The Most Natural-Looking Extensions for Thin Hair, According to an Expert

Storytime: In the ninth grade, I was obsessed with the idea of growing out my hair naturally. I tried everything from coconut oil to peppermint oil to scalp serums—and I even resorted to using specialized shampoo for horses. (Admittedly, that was a low point, but YouTube convinced me it would work!) Then one day, my friend Sommer walked into English class and everything changed. Her hair had seemingly grown five inches overnight. After pestering her to tell me her secret, she lifted up the first layer of her hair to reveal a thick weft of clip-in extensions. That day after school, I raced to Sally Beauty, per Sommer’s recommendation and found the highest-quality clip-ins on the market. Two hours and $280 for an 18-inch pack later, I was set. I wore the extensions for the rest of the year, feeling a new sense of confidence every time I clipped them in. 

Fast forward to the following year. After daily use, I realized that this habit was becoming more costly than I’d anticipated. I had to replace the extensions every two months and I needed my hairdresser to cut and layer them into my locks every time I got a new set. Also, the clip-ins were taking a toll on my fine hair. I started developing bald spots from the weight of the wefts. They’d dig into my scalp, making them itchy and uncomfortable during extended wear. Eventually, sad as I was to part ways with my extra length, I decided to ditch my wefts in favor of returning to natural hair growth remedies. That is, until I was introduced to K-tip extensions. 

Unlike the clip-ins I was familiar with, these were individual strands that were bonded to my natural hair, making them feel weightless. Even better, they were semi-permanent, so I didn’t need to worry about styling them every day (or fear that they’d come flying out during a spin class). And while they can last for up to five months, they’re far more expensive than clip-ins. And by that, I mean K-tips typically start at $1,000—and the price increases depending on how many strands you need. Several thousands of dollars later, I had to wonder: Are these really the best extensions for thin hair? And are there more affordable options out there that could still make my hair look naturally longer and thicker (and not cheap)? I tapped an extension specialist for some answers.

Meet The Expert

Nicolette Rauchut is a master extension specialist with more than 10 years of experience in the industry. She graduated from the Aveda Institute before training with top stylists at Warren Tricomi, including extension specialist Jasmine Galazka and salon owner Edward Tricomi himself. Today, she is the extension specialist at LRN Beauty in New York and the founder of You Look Stella, which is a blog that educates clients on the latest hair extension research.

According to Rauchut, keratin attachments ( K-tips) and hand-tied wefts are the best options for those with finer hair. This is because they’re attached in a way that expands and contracts with your natural hair. It not only puts less tension on your scalp, meaning less long-term damage to your strands, but removing them is easy and gentle on fine hair. That said, while wefts are the more affordable option, Rauchut says keratin attachments are the absolute best option if getting a natural look is your priority. And if you’re someone who’s on the fence about semi-permanent extensions, she recommends trying a temporary Halo Couture hair piece as a jumping-off point.

If we’re talking about semi-permanent options, it’s best to avoid tape-in extensions for thin hair. The installation process—which involves taking two panels of extensions, removing the adhesive tape from each and sandwiching them between your natural hair—adds double the weight. For thicker textures, this is a great option because it offers the most bang for your buck with each panel. But for fine hair, this could end up putting too much tension at the roots. Plus, just like the hand-tied wefts, tape-ins require move-up visits every six to eight weeks and can be more expensive, costing anywhere between $150 to $700 per move-up depending on the salon. 

And of course, it’s best to avoid clip-in extensions if you’re planning on wearing them frequently. As I mentioned at the top of this article, I experienced tons of hair loss from the strain these clip-ins had on my natural hair. For temporary options, it’s better to go with something like Halo Couture that won’t damage hair in the long run. 

K-tips are the absolute most natural-looking option for fine hair. Hand-tied wefts are a close second, but they’re less customizable but more durable and easier on the wallet. Halo Couture clip-ins are a great option for anyone interested in temporary extensions—and they can last you up to five years with proper care. 

• Do not wash your hair for two days after the initial application. Then, when it’s time to shower, always wash your hair with your head tilted backward, not forward.
• Don’t towel dry too aggressively. Instead, gently wrap a microfiber towel to absorb water and lightly pat dry. 
• Wear your hair in a loose, low ponytail or braid when sleeping. It would also be a good idea to invest in a silk pillowcase to help prevent tangles and knots at night.
• Always dry your roots on a low heat setting. Curling irons, flat irons, hot rollers and any other hot tools may also be used, but only on low to medium heat. When using a hot tool, keep it about two inches away from the bond and attachment.
• Only use a soft natural bristle brush. The most expensive, salon-worthy brushes to invest in are Mason Pearson’s loop brush or Balmain’s luxury spa brush. Otherwise, you want to find a brush that uses natural boar bristles, like this one from Denman, that won’t pull the hair too much when you run it through.   
• Brush daily to prevent matting and shedding. Some extension hair loss is normal. The average person loses 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. Brush your hair gently three times daily, row by row, to prevent this as much as possible. Always start at the nape of the neck and work your way down from the mid-shaft to the ends. If you have curly hair, brush once in the morning and once in the evening. You can also use a wide-tooth comb to gently remove tangles from mid-lengths to ends only.
• Avoid submerging your hair under water for long periods of time. Wearing your hair up is recommended if you’re swimming and this applies to saunas as well. Leaving your hair wet for too long can weaken the bonds. Also be sure to dry roots with a towel or on medium heat immediately after washing.