Store-bought hair extensions are pretty expensive, so why not make your own? This article describes two different but equally easy methods for making your own hair extensions. One method describes the process of making a clip extension, while the other shows you how to make a halo extension, which simply sits over your head. See Step 1 below to get started.
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Method 1 of 3: Making Halo Hair Extensions
Step 1. Get the right ingredients
To make halo hair extensions, you will need a packet of hair weft (human or synthetic), a tube of glue, a pair of scissors and some clear monofilament (fishing line).
Step 2. Measure and cut the hair
Take a hair weft and measure it at the back of your head.
- For this type of extension, you only want the hair to cover the back of your head, not flowing to the sides or behind the ears.
- Once you've measured the correct width, use scissors to cut it out. Then cut two more hair wefts of the same width.
Step 3. Glue the hair weft
Take your glue gun and run a thick line of glue on the rubber ridge (and directly on the hair) on one of the hair wefts, then place the second hair weft on top of it. Do the same with the third feed, then let the glue dry.
Step 4. Measure and attach the monofilament
Take a large monofilament and measure it to the correct length.
- To do this, place the monofilament over your head (like a headband) and then pull the ends behind your head.
- Wherever the monofilament ends, that's where the hair extensions start. This is actually a personal choice, but most people want their hair extensions to start around the nape of the neck (google if you don't know where it is).
- Cut the monofilament to the length you want, but leave a few inches on each side for binding.
Step 5. Attach the monofilament to the hair weft
Take one end of the monofilament and tie it to the weft end of the hair using a few tight but simple ties. Do the same with the other end. Seal the bond with glue, then wait for the glue to dry.
Step 6. Use the hello extension
To use halo extensions, place a loop of monofilament and hair on your head, hair back and monofilament on top of your head.
- Take a comb and start combing to bring your natural hair up over the extensions and cover the monofilament lines.
- You can hold the extension in position with a few bobby pins, but this is usually not necessary.
Method 2 of 3: Making Hairpin Extensions
Step 1. Get the right ingredients
To make these bobby pins, you will need a packet of hair weft (human or synthetic), scissors, needle and thread (the color is the same as your hair color), a packet of bobby pins (available at most beauty supply stores) and a tube of glue.
Step 2. Measure and cut the hair
Take a hair weft and measure it at the side of your head. You should pull it from behind one ear to the back of the other, in a U-shaped pattern. Use scissors to cut the hair weft to the correct width.
Step 3. Stack two or three feeds
Usually, one coat of hair weft is not enough for people with normal to thick hair.
- If you're using extensions to make your hair look longer, two layers may be enough, but if you want to make your hair look thicker you'll need three.
- As a result you need to measure and cut another weft or two, the same as the first. There will be enough hair in a pack of hair weft to do this.
- You can sew the pile to the weft line (by hand or a sewing machine) or you can attach it using glue.
- If you decide to use glue (which may be an easier option if you're not an experienced seamstress), draw a thick line of glue under the weft line of the first hair weft, then apply the second weft over it, ridge-side up.
- Do the same with the third layer of hair (if using it), then wait for the glue to dry completely.
Step 4. Sew the extension pins to the hair
Next, take your needle and thread and sew the extension pin on the weft line.
- In terms of placement, you need to place one clamp on each side of the extension, right at the end, and one in the middle to prevent the extension from loosening.
- Be sure to sew the clips on the extension side with a rubber ridge and make sure to sew the extension pins with the comb facing up -- otherwise you won't be able to attach them to your hair!
- You don't need to use complicated sewing techniques; simply thread the needle (tying it at the end) and thread it through the first small hole on the extension clip and through the hair weft cam.
- Pull the needle and thread up the extension and insert it into the second small hole. Continue this until you reach the last hole of the clamp. Thread the thread and continue, then tie the thread a few times before cutting the rest.
Step 5. Use hair extensions properly
Now that you have your own hair extensions, it is very important to know how to use them properly.
- Tie all the hair above your ears. Take a comb and comb (or comb back) the hair from the roots, then spray with hairspray. This will provide grip for the extension clamp.
- Untie your hair extensions and attach them to the exposed roots -- one behind each ear and one in the middle.
- If you decide to do a second extension to add thickness, leave an inch (2.5 cm) of hair and repeat the combing and hairspray process before applying the second extension.
