More Than Long Hair: 6 Ways to Wear Hair Extensions
Discover the best hair extensions for thick hair that avoid bulkiness and deliver natural, seamless volume and length.
Let’s Talk Options
Longer hair is just the beginning. Hair extensions can also give you more freedom to play around with ponytails, braids, buns, half-up styles, and formal looks. Extensions can add length, fullness, or both. It all depends on your natural hair and your goals. Your extension method and placement can also affect how much freedom you have when styling your hair. Learn why hand-tied extensions make for the most comfortable extension option.
Today, we’re going to talk about some of the most popular ways to wear your new hair, with an emphasis on styles that work well with professionally installed extensions.
Wear Them Down
Let’s start with the easiest: wearing them down. This is one of the simplest ways to show off your extensions’ length and fullness while letting them blend with your natural hair. Loose waves are popular because they can make hair look fuller and more substantial. Other popular options include straight and sleek styles, curls, and voluminous blowouts. Extensions should be properly blended and matched to your natural hair so the finished style looks cohesive.
Styles to try
- Straight and sleek
- Loose waves
- Beach waves
- Voluminous blowout
- Loose curls
Try a Ponytail
Extensions can make a ponytail look longer and fuller, especially when your natural hair could use a little extra fullness. If you’re going for a polished look, you might want to opt for a high ponytail. Low ponytails are perfect for a softer, more relaxed style. If ponytails are a big part of your usual hairstyle rotation, let your stylist know. Extension placement can make it much easier to keep everything tucked away.
Styles to try
- High ponytail
- Low ponytail
- Sleek ponytail
- Messy or textured ponytail
- Bubble ponytail
- Braided ponytail
Go Half-Up, Half-Down
Half-up styles combine the length and fullness of extensions with some of your natural hair left loose. The half-up ponytail is an easy everyday option, while the half-up bun is a simple way to create more volume at the crown. Does hair in your face get on your nerves when you don’t want to put all of it up? Get creative! Twists and pinned-back sections are cute solutions. But remember: extension placement and concealment matter when you lift or pull back sections of your hair.
Styles to try
- Half-up ponytail
- Half-up bun
- Half-up twist
- Half-up waves
- Half-up curls
Add Extensions to Braids
When your natural hair is fine or lacks enough volume for a substantial braid, extensions can be especially useful. They give braids additional thickness and length. French and Dutch braids are versatile options that can be worn casually or dressed up, depending on the occasion. Want to show off your added length? Try boho braids or braided ponytails. They really let you show off that added length and fullness. Extensions need to be incorporated and concealed carefully so the braid looks continuous.
Styles to try
- French braid
- Dutch braid
- Fishtail braid
- Boho braid
- Side braid
- Crown braid
Create a Fuller Bun or Updo
Need to build your bun? Extensions can provide the extra hair you need to make your bun larger, fuller, and more substantial. For casual styles, it’s tough to beat a high bun or a messy bun. Low buns are great if you’re going for a more polished, formal look. Extensions can also give your stylist more hair to work with if you’re going for an intricate updo. Just keep in mind that your extension method and placement can affect how easily you can pull your hair into an updo.
Styles to try
- High bun
- Messy bun
- Sleek bun
- Low bun
- Chignon
- Twisted updo
Dress Them Up
Extensions are often useful for special-occasion styling because added length and density give your stylist more hair to shape and secure. Bridal updos, Hollywood waves, formal ponytails, and voluminous curls can all benefit from additional hair. The same basic styles can be adapted for weddings, proms, parties, photoshoots, and other events. If you have a special event coming up, keep your desired style in mind when choosing an extension method.
Styles to try
- Bridal updo
- Hollywood waves
- Formal ponytail
- Low chignon
- Half-up bridal style
- Voluminous curls
Looking for More Styling Ideas?
Check out this Portfolio. Hair Salon guide with even more creative ideas for styling beaded row extensions. Or talk with one of our stylists!
Hair Extension Length for Various Styles
Along with your desired style, the right hair extension length depends on the length of your natural hair and how long you want the finished hair to be. Here are some things to consider for length and styling.
- Wearing Down: Choose based primarily on your desired finished length and how well the extensions will blend with your natural hair. Likely hair extension length: 14-22”
- Ponytails: Consider both length and placement. You may want enough extension length to create the ponytail length you’re after. Likely hair extension length: 18-24”
- Half-Up Styles: You’ll want enough length for the lower section to blend naturally with the extensions while still achieving the finished look. Likely hair extension length: 18-26”
- Braids: Longer extensions can be useful because braiding compresses the hair and creates a different visual length. You may also want extra length if you’re creating a long braid. Likely hair extension length: 18-24”
- Buns/Updos: Extra length can give you more hair to wrap, twist and shape, but weight and attachment method become more important. Likely hair extension length: 18-24”
Ready to Switch Up Your Style?
Hand-tied and hybrid extensions offer different styling options depending on your hair, desired look, and where the extensions are placed. Thinking about wearing your hair down, pulling it into a ponytail, creating a bun, or changing your part? Those are all things to consider when choosing an extension method.
Talk with a stylist about how you typically wear your hair, both for everyday styles and special occasions, before choosing your extensions.
Are You a Stylist?
The Portfolio Hair Extension Collections include a huge variety of colorways and lengths, so you can always find a great product for your clients.
What Will You Try First?
For help choosing extensions based on your natural hair, desired length and fullness, and favorite hairstyles, book an appointment with a Portfolio stylist. If you’d like to explore your options, check out our extension collections.