Whether you want to add length, volume, or a little bit of both to your hair, the easiest (and quickest) way to do it is with hair extensions. And while extensions were once considered a super high-end service reserved exclusively for celebs on the red carpet, they're now more accessible than ever with tape-in options you can use at home. As the name suggests, the extensions are attached to a strong adhesive. Application involves placing the natural hair between two extension pieces and attaching the adhesive to the scalp, explains Leigh Hardges, a stylist at Chicago's Maxine Salon. The application is pretty quick and easy; It requires no tools or chemicals, and it can take less than an hour to apply a full head with minimal damage if done right, adds stylist Gina Rivera, CEO of Phenix Salon Suites. (However, if you plan on wearing hair extensions for more than just one night, it's always best to leave this to the professionals, as the placement of each piece is critical.) We spent hours researching the best tape-in extensions, ranking each model based on hair type, shades available, and number of strands. We also considered how easy they are to apply and made sure none of these options will damage your hair. In addition, we looked for Remy hair extensions, or extensions made from 100% virgin Remy human hair, which means the cuticles have not been removed but have been left intact for a more natural, lustrous look. After considering dozens of options and consulting with three hairstylists, we landed on these recommendations. Our top picks Jump to rating Best Overall Winner, Second: Jump to rating Best Length Choice: Jump to rating Best for Longevity: Jump to rating Best color choices: Donna Bella Hair Tape-In Hair Extensions at Donnabellahair.com Jump to rating Best color choice, runner-up: The Hair Shop Smart Tabs Tape-In Extensions bei Thehairshop.com Jump to rating Best at Amazon: Jump to rating Best for Versatility: Satin Strands 18 Inch Human Hair Extensions at Sallybeauty.com Jump to rating In this article Our selection Final Verdict where to look Why trust Byrdie what we like Different lengths, colors, textures and tape wefts Individual pieces allow for easy DIY application Blend seamlessly with natural hair What we don't like Nothing Hardges is a fan of these extensions, both because of the "great quality" of the hair and the predictable results they deliver. There's an incredibly wide range of color and length options, as well as wavy variants if you want a little texture. You can also choose from different types of ribbon wefts and visible or invisible sewing lines (the place where hair and ribbon meet). They even have one-off pieces meant for an easy DIY application, perfect for those who don't have time for a trip to the salon. Although these extensions are quite expensive, we think the 100% Remy hair quality and ease of installation make the expense worth it. Price at time of publication: $160-$360 Typ:100 percent Remy human hair |shades: 47 |Number of weft threads:20 what we like Can be easily styled Very easy Adds volume What we don't like Less shades than some others Only available in one length Rivera suggests these for anyone looking for some of the highest quality extensions out there. "These virgin Remy hair extensions are a great choice because the hair used has cuticles that point in the same direction from root to tip," she says. "This ensures that the extensions perform just like your own hair and have been washed, blow dried, curled, flat ironed, colored and even permed." She also points out that they're incredibly light and soft, what a hair full and voluminous effect. While the quality is excellent, it's worth noting that it only comes in one length, which can be especially difficult if you have super long hair. Price at time of publication: $149 Typ:100 percent Remy human hair |shades: 24 |Number of weft threads:20 what we like Cheaper than many Different lengths Easy to style What we don't like Less shades than some others In general, most extensions come in three or four different lengths. But these come in a whopping six options, ranging from 14 inches to 24 inches. The different lengths make them suitable to create a variety of hair looks and appeal to many different people with different hair lengths. They are made from Remy hair and can be treated and styled like your natural hair. Price at time of publication: $98 Typ:100 percent Remy human hair |shades: 10 |Number of weft threads:10 The 10 best curling irons of 2023, tested and ranked what we like Long lasting Different colors Ideal for fine hair reusable What we don't like Nothing The adhesive on these is a unique polyurethane tape that has been developed and tested over three years - to ensure both secure attachment, easy removal and lasting comfort. The result? Six to nine weeks wear for each application, but up to a year lifespan for each part - making them a great option if you want to use hair extensions consistently. Each also has double-sided tape so you can sandwich the natural hair between each weft - there's also a single-sided tape option for fine hair. Not to mention that there are also different lengths and many colors to choose from. Price at time of publication: $248-$363 Typ:100 percent Remy human hair |shades: 46 |Number of weft threads:10 The 15 best hair extensions of 2023 what we like Different colors good value More pieces available than other options What we don't like Not a great variety of textures Maybe you're trying to match your hair color exactly, or maybe you're looking for extensions in a slightly different color to add faux highlights. You might even want to try a bold shade for a one-off event. In any case, you will find the color you need with this brand, a recommendation from Rivera, praising both the choice and the quality. There are 60 different shades of tape-in extensions to choose from, ranging from natural blonde and brunette to funky green and purple. Also, they are all made from Remy hair and come with more pieces per pack than many other brands offer. Price at time of publication: $60-$180 Typ:100% Remy Human Hair |shades: 60 |Number of weft threads:20 what we like Various lengths and colors reusable Can be styled up to 375F What we don't like Not a great variety of textures Applicator tool required These extensions also come in a litany of different shades, as well as three different lengths. The unique tape-in method used means these can be worn and reused, but FYI you will need a special applicator tool to fully seal them.Priscilla Vallesis also a fan of this brand's clip-in extensions.) Price at time of publication: $35-$70 Typ:100% Remy Human Hair |shades: 56 |Number of weft threads:6 what we like Various lengths and colors Cheaper than many Thick shiny hair What we don't like Less shades than some