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DIY Hair Extensions: Which Types Can You Fit Yourself at Home?
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Want longer, fuller hair without booking a salon appointment? The good news is that several types of hair extensions are designed for you to fit yourself at home – these are your answer to DIY hair extensions.
Clip-ins, one-piece top-ups, halos and wrap-around ponytails are made to fit at home in minutes. Cliphair was founded in 2007, so we’ve been doing this a while, and we’re big advocates for the ease and versatility of clip-ins. They need no glue, heat or tools, and you take them out at night, meaning you’re able to fully reach your scalp. Tape-ins, wefts, nano rings and I-tips are different because it’s essential that a trained stylist fits and removes them.
Below, we explain how each DIY option works, how to add extensions without clips, and how to choose the right one for your hair goals.
Which Hair Extensions Can You Fit Yourself?
You can fit four types of hair extensions yourself: clip-ins, one-piece top-ups, halos and wrap-around ponytails. Everything else is fitted by a stylist. Here’s how each type attaches.
| Extension type | How it attaches | DIY or stylist? |
|---|---|---|
| Clip-in hair extensions | A clip on each weft snaps onto your own hair | DIY |
| One-piece top-ups | One weft with five clips | DIY |
| Halo hair extensions | An invisible wire sits on your crown, with no clips | DIY |
| Wrap-around ponytails | Built-in combs and Velcro, then a strand of hair wraps the base | DIY |
| Tape-in hair extensions | Adhesive tapes sandwich small sections of your hair | Stylist |
| Weft hair extensions | Sewn or beaded onto your hair close to the root | Stylist |
| Nano ring hair extensions | Tiny rings clamp each strand to your hair | Stylist |
| I-tip hair extensions | Rings or beads secure each strand near the root | Stylist |
The DIY Hair Extension Options
Each of these is made from 100% Remy human hair, so you can heat style it just like your own.
Clip-in Hair Extensions
Clip-in hair extensions are the easiest way to add length and volume, and the most popular choice for first timers. Each weft has small pressure-sensitive clips that snap onto your hair. To fit them:
- Section your hair horizontally, starting at the nape of your neck.
- Lightly backcomb and spray the root of each section for extra grip.
- Open the clips, slide the weft in close to the root and snap the clips shut.
- Work upwards, letting your own hair down over each weft.
A full set takes around 10 minutes once you’ve had a little practice, and they come out at night. If you only want a little extra thickness, a one-piece top-up gives you a single weft with five clips. Our guide on how to put in clip-in hair extensions walks you through it in more detail.
Halo Hair Extensions
Halo hair extensions are one piece of hair on an invisible wire, so they go in within a minute. Place the wire on your crown like a headband, then pull your own hair over it to hide the wire. There’s nothing to clip, so it’s ideal if you have fine hair or a sensitive scalp. See how to put on a halo for a step-by-step guide.
Wrap-Around Ponytails
A wrap-around ponytail gives you a long, sleek ponytail in a couple of minutes:
- Tie your hair into a secure ponytail with a bobble.
- Slide the built-in combs under your bobble so they grip.
- Fasten the Velcro around your ponytail.
- Wrap the loose strand of hair around the base to hide the fastening, and pin it underneath.
Our guide on how to use a ponytail extension shows each step.
How to Put Hair Extensions In Without Clips
The easiest way to put hair extensions in without clips is to wear a halo. It has no clips at all: the invisible wire rests on your crown and your own hair covers it. A wrap-around ponytail is clip-free too, as it uses combs and Velcro instead.
Every other clip-free method attaches directly to your own hair. That includes tapes, rings and sewn-in wefts, and all of them need a stylist. So, if you want a clip-free option you can fit and remove yourself, a halo is the one to choose.
Which Extensions Need a Stylist?
Tape-in hair extensions, wefts, nano ring hair extensions and I-tips all need a trained stylist. They attach close to the root of your own hair and stay in between appointments, so a professional fits, maintains and removes them.
The reason is simple. Fitted wrongly, these methods can pull on your natural hair, cause tension at the root or lead to breakage. A stylist knows how much hair each section can hold, how tight to fit it and how to take it out safely.
If you choose one of these methods, expect:
- A consultation to check your hair type and the look you want.
- A colour match, so the extensions blend with your own hair.
- Regular maintenance appointments to move the extensions up as your hair grows.
Want to know more about the risks? Read do hair extensions damage your hair?
Which DIY Option Is Right for You?
The easiest extensions to do yourself are a halo or clip-ins. Pick the one that matches the look you want:
- Full length and volume: clip-ins.
- Fastest, with no clips: a halo.
- A sleek, high pony: a wrap-around ponytail.
- Just a little more thickness: a one-piece top-up.
Conclusion
So, can you do your own hair extensions? Yes, if you choose a type made for home fitting. New to extensions? Start with our beginner’s guide to hair extensions.
FAQs
Can I do my own hair extensions?
What are the easiest hair extensions to do yourself?
Can I fit tape-in extensions myself?
Can I sleep in clip-in or halo extensions?
Can I heat style DIY extensions?
Do DIY extensions damage your hair?
Looking for salon-worthy hair without breaking the bank? At Cliphair, we’re here to help with high-quality clip in hair extensions for quick transformations and permanent hair extensions for long-lasting length or volume, all made from 100% Remy Human Hair. Extensions need special care and maintenance to preserve their quality, which is why we have our own hydrating haircare products, designed to keep your hair soft and tangle-free.
Need to find your closest shade match? Browse our full range of human hair extensions in over 60 shades or check out our FREE Express Colour Match Service to get a great blend with your natural hair.
