Worried your extensions will show? The easiest hairstyles with extensions are overnight braided waves, a sleek ponytail and a low bun, and each one blends your own hair in minutes.
If you are not sure which kind you wear, read about the types of hair extensions first.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Morning routine after an overnight braid | Out the door in 10 minutes |
| Where to section hair for clip-ins | Just above the tops of your ears |
| Clips on the first weft | Four clips |
| How often to wash clip-ins | Every three to five wears |
| Clip-in lifespan | A year or more with proper care |
These figures come from L’Oréal Paris’s March 2024 styling guide and NewBeauty’s April 2021 care feature. They can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
Start with a clean clip-in base
Every style below looks better when the wefts sit underneath your own hair. L’Oréal Paris’s March 2024 guide starts by sectioning the hair just above the tops of your ears and clipping the top section out of the way.
- Section your hair into a top and bottom section, starting just above the tops of your ears, and clip the top up.
- Gently tease the roots of the bottom section and add a little hairspray for added grip.
- Comb a weft with four clips into the teased roots, lined up with your part, and close the clips.
- Release the top section, then make a new top section, leaving one to two inches behind to cover your extensions.
- Tease again and clip a weft with three clips along the new part.
- Lift your face-framing strands and place a single clip weft on each side of your head.
If your natural hair is fine, see our notes on hair extensions for thin hair before you choose how much to add.
Overnight braids for easy waves
An overnight braid shapes your hair and your extensions the same way, so the two match in the morning. L’Oréal Paris says you will be out the door in 10 minutes once the braids come out.
- Braid your hair as you normally would. French or Dutch braids carry the waves all the way up to your roots.
- Apply hair gel over each braid to seal in the wave.
- Braid your clip-in extensions in the same size braids as your own hair, and gel them too.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillow to keep the frizz down.
- In the morning, unravel every braid, clip the extensions in and run your fingers through the waves to blend them.
The braid size sets the result: the smaller the braid, the tighter the wave. The number of braids also depends on how thick your hair is, according to the same L’Oréal Paris guide.
Notice that the extensions are braided off your head and clipped in afterwards. NewBeauty’s April 2021 feature says clip-ins should never be slept in.
Sleek straight hair, with a heat check
For a straight finish, straighten your hair and the extensions separately. L’Oréal Paris notes that this leaves you less work when it comes to blending.
Apply a heat protectant to damp hair and blow-dry before you straighten. Then check that your extensions can take heat at all, because the guide warns that some are not safe to straighten or curl.
Even heat-safe hair has limits. NewBeauty’s April 2021 piece quotes an expert saying that if you heat-style extensions too much, they will get split ends, just like natural hair. For tools and settings, read how to style hair extensions with heat.
Ponytails and buns with a ponytail extension
A ponytail extension is a single piece, so it is the quickest route to length and volume. Perfect Locks says it transforms a ponytail in 60 seconds, and its post lists five styles.
- Sleek high pony: put your hair in a high ponytail, clip the extension at the base, then wrap the velcro strap around the hair and secure it with a bobby pin.
- Braided high pony: attach the extension, braid it and secure it with an elastic. If you do not braid, twist the hair instead.
- Top knot: wrap the extension around your bun and pin it. You can also braid the extension before wrapping it.
- Low bun: tie a low bun, clip the extension to its base, wrap the strap and pin it. Pull a few strands out for a messier look.
- Classic low pony: attach the extension to a low ponytail and tease the first layer of hair for extra volume.
Before you clip on, tuck or smooth any shorter hair at the nape or sides upward so it does not show below the elastic. Perfect Locks also suggests a boar bristle brush to smooth the surface hair over the connection point.
Keep your styles looking good between wears
Good styling fades fast if the hair tangles. These habits come from the April 2021 NewBeauty feature.
- Wash clip-ins when needed, with one expert suggesting every three to five wears.
- Never sleep with wet extensions, and put your hair in a loose ponytail or braid before bed.
- Brush regularly. One expert says breakage happens once things start getting tangled.
- With proper care, clip-ins can last a year or more, depending on how often you wear them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest hairstyle to wear with extensions?
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A low or high ponytail with a ponytail extension is among the simplest. Perfect Locks describes it as a one-piece addition that takes about 60 seconds.
Can I curl or straighten my extensions?
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Only if they are heat-safe, so check before you start. L’Oréal Paris’s March 2024 guide warns that not all extensions can take heat.
How often should I wash clip-in extensions?
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One expert in NewBeauty’s April 2021 feature suggests every three to five wears. Wash them only when needed.
Should I sleep in clip-in extensions?
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No. The same NewBeauty feature says clip-ins should never be slept in. It also says never to sleep with wet extensions.