Our Top Picks for Clip-in Hair Extensions on Wedding Day
As you look through various photos of bridal hair inspiration and formal styles, keep in mind that professional styles have one common theme to help create a top glam hairstyle = extensions. Stylists are spilling their beauty secrets and all the details you need to get that dream hair. In this blog, you will find information to help you make the best choice of hair extensions for YOU. We’ve omitted the gimmicky sales pitch and influencer-based recommendations. Whether you’re uncertain about the shopping experience, or if you know what you want, you will find a simple breakdown to get you started!
IN THIS ARTICLE Are extensions right for you?Real vs Synthetic HairTerms to KnowBuying Guide: length, weight, prepBrands: price + pros vs consReal Weddings: bride examples using clip-in extensions
So, what are clip-in hair extensions? Quality clip-in hair extensions are human hair collected from a donor, and sewn on to 1-5 inch wide strips called wefts. The weft will lie flat across your head and snap to the base of your hair (like a barrette) to provide extra volume and length. You can use as many wefts as you like, but most will come as a ‘set’ when you buy clip-in hair extensions online. The set will include 4-8 wefts (in different widths) to allow you to customize and shape them to your head as if they were semi-permanent extensions (without the maintenance).
Questions to determine if clip-in extensions are right for you:
Does my hair hold a curl? If your hair tends to fall flat in an hour or less, extensions are a great way to ensure the curls will last. If you are wearing your hair down for any event, clip-in extensions are a must. A wedding hairstylist will do their best to ensure longevity, but some elements will not work in our favor such as your hair's ability to hold curl or humidity and rain. Hair extensions will hold curl extremely well, and they ensure durability in most undesirable weather conditions.
The ends of my hair: are they separated, sparse, and thin at the bottom? Can you see my shirt through my hair? Extensions would be the best option to add the extra volume for a fuller style.
How long is my hair compared to the girl in the picture? Is there a significant difference in your hair length and the style pictured? Length drastically makes a difference in the overall look and the ability to achieve the look. Hair extensions can be used for added length, not just volume!
THE BASICS
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Human hair vs synthetic hair are the two types of hair options you need to know. Human hair extensions (made from real human hair) are the best option for styling with heat + product. Remy human hair is the closest alternative to mimic your hair and texture. Synthetic hair extensions are manufactured from alternate materials, such as plastic, and it's ability to withstand heat, product, and washing will not hold up the same way as human hair. A quality set of human hair extensions last 9-12 months with gentle everyday use. We talk more about hair extension qaulity, what to look for when buying hair extensions, and how to determine if you’re purchasing the best hair here.
TERMS TO KNOW
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Weft: a weft is one long track of hair 1-6 inches in width. Attached to the weft are small bendable clips, and they snap like a barrette at the base of your root to hold the additional hair in place. The number of clips will range from 1-4 based on the width of the individual weft.
Gram: refers to the amount of hair & thickness in the total set of hair extensions. This can include multiple wefts.
Full Set: refers to a set of extensions that vary with 4-12 wefts to snap in your hair.
Classic Set: the top of the weft is sewn/stitched together with thick thread and mesh cloth. These tend to be bulkier when placed against the head.
Seamless: the top of the weft is bonded together and laid flat like a tape-in extension. These extensions are super thin and lay flat to head to create a seamless look.
Density: refers to the number of strands on your head or used to make extensions and wigs. Density determines how thick or thin hair is.
BEFORE YOU BUY
RULE: extensions need be 100% remy human hair to be able to use a hot tool & style.
GOAL: add Volume and/or Length
LENGTH: 18-22 inch length is standard for brides
THICKNESS:
90g (Extra Light)- very fine hair
100-110g (Light)- natural fine hair that mimics the natural texture
120-130g (Natural/Medium)- natural medium hair
150g (Natural/Full)- natural with a little added fullness
180g (Heavy)- a full voluminous hair look
200g (Extra Heavy)- glamorous celeb style hair
INSTALL: barrette clips snap into each section of the hair. Start from the bottom and layer each section parallel to one another. Gradually work your way upward in one inch sections snapping each weft of hair in place.
PREP: number each weft to remember the order + placement.
CUT: take them to your stylist & have them dry cut into your hair, if needed. After the extensions are installed + cut, the numbers from each weft will allow you to keep track of the order and ensure the hair blends each time you install.
Fine hair tip: for added length + less weight we recommend a lower gram. Bypass extensions that are 200g or higher. If you have thin hair, the extensions will look heavy and less natural when compared to individual hair follicles.
Thick hair tip: naturally thick hair should go with a higher gram to blend with the natural weight of your hair. The hair thickness needs to match or the extra hair will look like a rat tail compared to your natural thickness.
