Let’s talk hair, y’all. If you know anything about me, you know I believe in big hair—we’re talking volume, height, the whole nine yards. After all, as any good Southern girl will tell you, “The higher the hair, the closer to God.” I’ve been chasing big, beautiful hair for as long as I can remember, and let me tell you, with fine hair like mine, it’s no small feat. My hair’s not thinning—there’s plenty of it—but it can lie flat as a pancake unless I really go to battle with it and tease it within an inch of it’s life.
So here’s the deal. I spent the better part of the last 5-7 years using clip-in extensions and halo extensions to give my hair that va-va-voom. They did the trick and gave me the volume and length I craved, but there was one little problem. They weren’t “permanent,” which meant every day I had to clip them in, take them out, and that left me without them for the gym or the pool or other times that they just didn’t make sense. Let’s just say, a little too much work for my liking and that’s saying a lot because I’ve always been wiling to go all-in for beauty.
That’s when I made the jump to hand-tied extensions this year, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. But before I get into that whole process, let me break down the pros and cons of my hair extension journey.
Clip-Ins and Halos: My Hair BFFs (Until They Weren’t)
I started with clip-ins because they were easy, affordabl-ish, and got the job done for a while. You can pop them in and out whenever you want, which is great if you like switching up your look. Plus, the clip-ins I preferred were 100% real human hair (called Remy hair) that was ethically sourced and cost around $200-$300. So though they weren’t cheap, you’re not completely breaking the bank compared to some of the more expensive options I will talk about next. Only wearing them occasionally, my clip-ins looked great for over 2 years.
But here’s the catch: they’re not permanent. Sure, I could have fabulous hair for date night or events, but what about all the regular, everyday moments like the pool or the gym when i wanted a thick pony tail to pair with a cap or hat. They’re fun, but just didn’t cover all the bases for me.
Then I discovered this halo extension, and I was smitten. It’s a one-piece situation that you just slip on like a headband, with 2 clips to keep it secure and bam—instant volume and length. It’s also 100% Remy hair and the color match was perfect. I had my hair stylist cut it to blend perfectly with my natural hair cut and I loved it. I wore this solution for at least 5 years and it was amazing. But again, it’s not permanent. You’ve got to take it off at the end of the day and store it properly (because, Lord knows, we’re not throwing a $700 piece of hair into the bathroom drawer). And while each halo lasted me about a year to 18 months, I wanted something for everyday wear that I didn’t have to take in and out.
The Hand-Tied Extension Journey: Fabulous Hair, All Day, Every Day
This year, I made the big leap to hand-tied extensions, and let me tell you, I’ve never looked back. Imagine waking up every morning with the same fabulous hair you spent hours creating the day before—except now, you don’t have to create it every day. Yes, it’s pricey (around $1500-2,000 for the hair and installation depending on how many rows you get), and you do have to move them up every 7-8 weeks, which costs another $500-$600 each time. And then there is coloring and cutting your natural hair with the extensions. So this option is a very expensive commitment. But for me the results are worth every penny. I joking tell my college-aged daughter now that if money gets tight, I am cutting her off before I get rid of my extensions. And I’m only half joking.
If you live in the Little Rock, Arkansas area, call Nancy for a consult and tell her I sent you.
Now it’s no more clip-ins. No more halos. Big hair, all the time—even at the gym, the pool, and during those “I don’t have time for this” mornings. It’s like the universe has gifted me with the hair of my dreams, and I don’t even have to work for it.
Let’s Talk Cost: Clip-Ins vs. Halos vs. Hand-Tied
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it—hand-tied extensions are an investment. Let’s break it down:
- Clip-ins: $200-$300, and you can get about a year of wear out of them, maybe longer if you take care of them and depending on whether you wear them occasionally or daily. They’re great for those who want occasional volume and length but don’t need the full-time commitment.
- Halos: Around $300-700 or more depending on the brand, and again, they last about a year. They give you more freedom than clip-ins but still need to be taken out at the end of the day.
- Hand-tied extensions: The initial installation is around $1400-2,400 depending on how many rows you get, and moving them up every 8 weeks is about $500-$600. I will get new hair once a year at the initial investment. It’s expensive, there’s no doubt about it, so obviously not for everyone. But I get 24/7 fabulous hair. I mean, can you put a price on that?
Matching Colors for DIY Extensions
For anyone who’s been doing the DIY route with clip-ins or halos, here’s a tip: color matching is everything. When I was using clip-ins and halos, I made sure to color match my extensions to my natural hair. Most brands have plenty of shade options, and they help you send photos them from every angle of your head taken in natural sunlight to help them assist you in getting the right shade, which is key to making your extensions look natural. You don’t want to be caught with mismatched hair—trust me!
The Products That Keep My Hair Fabulous
Now, if you’re like me and rocking either extensions or just fine hair, you need the right products to keep it all looking fresh. Here’s my lineup of absolute must-haves:
Washing/Conditioning:
I alternate between Nutrafol and Divi Shampoo and Conditioner for my Fine Hair.
Nutrafol Shampoo and Conditioner
Both of these Duos give my fine hair the boost it needs without weighing it down. Plus, they are extension-friendly and don’t mess with my color. I alternate between the two.
Styling:
I use about 5-6 styling products to get the volume and texture I want. From heat protectant sprays to volumizing mousse, these products are my go-to for keeping everything big, bold, and beautiful.
Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray
Step one out of the shower, I love this volumizing spray for my fine hair and works great with my extensions.
Oribe Tres Set Structure Spray
Step Two, I spray this moose-like product into my hand and work through my hair while still wet
Goldwell Ultra Volume Double Boost 4
Step 3 I add this root boost product in my crown and top of head area for more volume at the root before drying my hair.
After thoroughly drying my hair I use this texturizing spray to give some grip to my fine clean hair. I also use it as a dry shampoo on days I don’t wash. I typically wash about 1-2 times a week, every 3-4 days.
Oribe Gold Lust Heat Protectant Spray
Before using a curling iron or flat iron on dry hair, I spray each section with this product to keep my hair healthy and make my extensions last longer.
Being the good Southern girl that I am, Hair Spray is a must. I love the super fine version from Oribe and I love the smell of all the Oribe line.
My Favorite Tools:
Let’s not forget about the tools. My hair dryer is the real MVP, and I wouldn’t go anywhere without my curling iron, straightener and favorite hair brushes. Together, they help me create those glamorous waves or sleek looks, depending on my mood.
Dry Bar Lemon Drop Detangling Brush
T3 Single Pass 1 ¼” Extra Long Barrel Curling Iron
T3 Lucea 1.5” Straightening Iron
And yes, I’ve got a special place to store them because I’m not letting those beauties get tangled up in a mess in this Amazon Hot Hair Tools Case and Mat
Is Big Hair Worth the Big Price?
For me? Absolutely. Yes, hand-tied extensions are a bigger investment and with regular maintenance, but the confidence of having big, beautiful hair all the time is priceless. Whether you’re in the clip-in club, loving your halo, or ready to take the plunge into hand-tied extensions, the key is finding what makes you feel like the best, most fabulous version of yourself.
There are other types of salon installed extensions including tape in extensions and bonded extensions that I am not familiar with personally, but I have friends who use them and love them. I suggest talking to a salon about all your options.
And remember, whether you’re walking out of the salon with fresh extensions or rocking your natural locks, the Southern girl’s motto will always be “The higher the hair, the closer to God” and whether you’re personally religious or not, I hope that saying makes you smile like it does me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some curls to fluff.
