4 Questions to Ask Before Getting Hair Extensions

For many women, hair extensions are the perfect option for increasing the fullness, length or color of their natural hair. As they are not permanent, natural hair extensions can assist you in enhancing your look without having to commit to anything too drastic. 

For some people, hair extensions can have a negative reputation because too often, they can end up looking artificial, visible and cheap. However, they don’t have to be this way, as better quality, more natural-looking hair and creative application methods are readily available. In fact, no one should be able to know that you are wearing them. 

If it is your first time getting extensions, you may feel a little overwhelmed by all the options available on the market. If you are considering getting hair extensions, here are five questions you should ask (and answer) first.

1. Why do I want hair extensions?

Before you invest in hair extensions, it is essential to know why you are getting them to ensure they are right for you. Perhaps you are bored with your current look and want to experiment with color without committing to something more drastic. If this is the case, opt to clip in a couple of colored, hair toppers for women or ombre strands for a night out and see how you like the look. 

On the other hand, maybe you are frantically waiting for a short haircut to grow out and want to add length to your mane quickly. In this scenario, hair extensions are an easy fix. 

That being said, just wanting a confidence boost is a perfectly valid reason for getting hair extensions. If having thicker, longer, shinier hair helps you to feel like the best version of yourself possible, then you should go for it!

However, hair extensions are not suitable for everyone’s lifestyle and hair. By speaking with a licensed professional, the two of you will be able to evaluate whether it is a plausible idea for you.

2. What kind of natural hair do I have?

Once you understand why you want hair extensions, it is time to move on to examine the type of natural hair you already possess to ensure that you select the right extensions for you. 

You need to know:

• What kind of hair you have (straight, wavy, curly, kinky)
• The density of your hair (low, medium, high)
• The color of your hair (blonde, brunette, black etc.)
• The thickness of your hair (thin, medium, thick)

It is only after answering these questions that you will be able to match potential hair extensions, as you will still need to have some of your natural hair present when you clip or tape them in. Whether you are wearing them for fullness or length, having your natural hair and extensions match will make it far easier to install and wear them. 

The color, texture, and density of your natural hair and the extensions have to match; otherwise, they won’t look natural. And, the best extensions are the ones that no one can tell you are wearing.

3. Am I willing to maintain the extensions?

Unless you are clipping in extensions for one night, you are going to want to maintain them to help prolong their life. The key to this is ensuring they don’t become tangled. 

To keep them tangle-free, always wrap your hair into a loose braid while sleeping to hinder it from grinding against your pillow and knotting. Get into the daily habit of using a lightweight, leave-in conditioner spray, and always dry with a high-quality blow dryer.

4. Where am I going to get the extensions done?

Once you have decided that hair extensions are for you, it is time to find a high-quality hair extensions and wigs for sale online. You want to ask a potential hairdresser a lot of questions before agreeing to their services. 

These questions should include, “What kind of extensions do you use?” (The answer should be 100 percent human hair) and “Where do you source the extensions from?”

Make sure that you feel comfortable enough with the salon and the workers that you can ask them questions or bring up any concerns you may have about the process. 

Have you ever had hair extensions before? What was your experience with them? Let us know in the comments below!