Making extensions look natural is the ultimate finishing touch after a flawless installation or transformation. Blending is crucial to making sure hair extensions aren't noticeable and look like hair extensions. Yikes! To avoid that "I-can-tell-those-are-extensions” look, we gathered the best tips from stylists to help you beautifully blend extensions with a client's natural hair.
1.) Haircut is key
Hair extensions won’t perfectly match a haircut straight out of the package, so they need to be cut in the same style as a client’s natural hair. Slide or razor cutting is recommended to ensure natural tapering that’s easier to blend. Avoid blunt lines. And by that we mean, ALWAYS make sure there are NO BLUNT LINES. Comb through the hair to find any major spots where the extensions are visible and use your razor or thinning shears to stagger the hair & blur any blunt lines.
@nikki_halobeautysalon shows you how it’s done!
2.) Root the weft
Color blending is also super important for a natural look. Extensions should be colored the same way as the natural hair. If the colors are off or too different, extensions can be noticeable (in a bad way). Custom color the hair extensions to add dimension and make it easier to blend with a client's hair. Rooting the wefts, adding low-lights (especially for blonde hair) and/or coloring to mid-lengths can help colors blend for a more natural appearance. This also makes sure that the roots blend better as they grow in.
Bohyme Insider & extensions artist Ashley Pollard gives you a quick how-to in this video.
While experts like Ashley make coloring wefts look easy, we recommend choosing balayage or rooted shades, whenever possible, to create a seamless blend. Coloring and/or altering the hair in any way voids any returns or exchanges.
3.) Create Custom Color Blends By Layering Hand Tied Wefts
No hair dye, no problem. In fact, avoiding coloring the hair in any way is our recommended way to go! Instead, layer hand tied wefts to add dimension & better blend the extensions with natural hair. This process not only saves stylists time, but keeps the hair extensions healthier for a longer time. Hand Tied extensions are very thin, so stacking them won’t add bulk. Use multiple colors to create a unique, complementary blend of hues that add dimension and hide any disconnect between the extensions & natural hair. Check out these transformations created without hair dye by Bohyme Insider & color blending expert Tori Saunders!
4.) Seamless Styling
Heat tools can be used on hair extensions, just use a heat protectant spray. Use your curling iron to blend shorter natural hair with longer extensions. Curl them together to make any differences less visible. For clients who wear their hair straight, a flat iron & styling products will help. When styling the hair, think of a client’s natural hair as the shortest layer of the cut & style it away from the face.
5.) Wash Extensions Before Installing Them
Extensions straight out of the package have a glossy look that will seem very unnatural when compared to a client’s natural look. We recommend washing them before installing & letting them air dry to reveal their true texture and tone. The more natural look of the extensions will better blend with a client’s own hair.
What do you do to blend extensions with a client’s natural hair? Share your best tips in the comments!
