Apr 01, 2023

Woman smiles while wearing long blonde hair extensions

When it comes to choosing hair extensions, it’s important to find out – what is the best type of hair extensions for your desired style? Maybe you want the most natural appearance or a style that causes minimal damage to your natural hair. No matter what you’re looking for, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Here, we’ll take a look at the options to help you determine what type of hair extensions are the best for you.

What Are the Most Common Hair Extensions Methods?

Before discussing the best kind of hair extensions for different needs, let’s start with a quick overview of what the different product types and installation methods are:

  • Clip-in hair extensions simply attach to your existing hair with clips. 
  • Lace-front wigs can be customized for you and are made with all of the hair extensions attached to a base that sits on your head. 
  • Tape-in hair extensions are installed in thick stripes using adhesive tape that sticks to the hair at your roots.
  • Glue-in hair extensions, also called keratin bonds, are secured to your natural hair at the roots with a melted piece of keratin adhesive. 
  • Sew-in extensions, also called weaves, are sewn into tight braids created at the roots of your natural hair.
  • Halo hair extensions include one row of hair attached to a wire that encircles the crown of your head and stays in without any heat or glue.

What Type of Hair Extensions Look the Most Natural?

The best type of hair extensions for a natural appearance can depend on what type of look you’re going for. Even if you wear synthetic hair extensions, you can still achieve a smooth, sleek style or a naturalistic hairline that will look just like the real thing.

For a Natural-looking Hairline: Lace-front Wigs 

Because the hairline and part on lace-front wigs are essentially created one strand at a time, they offer the most natural and realistic-looking hairline. These are the best option for people who want to fill in thin patches and create the appearance of fullness toward the top of their crown and around the hairline area.

For a Smooth Style: Tape-ins

Tape-in extensions lay flat against your natural hair at the root, creating the appearance of thick hair while ensuring a smooth overall appearance. If you already have a fairly dense hairline and part area, tape-ins can be a good extension option if you want to bump up the volume of your fine hair and wear it down a lot.

For Wearing Up or Down: Glue-ins

Since glue-ins are applied in small sections all throughout your scalp, they can create a more seamless and voluminous look if you frequently style your hair up. There won’t be separate wefts of hair visible as you with clip-ins or halo extensions.

What Type of Hair Extensions Are the Least Damaging?

Closeup of hair extensions in different colors.

When thinking about what type of hair extension is healthiest for your natural tresses, it’s important to consider the installation method. If you choose types of extensions that need to be secured with heat or glue, the installation and removal processes can put a strain on your own hair.

For Minimal Adhesives: Clip-ins, Halos and Wigs

So, your best bet for minimizing damage would be hair extensions that you can wear without adhesives. There are a few options that don’t require glue or other adhesives, meaning your natural hair won’t be disturbed in the process:

  • Clip-in extensions are great for temporarily adding some length and volume without commitment. 
  • Halo extensions add volume without being bonded at the roots. 
  • Wigs sit on top of your existing hair.

What Types of Hair Extensions Are Best for Different Hair Concerns?

Here’s what to look for depending on what impact you want your extensions to have on your overall look:

For Adding Length To Thick Hair: Sew-ins

Sew-ins are better if you have thicker hair at the scalp since they’re anchored to your natural hair. They can add luxurious length and, since they’re so secure, they’re great for longer-term wear.

For Adding Volume to Thin Hair: Halos, Tape-ins, Glue-ins or Clip-ins

Because these are all installed around your roots, they’ll dial up the volume of your existing style. Your natural hair will fall over the top layer of extensions to hide how they’re installed.

For Transforming Your Look: Wigs

When it’s time for a complete hair makeover, you can’t go wrong with a high-quality wig. Choose one in any style imaginable to freshen up your look. Or, pick one that complements your natural hair to help fill in thin patches and reconstruct your go-to style.

Looking to purchase a lace front wig? Browse The Lauren Ashtyn Collection’s luxury human hair wigs today!