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Clip-in hair extensions can come in clutch in so many different scenarios. Whether you've just chopped off your locks (and are totally regretting it) or you simply want to give your thinner strands more volume for a big night out, there are plenty of clip-in hair extensions that can help you get the look you want—no matter your hair color or type.
When shopping for clip-in extensions, Cliphair stylist Lynn Chambers suggests you start by thinking about what you want to achieve. "Do you just want length, or do you want to add thickness but keep the length?" she says. "Natural vs. synthetic is the biggest decision to make when looking for extensions."
Meet the experts: Lynn Chambers is a Cliphair stylist. Brynn Reed is a lead extension specialist and educator at Mirror Mirror Salon in Austin, Texas. Cynthia Alvarez is a hairstylist with invisibobble.
Synthetic clip-ins, while less expensive, usually come with more issues than those made of human hair. "Synthetic hair looks shiny, like doll hair, making it look less natural," says Brynn Reed, lead extension specialist and educator at Mirror Mirror Salon in Austin, Texas. "They also cannot have heat on them."
When it comes to natural extensions, you want to look for "remy" or "cuticle intact" hair, which is the highest quality type of human hair. "This means all the cuticles on the hair shaft run in the same directions, ensuring the hair will stay soft, shiny, and free from tangles for months, and even years if cared for correctly," says Chambers. "It also gives a much more natural looks because it will blend with the rest of your hair, whereas synthetic extensions tend to look a little more obvious and are more difficult to style."
Peep some of the best clip-in hair extensions:
Best Handcrafted Clip-In Hair Extensions
Habit Clip-In Hair Extensions
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Best High-End Clip-In Hair Extensions
Bellami Clip-In Hair Extensions
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Best Length Variety Clip-In Hair Extensions
GOO GOO Clip-in Hair Extensions
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Best Textured Clip-In Hair Extensions
Indique Remix Curly Clip-In Hair Extensions
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Best Gray Clip-In Hair Extensions
Luxy Clip-In Extensions
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Best Straight Textured Clip-In Hair Extensions
LOVRIO Clip-In Hair Extensions
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Best Auburn Clip-In Hair Extensions
Caliee Clip-In Hair Extensions
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Best Affordable Clip-In Hair Extensions
Wennalife Seamless Clip-In Hair Extensions
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Best Weight Variety Clip-In Hair Extensions
DOORES Clip-In Hair Extensions
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Best Celeb-Loved Clip-In Hair Extensions
True Indian Hair EZ Clipz
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Ready to shop? Here are 10 of the best clip-in hair extensions.
Best Handcrafted Clip-In Hair Extensions
Habit Clip-In Hair Extensions
Best Handcrafted Clip-In Hair Extensions
Habit Clip-In Hair Extensions
Pros
- Handcrafted
- 20 shades
- 100 percent Remy Cuticle Intact hair
Cons
- Single extension
These handcrafted clip-in extensions come highly recommended by Reed. Not only do they come in 20 different shades, they also have three different lengths (14-16", 18-20", and 22-24") and three different widths (3", 6", and 9"). And each extension is 100 percent remy cuticle intact hair. You can buy single extensions, or partial or full sets as well.
Lengths | 14"-16", 18"-20", and 22"-24" |
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Colors | Blonde, medium brown, brunette, black, and red |
Heat Tolerant | Unspecified |
Best High-End Clip-In Hair Extensions
Bellami Clip-In Hair Extensions
Best High-End Clip-In Hair Extensions
Bellami Clip-In Hair Extensions
Pros
- 100 percent human hair
- Hand selected
- Ethically-sourced
Cons
- Pricey
Bellami's clip-in hair extensions are all 100 percent human remy hair that the brand notes are both hand-selected and ethically-sourced. There are tons of different colors, including tons of iterations of black, brown, blonde, red, and ombre. The clip-in extensions are available in lengths from 18" to 24" and weights from 120g to 260g.
