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How to Put Your Hair Up with Extensions Without Showing Them
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You might have your glossy, full-length hair, but the moment you reach for a hair tie, you start worrying about clips, tapes or beads peeking through – this is so normal! Learning how to put your hair up with extensions is easier than you might think. With 19 years’ experience and plenty of knowledge on how to style extensions, we can promise the right prep and a few handy placement tricks keep everything hidden. This guide covers each extension type, and for style inspiration, our 4 Easy Hairstyles For Hair Extension Newbies post is also full of ideas.
Can You Put Your Hair Up with Extensions?
The short answer
Yes, but how to put your hair up with extensions mostly comes down to your method. Clip-ins and nano rings are the easiest to wear up. Tape-ins work best in loose, low styles, and wefts work best worn down or half up.
Why extensions show when your hair is up
Most extensions sit in rows tucked neatly under your top layer of natural hair. When you’re putting hair up with extensions, you’re pulling that top layer up and back, so naturally the rows can peek through, especially at the nape (the back of your neck where the hair ends), behind your ears and along the hairline. Tight, high styles also pull on the bonds (the point where each extension attaches to your own hair).
Which extensions are easiest to wear up?
| Extension type | High ponytail | Low bun or updo | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nano rings and nano bonds | Yes | Yes | Best for updos |
| I-tips | Usually | Yes | Work well in most up styles |
| Clip-ins | Yes, with a ponytail piece | Yes | Clip in lower than usual |
| Tape-ins | Not ideal | Yes, if loose and low | Keep styles soft |
| Wefts | No | Half up or low only | Best worn down |
| Halo | No | No | Best worn down |
If you wear your hair up most days, mention it to your hairdresser so they can plan placement around it. That’s often why updo lovers choose nano ring hair extensions.
Before You Put Your Hair Up: Prep That Keeps Bonds Hidden
Brush from the ends up
Hold your hair near the roots with one hand and gently brush downwards with an extension-friendly brush. This stops you tugging on clips, tapes and beads and removes knots that make a ponytail lumpy! Find one in our extension brushes and accessories.
Add a little texture at the roots
A light backcomb or a spritz of texture spray at the crown gives your top layer more grip and more coverage. It then sits over the attachments instead of sliding off them - dry shampoo works just as well!
Leave a frame of your own hair
Before you gather everything up, keep a thin section of your own hair loose around the hairline and nape. Smooth it over last, so it falls across the top row like a curtain to keep the extensions fully hidden.
Pick soft hair ties and matching pins
When you’re working out how to tie hair up with extensions, the hair tie you choose matters more than you’d think. Spiral or fabric ties grip without dragging, and bobby pins (kirby grips) in your shade disappear into the hair. Avoid thin, tight elastics, as they snag and pull.
How to Put Your Hair Up with Clip-In Extensions
Clip in lower than usual
If you’re wondering how to put hair up with clip in extensions, it all starts with placement. Put the wide pieces lower at the back and skip the top row near your crown and keep the small side pieces tucked behind your ears. That way, the clips sit inside your ponytail or bun rather than above it for full coverage. For full placement tips, read How To Put In Clip In Hair Extensions.
Low ponytails and buns
Low ponytail
Gather your hair at or just above the nape, below the highest row of clips. Secure it with a soft tie, then wrap a small piece of hair around the band and pin it underneath. It’s the simplest ponytail with extensions you can do and a handy style for when you’re in a rush!
Low or messy bun
Make a low ponytail with extensions in first, then twist it loosely and pin it in place, finish off with pulling out a few face-framing pieces for some shaping. The extra length gives you a bigger, fuller bun than your natural hair could manage alone.
Want a high ponytail? Use a wrap-around ponytail
We’ll be honest: clip-in sets aren’t built for a tight high pony, as the top row can show. If a high ponytail with extensions is your signature look, a wrap-around ponytail is the answer. It clips onto your own ponytail and wraps around the base. Choose the Mini (14"), Classic (20") or Mega (24") from our clip-in ponytail extensions, and follow our guide on How To Use Ponytail Hair Extensions.
