Clip-In Hair Extensions: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Clip-in extensions are the most popular way to add length and volume without a salon. You clip them in when you want them and take them out at night, which is why most people start here. Most of what first-time buyers worry about comes down to five choices: shade, length, weight, texture and how to put them in.

In short: clip-in extensions are wefts of hair with small snap clips sewn along the top. You clip them close to the roots in horizontal sections and let your own hair fall over them. To get a natural result, match the shade to your ends, choose 4 to 8 inches longer than your hair, and pick a weight your hair can cover.

What are clip-in hair extensions?

Clip-in hair extensions are sections of hair, called wefts, sewn onto a narrow strip with small pressure clips attached. A full set usually has several wefts of different widths: wider ones for the back of the head, narrower ones for the sides.

Our clip-in set has 7 wefts, 140g of single-donor human hair, in 16, 20 or 24 inches, straight or wavy.

Who are clip-in extensions for?

Clip-in extensions suit anyone whose own hair is about chin length or longer and who wants more length, more volume, or both, without a long-term commitment. They are popular for:

• Everyday volume for fine or flat hair
• Extra length for weddings, events and photos
• Trying longer hair before committing to salon extensions
• Filling out a ponytail or updo

If your thinning is concentrated at the crown or part, a topper covers that area better than clip-ins. Our beginner’s guide to at-home hair extensions compares all the options.

How do you choose the right clip-in set?

Choosing a clip-in set comes down to four decisions, in this order.

Decision	What to match	Our guide
Shade	The ends of your hair, in daylight	How to match extensions to your hair color
Shade number	The closest code on the chart	Hair color numbers explained
Length	4 to 8 inches longer than your hair	What length clip-ins to get
Weight	How much hair you have now	How many grams of clip-ins you need

Texture is the fifth: choose straight or wavy to match how you usually wear your hair, since human hair can be restyled with heat if you change your mind on the day.

How do you put in clip-in extensions?

Putting in clip-ins takes about 5 to 15 minutes, starting at the back and working up.

1. Brush your hair so there are no knots, and style it first if you plan to use heat.
2. Section the hair horizontally at the nape, a little above the hairline, and clip the rest up out of the way.
3. Open the clips on the widest weft, lay it against the section with the clips facing your scalp, and snap each clip shut close to the roots.
4. Let down the next section, about an inch higher, and add the next weft. Repeat, working up toward the crown.
5. Place the narrow wefts at the sides, above the ears, keeping them back from your face.
6. Let your hair down over the top weft and brush gently from the ends up to blend.

If a clip slides on silky or fine hair, tease the section lightly at the root before clipping for extra grip.

Will clip-ins look natural?

Clip-ins look natural when three things are right: the shade matches your ends, the weight is one your hair can cover, and the top weft sits low enough for your own hair to fall over it. The most common giveaways are a shade that is one step too light and a set too heavy for fine hair, which shows at the edges of the wefts.

Do clip-in extensions damage your hair?

Clip-in extensions are among the gentlest types, because they come out every night and use no glue or heat. They are not completely risk-free. The small sections of hair the clips grip carry the weight of the set, so very heavy sets, clips placed on tiny sections, and wearing them to bed can stress those strands over time.

Three habits keep the risk low: choose a weight that suits your hair, place clips on sections at least as wide as the clip, and shift the clip positions slightly from day to day.

How long do clip-in extensions last?

Human hair clip-ins often last a year or more with regular wear and good care, although lifespan depends on how often you wear them, how you wash them and how much heat you use. Washing only when needed, using a heat protectant and storing them flat or hanging all help them last.

How do you care for clip-in extensions?

Care for clip-ins much like your own hair, but more gently:

• Brush from the ends up with a soft or loop brush before and after wearing.
• Wash only when they look dull or have product build-up, with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
• Let them air-dry flat on a towel, and use a heat protectant before styling.
• Store them flat in their box or hanging, away from sun and moisture.

Ready to choose your set?

Send a daylight photo of your hair through our contact page and we will reply with the shade, length and weight we would choose. Our clip-in sets are made to order and available in our Etsy shop. If you usually wear your hair up, our guide to ponytail extension types may suit you better.