- Lower the top of the hair and comb to combine your hair with the extensions. If your extensions are made of human hair, you can now style your hair as you normally would using a flat iron or curler.
Method 3 of 3: Make Your Hair Extensions Look Natural
Step 1. Choose between human and synthetic hair
When buying hair weft at a beauty store you are usually faced with two choices: human or synthetic.
- Synthetics are a less expensive option, which is good for people who are on a budget, or need a lot of hair. However, it's important to know that synthetic hair can't be styled using heating tools such as flat irons or curlers -- so if your hair is curly you'll need to buy synthetic hair that's already been curled, or ready to iron your hair every time you want to use extensions. Synthetic hair also cannot be dyed, so it is very important that the color matches your natural hair color.
- Human hair is usually more expensive than synthetic hair, but is usually of higher quality. Human hair can be colored to match your natural (or colored) hair and can be styled with a straightener, curler, or hair dryer, making it incredibly versatile. With human hair, you usually have a choice between virgin hair (unprocessed and coloured), and hair that has been treated, colored, etc.
Step 2. Carefully match the hair weft with your natural hair color
It's pretty obvious that the closer your extension color is to your natural hair color, the more natural it will look.
- To make sure you get a great color, take the time to look around and find the right color for you. Ask a beauty supply store representative to help you match your extensions to your hair -- they have a lot of experience and can suggest the best color for you.
- Even if your hair has more than one highlight or pattern, you should be able to find something that works. Many hair wefts combine two or more colors for people with color-treated hair.
- You should buy hair extensions during the day and match them to your hair in natural light conditions -- artificial lights can be deceiving and cause you to choose the wrong color.
Step 3. Use bobby pins, thread, and glue close to the color of the hair weft
Today, many women are making their own hair extensions and the beauty equipment industry has started producing tools to fulfill this.
- It's possible to purchase extension pins in a number of different colors -- red, blonde, brown, black, etc -- so no matter what color extension you want to make, you can find clips to match. This is very important because black pins are very visible on blonde hair extensions, and vice versa.
- You can also find glue in several different colors, so the dry glue color doesn't show up in your hair. For example, you can use white glue for blonde hair, but you will need a darker glue for black or dark brown extensions.
- When sewing extension pins on a hair weft, you should also look for a thread color that matches the color of the bobby pins as well as your hair.
Step 4. Style your extensions and natural hair in the same way
Another thing that is also obvious but important is that your natural hair and extensions must be styled the same way in order to blend. Nothing is more noticeable than straight extensions in wavy hair, or vice versa.
- Most stylists advise women to curl their hair if they want to use their own extensions, as this makes the hair blend more easily. In other words, it's harder to see where the natural hair ends and the extensions start when the hair is permed.
- Another tip is to curl (or straighten) your extensions "before" you put them in your hair. This makes it more manageable and allows you to achieve the layout you want. Remember that you can only heat human hair, synthetic hair can only be styled using non-heated methods, such as curling hair.
- Blend hair and extensions together. Once you've applied extensions to your hair, you can make them invisible by using a wide-toothed comb or brush to gently comb through your hair, combining your natural hair with the extensions.
Step 5. Take a good look at your hair extensions
Keeping your hair extensions in good condition will help them look more natural and last longer.
- Just like natural hair, your extensions need to be washed and conditioning. Wash after you use it once or twice, especially if you use a lot of hairsprat. However, you should not wash your extensions more than twice a week as this will dry them out.
- Avoid combing your extensions too coarsely as this can cause the hair to fall out, thinning the extensions. Use a small amount of leave-in conditioner to help loosen the tangles and comb from the ends of the extensions up, as this prevents breakage.
- Let the extensions dry naturally after washing, do not use a hair dryer. Don't try to towel dry it or wring it out, as this will only damage it. You can also prevent damage to human hair extensions by spraying them with a heat protectant before straightening or curling them.
Tips
- You can apply a light blue or pink streak to your hair using the method described above. Just use colored hair weft and smaller.
- Give extensions as gifts, or teach your friends how to make them!
- The halo hair extensions do less damage to your natural hair than the bobby pin versions, as the weight of the extensions is easier to share on the head. With pin extensions, the weight is concentrated on the pinned hair, which can cause pulling and breaking.
