
Hair extensions are the easiest and quickest way to add length to your hair, but that’s not all they do. They can also volumize thin, flat hair and add dimension to color while looking very understated. Seriously: the latest hair extensions are more natural than ever.
But like many things in the world of beauty, extensions can be both alluring and daunting. From clips and keratin bonds to microlinks and recordings, one of the hardest parts of trying out extensions is figuring out which ones are right for you.
Moving forward, we asked three celebrity hairstylists who have worked with the likes of Rihanna, Khloe Kardashian and Kunta Brunson to give their expert analysis of everything you need to know about the different types of hair extensions.
What is a clip?
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
- Quick
Cons:
- Short-term style
- Can slip out if applied incorrectly
- Daily maintenance and adjustments required
Installation time: 5–10 minutes
Average cost: $100–$300
Clip-in extensions are weft yarns attached to a small one-inch comb that clip into your natural hair in sections. The weft varies in width, so they are easy to place and blend along your head.
Popular primarily for their ease of use, practicality and affordability, clip-in extensions are the hair extensions of choice for those who want to change their hair quickly at home. But celebrities and their stylists love them, too.
Celebrity hairstylist Kendall Dorsey used clips from Wig Dealer to create Rihanna’s latest Aaliyah-inspired lewk. Dorsey praised the endless options offered by the clips and noted that they’re perfect for bad girl RiRi’s busy schedule.
“If she wants the middle section for breakfast and [then] has a business meeting and then she goes out for the evening and we want to move to the side section, then we can go ahead and take off the clips and boom,” Dorsey said.
For best results, he suggests opting to mimic the hair’s extension texture in its natural state and “build the style around it.

What Are Sew-In Extensions?
Pros:
- Great protective style
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- Requires hair to be left out
- Limited access to your natural hair once installed
- Inflexible styling options
Installation time: 2–4 hours, depending on hair length and density
Average cost: Up to $1,000
With sew-in extensions, your natural hair is braided into cornrows that go all the way to the scalp. But a portion of the hair is left out to cover the top track, often referred to as the omission. Traces of hair are then hand-sewn onto the braid, hiding most of the natural hair completely. Sometimes a small amount of hair is also left out around the perimeter for a more seamless installation.
Since most of your hair is protected by the braid, stitching has become a preferred method of protection for those who want to give their curls a little break. But celebrity hairstylist Alexandre Armand, who has worked with Hollywood favorites like Quinta Brunson and Keke Palmer, warns that braiding or over-straining braids can ultimately do more harm than good, damaging hair or causing a type of hair loss called traction alopecia in the process.
Making sure you go to an expert for the installation is key. “It’s understandable that clients want to make sure their sewn-in clothes last the longest, but you also want to make sure you don’t feel uncomfortable,” he says. “If it’s too tight or there’s any discomfort, that’s a sign that something isn’t right.”
What Are Microlinks, or Beaded Extensions?
Pros:
- Ponytail and bun friendly
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- Time-consuming
- Can cause tension on the natural hair
- High-maintenance
- Pricey
Installation time: 4–6 hours, depending on hair density
Average cost: Up to $1,000 with installation
A microlink is a cluster of individual strands that are attached to tiny sections of natural hair by beads. The beads are then clamped to hold the extensions in place. Each bundle contains 200 to 300 individual strands, and most installations require two or three strands, depending on the density of the hair and the desired look.
While the service is available to anyone, Armand advises those with tighter coils to be especially careful when considering microlinks, as achieving a seamless fusion requires a lot of maintenance. “Those who have a lot of texture, when they shampoo and condition their hair, it’s obvious it will go back to its natural state. When it grows out a little bit, it’s also hard to really get that root area when styling,” he says.
What Are Tape-In Extensions?
Pros:
- Easy installation (compared to other semi-permanent extension styles)
- Long-lasting (4–6 months)
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons:
- Pricey
- High-maintenance blending
Installation time: 45 minutes–2 hours, depending on hair density
Average cost: Up to $2,000 with installation
As the name implies, a hair tie is a small section of pre-taped hair extensions, about an inch wide, secured throughout the hair. Unlike bobby pins, hair ties can be retained for four to six weeks, depending on the texture of your hair. Since no braiding is required, they provide a flatter, sleeker finished look. “You can put a tape a centimeter from the part and touch the scalp with the extension,” Armand says.
The end result looks very natural when done correctly, but depending on the quality of the installation, putting the hair up may require some thoughtful blending.
What Are Keratin Bond Extensions?
Pros:
- Long-lasting (2–6 months with touch-ups recommended at three months)
- Seamless color blend
- 360 styling options
Cons:
- Time-consuming
- High-maintenance
- Pricey
Installation time: 1.5–4 hours
Average cost: Between $1,500 and $3,000
These are small strands of hair that are fused and secured to the hair below the root. Keratin is a naturally occurring protein in the hair, making it one of the safer methods of bonding extensions. Keratin bonds can last from two to six months, depending on the individual hair problem. “When people want a long-term solution to add length, fullness or color to their hair, they get them,” says Justin Marion, a celebrity hairstylist who works with Ashley Graham.
Keratin bond extensions are also a great option for those who want to experiment with color without the high risk of commitment that comes with dyeing and bleaching. “It’s a great option because you can add a highlighting effect or low light to your hair color without having to actually perform a chemical service,” Marjan says.
They’re also great for people who are looking for something that looks like your hair but better, because they can add volume while remaining imperceptible. “If you feel like your hair is flat or lifeless, or you want extra body and movement, this is a great option,” says Marjan, adding that keratin extensions can be customized to meet the hair’s individual needs. This means hair extensions can be applied to a variety of hair types.
“And great lengths, they can customize the hair texture to match your hair. So they can actually like perm, or do a chemical service to match the wearer’s hair texture,” Marjan says.