No tags

How to Put In Clip-In Extensions

May 07, 2025
How to Put In Clip-In Extensions
How to Put In Clip-In Extensions

Halo hair extensions provide the perfect solution for people who want more volume and length without complicated maintenance. These extensions are simple to wear, and they transform your appearance instantly.

A perfect blend of extensions transforms your appearance from "she's wearing extensions" to "her hair looks amazing." This guide provides step-by-step instructions to achieve a perfect finish that requires no prior experience and takes minimal time.

Clip-in extensions provide the perfect solution for those who want extended hair length without making a permanent change. These non-damaging hair pieces come with clips attached to small wefts, which you can easily snap into your natural hair. The process requires no glue, no heat, and no extended salon visits.

This guide helps beginners and anyone wanting a quick hair transformation. Let’s begin by preparing all necessary items.

Tools You’ll Need to Put in Extensions

First, you need to prepare all necessary tools. See the following checklist:

  • Clip-in hair extensions: Select a color that matches your hair or the desired appearance.
  • A tail comb: Serves to divide your hair into straight sections for clean work.
  • Hair clips or bobby pins: The application process requires these to secure your hair sections away from your work area.
  • A teasing brush or fine-tooth comb: Serves as an excellent tool for backcombing, which helps maintain clip position.
  • Hairspray or texturizing spray: An optional tool that’s helpful for silky or fine hair.
  • A flat iron or curling iron: Helps merge your natural hair with extensions for a perfect finish.
a young woman making a ponytail with her halo hair

Preparation Steps

Your hair and tools need proper preparation before clip-in application to achieve the best results. Follow these steps to achieve a natural, smooth appearance:

1. Wash and Dry Your Hair
Start with clean, dry hair. The application of clip-ins requires dry hair because wet hair will lead to slipping and damage. You should avoid using heavy oils together with leave-in products before starting the application process.

2. Detangle Thoroughly
Use a brush to comb your hair completely from the roots down to the ends to eliminate all tangles. The process of sectioning and clipping becomes significantly simpler when hair is smooth.

3. Add Texture if Needed
Fine and silky hair benefits from a small amount of texturizing spray or dry shampoo applied to the roots. The clips will maintain a better grip and stability because of this technique.

4. Set Up Your Mirror Station
You need one large mirror that faces you and a handheld mirror that you can use to check your back. The mirror configuration provides complete visibility of all your body angles, particularly the rear section.

5. Lay Out and Check Your Wefts
Arrange your extensions by size order from the widest to the narrowest. Check each clip by opening and closing it to verify its proper functioning.

6. Plan Your Clip-In Placement
Consider which parts of your hair require additional volume or length. Thicker sections require larger wefts, but smaller wefts work best for the sides to achieve symmetry.

After preparation, you can begin the process of sectioning and installing your first weft.

  • Hair Quality: The best-lasting extensions are made from virgin or Remy human hair. These types are real, untreated, and naturally soft. Remy hair stays smooth and resists tangling longer because the strands are aligned in the same direction. Non-Remy and synthetic extensions break down quicker and need replacing sooner.
  • How Often You Wear Them: Wearing your extensions every day causes them to wear out faster. If you only wear them on special days, they’ll stay in great shape for much longer.
  • Styling Habits: Using heat tools too often—like straighteners or curling irons—can dry out the hair and cause breakage. Try to reduce heat styling or use a heat protectant spray when needed.
  • Washing Routine: Be gentle when washing your extensions. Always use a sulfate-free or special halo extension shampoo and follow up with conditioner. Avoid rubbing or twisting—just rinse gently and let them air dry.
  • Proper Storage: Always store your halo extensions flat or in a hair-safe bag. This helps prevent tangles and keeps the hair smooth between uses.
  • Environmental Exposure: Sun, pool water, and humidity can dry out or damage your extensions. On hot or humid days—or when swimming—use a hat or scarf to protect them

Step-by-Step Instructions

The following simple instructions will help you achieve a fuller and longer style within a short time.

Step 1: Section Your Hair

The following simple instructions will help you achieve a fuller and longer style within a short time.

how to install clip in extensions: step 1 hair sectioning

Source: https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-apply-clip-in-hair-extensions-5235420

Begin your process by drawing a horizontal line that extends from the back of your neck up to 1–2 inches in length. A tail comb serves to establish a straight line.

Move all hair above the designated section to the side using clips or pins.

Gently backcomb (tease) the roots of fine or silky hair because this action improves clip grip.

Position your part exactly above your neck because this is the most suitable location.

Check your part in the mirror for both straightness and symmetry to ensure proper alignment.

Step 2: Apply the Bottom Weft

how to install clip in extensions: step 2 bottom weft applying

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Clip-in-Hair-Extensions

Select the widest weft from your extension set, which normally consists of 3 or 4 clips.

Open all clips before placing.

Place the weft so the middle portion runs through your part.

Begin by snapping the center clip down first before moving to the outer clips.

The weft should fit flat against your scalp without any discomfort. It should feel secure, not tight.

Step 3: Create the Second Section and Apply

Select a small portion of your hair, which should be 1 inch above the first weft.

Your tail comb should be used to make a smooth and straight section.

Clip the rest of the hair back up.

You should start by attaching the following piece of weft, which is the widest one in your set, by placing the center clip firs,t followed by the outer clips.

To achieve volume density, you should position wefts nearer to each other. To achieve a more subtle look, you should distribute wefts at slightly greater distances from one another.

When you encounter an unsecured clip, you should increase the root teasing to enhance clip retention.

Step 4: Continue Layering Extensions

how to install clip in extensions: step 3 continue layering extensions

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Clip-in-Hair-Extensions

You should follow the same process of dividing the hair and clipping it while moving from the bottom to the top of your head.

