How to Put Your Hair Up With Extensions: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to try some new updos but worried your extensions will get in the way or be visible? Have no fear! With the right techniques, you can easily put your hair up in a variety of stylish ways while keeping your extensions seamlessly blended and discreet.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to put your hair up in different styles with clip-in, tape-in, and other extensions. Follow these step-by-step instructions and tips to keep your extensions hidden and rock your favorite updo looks.

Prep Your Extensions

Before styling your hair up, it’s important to properly prep and blend your extensions first. Follow these steps:

• Detangle extensions – Use a wide-tooth comb to gently brush out any knots or tangles in the extensions. Work from the ends upwards.

• Blend textures – If needed, use a curling iron or flat iron to make the texture of the extensions match your natural hair texture.

• Smooth bonds – For tape-ins, gently press down on the bonds with your fingers to ensure they lie flat against your hair.

• Check placement – Make sure extensions are clipped or taped in securely close to the roots. Re-clip any that have slipped down the hair shaft.

Correctly prepping your extensions makes it much easier to blend them seamlessly when putting hair up.

How to Put Clip-In Extensions Up

Clip-in extensions offer the most versatility and flexibility when it comes to updos. Follow these tips:

• Place clips strategically – Position clips around the perimeter of your head rather than layered on top of each other to allow for more movement when putting hair up.

• Remove some wefts – Take out a few of the bottom/longest wefts when doing an upstyle. Too much length will weigh hair down.

• Tease roots – Lightly backcomb your natural hair at the roots before clipping extensions in to create a bit more lift and volume at the crown.

• Curl extensions – Use a curling wand to add some waves and bend to extensions to help blend with texture.

• Cross-check – Turn your head upside down and shake hair out to double check that no clips are visible before styling up.

With proper strategic placement, clipping extensions in shouldn’t inhibit your ability to put hair up at all.

How to Put Tape-In Extensions Up

Tape-in extensions require a few special considerations when putting hair up:

• Avoid tension on bonds – Style hair in a way that doesn’t put too much tension on the bonds at the roots, which risks pulling them loose.

• Loosen as needed – Very carefully loosen bonds that feel too tight or are pulling before putting hair up.

• Hide bonds – Position hair over the bonds if possible to keep them concealed and blend extensions.

• Check bond placement – Bonds slipping down the hair shaft are more likely to be exposed when styling up. Re-tape any bonds that have slipped.

• Gently smooth – Run fingers over bonds to gently flatten against the head if needed.

Go slowly and carefully when putting tape-ins up to keep the bonds secure. Avoid styles that grip hair too tightly.

How to Do a High Ponytail with Extensions

The key to rocking a flawless high pony with extensions is all in the positioning and wrapping technique:

1. Brush hair back smoothly into a high ponytail positioned at the crown of your head using a bristle brush.

2. Make sure the ponytail is centered to cover any clip bonds at back of head.

3. Pull the ponytail through a hair elastic or tie, leaving 1-2 inches of ends sticking out.

4. Wrap and flatten the ponytail ends around the hair tie to conceal it.

5. Secure the wrapped hair with bobby pins pressed horizontally into the base of the ponytail.

6. Gently pull down some pieces around your hairline to blend.

7. Mist lightly with hairspray for hold.

The wrapped technique hides clips or tape bonds while keeping them covered and secure.

How to Do a Top Knot Bun with Extensions

Top knot buns are super cute and on-trend while allowing you to conceal extensions. Here’s how:

1. Gather hair into a high ponytail at the crown of your head, similar to a high pony.

2. Instead of wrapping a full ponytail, stop gathering hair halfway and secure it into a messy bun shape with an elastic.

3. Lightly tease the bun area at the roots before wrapping the remaining hair around the base.

4. Wrap the remaining ponytail ends around the bun and pin in place with bobby pins.

5. Gently tug and pull out small pieces around the edges and sides of the bun to look tousled.

6. Finish by misting with medium hold hairspray.

The key is teasing at the roots for lift and volume to help disguise clips or tapes.

How to Do a Braided Bun with Extensions

For a relaxed boho vibe, a messy braided bun is lovely with extensions when you follow these tips:

1. Part hair into two low pigtail sections at the nape of your neck.

2. Lightly Dutch or French braid each section loosely toward the crown.

3. Pancake the braids by gently pulling outward along the edges to loosen and create width.

4. Coil the ends of the two braids together into a rounded bun shape and pin in place.

5. Wrap any remaining hair ends around the bun base and pin to anchor.

6. Mist with medium-hold hairspray.

The key is braiding low near the nape rather than the top of the head to keep extension bonds concealed.

How to Do a Low Bun with Extensions

Low buns positioned at the nape of the neck nicely cover extension bonds. Follow these instructions:

1. Brush hair back smoothing the top while leaving ends loose.

2. Gather all ends into a low ponytail or bun around the neck and shoulders.

3. Wrap any loose ends around the bun base and crisscross pin to secure flat.

4. Mist with medium-hold hairspray.

5. For a messier look, gently pull out pieces around the edges of the bun.

This simple technique keeps extensions hidden while playing up your gorgeous ends in the bun itself.

How to Do a Half-Up Style with Extensions

Half-up looks are gorgeous and versatile for both day and night. Here’s how to do them right:

1. Part hair into top and bottom sections. Clip up the top portion.

2. Curl the bottom loose section with a wand, alternating curl direction.

3. Release the top section and tease at roots for lift.

4. Loosely smooth the top section back into a mini ponytail or bun.

5. Mist curls with light hold hairspray.

The key is leaving length down below to disguise bonds while showing off your luscious curled locks.

How to Do a Formal Updo with Extensions

It is possible to wear extensions in a classic updo for formal events. Here are some tips and tricks:

• Add volume at crown – Tease roots thoroughly on top and sides to create lift that disguises bonds.

• Loosen tightly braided styles – Tight braids risk pulling, so keep them loose.

• Opt for low buns – Buns at the nape help hide clips or tapes.

• Check for visibility – Turn head upside down and shake hair out to double check nothing is visible before pinning.

• Smooth wispies – Carefully flatten any bumps or flyaway with gels or waxes to keep slick.

• Finish with heavy hold products – Firm finishing sprays or gels will anchor extensions in place.

With the right volume boosting and smoothing techniques, a formal updo is achievable for a wedding or event. Just go carefully.

Things to Avoid When Putting Extensions Up

To prevent damage and visibility, avoid these mistakes when putting hair up:

• Pulling too tightly. This risks the bonds at the roots loosening.

• Basing styles off the head. Opt for looser looks with bend and movement.

• Wrapping hair directly over bonds. Cover them with natural hair for the best concealment.

• Using sharp combs. These can catch and rip extensions out. Use wide-tooth options.

• Aggressive teasing. Overdoing it at the crown risks matting. Tease gently in layers.

• Extreme texture. Very bumpy, crimped or teased styles increase chances of exposure.

Go slowly and gently to keep extensions secure and your strands safe when experimenting with new updo hairstyles.

FAQs About Putting Hair Up with Extensions

Do extensions make it harder to put your hair up?

Extensions don