Short hairstyles are the best, especially in the summer when you want that carefree, breezy look. There's just something so chic about rocking a cute short cut or bob. But even those of us who love our short hair sometimes want a little extra length and volume. That's where extensions come in - an easy way to switch up your style without a huge commitment.
The tricky part is blending and wearing extensions with our short natural hair. You don't want it to look like you're wearing a wig or have that obvious line where the extensions start. Don't worry, I've got you covered! I'm going to share all the secrets for blending extensions with your short hair so they look seamless.
Just follow these tips and no one will be able to tell you've got extensions in. Your hair will look fuller and longer, but still totally natural. Let's get into it!
Key Takeaways
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Get the right tools - short scissors, thinning shears, clips, combs, and a handheld mirror make cutting extensions for short hair way easier.
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Prep your extensions by sorting colors, detangling, and separating into sections. Prep your natural hair too if needed.
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Use cutting techniques like point cutting, face-framing layers, vertical or horizontal slicing to blend extensions with your short cut.
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Style the extensions to match your real hair's texture using hot tools, products, teasing, etc. Place shorterpieces underneath.
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If you mess up, don't panic! Book a salon appointment to get your extensions fixed and blended by a pro.
Getting the Right Tools for Cutting Short Hair Extensions
Before you start cutting and wearing hair extensions whether it is synthetic hair or remy human hair, it's important to have the right tools. Let's go over the basics:
Scissors/Shears
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You'll need a good pair of cutting shears or thinning scissors
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Short-bladed shears around 4-5.5 inches long are best for short hair
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They give you more control and precision around the ears and neckline
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You can also get swivel shears (optional) to reduce hand/wrist strain
Other Essentials
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Plenty of hair clips to section off your shorter hair and hair extension
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A fine-tooth comb for detangling
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A wide-tooth comb for parting hair into sections
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A styling brush to smooth and check evenness
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A handheld mirror to see the back clearly
Prep Your Extensions
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Sorting by Color and Texture
First, lay out all your Roxy Hair remy hair extensions on a flat surface. If you have different colors or textures, group them separately. For example, put all the blonde extensions together, the brown ones together, and so on. This will make it easier to attach them later. If your natural hair has different shades, you can make smaller groups with slightly varying tones within the main color. This will help blend the extensions better and give a more natural look.
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Detangling and Separating
Next, use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle each strand of clip in hair extensions. Start from the ends and work your way up to avoid pulling or damaging the hair. Once you've got those extensions detangled, separate them into smaller sections you can work with. Use some clips or hair ties to keep each section neat and organized.
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Get Your Real Hair Ready
Lastly, you might need to braid your natural hair underneath where the extensions will go. This step is super important because it helps keep the extensions secure so they don't slip or fall out. If you're not sure if you need to do this, just check the instructions for your extensions or ask your hairstylist for their advice.
Cutting Techniques
So you've got your gear ready and your hair prepped (if needed). Now let's get into some point cutting technique for your clip in extensions.
Step 1: Face-framing layers (optional) - this step helps soften and define the areas around your face and helps in blending hair extensions. It works great for styles like bobs and pixie cuts. Take a small section of hair near the front of your face. Decide how long you want the layers, then snip at a slight downward angle, around 45 degrees. Use this first layered section as a guide for the rest of the face-framing pieces.
Step 2: There are two main ways to cut sections of hair. First is vertical slicing technique - take vertical strips of hair and hold them straight out from your head. Cut across to get a blunt, one-length style. The second way is horizontal slicing. Take horizontal sections, one on top of the other. Cut at a slight downward angle, around 45 degrees. This gives you layers for volume and movement.
Step 3: Point cutting for texture - this is optional but it helps add choppiness and remove bulk. Hold a small section out from your head and point the scissors down towards the ends. Instead of a straight cut, make little snips into the hair with the scissor tips. This creates a textured, piece-y look.
Step 4: Keep checking your work from all angles as you cut. Use a hand mirror to check the back sections too. This way, you can make sure the cut looks even all the way around and blends smoothly. If you notice any uneven spots, you can make little adjustments to get that seamless blend.
How to Blend Hair Extensions with Your Short Cut
Blending extensions with your very short hair can be kinda tricky, but follow these steps and it'll look natural:
Start with the shortest extensions first:
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Clip in those tiny little wefts (strands) at the nape of your neck, underneath where the rest will go.
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This gives you a nice base for layering the longer pieces on top.
Place the extensions strategically:
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Think about your current cut and the look you're going for.
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If you've got a blunt cut, slightly layered extensions can help hide that harsh line where they meet your real hair.
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If you already have layers, choose extensions with similar layers so they blend with the flow.
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Clip 'em in less noticeable spots like the back or underneath your natural hair. That way they won't look bulky or stick out like a sore thumb.
To make those extensions blend right in:
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If the extensions can handle heat, use hot tools to match your hair's texture. Straighten 'em if your hair is straight, or curl 'em if you've got waves or curls.
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Spritz on some hairspray, texturizing spray, or mousse to really mesh the textures. But don't go overboard or your hair might look flat and weighed down.
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If you've got fine hair and the extensions are thicker, lightly tease your roots before clipping them in. This'll create a smoother transition from your volume to the extensions.
Troubleshooting Problems
Cutting your own short hair can definitely be a challenge. One of your best friends will be point cutting. Grab your regular shears and snip into harsh blunt lines or chunky pieces using the tips angled downwards. This helps soften those lines for a more textured, blended look.
If it still feels too much hair or bulky after point cutting, you can carefully use thinning shears to remove some weight - but go slow with those. Start with small snips focusing on the bulkiest areas. Thinning shears take practice, so skip them if you're unsure.
When adjusting the overall length, go slowly. Take small trims and keep checking your work from all angles frequently. There's no magic way to add hair back if you cut too much! Work section by section to ensure evenness. Start by cutting the longest sections first, then use those as a guide for evening out the short layers.
If you need to even out some layers, first observe the existing uneven ones carefully. Are they too short in some areas? Creating an unflattering angle? Work on small sections, using the layers you like as a guide pattern for the rest. Point cutting can also help soften blunt or blocky unevenness into a more natural, textured layer.
Summary
Look, blending extensions with short hair can be tricky, but it's totally doable! The key is finding what works best for your specific haircut and hair type. Don't be scared to try different cutting techniques, styling products, and placement of the extensions. If you get stuck, no biggie - just head to a salon and get some pro help. The most important thing is to have fun with it and rock those blended short locks with confidence! Oh, and be sure to check out our Roxy Hair's awesome clip-in extensions and ponytails. We've got great quality stuff to kickstart your blended hair adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I have a pixie cut, can I still wear extensions?
The short answer is yes, you can definitely wear extensions with a super short pixie cut.
Won't cutting my extensions make them look really thin and stringy?
Nah, a good stylist knows how to cut them right so they stay full.
I have curly hair, how do I blend extensions with my natural curls?
Get curly extensions to match your texture. Have them cut to blend with your layers.
My extension ends are looking stringy, should I just get new ones?
Maybe just a small trim is needed to freshen up the ends.
I cut my own extensions and now they look crazy uneven, what do I do?
Your best bet is to get into a salon ASAP and have a pro stylist fix those extensions and blend them properly for you.