Clip- in Hair-Extension Brands
If you search the internet you will find endless options for hair extensions and it can get overwhelming. Beauty Asylum put together a list of brands based on quality and personal use over the years. Bridal hairstyling requires a specific need and quality requirement for clip-in extensions. Below are top reputable brands we work often and recommend to brides and clients looking to purchase clip-in hair extensions. Do not see a brand listed here? It could be that the Beauty Asylum team have not worked with them yet, and/or we are listing select favorites.
Price: $200+
PRO
cheaper option
easy in-store buy
seamless/Invisi weft
CON
not many color options
one option: 18” length/80g
might be out of stock
For ladies on a budget or if wearing added hair isn’t your thing- Sally’s Beauty Supply and their extensions may be an option for you. The clip-in extensions are not thick but it offers some fullness and length for ladies with low or medium density hair. Sally's is a go-to if you need a new set and you need it quickly. The price is a little easier on the wallet as well. Sally’s also offers the invisible wefts for their Ultra Seamless line, Euronext.
Price Range: $150- $250+
PRO
mid-priced line of clip-in extensions
range of color including ombre options
length range from 14”- 26”inch
gram options: 100, 120, 160, 180, 220, 280
individual wefts available for purchase
Seamless/Invisi line (160g)
easy website navigation
excellent color matching guide
CON
pricey for a one time user
shipping from UK (slower)
once open, no returns
I love that Milk & Blush offer the option to purchase individual wefts instead of a whole set at a reasonable price. This is an excellent option to create the perfect updo. ( Or you could be like me and lose a weft of hair somehow). Milk and Blush also have a great IG following with everyday people wearing their extensions, @milkandblush. They also have video footage and comparable pictures to look through their color selection. If you’re still second-guessing the best color choice you can send them a picture and they have someone online to help you pick the right color.
Price Range: $215-$350+
PRO
range of color, length, & gram options
length range from 14”- 22”inch
individual wefts available for purchase
Seamless/Invisi line
clip-in pony tail options
CON
Expensive
Seamless/Invisi weft (80g)
poor website navigation
Beauty Works is the most expensive of the hair extension line. Celebrities like the Kardashian’s have publicly endorsed Beauty Works which has sent the popularity soaring and creating a name in the hair extension world. Beauty Works does offer professional applications for extensions other than clip-in extensions such as pre-bonded and tape-ins extensions.
You can find labels under their clip-in line to define the different grams for thickness, color options, and length. They have the Double Hair set (180g), Celebrity set (120g), and the Double Gold set (150g- 210g). These labels all fall under the classic production of mesh wefts. Then there’s the Seamless/Invisi weft that comes in at a very low 80g. This is not a lot of hair IMO compared to Milk and Blush seamless set.
Price Range: $215-$355+
CON
set length 21”
set thickness of 160g
not many color options
front pieces sold separately
full set $355
PRO
free color swatches (up to 5 shades)
all sets are seamless
bridal examples
clip-in pony tail options
interest free payments
thick Seamless/Invsi Line (160g)
The marketing for BFB Hair is great. We love the company is geared to brides. I ordered the swatches for blondes and the colors are beautiful. Be wary, they do not offer many color options darker hair. The price point for a Classic Set will get you 10 wefts for $215 at 160g. This will add a little extra fullness based on our density guide above. You are limited to just one length and thickness option. However, I love that you can get this much thickness with the Seamless line!
Real Brides + Weddings
Beauty Asylum brides
Don’t have a style in mind yet? Check out our hair Lookbook, HERE. Search through images similar to your hair color + skin tone to get an accurate idea of how your hair will look. We have great tips to prepare for your hair trial, HERE.
If you are looking to wear your hair down or half up, we recommend extensions 90% of the time. The ability to withstand the elements of wedding day are unmatched, and the finished result will nail your hair goals. Extensions are not just fine of thin hair, but it is inclusive for our brides with medium-thick hair as well. Check the before and after displaying the difference extensions can make.
FOREGO HALO EXTENSIONS. These extension may be great for everyday use, however, we do not recommend them for bridal styling. The thin fishline that holds the hair to your head is visible and very difficult to hide. It will indent in the area the line is placed.
We know flat hair is almost as desirable as a zit popping up on your big day. You might find yourself asking, “Can my hair look like that?” Our answer is yes! There’s many ways to create the perfect wedding day hairstyle and clip-in extensions are an important option to consider. The majority of bridal hairstyles we create and that you see on Pinterest have filler and hair extensions discreetly added. If you prepare- you can have amazing hair on wedding day and no one will know you have extensions!