Summer’s the perfect time for a reset. We’re talking wardrobe overhauls, skincare change-ups, and that undeniable urge to change up your hair. If you’ve been rocking a short cut like a bob or even a bold pixie, you don’t have to wait for your hair to grow out to switch things up.
SWAY Hair Extensions make it easy to add length, volume, and summer-ready glamour in a way that still looks and feels natural. With a few clever techniques and the right products, your short hair can go long, luscious, and completely transformed!
Choosing the RightHair Extensions for Short Hair
Clip-Ins for Instant Transformation
Clip-in hair extensions are a total game-changer if you have short hair. Maybe you're not quite ready to commit to anything permanent, or you just want a quick switch-up for the weekend. Either way, clip-ins have you covered.
They’re super easy to pop in, just as easy to take out, and perfect for those last-minute plans. Rooftop party tonight? Clip them in and go.
The best part is clip-ins come in loads of lengths and shades, so it’s easy to find your perfectcolour match for your hair. If your cut is on the shorter side, we recommend going for a medium length, somewhere around 18 inches.
Tape-Ins for Effortless Blending
Tape-in hair extensions are another great option for short hair. They are super thin and lay flat against your scalp, so they are almost invisible even in short layers. When applied correctly, tape-ins can look incredible and can last you all summer!
Nano Bonds for Precision Placement
Nano bond hair extensions are so tiny, they can be placed very strategically, even in areas where the hair is short or fine. This means you can build volume exactly where you need it and avoid the dreaded mullet effect.
Nano bonds are perfect for short bobs or layered cuts. Since they’re silicone-tipped, they’re gentle on your natural hair while still providing a secure hold.
How to Blend Extensions with Short Hair
One of the most challenging aspects of adding extensions to short hair is finding a place to blend your own hair with the extensions naturally. This can be tricky, but with a little practice, you can master it.
Layering is Key
One of the most effective ways to get a flawless blend is to layer your extensions, and sometimes your natural hair too! If your natural hair has a blunt edge (as many shorter styles do), it can be noticeable where the extensions start.
A professional stylist can carefully trim your extensions so they taper and flow more naturally with your own haircut. They may also soften the ends of your natural hair slightly to remove that blocky edge and help everything fall together.
Mix in Texture
If you’re wearing your extensions and your hair pin-straight, there’s nowhere for imperfections to hide. Any difference in length, thickness, or density becomes much more noticeable. That’s why adding texture is a game-changer when blending short hair with extensions.
Soft waves or loose curls help to break up any choppy areas and allow your natural hair and extensions to merge more easily. A large curling wand or even heatless curl methods can help you get that tousled, beachy texture that screams summer. Since the shape is less structured, the focus shifts away from where your real hair ends and your extensions begin.
Placement Matters
It’s not just about the cut and the style, it’s about placement, too. Where you place your extensions should look like your hair falls, and it should fill in any holes so they don’t show.
Clip-ins can be layered closer together or stacked slightly higher to give your hair more volume to hold the shape of your cut. When it comes to tape-ins or nano bonds, your stylist can install them in a pattern that suits your hair’s density and movement. If you have a shorter cut in the back (like a bob), you might want to skip the bottom row and just focus on the sides and mid layers to avoid looking blunt.
Colour Matching for Invisible Blends
Even the best mix can fail if the colour is off. Since your hair is shorter, the natural colour of your hair is more likely to show all the way through. With the right colour match, your extensions will blend in, even on a bright summer day.
SWAY hair extensions have multiple tonal shades that replicate natural highlights and lowlights. It’s easier to find the perfect match when you are working with multi-tonal shades. If you’re unsure, take advantage of our SWAY virtual colour match service to find your perfect match.
Summer Looks WithHair Extensions for Short Hair
The Braid Upgrade
It might not seem like there’s much you can do with your short hair when it comes to braids, but extensions make it possible. With a few pieces, you can create a side braid, double dutch braids, or a fishtail braid at the back of your head
Half-Up, Half-Down
Half-up styles are trending for a reason because they’re flirty, fun, and flattering. Use a few extensions to fill out the lengths while leaving the top half styled into a knot, braid, or twisted crown.
Summer Extension Care Tips for Short Hair
Summertime is prime extension-wearing season, but it’s also prime for hair damage. While your real hair can get a little colour correction and be shielded from the sun, your extensions have it a little tougher. Whatever your choice of clip-ins, tape-ins, or nano bonds, here’s how to keep your extensions soft, healthy, and easy on the eyes.
Short hair means lots of layers and a whole lot of shorter strands all around the scalp. When you’re brushing your extensions, start at the ends and work your way up using a professional paddle brush or oval brush. Go easy around the bonds or clips because getting rough could yank your real hair or loosen the extensions.
While your skin needs hydration, so do your hair extensions, especially if they’re out in the sun, the ocean, or a chlorine-filled swimming pool. Switch to a sulfate-free hydrating shampoo and follow up with a hydrating conditioner.
Once a week, let your hair take a break with a SWAY hydrating mask, especially if you’ve been at the pool or the beach. If you're planning on being out all day, opt for SWAY's The Hair Hero that protects your hair from the heat and UVs.
Oil-based products can weaken the bonds or break them, which is not what we want when wearing hair extensions. Instead, use hair oil and apply only on your mid-lengths and ends. It's the quickest way to get rid of frizz and add a summer shine without breakage.
Make Short Hair Summer-Ready with SWAY Hair Extensions
Your hair might be short, but it doesn’t have to be dull. You can do all kinds of fun things with short hair. Short hair makes for a better blank slate to try new things with style, length, and colour.
So if you’re looking for a new look with extensions, you can transform yourself this summer. Maybe it’s mermaid waves, braids, or just some volume and a little extra shine.
SWAY hair extensions are designed with comfort, quality, and easy blending in mind, making them great for short hair. If you’re in the mood to switch things up this summer, there’s no better time to try something new. You’ll still feel like you, just with a little extra volume, a bit more length, and a whole lot of confidence!
Hair Extensions for Short Hair: FAQs
1. Can I wear extensions with a pixie cut?
You can wear extensions with any length of pixie. If you have a very short pixie, it may not have enough hair to cover the bonds or clips. However, if you have a longer pixie or are growing it out, nano bonds or clip-ins placed just below the shorter layers will work.
2. Will my short layers show through?
Not if you blend well. Layering and curling the ends of your hair helps cover up the shorter length and make the extensions look natural. It’s also important to use extensions that are only slightly longer than your own.
3. How do I make the colour match my own?
SWAY has a wide range of shades and multi-tonal blends to make it easy. You can also ask our colour match experts to help you choose the perfect match.
4. Are extensions safe for short hair?
Yes, if you use high-quality, lightweight extensions and use the proper application methods.
5. Can I style my extensions like regular hair?
Yes, SWAY extensions are made from 100% human hair, so you can curl, straighten, and style them just like your own. When styling, use heat protection spray and avoid using heavy oils around the bonds.
