Advantages and Disadvantages of Permanent VS Clip-in Hair Extensions

Permanent VS Clip-in Hair Extensions

The various types of hair extensions can be overwhelming, but it all comes down to what works best for you, your hair and your needs!

Hello my beautiful friends!

I am sorry I have been so quiet lately, but I recently found out I am pregnant with twins and between all the morning sickness, have found very little time to share with you on my blog. However, I recently installed permanent extensions in my hair (The Tape-in ones) and I thought it would be a great time and opportunity to share my experience with you, so you know what to expect if you do decide to go the permanent extensions route. As most of you know I recently cut my hair shorter than it’s ever been before.

This is my before photo.

This is my hair with tape-in extensions in 50cm.

I decided to put the tape in extensions, because I found that since I cut my hair short, I really hadn’t been making the effort I needed to put my clip-ins on. Although it was still possible, I found it was so much more challenging to blend them in, than when I had long hair. My previous 5 minutes to gorgeous hair, had become 25 minutes, with my new bob style.

The tape in extensions were beautiful and soft and if you need some, I can definitely recommend you to the right person. However, going to bed with them and the uncomfortable sleep and then waking up the next morning things were slightly different. I think because my hair is so short, for some reason after sleeping on the hair, it looked a little bit like I had a mullet when I woke up, which I didn't enjoy very much. Naturally, I didn't take a picture of myself looking like this LOL. Now I could deal with the mullet, because all you have to do is wash and style your hair again, right? Well, I didn’t realise what a blessing short hair really was, until I had to dry an additional 200grams of 50cm long hair extensions. It took me 45minutes just to dry them with a hairdryer and then begins the straightening another 40 minutes, because like most extensions they are slightly wavy, which is fine to wear naturally if your own hair is healthy and a bit longer, but in my bleach damaged, short hair, this was not really an option. Then you have to curl the ends of the hair, because when your hair is very short and dead straight, the extensions don’t look very natural – This is the same with clip-ins. I also didn’t like how flat my hair looked after styling with the permanent extensions, it seemed impossible to get volume at the roots. Maybe because of the bonds, or heaviness of the tapes? Maybe because I am not a hairstylist?

With clip-in extensions, you can style your own hair first and create volume at the roots and around the face before clipping them in. Then I realised aaahhh… With my clip-ins I only had to style my own short hair which took 20 minutes and then put my clip-ins in, already styled from the previous time I wore them. The only thing I really had to make sure of with my clip-ins, is that I wore them wavy, so they looked natural while my hair was so short. I removed my tape-in extensions 2 weeks after they were installed, as I couldn’t handle the high maintenance of them.

This is a picture of me with my FrontRow Clip-ins in:

There you have it…

As Kim pointed out, there are definite pros and cons to permanent and clip-in extensions, it’s all about what you are looking for and what works for you and your routine.

If you need more facts and figures to help with the comparison, we can help:

Permanent Hair Extensions

Cost: The cost can vary depending on length, colour and which salon you choose to have the installation done at, but you are looking at around R8000, as well as 6 weekly maintenance sessions of R1500.

Time to Install: This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours, depending on the hair length, thickness and method of extension application. 

Time To Style: This all depends on the style you’re going for (curly, straight, wavy, etc.) and how long your hair is with the extensions. It will take longer to style than clip-in extensions as you need to style them along with your own hair, you cannot style them separately on a hanger and then easily clip them in. You are looking at anything from 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Sleeping: You can sleep in them, a definite pro, however there are rules to be followed to maintain the quality of the extensions, for example, braiding your hair before sleeping.

Swimming: You can swim in them, a definite bonus for summer! But it isn’t recommended to soak them for too long and you should dry them as soon as you’re out of the water.

Washing: Only 2-3 times a week.

Amount Shampoo and Conditioner Used: You go through a lot of product, as you are washing them quite often. This can be a budgetary con as you will need to stock up on shampoo and conditioner (and it need to be good quality!)

The Look: Very natural when styled

DIY: Cannot install yourself, you will need to pay for a professional to install.

Damage to own hair: Can cause hair loss.

Colour Match: Can mix colours

Lifespan: This varies depending on how often they are worn and washed, but they can last 8 months anywhere from 8 weeks to 4 months.

High Ponytail: Possible, but it’s quite challenging to hide the tapes or bonds.

Clip-in Hair Extensions

Cost: The cost can vary depending on length, colour and weight. Frontrow’s clip-in hair extensions sets range from R2490-R5790. There is no installation fee as you can insert them yourself!

Time to install: 5 minutes.

Time To Style: 30 minutes. This is quick and easy with the help of a carrier hanger, where you can hang and style the extensions and add them to your already styled hair.

Sleeping: You cannot sleep with clip-in extensions in, which can be seen as a con, but this lengthens the lifespan of the extensions and it only takes a minute to remove them. 

Swimming: You cannot swim (or shower) with clip-in extensions.

Washing: Usually every 10-15 wears, depending on how often you wear and style them. 

Amount Shampoo and Conditioner Used: Hardly any, as you wash the extensions separately and less frequently. If you are using good quality products like the Frontrow hair kit, you use a small amount as they are very concentrated. 

The Look: Very natural when styled.

DIY: Easy to install yourself with some practice.

Damage to own hair: No damage at all.

Colour Match: Only available colours, as it is not recommended to colour them.

Lifespan (Worn Daily): Anywhere from 3 months to 1 year, depending on usage and how well you look after them.  

High Ponytail: Possible, with extension sets or separately as a clip-in ponytail.