Clip-ins? Who be dat? Sew-ins? Girl, please! Thanks to over 308 million TikTok views and a Khloe Kardashian and Keke Palmer seal of approval, we have suddenly thrown in our clip-ins and sew-ins in the ‘forget these’ pile and embraced the hair extensions industry’s latest innovation – tape-ins extensions.
These gifts from the hair goddess are not only a perfect way to add luxurious length and volume to your strands, but they also last you weeks (eight to be exact), meaning you can strut your way to the office or red carpet without worrying about having a bad hair day.
Plus, unlike clip-ins and wigs, tape-ins are breathable, painless, non-damaging, and extremely versatile – you can flawlessly rock that Ariana Grande high pony without the extensions showing.
So, if you’re ready to join us on the “good hair, don’t care” lane, below are some of the best tape-in extensions on the market. Oh, and we also got all your tape-in extensions FAQs answered, including their pros and cons and how best to care for them.
What Are Tape-In Extensions?
Tape-in extensions, as their name suggests, are sections of hair attached to a strong adhesive.
When applying them, your stylist sandwiches your natural strands between two extension pieces, and the adhesive is attached to the scalp.
Tape-in extensions application is fairly quick and seamless – it doesn’t require any heat tools or chemicals and can be done in less than an hour with minimal damage when done correctly.
What Are Tape-In Extensions Pros & Cons?
Of course, there are pros and drawbacks to tape-in extensions. Here are just but a few:
Pros
- Tape-in hair extensions are an incredible way to add length, volume, and dimension to your natural strands
- They’re the safest methods of hair extensions available
- The extensions are lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Tape-in extensions have the fastest application time – length application takes 40-60 minutes while volume application takes 10-30 minutes only
- They’re easy to maintain and can be rocked in your preferred style
- Tape-ins are easy to remove and are reusable – can be worn for up to eight weeks with proper care (they save you hundreds of dollars in the long run)
- These hair extensions are one of the most effortless methods for newbie hairstylists to learn, and for most, there are no heating tools or special equipment needed for an application. Just comb, place, and voila! You’ll be turning heads!
Cons
- Tape-in extensions are a costly alternative to clip-ins and halo hair extensions
- They need regular maintenance and hair care
- Tape-in hair extensions need to be done by a licensed cosmetologist
- If not properly installed, tape-ins can slip out quickly
How Long Do Tape-In Extensions Last?
According to hair stylists, tape-ins last about six weeks, depending on how you care for them and your natural hair growth. Moreover, if well-maintained, tape-ins can be reused.
To care for the extensions, always sleep on a silk pillowcase, braid your hair before bed, and blow-dry your hair right before applying creams and oils.
As for what you shouldn’t do, don’t slather conditioner or serums near your hair roots, don’t swim in chlorinated or salt water, and never, NEVER, rigorously brush hair when it’s wet.
Also, call your favorite stylist once your hair has grown out and needs a touch-up. Unlike in DIYs, a hairstylist will use a specific tape-in remover product to make the removal process painless and seamless, leaving your mane undamaged.
Can You Wash Your Hair With Tape-in Extensions Installed?
Experts recommend washing your locks with tape-in hair extensions installed since it’s a semi-permanent hairstyle. However, it would be best if you tried to keep the adhesive strip clear of dirt and moisture.
Once your strands start feeling greasy, cleanse them immediately to ensure the tape-in hair extensions last.
The Best Tape-In Hair Extension Brands
Now that you’re all clued up, here are some of the best tape-in extension brands:
Hair Ext10sions Injection Tape-In Honey Brown, $145
Talk to enough hair gurus, and you’ll hear them go on about Hair Ext10sions when it comes to the highest quality of tape-in extensions.
The brand behind your favorite It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner offers its consumers super-luscious, ultra-shiny tape-ins that can be rocked on almost every occasion – office, wedding reception, date night, beach picnic, you name it.
Plus, you can choose between straight or wavy and four different lengths.
