Your 2022 Guide to Hand Tied Hair Extensions for Longer Lengths
Let me guess: you want to grow your hair out, but it’s taking too long? Or maybe you have fine hair or fine hair and want it to look fuller and thicker? Or maybe all of the above is true for you (ditto, let’s be friends). You’ve tried all the hair supplements and hair growth oils to no avail, but before you admit defeat, you Google one more thing: hair extensions. This search sent you down an endless path of all different types of extensions and methods, and now you feel totally overwhelmed.
No, I’m not tracking down your Google search history – I’ve been in your location before, and you know what I learned from all of this? The fastest way to get longer, thicker but still natural-looking hair is with hand-tied extensions. Because hand-tied extensions aren’t exactly self-explanatory, I’m going to give you all the answers to the questions I know you’re asking (remember, I’ve been there too), so keep reading.
Meet the expert:
- Anna Gavin is a hairstylist and extension specialist at Cheeky Strut Hair Salon in Grand Rapids, MI.
What should I know about hand-tied extensions?
First, a word on the name, which can be slightly misleading, according to extension specialist Anna Gavin. “Hand Tied” refers to the type of weft being installed, which Gavin describes as a very thin, low-profile weft that is usually stacked with other hand-tied wefts and installed with a bead strand method, but the stylist can also use machine wefts instead for denser hair. Eyes glassy with confusion? I had – keep reading.
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Let’s move on to the installation process to clear things up. For hand-tied extensions, your stylist will start by applying tiny silicone-lined copper beads to tiny sections of your hair, next to each other. Then they will clip the wefts on top and sew the extensions onto the beads.
Gavin explains that dithered methods are usually installed in rows in a horseshoe or U-shape at the back of the head, but smaller rows can also be used to fill in thinner areas or anywhere blending is needed. . “Usually I install several different colors of wefts or custom color wefts to be a perfect blend and match my clients,” Gavin explains. “The more colors used, the more homogeneous the mixture will be with natural hair.”
Curious how hand tied extensions compare to other types of extensions? Here are the main pros and cons of hand-tied extensions:
Benefits
“Beaded weft extensions are great solutions for customers looking to add significant amounts of length or volume, like they add a lot of hair with minimal contact points on the head, compared to the individual extension methods bound,” says Gavin. And the hand-tied extensions are also fully customizable. The stylist can order custom textures to match a client’s wave or curl pattern and use different weft densities or stack multiple wefts to be the best fit.
The inconvenients
Because you will want to use your own hair to cover the seams at your roots, weft extensions are not ideal for installation very high on the head. However, hand-tied extensions are quite versatile. Gavin says the extensionist can combine wefts with smaller individual extensions (like keratin bonds, I-tips or tape extensions) and place the smaller extensions towards the top of the head or near the hairline, no problem.
How often do hand-tied extensions need to be pulled up?
Bead weft methods are connected to your natural hair, so naturally, they will grow as your hair grows. Gavin’s estimates every six to eight weeks you should have your hand related extensions removed and reinstalled i.e. moved up. The good news is that you can reuse the hair as long as it’s in good condition.
How long do hand tied extensions last?
Speaking of good condition, how often you need to replace your wefts greatly depends on how you maintain them (eg brushing carefully or using good quality styling products). But, you know, the quality of the hair also makes a big difference. “There are many levels of hair extension quality, and this will greatly influence how often you replace your hair,” says Gavin.
If you haven’t made it cheap and you’re doing all the right things, you could easily squeeze six to nine months out of your wefts. Gavin points out that because they only shed very little, you could have your wefts much longer than this – just keep in mind that your extensions aren’t growing anymore and will need regular trimming to stay looking their best. .
How much does it cost to install hand-attached extensions?
“Because this is such a personalized service based on so many different factors, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer or baseline quote,” says Gavin, adding that everything from length, color and density of your current natural hair, to your desired length and overall look, brand and type of weft used, weft length and colors, and stylist could help at the price.
“Extensions are really a luxury service and an investment, initially, because you pay for your hair itself plus installation and blending“, says Gavin. Personally, I’ve asked around, and all I’ll say is don’t be so shocked if you’re told a total price in the four-figure range. Tip on top. Yeah , not cheap.
While you’re saving for hand-tied extensions, try these 4 options at home:
Can you wear your hair with hand tied extensions?
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In fact, yes. Look, I’ve watched a fair amount of reality TV on Hulu and Netflix, and one of my biggest hesitations about hair extensions is how obvious they are when you wear your hair in a ponytail, into a bun or really any hairstyle other than straight down. But Gavin says hand tied extensions are ideal for someone who likes the versatility of wearing their hair in different styles as they tend to be much easier to hide when you pull your hair high over your head.
Are Hand Tied Extensions Worth It?
While bead weft methods are Gavin’s favorite, they aren’t for everyone, and your stylist can tell you if hand-tied extensions are the right kind to achieve your desired results. And speaking of stylists, you’ll want to make sure the person you’re seeing is not only certified but also experienced. Because at the end of the day, spending $$ on hair extensions is only worth it if the service is done right and doesn’t need redoing, well, at least until it’s time to move them.
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