Weft Hair Extensions – Everything You Need to Know

Let’s be real – we ALL dream about having thick, gorgeous, mermaid-like hair that cascades down our backs and makes us look like we stepped right out of a Disney fairy tale. If you are anything like me, though, you might not have been blessed with these kind of enviable, luscious locks naturally. In our lifelong quest to make our hair appear thicker and fuller, luckily, there are more than a few options. 

When it comes to hair extensions, the choices can start to feel a little overwhelming. Do you opt for clip-ins, bulk, fusion, sewn, or weft? What is the difference between all of these, anyway? If you are considering your hair extension options and are stuck on which to choose, don’t fret! The team at Autumn Markley Salon in Fort Lauderdale are here to give you the low down on why weft is the way to go. Let’s start with the basics.

What Are Weft Hair Extensions, Anyway?

Beaded weft hair extensions are created with real human hair which is sewn (either by hand or by machine) on to a horizontal strip, or “weft.” The stylists here at Autumn Markley Salon then “sew” these strips into the natural hair by attaching very small portions of the extension’s strands with small pieces of the natural strands and securing it with a bead at the roots.

The process is fairly painless, and normally does not take more than an hour. Once the weft hair extensions are in place, they can last up to a year before being taken out. Although, depending on how quickly your hair grows, the extensions will need to be moved up every 6-8 weeks.

Unlike other forms of extensions, weft hair extensions will keep the hair from tangling, saving you hours of time when styling and combing. The beads on the weft match your hair color and blend easily, while also keeping the extensions attached to your hair securely. The beads are silicone, made to protect both your hair as well as the extensions now in place. 

Weft Vs. Other Types of Extensions

Weft hair extensions, when applied by our team of trained and talented professionals, is a gorgeous, painless, and natural-appearing option if you are looking to add volume and thickness to your mane
(and let’s be honest, who isn’t?) 

But, if you’re on the fence, here are a few of our other favorite options for thickening those locks:

Clip in extensions: Clip-in extensions are a temporary, easy-to-use, and fast option if you are looking to achieve longer and fuller hair without permanent results. They are easily fastened to the roots of strands, and can be closely matched and blended with the natural hair for a more voluminous and longer appearance.

All clip-in hair extensions come in one or multiple pieces, which are called wefts, that will vary in width. Extensions can be store-bought in your hair color, or dyed to better match your tone. They are then clipped on to the roots of hair in a matter of minutes for a finished and temporary look that has a similar appearance to permanent options. 

Pros: Clip in hair extensions are a great option if you are new to extensions and are not seeking a permanent option. They can clipped in and out with ease, give a naturally fuller and longer appearance to hair, and are reusable. 

Cons: Clip in extensions can tug on the scalp and rip hair out if not applied correctly. Because of this, it is not recommended that they are worn often. 

Tape-in hair extensions: Tape hair extensions are an option in which real hair is pre-taped together and then taped on to either side of your natural locks. While this option can be done in DIY style, typically you will want a professional to apply tape-ins for you, as they will need to be perfectly aligned with the roots of the natural hair, then  applied with a heated tool so that the tape or glue heats up and attaches the strands together. Additionally, you would need to have them removed (with glue remover) and then reinstalled. 

Pros: Tape-in extensions are a great option if you are ready to commit to a specific hairstyle. They are considered “semi-permanent,” so they last around 8-10 weeks. 

Cons: As with any heat tools and products, the process of applying and removing tape-in hair extensions can cause damage to the hair. 

Sew-in extensions/weave: Weave hair is applied by braiding the natural hair into cornrows first. After this, the hair extensions are then applied to the braided hair using a needle and thread. Due to the process of application, weave hair is not recommended for people with naturally thin hair. The application is an extremely long process (it can take up to four hours to complete), and can be fairly painful, as it is a tight and straining application method. 

Pros: Weave extensions are a great option if you are seeking a permanent solution for your hair extensions. Because it is sewn into your hair, the weave will stay in place until you choose to take it out.

Cons: Due to the intense and straining application process, these extensions can be painful and damaging to the natural hair. It is not recommended on people with thin hair for this reason. 

Fusion extensions: Fusion extensions are long-lasting (on average they can be kept in up to 4 months) with little damage to the natural hair. Fusion is often referred to as bond extensions. To achieve a naturally fuller and more voluminous appearance to hair, these extensions are tipped with non-damaging Keratin bond. Then, hair is sectioned into pieces and the extension is bonded to the natural hair. 

Pros: Fusion extensions are a great option if you are ready to take the plunge and want a long-term result for fuller, more voluminous hair. 

Cons: Due to the time it takes for fusion hair extensions to be put in place, this type of hair extension is the most pricey, so be ready to budget for fusion extensions beforehand, and lay off the soy chai lattes for a few months. 

Why Choose Weft? 

There are many reasons to choose weft extensions over other options. The team at Autumn Markley Salon in Fort Lauderdale are trained in the application and styling using weft hair extensions, and we love applying them to our clients! The results are always fabulous. Just in case you need a little more convincing, though, here are a few reasons we choose weft hair extensions over other options:

• Weft extensions can provide different levels of thickness. Beaded weft extensions can be chosen, cut, and styled to achieve your own specific desire of length and thickness. Before your visit to Autumn Markley Salon in Fort Lauderdale, take the time to look over different styles and choose your dream look. Then, our talented team of professional stylists will incorporate extensions that match both your current hairs texture and a good compromise on the hair thickness you’re striving for.

• Beaded weft hair extensions cause minimal damage to your natural hair. Are you worried that your new extensions will damage your gorgeous, natural locks? We hear ya. Don’t fret – this is not the case when it comes to weft extensions. Beaded weft extensions do not cause any damage to the natural hair it is sewn on to, and they are safe to for using heat products and styling tools on. Our stylists are well trained on how to safely handle and apply the extensions to your hair to achieve your desired look with no damage or pain. Whether your hair is naturally fine or fuller, we will make sure you achieve your dream hair by the time you leave our salon. 

• Try a new color or style without the long-term commitment. We love weft hair extensions because you can try out a new hair style without the commitment of a permanent cut or color. Heading to a music festival and feel like giving purple hair a try? No problem. Weft hair extensions provide no-commitment styling that won’t saturate your hair with dyes. This is a great option if you want to experiment with a new look, but aren’t totally ready to commit to a permanent change. 

• Professionally applied extensions flawlessly match your hair. If you think weft hair extensions are the right choice for you, make sure you have them applied to your locks in a correct and safe manner. Call your local quality salon, and have them applied by an expert. This way, you can chat with a professional beforehand and make sure you are choosing the hair extensions that are best suited for your locks. A salon professional will also make sure they are applied correctly and go over how to maintain them for the longest lasting results. When choosing to DIY your own hair extensions, you risk potentially damaging your hair or applying your extensions incorrectly. 

So, Are Weft Extensions Right for You? 

If you are looking to add volume and length to your natural locks, without the commitment of a permanent weave or dye, weft hair extensions are an incredible alternative to the more lasting options. Quick to apply at your local salon, painless, and non-damaging to hair, weft extensions are look natural and will feel great.

Achieve the voluminous, mermaid-like locks of your dreams without damaging your natural hair or breaking the bank in the process. Contact our team of talented professionals at Autumn Markley Salon in Fort Lauderdale today to book your appointment for weft hair extensions. 

For your very favorite hair salon Fort Lauderdale please don’t hesitate to contact us!