Halo vs Clip in Extensions & What is the Difference?

Halo vs Clip in Extensions & What is the Difference?

A halo extension wraps all the way around your head, like a hat. It takes some extra time to get situated just right. But once it's on, you can be sure it won't budge. You do have to style your real hair to blend with the halo though.

Clip-in hair extensions are more like a headband. They clip directly into your natural hair in sections. So they slip on and off super quick. The hold may not be as strong overall. But you can add as many clips as you need for a solid grip. Clip-ins let you easily put your hair up without the extensions showing.

Hats and headbands work for different people and situations. Halo and clip-in extensions do too. The right pick depends on your hair, style, and routine. In this article, we'll compare all those factors. We want to help you decide which option makes the most sense for your unique hair extension needs.

What You Will Learn:

  • Difference, application techniques and styling of halo hair extensions and clip ins.

  • How to take care of both hair extensions.

  • Your personable preference is important when choosing what you use.

  • Halo extensions gently wrap around your head for a secure hold, great if you have fragile hair or want volume without damage.

  • Clip-ins offer lots of styling options you can change up regularly. Just don't wear them too tight or often to avoid harm.

  • Go halo for easy fullness or clip-in for total versatility. The extensions vary depending on your hair type and goals.

What are Halo Extensions?

what are halo hair extensionsHalo hair extensions is a newer type of hair extension. They give you gorgeous length and volume without damage. A halo is one long weft of lush Remy human hair on an invisible wire. You place it on the crown of your head, about an inch from your hairline. The wire is bendable so it custom-fits your head size. It gently grips the hair so the halo stays secure. But unlike clips or tape, it doesn't attach to your real strands. This makes halos comfortable and non-damaging for delicate hair.

The one-piece design looks beautifully seamless and natural. It's lighter and lower-maintenance than multiple clip-in pieces. Halo strands move and bounce just like your natural hair. You can even color or tone them to perfectly match your shade. Halos work best for shoulder-length hair or longer. The standard set is 180 grams, but lighter or fuller ones are available too.

What are Clip in Hair Extensions?

Clip-in hair extensions are a quick, temporary way to add volume and length. Foxy Hair® extensions are made of real human hair wefts with clip fasteners at the top. You just section your own hair, and press the clips in to anchor the extensions. This is good for people with thin and fragile hair because this lets you add fullness in minutes, without damage from glues or heat tools.

Clip-ins come in different lengths and shades to match your dream hair and style goals. This may give you subtle face-framing layers, and sexy mermaid volume. There’s an option for that. Their clips allow you to pop them in and out whenever you feel like a change. This makes them user-friendly and budget-conscious for experimenting with new looks.

They’re great for flexible hair enhancement especially for beginners with sensitive scalp wanting to dip their toes into extensions.

Comparing Installation and Removal

Putting in halo extensions is super quick and easy. You just gather your top hair in a knot, position the wire halo close to your hairline, and lower the weft to fit your head shape. Untie your hair, blend it over the halo, and you're done! If up styling with fuller hair is desirable, halo extensions allow for one cohesive hair piece. Taking halos out is just as fastᅳlift from the crown and slide out.

Clip-ins take a bit more work to apply. You section your own hair in layers and clamp the weft clips in place on your head. Start at the nape of your neck and move upwards for the most natural look. Also conceal clips underneath strands to hide them. Applying clip-ins neatly and comfortably takes practice! But clip-ins allow you to choose different styles and fuller hair as desired.

Removing clip-ins means slowly unclamping each weft clip from your hair. So it takes more time than sliding a halo off in one piece.

Assessing Look and Feel

Halo Extension Look

Halo extensions deliver very natural-looking results when well fitted. The single-weft design contours perfectly to the head shape for beautiful flow with your natural hair. Halo strands seamlessly blend from root to tip thanks to the invisible wire and strategic placement near the hairline. This makes them virtually undetectable.

Halo Extension Feel

Properly placed halos feel comfortable enough for all-day wear since they distribute weight evenly across the back of the head. Their non-damaging wire application prevents added stress on delicate or thinning hair. For those needing extra security, optional clips can be used with halos as well during active pursuits.

However, incorrectly applied halos may lead to pressure points and headaches after prolonged periods. Those with sensitive scalps should properly position halos to avoid discomfort.

Clip-In Extension Look

Clip-ins allow extreme versatility in volume and styling, though may require more effort to conceal pieces naturally. Placing stretchy comfy nylon wefts strategically along the perimeter of hair helps hide clips from sight for a seamless blend. When placed correctly, the multi-weft design lends itself to added layers and dimension with these clip in's.

Clip-In Extension Feel

Due to clasping directly to natural hair, clip-in weight and tension can cause occasional irritation, especially with repeated daily use. Those with fine, thinning, or breakage-prone hair may prefer a non-clipping halo alternative. However, clip-ins distribute weight throughout hair which some may find lighter than a concentrated back halo.

Styling Options and Versatility

Styling options with hair extensionsWhen it comes to styling, halo and clip-in extensions each have their advantages. Blending halo hair extensions requires concealing the wire within your natural hair or updos. Recommended popular styles are half updos, braids, ponytails, and buns - anything where the halo can be subtly integrated. Keeping the halo close to your natural length, no more than 4 inches longer, gives the most natural look. Using volumizing products and wavy textures helps maximize fullness and stability, concealing the wire for cohesion. Simple styles like ponytails and intricate updos both work well, as long as the halo is hidden.

