How Much Do Good Hair Extensions Cost?

Average Hair Extensions Cost

The national average cost of hair extensions is between $200 and $600. On the low end, clip-in and tape-in hair extensions range from $100 to $200. Professional glued-in extensions prices are between $600 up to $3,000 for a full-head of extra-long, permanent, cold-fusion extensions with virgin hair.

Hair extensions are the ultimate Hollywood-style shortcut to get a celebrity look by getting a full, voluminous head of hair within one day. It's recommended to choose 100% human hair and invest in the highest quality of hair you can afford instead of opting for synthetic pieces. Hair extensions prices vary widely according to the style you want and your natural hair's condition as we'll discuss below.

Table of Contents

• Average Hair Extensions Cost
• Hair Extensions Prices By Type
• Clip-in
• Tape-in
• Sew-in
• Weave
• Fusion
• Glued-in
• Bonded
• Micro-bead
• Cost of Hair Extensions At A Salon
• Permanent Hair Extensions
• Average Cost of Human Hair Extensions
• Full Hair
• Short Hair
• How Long Do Hair Extensions Last?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Do Extensions Damage Your Hair?
• Strand By Strand Hair Extensions
• Hair Extension Products Cost
• Hair Extensions Prices By Type

Hair extension prices range from $100 to $3,000 depending on if you buy clip-in extensions to put in your own hair or get high-quality semi-permanent extensions professionally glued-in at a salon. Hair stylists suggest matching the amount of hair added with the current density of your hair. If you have finer or less hair, add less than someone with more voluminous long hair.

• Clip-in hair extensions: $100 to $500. Best for thick and medium hair. Last for one year if not worn continuously. Pros: Easiest to put on and remove. Can wear temporarily without damaging your natural hair. Cons: May slip out while wearing if you get cheap clips.
• Tape-in hair extensions: $200+. Best for thick and medium hair. Last for 6 to 8 weeks. Pros: Quick to attach. Lays flat against the head for easy concealing. Cons: Removing them can leave a sticky residue behind. They can tangle easily.
• Sew-in extensions: $275+. Best for thick hair. Last for 2-6 weeks. Pros: Affordable. Don't require heat or anything that can damage your hair tips. Cons: Can create added tension on your scalp that can lead to hair breakage over time.
• Real hair weave: $100 to $600. Best for thick hair. Last for up to 8 weeks. Pros: Look very natural. Strong extensions that stay in well. Cons: When attached to braids, they can feel painful and irritate the scalp. May also lead to hair breakage over time.
• Fusion hair extensions: $200 to $1,000. Suits all hair types. Last for up to 3 months or more. Pros: The bonds are nearly invisible in the hair. Cons: Improper removal can lead to significant hair damage and weakening.
• Glued-in extensions: $300 to $500. Suits medium to thick hair types. Last for 4 to 8 weeks. Pros: The bonds blend in well with your hair. Cons: Acetone products used to remove them can weaken your hair.
• Bonded extensions: $1,500 to $3,000 for deluxe cold-fusion bonds. Suits all hair types. Last for 3 to 6 months. Pros: Highly durable. Less-damaging for hair when they don't require heat to apply. Cons: Require maintenance appointments every month or so for upkeep.
• Micro-bead extensions: $200+. Best for thin hair. Last for 2 to 6 months. Pros: Long-lasting without damaging the hair. Lightweight. Cons: Require extra care during styling and maintenance appointments every month or two for adjustments.

How Much Are Clip-In Hair Extensions?

Clip-in hair extensions cost about $100 for 20 inches of hair or as much as around $500 for a pack of nine sections of hair 30 inches long. Temporary hair extensions cost less because you can easily put on clip ins yourself. Clip-in hairpieces are a great hair loss solution for thinning hair. However, be wary of a low average price for clip in hair extensions because those tend to have poor-quality clips with a weaker grip.

Tape-In Hair Extensions Cost

Often made from real human hair, you'll see the tape in extensions price range start at around $200 for partial extensions at a salon. Other hair extensions for thin hair cost much more because they take more time to put in than tape-ins.

They are segments of hair attached to double-sided keratin tape. They come in pieces about 2 inches wide, and the stylist applies them very close to your roots while slightly overlapping them so that they blend in. They sandwich your hair in between the extensions, adhering the extensions together to add strength. They are easy and quick to put in because the stylist only needs to peel back the coating and stick them on. That makes the typical tape in extensions cost very affordable. When properly worn, they lay completely flat and undetectable underneath your natural hair.

