Hair Extensions Guide: Tape-In, Clip-In, Sew-In and Fusion Extensions Compared

The Four Extension Methods

Clip-In Extensions

Clip-in extensions are wefts of hair attached to small pressure-sensitive clips. You apply them yourself each morning and remove them each evening.

Application time: 15 to 30 minutes.

Lifespan: The wefts last 6 to 12 months with proper care. There is no ongoing commitment; you wear them when you want and store them when you do not.

Cost: £80 to £350 for a full set of human hair clip-ins. Synthetic clip-ins cost £15 to £50 but cannot be heat-styled.

Natural hair impact: The lowest impact of all extension methods because the clips are removed nightly, allowing the natural hair to rest. Clips applied with too much tension at the same points each day cause traction damage; vary placement.

Best for: People who want occasional length and volume for events, those who want to trial length before committing to permanent extensions, and people with shorter hair (chin-length and above) who want a temporary transformation.

Tape-In Extensions

Pre-taped wefts applied to thin sections of natural hair. Two tape strips sandwiched around a thin section of natural hair using a heat tool.

Application time: 1 to 2 hours by a professional.

Lifespan per set: 6 to 8 weeks before the tape weakens and the extensions need moving up (removing, retaping and reapplying as the natural hair grows).

Cost: £200 to £600 for the initial set. Move-up appointments: £80 to £150 every 6 to 8 weeks. Annual maintenance: £600 to £1,200 when combined with move-ups.

Natural hair impact: Moderate. Correctly applied tape-ins on hair with adequate density cause minimal damage. Incorrect application (too much hair in one section, tape applied too close to the root) causes breakage when the extension is removed.

Best for: People who want full-time extensions for 6 to 12 months and are committed to the maintenance schedule.

Not suitable for: Very fine or thin hair where the tape weight causes stress on individual strands.

Sew-In (Weft) Extensions

The natural hair is braided flat against the scalp in cornrows. Extension wefts are sewn directly onto the braided base using a needle and thread.

Application time: 3 to 6 hours by a professional.

Lifespan: 6 to 8 weeks before the natural hair growth loosens the braided base and the extensions need removing and reinstalling.

Cost: £150 to £400 for installation. Annual cost with reinstallation: £600 to £1,600.

Natural hair impact: Depends entirely on the tightness of the braided base. Loose, comfortable braids with sew-in extensions cause minimal damage. Overly tight braids cause traction alopecia at the hairline and temples.

Closure or frontal: Sew-in installations on most of the head leave the hairline exposed (a "leave-out") or use a closure piece (a small section of hair on a lace base) to cover the front. A full frontal covers the entire hairline. Closures and frontals cost £50 to £200 as additional pieces.

Best for: Type 3 and 4 hair types that benefit from a protective style between extensions. People who want full coverage of their natural hair.

Fusion (Keratin Bond) Extensions

Individual strands of extension hair are fused to small sections of natural hair using a keratin adhesive heated with a special bonding tool.

Application time: 3 to 5 hours by a professional.

Lifespan: 3 to 5 months. The longest lifespan of any extension method.

Cost: £400 to £1,500 for a full set depending on the amount of hair needed. The highest initial cost of all extension methods.

Natural hair impact: The highest potential for damage if removed incorrectly. The keratin bond must be broken with a specific removing solution and tool; pulling or forcing the bonds breaks the natural hair above the bond.

Best for: People with straight to wavy hair (type 1 to 2C) where the bonds are most discreet. Not recommended for tight curly or coily hair where the bonds are visible and where the removal process is more complex.

Comparing All Four Methods