Clip-in hair extensions is extremely versatile since the wefts are fully customizable. You can adapt clip-ins to any hairstyle - curling, straightening, braiding, highlighting etc. The possibilities are endless. For fuller ponytails, clip pieces around your head first before gathering into the elastic. Textures like kinky, curly, wavy, and straight are available to blend with all hair types. Multi-tone clip-ins can also create highlights without any damage to your natural hair.

Maintenance and Care

Maintenance comparison of hair extensionsCaring for halo extensions involves washing them gently every 6-8 medium-length wears with sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to prevent buildup. It's smart to regularly brush hair with a wide-tooth comb before and after each wear to maintain smoothness and avoid knots or tangles. Styling halos using only low heat helps preserve quality over time. Parting hair very precisely prior to positioning the halo is also key for preventing the wire from catching on strands and tangling them. Using weekly deep conditioning masks can boost nourishment and shine as well.

As for clip-in extension care, washing them approximately every 12-15 shorter wears works best, using hydrating hair masks to prevent dryness or damage. Rotating the clip placement around different areas of the head on each wear minimizes traction stress to avoid potential alopecia over time. Avoiding sleeping in clip-ins and exposure to harsh elements maintains structural integrity too. Focus heat styling midway down strands rather than too close to the delicate clip bonds to prevent frying. Thorough brushing with a soft bristle brush before and after each wear helps smoothly distribute oils and prevent matting. And finally, keeping clip-ins secured inside a designated pouch when not being worn helps deter tangling, dust buildup, and pet hair cling.

Pros and Cons of Halo and Clip in Hair Extensions

Let's break down the perks and drawbacks of halo and clip-in extensions. Both have their advantages and limitations, so we'll compare them to see which one comes out on top overall.

Clip-In Extensions

Pros:

  • Easy to apply and create certain hairstyles

  • Add instant length and thickness

  • Work for different hairstyles

  • Low maintenance

  • The best for short hair

  • Don't damage natural hair

  • Comfortable to wear

  • Easy to style in updos

Cons:

  • Can be visible with some styles like ponytails

  • Can't be worn sleeping

  • Might have a difficulties blending them if you don't have the right instructions

Halo Hair Extensions

Pros:

  • Instant transformation since it is very quick to apply (under 5 mins)

  • Add length and thickness

  • Low maintenance

  • Zero damage to the natural hair

  • Comfortable for all-day wear

Cons:

  • Hard to style into updos

  • Not ideal for swimming, intense sports, or workouts

  • Can be tricky to blend with bluntly cut hair

  • Not meant for sleeping

Volume and Length Possibilities

Halo human hair extensions allow for dramatic length based on preference, with common options spanning 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 inches for a bombshell look. Their 130g standard weight creates natural fullness for not only your hair, while going up to 200g boosts further density. For maximum volume, stacking 2 lighter halo pieces combines dimension and comfortably sits. Lengths longer than 24" are rare in halo form given the single weft.

Clip-in human hair extensions excel at endless volume possibilities to balance their slightly shorter max lengths. Though common lengths range from 14-22 inches, multiple wefts for a full head can achieve up to 300g for an ultra-full look bordering on glamorous excess and optimal blending. Wefts are produced specifically to add length, pump up crown height, accentuate face shape, or increase layers. Individual lightweight pieces from 60g-120g allow for both subtlety and drama. By mixing varying lengths and widths, clip-ins permit true customization.

Summary

In conclusion, both halo and clip-in extensions have their advantages, depending on your hair goals and lifestyle. Halo extensions offer an easy way to boost volume and length without damage. Clip-ins provide endless styling versatility for switching up your look.

If you're looking to take your hair game to the next level, check out Foxy Hair®'s amazing clip-in extensions! Our high-quality clip-ins make transforming your style a breeze. Add length, volume, highlights - anything you want. Foxy's clip-ins blend beautifully and are comfortable for all day wear.

Why spend tons of money getting extensions at a salon when you can achieve luscious hair in different lengths at home with Foxy? Upgrade your look without the damage. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Halo extensions or clip-ins better?

Halo extensions blend seamlessly and are gentle on hair, while clip-ins allow for easy styling changes. Halos create natural-looking volume great for delicate hair; clip-ins enable quickly switching up styles. Ultimately both extension types have merits, choose based on your personal preference.

What are the disadvantages of Halo extensions?

Halo extensions may not blend well with shorter hair cuts, as they are best for individuals with shoulder-length hair.

Do halo hair extensions fall out easily?

No, Halo hair extensions will not fall out if applied correctly.

How do I install clip-in extensions?

To install clip-in extensions, section your hair and snap the clips into place, starting from the lower back of your head and moving upwards in layers. For a seamless look, hide the clips by attaching wefts underneath your hair. Enjoy your new style!

Can clip-in extensions cause discomfort?

Yes, clip-in extensions can cause discomfort, especially if you have thinning, fine, or sensitive hair.