Best Extensions For Short Hair

Have you ever returned home from a haircut after taking the plunge and instantly regretted it or perhaps you just fancy mixing up your short hair?

Hair extensions are game-changing and a great way to change up your look, providing you with overnight versatility without having to wait months for your hair to grow!  

Hair extensions restore your freedom to choose and can be an excellent way of experimenting with different hairstyles. But with an array of hair extensions to buy, finding natural-looking extensions that blend in with your short hair can be a challenge.

So how can you find the best extensions for short hair? Look no further, we’ve got the answer for you. 

We’ve created a list of the top five best hair extensions for short hair to make your life easier.

We’ve also written a useful buyer’s guide on points to consider when buying extensions for short hair, as well as some frequently asked questions. 

View our top pick below! 

Best Extensions For Short Hair Buying Guide

There are a few points to consider before purchasing hair extensions for short hair, but it mainly comes down to the type of extension and the length that you choose to ensure the hair looks as natural as possible. 

Don’t be tempted into buying the first extensions that you come across, as you are likely to find that cheap, synthetic extensions are easy to look unnatural and don’t blend particularly well with your hair.

Although human hair is generally more expensive, it is generally easier to care for and style, not to mention it looks much more natural! 

Take a look at the features below.

Type of extension

It goes without saying that there are multiple types of hair extensions, from tapes to clips to bonds, so you are likely to find a preference that works best for you and your short hair. 

The type of extensions that you buy mainly depends on what suits you and your lifestyle best. Some people prefer clip-in extensions to tape in extensions as they can be easier to work with and hide if you have shorter hair, but the option is ultimately what you find easiest to work with. 

If you are unsure of the best option for you, you should always do your own research and figure out what works for others that have a similar hair length to you. 

Length

Something important to consider when buying hair extensions for your short hair is the length. In order for volumized but natural-looking hair, you need to get the length just right so it’s not obvious that you’re wearing a head of extensions!

The key is to blend, which the length of your extensions will play a significant role. 

Depending on how short your hair is, getting tape-in extensions for short hair is a great option if your natural hair is at least four to five inches long so it’s easier to blend it into your natural hair and conceal the tapes for a seamless look. 

Consider what overall length you would ideally like to aim for. It is also worth mentioning that it is a good idea to mix different lengths to create variation in layers, as it will offer a more natural overall look and provide your hair with more shape. 

Color

Something you should know about hair extensions is that finding an exact color match can be very tricky, particularly if you’re buying the extensions online. 

It is important to note that hair extensions are often photographed with studio lights that can affect their color in the product image that they are advertised with.

The majority of sellers will tell you this to make you aware before you buy the hair extensions. However, it is always something to be wary of when purchasing extensions online. 

Lots of people opt to have their extensions redyed by their hairdresser to ensure that they match the color of their hair perfectly, which ensures a more seamless blend. 

If this is not an option for you, you want to ensure that you are satisfied with the color of the extensions before you buy them. 

Real human hair extensions v synthetic hair extensions

Human hair extensions are made out of real, human hair from top to bottom, collected from a donor. Remy hair means all the cuticles (the outer layer of the hair) are intact, running in the same direction at the time of collection, and is thought to be the best quality hair that money can buy.

The quality of Remy hair allows for almost no tangling and ensures that the extensions remain smooth and silky throughout their lifetime. Though they are generally more expensive extensions, what you save in having to repurchase synthetic hair you can invest in Remy hair.

In contrast, synthetic hair is made out of various synthetic, blended fibers and contains no human hair. These fibers are usually very fine, plastic fibers that are manufactured to imitate real human hair, but are often less natural in appearance than Remy hair. 

Although both human and synthetic hair come in different colors, the main tell is in how they feel. Synthetic hair is generally more coarse and wiry to touch and can be more difficult to maintain. If you can afford to buy Remy extensions, it is generally easier to achieve a more natural look. 

Durability

A big factor to consider when purchasing hair extensions is how durable they are. Generally speaking, hair extensions can last from anywhere between a couple of months to a full year, but this will depend on what your extensions are made out of and how you treat them.

However, how long your extensions last will also depend on how well you maintain them.

Too much heat without heat protection or failure to wash them properly could result in your hair extensions decreasing in quality more quickly than you expected. As a result, you should always look after and maintain them properly to get the most use out of them. 

Maintenance

Maintenance is something that you need to think about as if you’re investing in hair extensions, you’re going to want them to last and look natural and healthy for as long as possible.

To keep your hair extensions looking as fresh as possible, make sure that you regularly use hair care products to protect them from heat when styling, regularly wash them, and use hair oil to keep them moisturized between washes.

Ideally speaking, you want to think of your extensions as part of your natural hair, as you’re going to be wearing them regularly and should treat them accordingly. 

Remy hair extensions are the best quality out there, but they’re not indestructible to heat. You could have the best quality hair extensions in the world, but they will only last as long as you maintain and care for them properly.

Consult your hairdresser

If in doubt, consult with your hairdresser about which hair extensions are best for short hair.

Your hairdresser will be able to offer you advice and tips on which extensions are best for your type of hair, and how to style and blend extensions with your natural hair too.

If you find that the extensions you have bought don’t match your natural hair color, you can also have your hairdresser dye them for a more natural look, to ensure your new hair smoothly blends with your natural hair.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the best extensions for short hair?

The best extensions for short hair will vary between individuals, as it largely comes down to personal preference and trial and error to see what works best for you.

Both clip in and tape extensions are popular for people with shorter hair, as they are easy to use and add volume to your hair in just minutes. 

However, for shorter hair, you will generally want extensions that are between 12-20 inches long in order to blend seamlessly into your own natural hair. It goes without saying that the longer your own hair is, the easier it will be to blend the extensions with your natural hair. 

How do you blend hair extensions with short hair?

You can blend hair extensions with short hair through a variety of methods. One of the biggest giveaways that you’re wearing hair extensions is the bottom layer of your hair, especially if you have a blunter haircut that has no layers.

You can avoid this by braiding the bottom layer of your hair and pinning it up. This way, you’ll be able to blend your extensions much more easily without your blunt ends on show as you can place your extensions just over this layer to disguise.

Another tip is to curl your real hair and extensions together. The proper way to do this is to take the end of your own hair along with the hair extensions and curl it as one in order to blend them seamlessly.  

To blend extensions more easily, you can also stack wefts together. This way, you’ll be creating volume but technically won’t have to be clipping wefts all over your head, decreasing the risk of there being any unnatural bumps. 

How do you style your extensions?

The answer to this question will differ depending on the look that you are going for. You can style extensions in a variety of ways to give you more volume, but you might find that you prefer to style them on a hanger before you clip them into your hair.

Once they are already clipped into your hair, people often find it difficult to reach their whole head and wefts can be pulled out of place by the hair tools if you’re not careful.

To avoid this problem, some people prefer to use a hanger to curl their extensions, and then clip them into their curled hair afterward for a seamless style. 

If they’re human hair, you should treat and style your extensions the same way as you would your own hair. Shampoo and condition as you would in your normal hair care routine for silky, smooth extensions that last longer!