Cons
Tape-in Hair Extensions
- Expensive and regular maintenance is required every few weeks.
- It may be more noticeable when wefts slip out since they’re 2″ sections of hair.
Hand-Tied Hair Extensions
Hand-tied hair extensions are the most expensive type of semi-permanent hair extensions. But the look is gorgeous and excellent if you’re wanting to add volume and length to your own hair.
This hair extension method involves sewing the hair extensions into your hair and there a few methods of doing so.
Unlike tape-in extensions or K-tip extensions, no glue or adhesive is used to apply these. The wefts are thinner and more natural-looking than other types of extensions.
PROS of Hand-Tied Hair Extensions
Hand-tied extensions tend to be lighter than tape wefts, so no pulling! Since the hair is sewn closely to the scalp, you’ll also be able to easily style your hair up without the extensions peeking through.
Like tape-ins, you’ll also be able to re-use the hair multiple times.
Cons of Hand-Tied Hair Extensions
Just like the other permanent hair extension methods, these require maintenance every few weeks. Expect to be at the salon every 6-8 weeks for move-up appointments.
These extensions are also the most expensive method out of all the ones listed in this post.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the best option for your hair comes down to your budget and needs.
Whether you want something semi-permanent like tape wefts or are ok with temporary extensions you put in yourself, there are plenty of options.
If you’re thinking of getting semi-permanent hair extensions for fine hair, chat with your hairstylist who can help guide you in choosing the best extensions for your hair type.
Do you wear hair extensions? Share your experience with others who are reading this in the comments below!
My hair has come out its little strands after having a weave constantly for a year . It’s natural blonde and was fine but had a full head of hair now it’s that bad I couldn’t life without extensions now. Thing is the weave has killed my hair and only lasts couple weeks being so fine it’s such a headache having these on I’m constantly checking them and can’t wash my hair in shower like I used to .. it’s very expensive 120 every 2-3 weeks and just want to have long thick hair but my own hair growing back healthy cause they never going to wearing this weave . Thank you x
What kind of extensions do you have?