The Fastest Way to Apply & Remove Clip-In Hair Extensions (2024)

Every once in a while, you get the itch to completely change your plain, dull hair. These might have led to some terrible hair moments for you, including those hideous orange highlights or that pixie cut.

Time Estimate: 10 to 20 Minutes

Clip-in hair extensions can give you long, luscious hair without spending months or years waiting for it to grow out after a big hair mistake. You can add touches of blonde, pink, or purple without having to color your hair.

Styling Your Clip-in Hair Extension

Before you begin to apply your extensions, you need to purchase an extension that fits your style of hair (straight, wavy, curly, etc.). If you have already purchased a weft, begin to style the extensions in the way that you normally wear your hair. If you have natural curls or curl your hair, you should also curl your extensions. Likewise, if you usually wear your hair straight, straighten the extensions.

This will ensure that the clip-in extensions blend seamlessly with your natural hair! In other words, no one will be able to tell that you have extensions.

Separate Your Natural Hair Into Sections

1. Now you must separate your natural hair into two sections running from one temple to the other: a bottom and a top section.
2. Use a comb if you have thicker hair or just your fingers (if your hair is a little thinner).
3. Secure the top section with a hair clip or a rubber band so that it is out of the way.

Attach the Hair Extension(s)

1. You will want to push the clip into your hair along the horizontal line of the part. The most important thing is to ensure the hair extension clip is aligned perfectly and will fall where you want it.
2. Take special care not to have extra folds at the top weft of the additional hair.
3. From there, apply pressure to secure the clip.
4. You should figure out for yourself where to put smaller and bigger wefts, but here is a general rule that you can follow. Start with a three-clip weft at the back of your head, just above the nape of the neck.
5. Going higher up, where your head is widest, apply the big four-clip weft.
6. Apply two or three-clip wefts on each side of the head, just above your ears.
7. You can also play around with placing small one-clip wefts strategically.
8. A thing to keep in mind is not to go too high up with the wefts because there won’t be enough hair to cover them.

Continuing Applying Each Clip-In Extension

1. Follow the same pattern described in step three.
2. Move up your head, parting your natural hair into one-inch sections, adding the clip-in extensions as you go.
3. Make certain that the extensions are not going beyond the length of your hair.
4. Having clip-ins longer than your natural hair length will make the extension visible.

Complete the Application

Now, all you have to do is unclip the top part of your hair and let it cascade down!

That’s it. All done!

All Finished

You now have a completely new hair look that you can commit to for a day or weeks. Go out into the world and show off your glamorous, gorgeous locks!

Clip-in hair extensions can offer an instant solution to altering your appearance with your hair. When purchasing a clip-in, you want to ensure that it is of high quality (like the clip-in hair extensions available at Airy Hair). A low-quality extension may not produce the desired reaction you’re looking for.

Time Estimate: 2 to 5 Minutes

Once you’ve used the extension, it’s time to remove it. While hair extensions come from many manufacturers, the basic design is similar across the board. This means there are universal tips to keep in mind when removing them.

Ensure That the Hair is Tangle Free

If the hair is matted, stiff, or tangled from the additional use of the product (such as holding sprays or gels), remove the troubled areas. The hair needs to follow its natural form before you attempt to remove the clip-in hair extensions.

You may also need to use detangling products or a fine mist of water. Work your way through the hair with your fingers or a brush. Alternatively, you can opt to use a large-toothed comb, as this helps to eliminate any clumping from holding products. Ensure you have smoothed out any tangled areas in the hair before proceeding.

Section the Hair

Part the hair just above where the extensions were placed. This will reveal where they have been attached to the hair. You can also part your natural hair just below the point where the clip-ins have been attached. This additional step will make removing them easier.

Remove the Clip-In Hair Extensions

1. Secure your hair in one hand, and gently lift and slide the clip hair extension out of the hair.
2. When doing this, be attentive to any pull on your scalp. If you feel you are pulling on the hair too much, stop and begin detangling it more. This will help you avoid losing any hair.
3. During removal, press your thumbs down and apply pressure outward with the index fingers.
4. The clip should snap open with ease. If there is more than a single clip in one section, you will need to open all the clips before you pull out the extensions for the section.

Detangle the Clip-In Hair Extensions

1. After you slide the clip-in hair extensions out of the hair, inspect them to ensure that they do not have any knots.
2. Use a brush or comb (and your chosen detangling product if necessary) to smooth out the hair.
3. If the hair is not too tangled, use your fingers.

Dry and Store the Clip-In Hair Extensions

1. If the clip-in extensions have dampness from using a fine spray of water, air dry the extensions before storing them.
2. If you’re on a time crunch, use the lowest setting possible on a blow dryer.
3. Once you dry the clip-in hair extensions, you will need to store them until you need to use them again.
4. Pick a cool, dry place to store them, preferably a case. Ensure the extensions are not exposed to direct sunlight at any time. UV lights can break the hair down quickly; it will start to fade and look old with time. This leads to the degradation of the extension.
5. Ensure that they are stored in a box that is long and wide enough to hold the full length. Never place them in a clump; with time, they will accumulate moisture and become entangled if you do.

Other Useful Tips to Keep in Mind

One useful tip about clip-in hair extensions – have more than one. You can have different types of clip-ins for different events or seasons. Airy Hair clip-in hair extensions are quite affordable. Collect multiple designs and colors.

If you do not plan to use clip-in hair extensions for a while, check often that the extensions are not accumulating moisture. If you have free time, take out your extensions and brush them gently to ensure that they remain free of knots.

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