The best clip-ins for wearing up
Our Seamless clip-in extensions are our most discreet set for updos, thanks to a thin silicone seam that lies flat against your head, but the Classic set also works well. As with all our hair extensions, they’re 100% Remy human hair which always helps you get a natural look against your real hair. A Halo, however, isn’t made for updos, as the wire shows as soon as your hair is pulled back.
How to Tie Your Hair Up with Tape-In Extensions
Can you tie your hair up with tape extensions?
Yes, you can tie your hair up with tape extensions in loose, low styles. Tape-ins sit flat against your head, so a low ponytail, low bun or half-up style hides them well. A tight, high or scraped-back ponytail can show the tapes and put strain on them.
Tape-in friendly styles
Low ponytail at the nape
Gather the hair below the top row of tapes and keep it loose. Smooth the top layer over the tapes before you tie it.
Loose, low bun
Twist your low ponytail and pin it. Leave the top layer soft rather than slicked down, which is the secret to most updos with tape in extensions.
Half up, half down
Take a section from the top only, above the tapes, and tie or clip it back. The rest stays down and covers everything. A half up half down with extensions is one of the easiest everyday looks!
How to hide tape-ins when your hair is up
If you’re wondering how to hide extensions when putting hair up, start with these tape-in tricks:
- Leave out a few face-framing pieces at the temples.
- Keep the ponytail base below the top row of tapes.
- Try a side parting to cover the tapes on one side.
For the most discreet option, our Invisible Tape-In extensions have a hair-covered tab.
Tying tape-ins up for the gym
When it comes to how to tie your hair up with tape extensions for a workout, a loose low ponytail or plait is your best bet. You could even add a cute sweatband to keep sweat off the tapes (we know you can pull it off!). Our Working Out In Tape Hair Extensions Q&A has the full advice.
How to Put Your Hair Up with Nano Ring Extensions
Why nanos are the best extensions for updos
Nano ring hair extensions use tiny beads to hold very small strands of extension hair onto your own. Because the strands are so small, there are no rows of tape or weft to hide. That’s why they suit high ponytails, sleek buns and pulled-back looks, and why they’re a great choice for fine or thin hair. When it comes to how to put hair up with nano extensions, you’ve got the most freedom of any method because they’re so super-discreet, so if you get bored easily, you might want to consider them!
High ponytails and sleek buns
You can go higher with nanos, but still don’t scrape your hair back tight. Brush around the beads, not over them, and use a soft tie. A firm, comfortable pony is the goal, not a facelift.
Keeping beads hidden at the hairline and nape
Your specialist places the beads back from the hairline so you can wear your hair up. Beads come in black, brown and blonde to blend with your roots, which is the real trick to how to hide nano ring extensions. If you can spot one, smooth a little of your own hair over it rather than moving the bead yourself.
What about nano bonds and I-tips?
Nano bonds have clear silicone tips and are our most discreet bond, so they’re brilliant for updos too. I-tips are slightly bigger but still work well in most up styles, and they’re fitted without heat or glue. Find out more in Nano Ring Hair Extensions 101.
Can You Wear Your Hair Up with Weft Extensions?
The honest answer
Wefts are long strips of hair fitted in rows across your head, so they’re the hardest method to hide in an updo, which means they definitely look best worn down. If you love wearing your hair up, tell your specialist before fitting, as nanos or tape-ins may suit you better.
Styles that do work with wefts
- Half up, half down, with only the top section tied back.
- A low, loose plait.
- A low ponytail with face-framing pieces pulled out.
Mistakes That Give Your Extensions Away
Tying your hair too tight
Tight styles pull on the bonds and your natural hair. They can feel sore and loosen tapes or beads. If it hurts, that means it’s too tight. The saying ‘beauty is pain’ is a no-go for extensions – you should never try to tolerate pain and always return to your hairdresser if this happens!
Sleeping in a ponytail or bun
Take your hair down at night and wear a loose plait instead. Our guide to Protective Hairstyles For Sleeping With Hair Extensions has more ideas.
Putting hair up while it’s wet
Wet roots and bonds are more fragile, so always dry your roots fully before tying your hair up.
Ignoring a bond that feels wrong
If a tape or bead feels loose, or catches every time you put your hair up, book in with your specialist and never try to fix it yourself.
