You’ve seen them on celebrities, on the cover of magazines, on your hairstylist's wall, and on strangers in the street, but what are tape-in hair extensions, and would they look great on you? If you’re asking these questions, you’ve come to the right place!
Going practically unnoticeable, tape-ins are a popular choice for anyone who wants to boost their hair’s volume or length without anything too permanent or damaging to their natural hair. If you’re considering a change to your hair with a touch of glamour thrown in, you'll love our simple step-by-step guide to tape-in hair extensions!
What AreTape-In Hair Extensions?
Tape-in hair extensions are small wefts of human hair pre-taped with adhesive. Each weft is attached to either side of a small section of your natural hair to keep it in place. These extensions can be blended naturally into your hair to add volume, length, and even colour changes without using harsh chemicals or damage.
The flatness and flexibility of the tapes also make tape-ins one of the most unnoticeable types of semi-permanent extensions. When applied correctly by a professional, it is almost impossible to tell they are there, even when your hair is up!
Why Tape-Ins Are Beginner-Friendly
If you’re new to hair extensions, tape-ins are some of the easiest to get. The fitting involves no heat, braiding, or special tools, and it’s relatively fast! They’re a great option for beginners, as well as for women who want to have extensions without taking up too much time.
Another reason tape-ins are perfect for newbies is that they feel and move so naturally. They sit completely flat against your scalp, so there’s no pulling on your natural hair.
How AreTape-In Hair Extensions Applied?
The fitting process is wheretape-in extensions can seem a little intimidating, but in reality, it’s a breeze. It’s something a professional stylist can easily do in an hour or two depending on how much hair you're putting in.
They will simply section your hair, remove the protective strip on each tape, and sandwich a small section of natural hair in between two wefts. The adhesive is soft and sticky, strong enough to hold the wefts in place, but gentle enough not to cause breakage. The extensions lie flat to your scalp and easily blend in with your own hair, meaning you can style them however you want.
Can You ApplyTape In Hair Extensions at Home?
Having your extensions professionally fitted is always recommended for the best and safest result. However, with a confident and skilled hand, do-it-yourself fittings are possible.
Should you want to put your tape-in extensions in at home, follow detailed, step-by-step instructions and useSWAY tape in extensions. Improper taping, and/or low-quality adhesives can cause pain, your extensions to slip, or damage to your natural hair.
How Long Do Tape-In Extensions Last?
With proper maintenance, your tape-ins can last between six to eight weeks before a refitting is needed. The adhesive will eventually lose its hold as time goes by and as your own hair begins to grow out, resulting in a shift in the wefts' placement.
On the bright side, these extensions can be reused numerous times! Upon removal, your stylist will clean the wefts and re-tape the wefts using new adhesive. This also makes tape-ins a more affordable option in the long run, especially if you invest in higher-quality human hair extensions such as SWAY.
How Often Can You Reuse Them?
A set oftape in extensions can usually be reused around two to three times, but if they are high quality extensions and you treat them well, you may be able to get more uses out of them. How well you treat the extensions, including gentle washing, drying them correctly, and usingSWAY haircare, will also help determine how long your extensions last.
Caring forTape-In Hair Extensions
Now that you have your tape-in extensions fitted, keeping them maintained will keep them fresh, healthy, and natural as long as possible. It all starts with how you wash your hair. You’ll want to wait at least 48 hours before washing after having your extensions fitted to make sure the adhesive has fully set.
When washing, usehydrating sulfate-free shampoo to avoid breaking down the tape. When conditioning, make sure to applyhydrating conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, avoiding the tape area entirely.
Tape-In Brushing and Styling Tips
Brushing hair with extensions takes a little more care than normal. Use aprofessional paddle brush oroval brush from the bottom up. Hold your hair just above where the extensions are taped in to prevent pulling at your roots.
Tape-ins can be styled the same as your natural hair. This includes using heat tools such as curling wands and straighteners. However, use aheat protectant and low heat setting (not above 180 degrees), avoiding the tape tabs.
Sleeping & Exercise with Tape-Ins
Did you know you can sleep and work out with your tape-ins in? Just keep these couple of things in mind first!
Before you go to sleep, loosely braid your hair or pull it into a low ponytail so that it tangles less. Also, consider sleeping on a silk pillowcase to minimise friction and keep your natural hair and extensions smooth.
If you're a regular exerciser or swimmer, we recommend you tie your hair up during workouts and avoid long contact with salt water or chlorinated water. This can cause the adhesive to weaken. And, make sure your roots are completely dry before you go to sleep if you've done any activities that dampened your scalp.
Removing Tape-In Extensions Safely
The best way to remove your tape-ins is to leave them to a professional who will use a specifictape scraper. The scraper will remove the adhesive and the weft will slide out of your hair easily without causing any damage. If you're removing your extensions at home, avoid using alcohol-based removers that can dry out your scalp or natural hair.
What Length Should You Choose?
The length of your extensions will vary based on your own hair’s length and the style you want. Shorter hair may require only16 inches of tape-ins to give your hair some fullness. However, if you are looking to add several inches to your hair, then you should look at20 inches or more.
It's important to note that the longer your extensions are, the heavier your natural hair will have to support them. That is why a consultation is necessary so that a trained professional can guide you in the right direction based on your hair type.
Why Choose SWAYTape-In Hair Extensions?
At SWAY, all of our tape-in extensions are made from 100% Remy human hair. Our hair has the strength and shine of natural hair with more elasticity and longer-lasting style.
We use the finest ultra-thin tape tabs that are durable, unnoticeable, and comfortable. SWAY extensions are the perfect match to your natural hair and will allow you to get the length, volume, and enhancement you are after.
Used byprofessional hairstylists throughout the UK and worldwide, we are here to help with all of your hair questions,colour matching, and aftercare. With SWAY, you can be sure you are investing in luxury that will last!
Tape In Hair Extensions for Beginners: FAQs
1. Are tape-in extensions safe on natural hair?
Yes! Tape-in extensions are one of the gentlest forms of extensions when applied and removed properly. They require no heat or harsh chemicals and they won’t damage your natural hair when cared for properly.
2. How often can I wash my tape-ins?
It is best not to wash your hair more than two to three times a week. The more you wash your hair, the sooner the adhesive can loosen, causing your extensions to come out sooner than expected.
3. Can I use conditioner with my tape-ins?
Yes, but avoid your roots or over the tape tabs, as you don’t want the conditioner to affect the adhesive. Apply conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair.
4. What do I do if my tape-ins begin to slip?
If you start to notice any slipping, schedule an appointment with your stylist for refitting. Tape-ins can slip if there is any build-up of oil, conditioner, or any other product residue on your scalp or under the tape adhesive.
5. How do I know when it’s time to come in for maintenance?
A good rule of thumb is that you will need a maintenance appointment every 6 to 8 weeks to keep your extensions sitting in the proper place as your natural hair grows out.
6. Can I dye my tape-ins?
We highly suggest purchasing the correct colour of extensions beforehand as opposed to colouring your extensions yourself. At SWAY, ourvirtual colour matching consultation can help you find your perfect match.
