How to have natural looking hair extensions this summer

Hair extensions have had a bit of a bad reputation over the past couple of decades, we think it’s high time all that changed. Gone are the days when they were just the preserve of WAGs and dodgy reality TV stars, the latest crop of extensions are beautifully natural, a cinch to care for and most important of all, they’re the best way of creating a brand new, bespoke hair look in an instant (just ask your favourite red carpet celeb). With summer in full swing and those hot-weather holidays looming, now’s the ideal time to give them a go; whether you want longer, sleeker lengths for poolside cocktails or simply a fuller, more glamorous ‘do to sport underneath your sun hat, they’re not just an easy way to switch up your everyday style, they’re the perfect holiday accessory too.

By Georgia Day

Explore hair extensions

• 1 Keep it real

  To ensure they don’t look too WAG-tastic, make sure you choose the correct type for your lifestyle, budget and the look you’re after. First things first, always opt for real hair if you can. Although good synthetic options are on the increase, real hair will (obviously) always look more genuine and makes styling and upkeep a doddle. When it comes to length, although you might be tempted to channel your inner Rapunzel, Lou Smith, founder of Liverpool-based extension brand The Hippy Club, based at cult salon Voodou suggests going no more than two lengths longer than your own hair to ensure a seamless, authentic finish. It turns out that extensions aren’t just for those that need a little extra length either: ‘Those with very fine hair can find it hard to pull off short cuts,’ says Lou. ‘Extensions add bulk which can carry a cut and make all the difference.’ Attempting to match your colour online can be tricky and may result in a less than perfect end result, so always try and get it done in person. If you really can’t get to a salon then you’re in luck, as some brands, like The Hippy Club, can match you from a photo or, even better, a snippet of your own hair. Forget glue when it comes to fitting your extensions, these days it’s a little more sophisticated than that; look out for a micro-ring technique which uses tiny copper rings inlaid with smooth silicone that won’t tug at your hair. The miniscule size means the adhesion is ultra sleek too, while damage from heat and chemicals is non-existent. Individual rings last up to 3 months while wefts (strips of hair sewn onto a mesh) need to be tightened every 3-6 weeks.
• 2 Swap straight for wavy

  While the reality of holiday hair for most of us may be a sweaty bun, the dream is perfectly tousled, beachy waves that skim the top of our bikini bottoms. Thankfully, extensions make that a possibility: ‘The best pieces are those that have a natural flow of their own, as opposed to anything pin straight,’ says Lou. ‘Anything with a slight kick in it will impart the same kind of wave into your own hair, so they’re actually a great way of adding instant style.’ While the beauty of real hair extensions are that you can treat them as you would your own hair, there are a few no-nos to watch out for, particularly when it comes to taking your follicular friends on holiday. ‘Try and avoid anything that will dry your hair out too much’, warns Lou. ‘Don’t forget that extensions don’t have a blood supply like the rest of your hair so they need a little extra TLC. Keep heat styling to a minimum and always use products with a UV filter if you’re going in the sun.’ It’s also wise to steer clear of products that contain sulphates as these will start to break down the chemical processing that each extension goes through before it lands up on your head. If you’re still feeling tentative about committing to extensions, clip-ins are a great option for holidays as they can be pre-styled for ease and then simply popped in when you want a new look. Equally, you can just take them out as and when you want to hop in the pool or sunbathe.
• 3 Style it up

  Whether your new extensions are for your beach holiday or one of this summer’s festivals, there’s nothing more fun than embellishing a new ‘do for an occasion. Channel your fave Snapchat filter by accessorising your new lengths with a floral crown, or opt for beads and feathers, a favourite combination of ours when it comes to adornments. The Hippy Club’s Hippy Hair Trinkets can be woven into your extensions easily and are road-tested by founder Lou at Glastonbury, to make sure they stand up to some serious festival fun (now there’s a job we wouldn’t mind having). To anchor your garland into hair or, for a final, matte-look flourish that screams easy-breezy beach hair, spritz some salt-free dry shampoo through your roots and massage in with your hands.