How Much Are Sew-In Extensions?

Sew-in extensions prices begin at $275 with an additional $60 for each separate track of hair sewn in. Permanent sew-in extensions cost less than fusion treatments but more than clip ins due to the work involved.

With this technique, stylists sew around strands of your natural hair to attach it to the long track of new hair using a fine needle and thread. Braid in extensions costs won't always be the same price as sew-ins because not all sew in extensions require braids. If you have extra thick hair, then you don't need to keep sections of your hair braided into cornrows first to support the extensions. Today's hairdressers have ways of pinning hair back, sewing in the extensions and then releasing the rest of the hair after securing the extension evenly across the head.

How Much Does a Weave Cost?

People using the term "hair weave" generally refer to permanent extensions sewn onto braids. Prices for hair extensions to be weaved in can vary from $100 to $600 depending on the type of weave you get, the length of the hair and the quality of your hair extensions.

You need about 6 to 10 tracks for a full-head weave, which may last a few weeks or up to two months. Remember that your total hair weaving cost will include the hair extensions plus the time the stylist needs to attach them properly. Please be advised that those with thinning hair should not get a traditional weave. This style is best for naturally thick hair.

Fusion Hair Extensions Cost

You'll find many kinds of fusion hair extensions available because this term technically includes glue-ins, bonded extensions, as well as all types of nano and microbead, link or loop hair-extension systems. That's why fusion hair extensions cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more at a salon.

Some stylists use the term "cold fusion" to refer to any extensions that don't require heating an adhesive, even I-Tip micro link hair extensions. Still, new application systems such as the Cold Fusion system by Great Lengths uses a machine with an ultrasonic iron to bond the extensions to the hair without using heat. It's less damaging, but it can cost more.

Extensions Glued In Cost

Those with naturally thick hair may want to have hair extensions glued in, which provides a very strong hold. Glue in hair extensions cost anywhere between $300 to $500. However, they're not typically suitable for fine or thin hair due to the thickness of the bond created by the heated glue.

In this method, the hairdresser takes segments of Keratin pre-bonded extensions (i-tip and u-tip) and uses a low-heat iron to melt the keratin bond onto and around your strands of natural hair.

Bonded Extensions

Cold-fusion bonded extensions prices are higher when adhesive-based because these particular extensions can last up to six months. Keratin bonded hair extensions cost around $1,500 to $3,000. In this approach, a stylist carefully applies a keratin-based polymer to attach the extension securely to carefully selected strands of hair. Without requiring heat, it's also less damaging to your natural hair.

Micro Bead Hair Extensions Cost

Microbead hair extensions cost around $200 plus the salon-installation cost. Also called by some as a micro weave or beaded-weft extensions, micro-beaded hair extensions work using a metal crimp bead with a silicone lining that's the same color as the roots of the hair. Then the hairstylist threads a small section of the client's natural hair through the bead. Next, they slide a small portion of the hair extension up through the bead so that it lays on top of the natural hair. Finally, they use pliers to crimp it shut. The resulting bead rests completely flat against the head, making it easier to blend into fine hair.

Natural Beaded Rows™ hand-tied hair extensions combine nano-size micro beading with a sew-in approach. Average natural beaded row hair extensions cost around $300 to $500 depending on how many extensions you get and their length. First, the stylist attaches thin microbeads and ties them together with a fine, durable thread to create a base for the other extensions. Then the hairdresser sews a new track or weave of hair, dyed to perfectly match your color, gently onto the micro-bead base for a lightweight and robust finish. These extensions can last for two years if you get tightening appointments every 6 to 8 weeks.

Micro Link Hair Extensions Cost

Micro links and micro-beads are essentially the same types of hair-extension methods, so they fall within the same price range of $200 and up as mentioned above. The only differences are the sizes, colors, and styles of the beads or links. Nanobeads or links are the smallest-size bonds you can buy.

Micro Loop Hair Extensions

The average micro loop hair extensions price is $35 for three sets of 18-inch extensions when you buy from beauty-supply outlets. It costs more at salons, but they can assist you better in choosing the right colors and textures to match your hair.

Micro loop extensions cost a little less than micro ring extensions because, with the loops, there's no need to purchase additional micro rings that match the client's natural hair color. Micro-loops come with hair extensions already attached to the plastic loop. You just pull the hair through the plastic loop, slide it up and crimp the bond in place with pliers. To remove, use the pliers to loosen the bond and then slowly slide the hair extensions down off of the natural hair strands.