The widest wefts should be used for the areas near the mid and lower back regions of your body.

When you get closer to the top and sides of your head, you should switch to medium wefts that have two clips and small wefts with one clip each.

The ear area requires smaller wefts that follow a gentle diagonal direction to ensure both comfort and natural blending.

Maintain sufficient natural hair on your crown to provide complete weft coverage.

Step 5: Check the Sides and Balance

how to install clip in extensions: step 4 check sides and balance

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Clip-in-Hair-Extensions

Look at yourself in the mirror (carry the handheld mirror for your back view).

Your extensions need to appear symmetrical and authentic from every viewpoint.

The addition of 1-clip wefts will provide additional volume in your preferred areas.

You should verify that no clips or tracks appear through your hair on top.

After everything looks fine you should brush or use your fingers to blend your hair smoothly. When styling your hair use either a curling iron or flat iron but maintain a safe distance from your clips.

That’s it! You will master the application of your clip-in extensions within 15 minutes once you gain some practice.

Styling and Finishing

After installing your clip-ins, you should now blend all elements to achieve the final look.

Begin by releasing all your hair from the clips and brushing your hair gently from the mid-lengths to the ends. Your natural hair and extensions will blend perfectly when you brush them together. You should use your fingers to distribute hair gently across any sections that appear thick or unbalanced.

After that, use a flat iron or curling iron to style your hair and extensions as one piece. Keep the heat under 350°F and avoid pressing too close to the clips. The combination of styling both sections produces a continuous appearance that extends from the roots to the ends.

A light mist of hairspray will help maintain your hairstyle while securing everything in its position. A light mist of hairspray serves to enhance grip and blend, especially when your hair is fine.

Check your hair from all directions by using two mirrors which including one in front of you and one handheld mirror. You should either readjust the position of wefts or use your fingers to conceal them with your hair.

Short-haired individuals should consult a stylist to cut gentle layers in their extensions because this creates a natural appearance.

Before heading out, make sure:

  • All clips feel snug but comfortable
  • There’s no visible track or bump
  • The final result looks full, even, and natural

The instant you look in the mirror, you will see the complete transformation, which includes added volume and length, together with a flawless finish.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

The installation of clip-in extensions does not guarantee perfect performance because they can sometimes malfunction. Most problems with extensions are simple to resolve:

Problem: Extensions slipping out
Solution:
The extensions will not stay in place when the roots do not have sufficient grip. A bit of dry shampoo or texture spray, along with gentle hair teasing, will solve the problem.

Problem: The clips become visible, and wefts show through
Solution:
The placement of clips appears to be either too close to the part line or positioned too high. Try the clips again by starting from a lower position and leaving more hair on top to conceal them.

Problem: Uncomfortable pulling or pain
Solution: The clips are either too tight or positioned too close to your scalp when you experience this kind of discomfort. Adjust your clip placement by moving it downward or loosening your grip.

Problem: Hair not blending well Solution: Use a flat iron or curling iron to style both your hair and the extensions as one piece. If necessary, consult a stylist to create gentle layers throughout your extension pieces.

Problem: Tangles at the meeting point?
Solution: Regular brushing throughout the day, combined with end-of-day leave-in conditioner application, will help prevent tangles.

Some fixes are quick. When you experience common problems, including volume irregularities and discomfort, and poor extension integration, it is best to remove everything and begin again. A fresh beginning produces a cleaner appearance, which results in a more natural look.

a young woman with clip in extensions

Maintenance and Care

The care of clip-in extensions requires both proper handling techniques and specific habits to maintain their freshness and extend their lifespan. The following steps will help you care for your extensions with professional results:

  • Take off your clip-ins both before sleeping and before showering. The practice of sleeping or bathing with clip-ins leads to tangled hair and breakage.
  • Brush after each wear. Start brushing with a soft-bristle brush at the ends of your hair, then brush slowly toward the roots to prevent pulling.
  • Wash only when needed. Clean your extensions after 15–20 uses or when you detect product accumulation. Use sulfate-free shampoo.
  • Never apply conditioner near the clips. You should condition only the mid-lengths and ends of your hair because conditioning near the clips will cause them to slip.
  • Store them properly. Store your extensions in their original packaging or a specific extension box or hanger to stop tangling.
  • Avoid water and sweat. Swimming together with intense workouts leads to clip loosening and matting formation.
  • Limit heat styling. Always protect your hair with heat sprays before styling and maintain temperatures below 350°F.

The easy steps will maintain your extensions in a soft and smooth state while keeping them secure for perfect wear each time. You should treat your extensions similarly to your natural hair, but with additional attention.

Final Thoughts

The application of clip-in extensions needs careful handling to prevent discomfort or damage to your hair.

A safer and easier alternative to Clip-in Extensions is Halo Hair Extensions from Thathair, which provide a faster and gentler experience. The application of halo extensions takes only seconds because they need no clips, glue, or sectioning process.

The invisible wire functions as a headband that you can use to merge with your natural hair. That’s it. The system provides everyday confidence through its simple design and safe operation.

Related Products

Ivory Blonde Wavy
Ivory Blonde Wavy

Ivory Blonde Wavy

$59
$129
Dark Grey Straight
Dark Grey Straight

Dark Grey Straight

$59
$129
Bahama Beige Wavy
Bahama Beige Wavy

Bahama Beige Wavy

$59
$129
image.jpg__PID:02770919-8e65-4213-a922-248fe0752c3a

Josef Mohamed is a Content Marketer and Web Designer with over 6 years of experience.He brings a wealth of knowledge to his work, making him a reliable source for readers interested in practical insights about beauty. His writing style is straightforward, aiming to provide real facts and avoid common myths in the beauty industry.