Hair extensions are a cool way to get longer, thicker hair right away. With some extra length, those fancy braided hairstyles you've seen and wanted to try suddenly seem possible. But even regular braids can be tough when you're just starting out with extensions.
Don't try an elaborate braided updo the second your extensions arrive. It's better to begin with some easier styles first. Learning basic braids with extensions takes some getting used to. But don't worry, Roxy Hair will walk you through some styles and review that aren't too hard but will still give you that full, glamorous look you want.
Key Takeaways
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Grab some hair to braid - use your own hair or get some nice fake extensions made for braiding.
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Brush out your hair really well, and use a little oil or texturizing spray to control flyaways. This makes braiding way easier.
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If you're just starting out, begin with easier braid styles like double Dutch braids, fishtail braids, or a regular ponytail braid. Great for practice!
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Get creative! Add colored extensions for highlights, make it ombre by fading the color to the ends, dip-dye just the tips, or mix and match colors.
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When braiding, go slow and be gentle. Work in small sections and don't tug too hard. Taking good care of your braids helps them last longer before needing to re-do them.
Choosing the Right Extensions
There are two main kinds of hair extensions you can purchase- fake ones and real human hair ones. The fake ones cost less and are easier to take care of, but they may not look totally natural or real. You also can't use hot tools like straighteners or curling irons on them or they could get messed up. Human hair extensions look more realistic, but you have to style them just like your own hair. They cost more though. When picking out extensions, think about how long you want them, how thick your hair is, and making sure the color matches your hair well. Considering those things can help you choose the right extensions for you.
How to Braid in Hair Extensions
When using human hair extensions, there are some things you can do to make braiding easier and get perfect braids every time as a reviewer.
First, once the extensions are in, brush your hair really well including the extensions. you want to get rid of any knots or tangles in your hair. You don't want all that hard work braiding to go to waste with a bumpy, messy braid.
Next up, you'll want to put some hair oil or texturizing spray on your locks, depending on your hair type. This'll keep everything sleek and smooth when you're parting and braiding. If you've got frizzy hair, this step is super important to make braiding easier.
Finally, grab some strong hairspray and tame any flyaways or baby hairs that might be sticking out. Those little suckers can really mess up your braid if you don't get 'em under control first.
Braiding Techniques for Extensions
Double Dutch Braids
Dutch braids are awesome hairstyles that make it look like the braids are sticking out from your head. People also call them "Reverse French Braids" because instead of crossing the hair over while braiding, you cross it under. Double Dutch braids are great for festivals or vacations!
First up, brush your hair really well and make a parting wherever you want the braids to start. Tie up each section separately. Take a small piece of hair right under the part line and clip in some wefts upside down so the hair is facing up. Fold the wefts down after clipping them in.
Now take a small section from the top of the part and clip in some wefts normally underneath. Put your hair back over the wefts. Take a tiny piece from one side, split it into three pieces and start Dutch braiding. Instead of crossing the strands over the middle, cross them under. Keep adding hair into the braid as you go down. Once you've braided all the hair, keep braiding regularly and tighten the braid. Tie it off with a hairband at the end. Do the same for the other side.
Double Fishtail Braids
Fishtail braids look fancy but they're not too hard to do! Here's how to double fishtail braid with some cute hair rings:
Clip in your full head extensions first. Split your hair into two sections, parted in the middle. Split each section into two again, so you have four pieces. Start fishtail braiding each of the two sections.
To fishtail braid, take a small strand from the outside of the left piece and pull it over to the right piece. Then take a strand from the outside of the right piece and pull it over to the left. Keep going, stopping sometimes to loosen the braid and make it more textured. Tie off each braid with a hairband when you get to the ends. Add some hair rings along the braids to jazz it up! You can add a bandana too for a total festival vibe.
Ponytail Braids
Ponytail braids are an easy, cute style using a Dutch fishtail braid.
Start by clipping in your full head extensions. Take a section from the top middle of your hair and split it in two. Dutch fishtail braid each of those two pieces by taking strands from one side and crossing them under to the other side. As you braid down, keep adding a little more hair into each strand.
When you get to the nape of your neck, gently tug on the braid to add volume while holding the hair at the neck. Tie off the braid into a ponytail at the neck. Tug the braid a bit more for extra volume.
Optional: Take some hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie to cover it up. Pin that hair underneath to keep the wrapped ponytail look neat.
Creative Braid Styles with Colored Extensions
Adding some colored extensions to your braided hairstyles can make them look really fun and cool with your friends. Here are some creative ideas that might inspire you:
Highlights and Lowlights
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Braided Ponytail with Blonde Highlights: This classic style looks fresh with blonde highlights woven through the braids. You can buy hair extensions that already have blonde highlights, or add in some blonde braiding hair yourself.
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Box Braids with Burgundy Lowlights: Having deep burgundy streaks mixed into your box braids looks really classy. It's a nice way to add a little pop of color without going overboard.
Ombre and Dip-Dye Effects
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Tribal Braids with Ombre Fade: The ombre extensions make a pretty gradient effect that can be a pack of subtle or bold. In this example, the ombre fades from black to a vibrant purple color, giving the tribal braids a fun, whimsical look.
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Goddess Braids with Dip-Dyed Ends: The dip-dyed extensions add a playful touch to the goddess braids. You can choose any color you want, but bright pinks, blues, and greens really stand out and look great in load of photos and in real life.
Unique Color Combinations
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Rainbow Box Braids: Why settle for one color when you can have them all? Rainbow box braids are the way to unleash your inner unicorn! This bold style is guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go.
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Neon Cornrows with Teal Accents: For a truly unique 'do you'll absolutely love, try pairing bright neon green braids with striking teal accent braids woven throughout in a cornrow pattern. It's creative, eye-catching and people won't be able to stop complimenting your hair!
Summary
Adding colored extensions to braided hairstyles is an awesome way to get a super fun, vibrant look in June or really any month you feel like switching things up! Braiding with extensions takes some practice, but the end results are so worth it. Start out simple with something like a fishtail or ponytail braid, then get adventurous with bold, rainbow colors once you've got the hang of it. Just make sure you take good care of your extensions and have a blast expressing your personal style through bright, beautiful braids!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What type of hair extensions should I use for braiding?
Use real human hair extensions or the good synthetic ones made for braiding.
Can I braid in colored hair extensions?
Yeah, for sure! Colored extensions are great for adding bold, bright colors to your braids.
How do I prevent my braids with extensions from looking bulky?
Use thin, lightweight extensions and braid them in small sections instead of thick ones. That'll keep the braids from looking too chunky.
How long do braids with hair extensions last?
4-8 weeks with proper care and maintenance.
How do I remove hair extensions from braids without damaging my natural hair?
Gently unravel braids, use hydrating products, avoid excessive pulling.
