Ever wondered how much do hair extensions cost?
We know what many think, hair extensions cost a lot, thousands! False! Most have a preconceived notion that hair extensions are either cheap and look fake or are extremely expensive and costs thousands. The good news is that, there is a middle ground when it comes to hair extensions, affordable hair extensions that look good and last. And no, we are not talking about temporary clip in hair extensions, we are talking about hair extensions that you can workout with, have blown out, wear up in a ponytail! There is a new method out there that is semi-permanent, non-damaging, and affordable. Hair extensions are life changing, they add volume, length, and give you fuller hair an instant. Most women want to try hair extensions at least once, and some can’t live without them. If you have short of fine hair, you may really want hair extensions. For some, having fuller and longer hair is something they have always wanted and they will get it at any cost. But how much do hair extensions costs? Hair extensions pricing will vary by the quality of hair, type of hair extension method, and where you have them applied.
Type of Hair
When considering the cost of hair extensions, you need to determine what type of hair you will purchase. When deciding on which quality of hair extensions to purchase, you first want to decide what kind of hair will work best for you and your budget.
$ Synthetic: Cheap, fake hair.
$ Non-Remy: Cheap, usually from the floor, low quality hair
$$ Remy Human Hair: Medium quality, remy human hair.
$$$ Remy Human Hair, Cuticle Intact: Highest quality remy human hair.
$$$$ Virgin Cuticle Hair: Highest quality hair available.
*The higher quality hair is an investment that usually pays off as the hair lasts longer.
There is synthetic or various grades of human hair. Synthetic hair is low quality fake hair that is not recommended to use. Human hair is the best quality hair you can invest your money in and is most recommended. When it comes to human hair, there are many different levels. Do research and you will discover that high quality remy human hair with the cuticle intact is best and will range from a few hundred of dollars and up. Non-Remy hair is cheaper, but it doesn't last as long. Pure remy hair is a bit more expensive but that’s because it lasts longer, it will last up to a year or longer. Virgin hair is the highest grade of hair available and it will last for 2-3 years with proper maintenance and it is expensive. Quality of hair is important and will vary in price.
***Be sure to also know how MUCH hair you're getting. Hair may “appear” cheap, but that is because you only get 1/4 of the hair you need for a full head of hair. Calculate the price of hair based on weight. Note: investing in high quality hair has its payoff if it lasts longer.
Application & Maintenance
When it comes to extensions you need to decide if you want a DIY temporary solution or a semi permanent method. If it’s DIY, there will be $0 cost for application. If you are looking for something long term you will spend between $200-$2000 at the salon for application, plus maintenance every 2-3 months (***does not include the cost of hair).
It’s important to know how often you will need to be in the salon for maintenance and upkeep for your extensions. All of this all factors into the cost of hair extensions.
Hair Extension Costs In Salons *Averages* (Does not include cost of hair)
$ Clip Extensions Applied and Cut By Stylist: $100-$200
$ Sewn In Hair $100-$400
$$ Tape Extensions $200-$800
$$$ Micro/Fusion Methods (Strand by Strand) $1000-$2500
Semi Permanent or Temporary Extensions
Temporary extensions are clip in extensions or halos extensions, hair that you pop in and out for the day. The overall cost of this method is less because you do not need them applied. However, semi permanent hair extensions are preferred because they appear more natural and are more versatile. You can wear your hair up or down and even workout with semi permanent hair extensions. With temporary options you cannot. Most chose semi permanent hair extensions to have a gorgeous full head of hair 24/7.
Types of Hair Extensions Available
There are so many different methods of extensions out there, how do you know which one is best for you? You must consider the cost of hair, the application costs, and the maintenance costs. If you are considering the cost of hair extensions alone, there is one method that beats all methods. The truth is that tape in extensions are the most cost effective method around as the hair is less expensive, the hair is reusable and there is little maintenance. They take less than an hour to apply, so the service fee to get them applied is significantly lower, and the maintenance fees are low as they last 8-12 weeks. Tape extensions are affordable and because the hair is reusable, making them the best choice of hair extensions-not to mention they are least damaging.
See the average cost and maintenance for hair extensions:
$$$$ Fusion/Pre Bonded Micro extensions are installed strand by strand and take hours to apply, therefore they cost thousands. These hair extensions cost more and are not always worth it. Pre-bonded also known as fusion hair extensions are fused on the actual hair by using a hot tool which can be damaging to the hair. Fusion extensions can be many different types of hair in one bond. They can take many hours to apply and cost thousands! The application for fusion alone can be on average of $1,500 and because it is strand by stand, you need a lot of hair, and the hair is very expensive. Using fusion extensions require significant upkeep and regular salon appointments for maintenance. You’re unable to use any conditioners, oils, or hot tools, to prevent extensions from coming out.Fusion/Individual Methods lasts between 4-6 months and the hair is not reusable.
$$ Tape-ins are the most requested hair extension method around the world. The hair wefts are made with 100% human hair and can be used to add length, volume, or chemical free color. The method lasts 2-3 months AND the hair is reusable. The application is easy and can be installed as quick as 30-40 minutes. The tape in method is also a semi permanent hair extension method, has less damage and also costs less. This method is very affordable, including application fee it can average around $500 with little maintenance needed. This is a favorite choice for hair extension lovers because of the price, application time, and maintenance.
$ Clip-ins are damage free and can be applied within minutes- but only a temporary solution! You only have gorgeous hair for the day. You can style them before or after application. Clip-ins do not require any maintenance and last more then a year if taken care of properly. While taking the extensions out you will not experience any hair loss or breakage. The best part is how affordable they are! $200 is the average price. For a more natural look, it is recommended that you bring you clip in extensions to the salon with you to have them cut. Your stylist can blend them in with your natural hair and explain to you how to style and apply them.
$ Sew-in extensions can be very painful and damaging to the hair. Due to the amount of hair you use on your head it can cause it to be very heavy and uncomfortable.
Hair extensions are worn by women all over the world and you can have amazing hair extensions without spending thousands of dollars. You can have great hair that lasts and isn't hard to maintain. When looking into hair extensions be sure to have great quality hair, talk to a hair stylist you trust, and use hair extensions that match your lifestyle.