Cost of Hair Extensions At A Salon

Hair extensions prices in salons can range from $400 to $800 for a partial head of hair and can go up to $1,600 for extensions along the full head. Salon prices are a bit more than if you buy from a wholesale supplier. However, hair extensions for weddings turn out better when you have the expertise of an experienced stylist to give you advice, providing a bigger selection of options that you couldn't do on your own. Plus, the cost of hair extensions at a salon often includes a haircut and styling to help the extensions look like a natural part of your hair.

Salons calculate your total professional hair extensions cost after they give you a consultation to determine the price of the hair extensions you choose, the quantity of hair needed, the length of the extensions and the time it will take to put them in. Fusion-bonded extensions cost more because they make take 3 hours to attach, while tape-ins go much quicker and thus cost less.

Permanent Hair Extensions Cost

You'll find that permanent hair extensions prices can range from $500 to $1,800 according to the length of the hair and the final look you desire.

The permanent extensions price generally refers to the stronger fusion-style applications. The higher permanent hair extensions cost is because salon specialists may use tools such as a hair-extension laser applicator to soften the bonds of the hair pieces. Then they roll them onto strands of your hair so that they blend in almost seamlessly, leaving behind a tiny bond that's as small as a grain of rice. Plus, the bond matches the natural hair color, so it's not noticeable.

Average Cost of Human Hair Extensions

For some women, the higher cost of real hair extensions is worth it because they look more natural and are easier to style. Pure 100-percent human hair extensions prices average at $75 to $120 if you buy them directly from the supplier. The average cost of human hair extensions depends on the source and quality of the hair as well as how your stylist applies them. However, unless they're clip-ins, experts recommend that you get a stylist to put them in for you professionally.

Virgin hair that's completely untreated comes in top-quality condition. Virgin hair extensions allow you the freedom to dye and cut them so that they blend well with the rest of your hair.

Full Hair Extensions Cost

Full long hair extensions are typically longer and placed on the sides as well as the back of the head from below the crown to the nape of the neck. Synthetic hair extensions are more affordable and weather-resistant, ranging from $5 to $50 per pack. However, you can't use heat to style them.

On average, real human hair extensions cost $20 to $500 depending on the type of extensions you buy. It could cost up to $1,600 for virgin hair and having a professional hairstylist attach them for you, which is necessary especially for fusion-style methods.

Extensions For Short Hair

Extensions for short hair cost less than long hair. For example, some companies offer 16-inch hair extension clip-ins for $35 to $70 or more per set. Keep in mind that hair extensions for short hair prices can vary greatly depending on the quality of the hair you buy and the method of application.

How Long Do Hair Extensions Last?

One of the most important questions you should ask about extensions before you pick out your new hairstyle is how long do they last? According to stylists interviewed by Cosmopolitan, it varies according to the extension type and how well you take care of them. Glue-ins average at about 4 to 8 weeks. Both tape-ins and protein-bonded hair extensions can last from 6 to 8 weeks. Clip-ins can last up to one year since you don't usually wear them continuously.

How long do extensions last if you use lots of styling tools on your hair?

Extensions start getting frizzy and dry out if you use curling irons and blow dryers on them daily. If you must style with heat frequently, use frizz-reducing thermal-protecting sprays on your hair first and deep-condition weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Hair Extensions Damage Your Real Hair?

Some types of hair extensions can damage your hair more than others. It's best to have a professional hairstylist put your extensions in for you to avoid getting tangles that won't come out or other messy complications.

Temporary clip-ins are the most natural extensions to wear that do the least damage to your hair. You can remove them frequently so that your hair has time to breathe.

Other hair extensions will cause at least a little minor damage to your hair where the stylist attached them. You're likely to have some sections that become more dried out than the rest of your hair. The most significant cause of damage happens when you don't remove hair extensions correctly. Without the right tools and technique, you'll probably break your hair or badly fray it.

How Much Do Strand By Strand Hair Extensions Cost?

The term "strand by strand hair extensions" refers to all the different kinds of bonded extensions: glue-ins, keratin hot-glue bonded extensions, ultrasonic bonds, micro or nano-beads or links as well as micro loops. Therefore, strand by strand hair extensions costs can range widely from $600 to $3,500 and may take up to 8 hours to complete.