Hair Extensions Cost
Hair extensions are fabulous for adding volume, length, texture, or even color to your hair. They are a fun way to change your look, without doing anything drastic or permanent. The amount that hair extensions cost depends on a number of factors. Let’s take a closer look.
The type of hair extensions you choose can greatly effect the cost (also check out hair extensions tips)
Technically hair weaves and hair extensions are two different things, but many people use the phrases interchangeably so we will explore them both.
Hair Weaves
Hair weaves are applied by corn rowing your own hair and then sewing the hair piece into place. This method lasts a couple months.
Hair weaves typically cost between $100 to $500, but Remy weaves can be as much as $1000.
Remy hair is Indian human hair and it is of the highest quality.
Hair extensions are when the hair is sewn in one strand at a time, rather than in longer sewn together rows.
The individual strands are clumped together into approximately 50 strands, which are then held together by a keratin tip (kind of looks like the end of a shoe string). The strands are then bonded directly to the hair or with copper links.
Anywhere from 100 to 300 extensions need to be applied, so this method is definitely the most time consuming. And you know what means – more time consuming translates to more expensive! Depending on your budget, this really is a great method to giving a nice and natural look.
This typically runs between $300 and $1200, depending on if real human hair or synthetic hair is used. The cost does vary from salon to salon and they sometimes won’t give you a price without an in-person consultation.
Clip in, or clip on, hair extensions are a fun and temporary form of hair extension.
You can switch up the style each day or perhaps choose to only clip them in on the weekends.
You typically do not buy clip on extensions through a salon, you can conveniently pick them up in a store or beauty kiosk.
They vary by length, color, and texture. When putting them in make sure you place them close to the scalp and, of course, underneath your natural hair to hide the clips.
Clip ins typically cost around $100 to $200 for a full head.
Clip in bangs might just be my favorite accessory. What a great way to quickly change up your look, without having to commit to cutting your natural hair.
These great hair pieces will cost anywhere from $25 to $120. Follow the link to the clip in bangs page for more details.
Microbead is an amazing and very natural looking type of hair extension.
If you’re adventurous, you could even affix the beads yourself.
The links are attached to the root of your hair, using no glue or heat.
Because they are so natural looking and really do not damage your hair with glue or heat, they are becoming increasingly popular especially among celebrities.
Unfortunately, their popularity is not going to lower their price any time soon. It can be anywhere from $300 to $1600 to do your entire head.
Integration
Integration is often used among those that are experiencing thinning hair.
This is done by placing a webbed cap made with hair extensions over the head, and then pulling pieces of your natural hair through the cap so that it blends in with the synthetic hair.
The caps are also referred to as “pulled through hair pieces”.
The pulled through hair pieces cost between $100 to $500 for real human hair.
Remember there are different kinds of real human hair that you can buy, with Remy hair being the highest quality and therefore most expensive.
Braids
Another type of hair extensions is braids. This is also known as Pinch Braid hair extensions and is most common with Afro hair.
The price for braids depends on the length of your hair. Salons typically charge on a per braid basis.
The price also depends on what size braids you want.
Micro braids, which are the very small braids, typically cost around $200 to $250.
Regular size braids can be anywhere from $50 to $150.
The cost will also vary greatly depending on other factors like geographical location which is mentioned below. The cost at the higher end of the given range are typically charged by higher end salons.
Amount
The more hair you want, the more it will cost you. The amount you want will depend on the style of hair you want and the length and volume of your natural hair.
Length
Again, if you want a long head of hair you will have to pay more than if you want a shorter to medium length style.
Quality
The highest quality of hair extensions is Remy hair, which is made from Indian human hair.
Remy hair still has the cuticle layer attached, which is the outside part of the hair strand.
Brazilian, Spanish, and Malaysian hair are other common types.
Remy hair will cost the most because of its excellent quality.
When buying hair extensions look for hair that appears full and healthy. There are companies that sell low quality Indian hair at prices that appear to be cheap or “good bargains”, but don’t be fooled. You get what you pay for, and cheap hair often appears stringy or dry on the ends.
Geographical Location
Hair extensions generally cost more in larger cities due to the high probability that salons in larger cities have higher expenses.
This is also true when it comes to comparing the cost in more expensive neighborhoods to less expensive, or lower income, parts of town.
A cheaper price does not always mean cheaper quality. Salons with large expenses due to being located in an expensive part of the city simply has to charge more in order to cover their bills.
Duration
Some hair extensions will last longer than others.
Oftentimes the more expensive options cost so much more because they are meant to last a lot longer. When buying hair, duration as well as quality should be considered.
Extensions with hair that is dry on the ends or stringy are probably near the end of its life. When you are buying, look fully at the entire hair and not just the top of the hair package.
If you are in the store, don’t be shy to ask the salesperson to fully remove the hair from the package so you can take a close look.
There is a lot of information on this site, so poke around to learn more! Hair extensions are getting more and more popular as the years go on, so much so that nowadays it can be hard to tell who is wearing extensions versus their natural hair.