Indique Tape-in Hair Extensions, $63
If you’ve been looking for manageable but voluminous tape-in extensions, Indique is your best bet. Their extensions are 100% Remy human hair and are sewn in a manner that they don’t shed – so you can quickly but gently curl, blow-dry, or set them to your preferred style.
Hair Talk Tape-In Extensions, $750
Lauded as the most outstanding innovator of tape-in extensions, Hair Talk uses groundbreaking tech and premium-quality, 100% Remy human hair to give you red-carpet-worthy pieces.
The brand’s patent-pending band style uses a completely concealed adhesive that’s made to simulate your natural root and create an almost undetectable result, leaving you with flawless natural body wave extensions.
Glam Seamless White Platinum Tape-In Extensions, $349
If you’ve ever wondered how Khloe Kardashian’s hair always looks flawless, Glam Seamless is the answer. And even though the hair brand is an industry leader in wigs, wefts, and clip-ins, they’re the top dog in tape-in hair extensions.
The extensions are 100% Remy human hair and feature an incredibly wide range of colors and length options. No wonder celeb hairstylists Kendall Dorsey and Chris Appleton love them.
The Hair Shop Smart Tabs, $70
If you’re looking for that perfect pick-me-up hair, Smart Tabs is where it’s at. Their tape-in hair extensions are one of the easiest to apply, undetectable, and long-lasting.
Also, unlike with some tape-in extension brands, you don’t require heat to apply with Smart Tabs hair.
Yummy Extensions, $175
Available in dark brown and black hues, these tape-in extensions are exclusively designed to match various hair patterns (from 3C to 4A). They, however, only come in a 22-inch length, but you can always customize the hair to your liking.
Great Lengths $1000
Known for delivering quality, Great Lengths provides you with 100% ethically sourced, traceable Remy human hair from Italy. The tape-in extensions brand also sources their hair from “donations made to the sacred Indian temples” and then “use the proceeds of the hair sale to support local charitable causes.”
Their hair extensions are also the most long-lasting, invisible, and gently attached. They range from 14 to 22 inches and with a mix of natural shades to head-turning, bold hues (can someone say pastels?)
Sally Beauty Satin Strands Sahara Premium 18-Inch Tape-In Extensions, $109
The Satin Strands 18 Inch Tape-In Hair Extensions seamlessly add length, volume, or highlights to your mane. Every package contains 20 pre-taped and pre-cut pieces of Remy Human Hair that securely adheres to many hair types.
The tape bond is also specifically designed to minimize damage and keep your hair intact when properly applied.
BELLAMI Professional, $283
If you’ve been searching for tape-in extensions that’ll give you professional results, look no further than BELLAMI. Not only does it offer extensions in various lengths and shades, but it also provides jaw-dropping ombre and balayage options that are bound to turn your blah look into a Picasso-like masterpiece.
BELLAMI also makes its extensions using the best and finest cuticle contact and double-drawn 100% Remy human hair. Now that’s what we call a win!
ONYC Tape-In Extensions, $110
Overwhelmed yet? Yap, we get it. But, if you really want to get the most out of your tape-in extensions, you need to check out which brand suits your tastes and preferences. This option from ONYC, for instance, is the perfect match for a healthy-looking Dominican blowout or practically all Black hair textures.
Amazing Beauty Balayage Tape-In Extensions, $97
Made of 100% human Remy hair, the Amazing Beauty tape-in extensions are an Amazon fan-favorite. They have over 1,000 reviews, with users raving about the quality and versatility – it comes in five lengths, ranging from 14 to 22 inches, and 17 head-turning shades.
And did we mention they’re reusable for up to three to four applications? Simply remove the invisible, old, hypoallergenic tape and add new replacement tape for a fresh application.
HairSheRocks Vietnamese Straight, $85
These tape-in extensions are quick and effortless to apply. And, unlike most tape-in options, you don’t require extra tools to install them besides a study sectioning comb.
Bonus: You can easily curl them for a sexy, beachy look.
