Wedding Hair

Bridal Hair Extensions: Which Type is Best For Me?

September 15, 2022

When it comes to achieving that perfect wedding hairstyle, hair extensions can be a great option for adding volume, length, and support for curls. But with so many types available, it can be difficult to determine which is best for you! Clip-in hair extensions are a convenient and temporary option for adding volume, length, and hold. While tape-in extensions offer the same benefits as clip-in extensions, they are a more permanent option and require a little more maintenance. 

The most important factor when selecting either tape-in or clip-in extensions is selecting only 100% real human hair extensions. Synthetic extensions cannot have heat applied and will melt upon heating - so it is very important that you only select 100% real human hair! The best time to discuss which option is best for you is when you meet with your wedding day hairstylist for your trial run. This is an opportune time for your stylist to feel your hair, check out your inspiration, and create the perfect extensions game plan for you. Your hairstylist can even color-match you on the spot, or if you’re planning to change up your hair color, he or she can color-match you once you have achieved your ideal wedding day hair color. In the meantime, continue reading as we offer some guidance on the most popular types of hair extensions and their pros and cons. 

Clip-in hair extensions

Clip-in hair extensions are an amazing option for brides that are looking only to enhance their wedding day hairstyle. These are semi-permanent and in order to stay properly secured in your hair, they will require professional application. Clip-in hair extensions are applied by spraying a thin section of hair with a light-hold hairspray, followed by teasing this section, and then clip-ins are applied and clipped tightly at your roots. If you have not gone through this process before and have a tender head, the teasing portion of the application may not be your favorite. However, once they have settled in your hair, any discomfort will fade! There are many affordable clip-in extensions available, our favorites are the Moresoo Real Human Hair Extensions on Amazon!

Pros of clip-in hair extensions

We have nothing but positive things to say about clip-in hair extensions! They are durable, last forever, and are an incredible option for enhancing your wedding day hairstyle. This type of hair extension will not cause any damage to your natural hair and will require zero maintenance, which makes these a more universally-friendly option for brides! They are very versatile and can be used to enhance an updo, a half-up hairstyle, or a fully down hairstyle. They can also be reused for any special events you have down the road! If you are planning on reusing your clip-in extensions and will be applying them yourself, we recommend watching tutorials on how to do this. Be sure to check out our Instagram page with our tutorial for applying your clip-in hair extensions! 

Cons of clip-in hair extensions

Honestly, the only con of clip-in extensions that we can think of is that clip-in hair extensions will only live on your head for your wedding day. However, this might not be a con for all brides if they are only looking to enhance their wedding day hairstyle. These extensions do not cause damage, can be reused for years to come, and require no maintenance.

Weighing the pros & cons of clip-in hair extensions

In weighing the pros and cons of clip-in hair extensions, we have nothing but positive things to say! These are very user-friendly types of extensions and if you are only looking to enhance your wedding day hairstyle, clip-in extensions will have your back!

Tape-in hair extensions

Tape-in hair extensions are an incredible option for brides that are looking to achieve fuller, longer,  or more voluminous locks for a longer amount of time than just their wedding day. Tape-in hair extensions typically last anywhere from 6-8 weeks and they require professional installation. They are applied at your roots and sandwiched around a thin section of your hair. If you have not worn tape-in hair extensions before, they will take some time to get used to! However, once they have settled in, they're absolutely glorious.

Pros of tape-in hair extensions

Tape-in hair extensions will last in your hair for about 6-8 weeks! This means that you can have long and luscious locks for your rehearsal day, wedding day, and beyond! If you are honeymooning right after your wedding and looking for bombshell locks for your trip, tape-in extensions might be your new BFF!

There are many places to purchase tape-in hair extensions, and there is a stigma that hair extensions will break the bank; we're here to tell you that is totally not true! There are many affordable options for tape-in extensions, our favorites are the Moressoo Real Human Hair Extensions on Amazon! Not only are these extensions affordable, but they will hold their integrity for more than one extension application. This means once you have your extensions removed after 6-8 weeks, keep them! They can easily be retaped and reapplied to your hair typically two more times if you are properly caring for and maintaining them. Doing the math: that means, you could potentially get 24 weeks of luscious locks!

Cons of tape-in hair extensions

While we are big fans of tape-in hair extensions, they do require a lot more maintenance than clip-in extensions. Tape-in hair extensions need to be properly brushed through daily so they do not get matted and tangled. They need to be properly conditioned every time you wash your hair and need to be treated gently! Brushing aggressively could cause them to shift and start to pull on your natural hair which can be damaging.

Naturally, your hair sheds about 80 strands per day! Upon removing tape-in extensions, there will be natural hair that comes out with the extensions. However, if properly maintained and cared for, the only hair that should come out with your extensions are the hairs that were not able to shed naturally. We only mention this as a con as it can be a bit alarming at first! Again, if properly cared for, the hair that comes out with your extensions should only be the hair that tried to naturally shed from your head but got caught in the tape.

Weighing the pros & cons of tape-in hair extensions

While we love the durability and prolonged life tape-in hair extensions can bring our brides, they are more high maintenance than other types of extensions. If you are not into maintenance and only looking for extra "oomph" for your wedding day, tape-in hair extensions might not be the best option for you.

So, which type of hair extensions are best for me?

When deciding which type of hair extensions are best for you, it is most important that you talk through your options during your hair trial. Tape-in hair extensions can provide long-lasting results for those willing to put in extra care and maintenance, but clip-ins might be a better option for those looking for a quick fix on their wedding day. When you work with Updos For I Dos, you can rest assured that our team of hairstylists will provide you with the highest caliber of hairstyling and extension application services. Consider your hair goals and level of commitment to maintenance before making your decision. Happy hair extension hunting!