Lengths | 18"-24" |
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Colors | Blonde, brunette, black, and gray |
Heat Tolerant | Yes |
Pros
- More affordable than other options
- Made of real human hair
Cons
- A reviewer said the clips broke after a couple of uses
If you like to mix up the length of your clip-in extensions, you will love these. The brand offers 100 percent human remy hair extensions in so many lengths: 12", 14", 16", 18", 20", 22", 24" and 26". They also come in 29 different color combos.
Read more: Shampoos For Thinning Hair And Hair Loss
Lengths | 12"-26" |
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Colors | Blonde, medium brown, brunette, black, red, gray, and purple |
Heat Tolerant | Yes |
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Best Textured Clip-In Hair Extensions
Indique Remix Curly Clip-In Hair Extensions
Best Textured Clip-In Hair Extensions
Indique Remix Curly Clip-In Hair Extensions
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Pros
- This set has five different widths
- There are 10 wefts (the piece that attaches the extension to your natural hair) to manage the clips
Cons
- Only three length options
If you have textured hair, Indique is a great brand with tons of options. This curly clip-in will give you tons of body and comes in 14", 18", and 22" lengths. The brand notes it is made with virgin hair that has been machine drawn to ensure that all the cuticles are aligned in the same direction.
Lengths | 14", 18", and 22" |
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Colors | Black |
Heat Tolerant | Unspecified |
Best Gray Clip-In Hair Extensions
Luxy Clip-In Extensions
Best Gray Clip-In Hair Extensions
Luxy Clip-In Extensions
Pros
- Wide color variety
- Available in sets
- Multi-tonal coloring system
Cons
- Pricey
Luxy's clip-ins are all 100 percent remy human hair, and look totally natural. You can choose from three different lengths (12", 16", and 20"), as well as a variety of colors like brown, black and gray, and tons of different styles of color (like balayage, highlights and multi colors). The brand also notes that their clip-ins are dyed using a multi-tonal adapt coloring system, meaning each set has subtle highlights and lowlights (lighter and darker strands) throughout.
Lengths | 12", 16", and 20" |
---|---|
Colors | Blonde, medium brown, brunette, black, and red |
Heat Tolerant | Yes |
Best Straight Textured Clip-In Hair Extensions
LOVRIO Clip-In Hair Extensions
Best Straight Textured Clip-In Hair Extensions
LOVRIO Clip-In Hair Extensions
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Remy human hair
- Brazilian hair
Cons
- Lots of clips
These clip-in extensions are perfect for straight, textured hair. Made of remy human hair (the brand notes it's unprocessed virgin Brazilian hair), this set comes in seven pieces. Lengths vary from 12" to 24".
Read more: Products For Low Porosity Hair
Lengths | 12"-24" |
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Colors | Black and ombre burgundy |
Heat Tolerant | Unspecified |
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Best Auburn Clip-In Hair Extensions
Caliee Clip-In Hair Extensions
Best Auburn Clip-In Hair Extensions
Caliee Clip-In Hair Extensions
Pros
- Red hue options
- Remy human hair
- Length variety
Cons
- No weight options
One color that is hard to find when it comes to clip-in hair extensions is red and auburn shades. But Caliee has a couple of gorgeous red options to choose from (including Strawberry Blonde). These clip-ins are remy human hair, and you can choose between 14"-22" lengths.
Lengths | 14"-22" |
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Colors | Blonde, medium brown, brunette, black, and red |
Heat Tolerant | No |
Best Affordable Clip-In Hair Extensions
Wennalife Seamless Clip-In Hair Extensions
Best Affordable Clip-In Hair Extensions
Wennalife Seamless Clip-In Hair Extensions
Pros
- 5 different lengths
- Remy human hair
- Affordable
Cons
- No short options
These remy human hair extensions are affordable, and Amazon reviewers love them. They come in lengths including 14", 16", 18", 20", 22", and 24", with a ton of different color combinations (from jet black to platinum blonde). They have a seamless clip-in system that makes for a smooth, natural look.
