How to Blend Hair Extensions That Don’t Match Your Natural Hair Color

Getting hair extensions can be a great way to change up your look by adding length, volume, and new color. But one of the biggest challenges is blending extensions that don’t perfectly match your natural shade. Nothing ruins the effect more than obvious root lines and mismatched tones.

Luckily, there are techniques professional stylists use to seamlessly blend extensions, even if the color is slightly off. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain common reasons for unblended extensions and give step-by-step solutions to fix them.

Common Reasons Hair Extensions Don’t Match

There are a few key mistakes both clients and stylists make that result in extensions not blending well with natural hair color:

Choosing an Incorrect Shade

• Many people pick shades that are too light, ashy, or warm for their complexion. This contrasts badly with natural tone.

• Stylists don’t always correctly assess and match underlying pigment.

• Extensions purchased online don’t match what’s shown on screen.

Using a Single Color

• Most people’s hair has dimension from roots to ends. A single shade looks flat.

• Highlights, lowlights, grey, and regrowth create variances in tone.

• Extensions need multiple complementary hues to mimic natural hair’s depth.

Poor Application Technique

• Bonds and wefts applied in the wrong spots create obvious demarcation lines.

• Hair at crown not blended properly with extensions causes separation.

• Tight patterns of rows or sections makes a seam-like appearance.

Styling Differences

• Extensions and natural hair behave differently when curled, straightened, or waved.

• Overstyling the extensions while leaving natural hair untreated appears mismatched.

Solutions for Blending Wrong Color Hair Extensions

If your extensions are clashing with your natural color, there are solutions for fixing it. Here are techniques to blend mismatched shades for a seamless, natural look:

Adjust the Base Color

• Add lowlights or a root shadow by lightly dyeing your natural hair to match tones in the extensions.

• If extensions are too warm, add cool smoky lowlights to offset brassiness.

• If extensions are too light, deepen your roots slightly to create a shadow effect.

• Use semi, demi, or vegetable-based dyes as these are gentler on hair.

Add Highlights or Babylights

• Babylights (subtle, fine highlights) help marry colors together. Focus most around the hairline.

• Add warmer coppery highlights on top if extensions are too cool or ashy.

• Break up bands of color by lightly highlighting sections of natural hair in complimentary tones.

• Keep highlights fine and delicate. Chunky ones will clump and show separation.

Use Multiple Extension Colors

• Layer two matching yet slightly different extension colors together for dimension.

• Complementary shades should differ by only 1-2 shades at most.

• Focus the warmer/lighter shades around the face and ends.

• Apply deeper/cooler pieces underneath and toward the back.

• Custom blending multiple colors creates depth and a seamless blend.

Add Root Shadow

• Use root touch up spray or mascara to temporarily shadow roots.

• This helps seamlessly blend grown out bands of color next to extensions.

• Root touch ups wash out with shampoo after 1-2 washes.

• Shadowing roots takes 5 minutes and is ideal between color appointments.

Carefully Cut and Layer Extensions

• Ask your stylist to softly point cut into extension ends to remove bulk and blend with natural layers.

• Avoid blunt, heavy extension ends. Thinning out the ends makes them integrate better.

• Angle layers around the face and sides to blend with your haircut.

• Remove width and density, don’t over-thin extensions which can look stringy.

Adjust Styling Techniques

• Curl, straighten, and style extensions and natural hair together for an even finish.

• If natural hair holds a wave, use a wand to also wave extensions so textures blend.

• Styling both parts as one unit prevents separation of colors and textures.

• Ensure all products used perform well on extensions to avoid clumping or damage.

At-Home Remedies vs. Professional Color Services

While the above techniques can help camouflage slightly mismatched extensions, major differences may require professional help. Here’s an overview of at-home remedies versus visiting a colorist:

DIY Fixes

• Root sprays, mascaras, glazes, and glosses for quick touch ups.

• Subtle semi or demi permanent dyes for minor tone adjustments.

• Styling tricks like curling, waves, root lifts.

• Haircuts like layers to integrate extensions.

• Carefully placed highlights around face for blending pieces.

Professional Color Services

• Full color and blending services for major change.

• Precise application and removal to avoid damage.

• Custom mixing to achieve multiple complementary tones.

• Advanced techniques like balayage, root shadow, babylights.

• Match underlying pigment and skin tone.

• Change out extensions entirely to match new color.

While basic maintenance can be done at home, a professional stylist has the best techniques, tools, experience and skill for seamlessly blending extensions with an existing hair color.

How Long to Keep Mismatched Extensions

If you’ve decided to move forward with extensions that aren’t an ideal color match, how long should you keep them in? Here are a few factors to consider:

• Only keep extensions that are 1-2 shades different at most. More than that is extremely hard to blend.

• The quality and texture of the extensions. Low quality hair won’t hold up long.

• How quickly your natural hair color grows and changes at the root. Frequent root touch ups will be required.

• The application method. Tape-ins, for example, should be moved up every 4-8 weeks.

• How much time you’re willing to spend on styling tricks to hide the mismatch.

As a general rule, plan to replace extensions that are more than 2 shades off your natural color after 2-3 months at most. Otherwise maintaining the blend requires excessive upkeep.

If you’ve made a drastic color change, either consider new extensions within your budget or remove the extensions and try a new method like clip-ins or halos which can be taken out daily.

When to Seek Help From a Stylist

While many issues can be resolved at home, some scenarios require professional help:

• If extensions are more than 2 shades different from your natural hair.

• To remove extensions safely after major color treatment.

• If the bonds, wefts, or tapes have been compromised from dye.

• To redo your color and match new extensions to it.

• If the color is damaging your self-confidence or ability to style hair.

• To assess your complexion and find the most flattering shade.

• If you’ve developed breakage or shedding from trying to dye them.

Book a consultation and explain your challenges blending your extensions. A skilled colorist can troubleshoot the issue and suggest solutions to beautifully blend them together.

maintenance Tips for Colored Hair Extensions

Caring properly for colored extensions helps keep them in optimum condition:

• Use sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and conditioner.

• Wash less often, every 3-5 days. Rinse with cool water.

• Apply weekly conditioning hair masks or oils.

• Gently blot wet extensions with a towel and air dry.

• Avoid heat styling when possible. If using heat, apply protectant.

• Sleep in a loose braid or ponytail, use a satin pillowcase.

• Handle wet hair gently and detangle with fingers or wide-tooth comb.

• Have your stylist do a search and seal treatment every 4-6 weeks.

Following a diligent maintenance routine extends the longevity and quality of your colored extensions. Be sure to schedule regular touch ups with your stylist as well.

Achieving the Perfect Blend

Hair extensions offer endless options for transforming your look. But getting that seamless blend with your natural hair is a skill. Don’t be afraid to be picky with your stylist and speak up if the color selected looks off. Book consultations and get color matched in natural light when possible.

With the right techniques, even extensions that don’t perfectly match can still look beautiful. A skilled colorist has all the tricks to creatively marry colors together for stunning dimension and depth. But be realistic – major mismatches may need to be replaced. With time and patience, you’ll achieve the perfect blend and love your new locks!