How Much Are Hair Extensions? A Guide to Costs, Types, and What to Watch Out For

Dreaming of long, luscious locks but your hair just won’t grow past your shoulders? Hair extensions can help you achieve the length and volume you desire. But before jumping in, it’s important to understand the costs. This article will break down the average prices for different types of extensions, factors that impact pricing, and what to watch out for when budgeting.

The Cost of Hair Extensions

Hair extension prices vary greatly based on several factors:

Type of Extension

There are many different types, ranging from temporary clip-ins to permanent methods. In general:

• Non-permanent extensions like clip-ins or halos range from $200 – $500. They can be applied at home and reused.

• Semi-permanent extensions such as tape-ins or microbead extensions range from $600 – $1500. A stylist installs them and they last 4-8 weeks before needing maintenance.

• Permanent extensions like wefts or fusions range from $800 – $3000. A stylist installs them and they can last 4-6 months with touch ups.

Hair Quality

Synthetic hair is cheap, around $50 – $200. But it doesn’t blend or move naturally.

High-quality human hair ranges from $200 – $600 for non-permanent options. Permanent human hair extensions run $600 – $3000.

Virgin and Remy human hair is the top tier at $1500 – $5000.

Amount of Hair

The more hair you add, the higher the price. Full head installations with lots of volume are most expensive.

Partial sets or adding lighter amounts of hair for highlights are cheaper.

Salon Prices

Extension services at high-end salons in major cities cost more. Small town salons or independent stylists typically charge less.

Maintenance Costs

With permanent methods, ongoing stylist fees for adjustments and removal must be factored in.

Types of Hair Extensions

Now that you know the cost ranges, here’s a quick overview of the different types of extensions and installation methods:

• Clip-Ins: Strands clipped into your natural hair in sections. Cost $200-$500.

• Tape-Ins: Wefts taped to natural hair in rows. Cost $300-$1500 installed.

• Microbeads/Micro-Links: Strands individually bonded to natural hair. Cost $600-$1500 installed.

• Wefts/Sew-Ins: Wefts sewn into braids or cornrows. Cost $800-$2000 installed.

• Fusions: Strands pre-tipped and fused to natural hair with keratin. Cost $1500-$3000 installed.

Things to Watch Out For

While extensions can help you achieve your dream locks, there are some cautions to keep in mind:

• Avoid the cheapest options – low quality hair and application risks damage.

• Clip-ins can damage hair when worn constantly in the same spot.

• Improperly installed extensions can pull out natural hair.

• Heavy extensions can thin out fine or thinning hair.

• Poor maintenance leads to matting, uneven growth, and showing bonds.

• Permanent bonds placed too close to the scalp irritate it.

• Removing permanent extensions improperly can cause breakage.

Tips for Saving on Extensions

If you’re on a budget, here are some tips for reducing extension costs:

• Go shorter – less length means using less hair overall.

• Choose a moderate thickness – ultra thick hair costs more.

• Avoid excessive volume – go for a natural look.

• Get non-permanent or semi-permanent methods.

• Shop sales and buy bundles or sets for a discount.

• Maintain diligently so they last longer between placements.

• Choose high quality hair so they withstand reuse/resetting.

The Takeaway

The average cost of hair extensions ranges widely from $200 into the thousands based on many variables. While budget-friendly options are tempting, watch for quality issues that end up costing you more in the long run with damage. With good research, maintenance, and styling habits, extensions can be a worthwhile investment for beautiful locks.