others Made from 100 percent human Remy hair, these are an Amazon fan favorite. They consistently pull in positive reviews, with buyers raving about the quality and affordable price. They come in five lengths, ranging from 14 to 22 inches, and 17 shades, but if none of those do it for you, you can dye them too. However, remember that you cannot lift (lighten) the color. Price at time of publication: $50-$70 Typ:100 percent Remy human hair |shades: 17 |Number of weft threads:20 what we like Uniform Density good value Thicker, bulkier than other options What we don't like Less shades than some others There is only one length This option offers a lot of versatility; It can be used with any hair extension application including tape, weaves or clip ins making it a great choice for anyone who likes to change up how their extensions are used. Available in a few shades, each is multi-dimensional to blend well with a variety of natural hair colors. And with a higher strand percentage than many other 18" extension options, you'll also get consistent thickness and volume from top to bottom. Price at time of publication: $109 Typ:100 percent Remy human hair |shades: 7 |Number of weft threads:20 Hardges advises that to keep the look as natural as possible, you shouldn't use more than 12 to 15 pieces of extensions in your hair; If you use more than that, they can look very obvious. Tape hair extensions are a beautiful way to add both length and volume to your hair. TheGlam Seamless Hair Extensionsare the best option on the market and offer great options for different lengths, textures and shades and come in easy to DIY individual pieces. We love tooIndique Tape-In Hair Extensions, because they are light yet smooth and super easy to apply. Meet the expert According to Valles, these extensions, knotted onto a thin mono-mesh weft base, blend seamlessly with your scalp and offer natural-looking movement. This is another feature that Valles says will help the extensions blend seamlessly with your natural hair. Consider using tape-ins that are 100 percent Remy hair; H. human hair that has not been stripped and whose cuticles remain intact. This ensures that your hair extensions stay shiny even after multiple washes, tumble dry and style. FAQ How to apply tape in hair extensions? Ideally, Valles recommends having them applied professionally, as the back of the head can be difficult to treat. If you want to DIY, she recommends starting by parting your hair into three large pieces—two on each side and one at the back. Take small pieces within the section and place them between the two pieces of the extension, then iron them flat for two seconds so they stay in place, she says. How long do tape in hair extensions last? Valles says around four to eight weeks, although some can then be reused for up to a year. Are tape-in hair extensions safe for all hair types? "In most cases yes. They're one of the safer types of extensions," says Valles. If you are unsure if they will work for you, or if you have a sensitive scalp, it is best to consult a professional before trying them. How do you remove tape in hair extensions? To remove tape in hair extensions at home, first separate your hair into sections. You will need a special tape-in remover to dissolve the glue holding the tape-in in place. Once you have dissolved and removed the glue, you can wash the hair extensions and reuse them with new tape when you want to reattach them. Good tape-ins can last up to a year with repeated wear. Do tape-in extensions damage your natural hair? Tape-ins are less damaging than other forms of hair extensions because they tend not to pull at the roots of your natural hair like sew-in hair extensions do. The lack of tugging helps prevent hair loss and damage. However, it is important to properly dissolve the adhesive on tape-ins when removing to prevent pulling and breaking. Byrdie staffMelanie Rudhas over a decade of experience in the beauty industry and writes for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Not wearing extensions, she relied on expert information and countless reviews and consumer posts to research this article. According to ourpromise of diversity, 15% of the products in our newly released market surveys will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of writing, we have not been able to find enough tape-in hair extensions from black-owned and/or black-founded companies to make this percentage. If you know of one that we should consider please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will review the product as soon as possible. The 9 Best Clip-In Extensions of 2023, Tried and Passed:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-8-best-tape-in-hair-extensions-4588227-primary-492e2bf1b7e445cca1fa209797d0e913.jpg "The 8 best tape in hair extensions of 2023 (1)")
Best for longevity
Bellami Tape In Extensions
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Best color choice
Donna Bella Hair Tape-In Hair Extensions
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Best on Amazon
AmazingBeauty Tape in Hair Extensions
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Final Verdict
What to look for in tape-in hair extensions
hung
Rooted rashes
Remy Hair
Why trust Byrdie
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updated byJill DiDonato
FAQs
The 8 best tape in hair extensions of 2023? ›
Remy hair is the highest grade of human hair on the market and is the number one choice for hair extensions as it provides the most natural look. Remy hair lasts longer, preserves shine and vitality, and is much easier to maintain and style than synthetic hair.
What is the highest quality of hair extensions? ›Remy hair is the highest grade of human hair on the market and is the number one choice for hair extensions as it provides the most natural look. Remy hair lasts longer, preserves shine and vitality, and is much easier to maintain and style than synthetic hair.
What hair type is best for tape in extensions? ›Tape-ins work well on any hair straight, wavy, or curly hair texture. However, your stylist will want to make sure they blend well with your natural hair. For this reason, it's recommended to purchase high-quality hair that matches your texture.
What hair extensions do most celebrities use? ›Clip-in hair extensions are extremely popular among celebrities because they are extremely simple to use – attaching and removing them takes only a few minutes and does not require a trip to the hair salon.
What are the most invisible tape in extensions? ›Crowned at The Hair Awards as winner of 'Best European Hair Extensions' Invisi® Tape is globally recognised as the go-to extension for the most invisible feel. Crafted by hand, the invisible weft technology uses a super thin silk crafted structure, holding each strand of hair together.