Lengths | 14"-24" |
---|---|
Colors | Blonde, medium brown, brunette, black, red, gray, and ombre |
Heat Tolerant | Unspecified |
Pros
- Remy hair
- Weft design prevents shedding
- Extensive length and weight variety
Cons
- Straight style only (but can be curled)
These remy human hair clip-in extensions come in a seven-piece set with a double weft to prevent shedding. You can choose from tons of different colors shades from black to gray, in lengths from 12" to 24". One thing we love: the sets come in 80-150 gram weights for varying thickness. So if you really want more volume, you can get it with these.
Read more: Hair Straightening Brushes
Lengths | 12"-24" |
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Colors | Blonde, medium brown, brunette, black, red, and ombre |
Heat Tolerant | Yes |
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Best Celeb-Loved Clip-In Hair Extensions
True Indian Hair EZ Clipz
Best Celeb-Loved Clip-In Hair Extensions
True Indian Hair EZ Clipz
Pros
- Celebrity-loved
- 100 percent human hair
- Different set options
Cons
- Limited color selection
True Indian Hair has a deep celeb fan roster, including Lizzo, Mary J. Blige, and Megan Thee Stallion. These 100 percent human hair clip-ins have three different styles (straight, wavy and relaxed straight), seven or 10 piece sets, seven different lengths (from 14"-26"), and a gorg (but more limited) color selection.
Lengths | 14"-26" |
---|---|
Colors | Blond, brown |
Heat Tolerant | Yes |
How we selected the best clip-in hair extensions
For months, Women’s Health editors and writer Emily J. Shiffer researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated clip-in hair extensions. Our team consulted stylists Lynn Chambers, Brynn Reed, and Cynthia Alvarez, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best items for a wide range of needs and preferences.
How do you style clip-in extensions?
To style your hair with clip-in hair extensions, Chambers notes that you need to make sure you use the correct amount of clip-ins. "Using too few can make it look mis-matched and unnatural; you want them to look eye-catching for the right reasons!" she says. "Try using different lengths at the same time, to add layers and disguise the fact that your natural hair is shorter. Using too many will look bulky and will be heavy and uncomfortable, and can put strain on your natural hair, risking hair loss."
Adds Reed, "Make sure you are wearing enough to blend with your natural density: if you have thick hair you will need more extension hair and vice versa."You also want to make sure your extensions aren't too bulky. "You want to get clips that blend in and have a thin weft," says Cynthia Alvarez, hairstylist with invisibobble. "Anything too bulky will stick out and make your head appear bigger. A seamless clip will disappear into your natural hair."
And there are also many things you should avoid when it comes to clip-in hair extensions. "A common mistake to make is attaching your clip-ins too high on your head. Ideally, you shouldn’t apply your hair extensions any higher than your eyebrows level—and always leave about half an inch between your scalp and the clip-in, to prevent your hair from being pulled on too tightly," adds Chambers.
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How do you color-match your extensions to your real hair?
This is key for making sure your extensions look natural. "Always color match your hair in natural light. When in doubt, go for a clip-in with multiple shades, to look more natural," says Alvarez.
If you are struggling to get a perfect match, let a pro handle it. "Take your clip-ins to a hair stylist that specializes in extensions to have them cut to blend with your natural hair," says Reed. "Make sure the color match is perfect."
How should you take care of clip-in extensions?
"Leave your hair extensions to dry naturally after washing them, rather than using unnecessary heat," says Chambers. "Most human hair extensions will dry with a slight wave, giving them a more natural finish."
And you should never sleep in your extensions. "Clip-ins should be removed before sleeping to prevent the clips rubbing against the natural hair and scalp, causing knots and tension on the head," says Chambers.
She adds that overall, you should avoid choosing poor quality hair in your clip-in extensions, as they won’t last as long, particularly if you plan on using heat tools on them. Adds Alvarez, "Always deep condition your clip-ins and use a heat protectant spray prior to styling. Treat these just as good if not better than your natural hair."
Shop more of the best hair products for women
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Emily J. Shiffer
Contributing Writer
Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. Her work has been featured in Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina.