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How To Blend Hair Extensions With Short Hair

Extensions are made to add thickness, sometimes highlights, but almost always...length. But, what if your hair is shorter than the average? Well, not to worry! In this blog, we’ll help you learn how to blend hair extensions with short hair.

young girl wearing hair extensions

The importance of blending your hair extension

Everyone is meant to enjoy hair extensions. But, most women with short hair are concerned that they might end up looking like one of those middle school girls who bought their first pair of hair extensions from a kiosk at the mall and clipped them on without looking in the mirror. If you’re reading this, then you’re probably concerned about the same thing, too.

Wearing hair extensions should look and feel natural for the person. That’s why it’s important to learn how to blend hair extensions with short hair. If you’re planning on wearing them, a seamless blend is the secret not just for thicker weaves but to instantly transform your hair from short to long without anyone second-guessing if they are extensions. 

What are the types of hair extensions that blend with shorter hair?

The type of hair extension you’ll use will depend on your preference and the state of your natural hair. First thing you want to do is to examine the health of your hair, its thickness, and volume because this will help you choose what type of extension is good for you. 

There are many hair extension options for women with short hair, such as the I-tip, U-tip, tape-in extension, and beaded wefts. These semi-permanent extensions are good options since they are applied on the roots and blend well. Just make sure you get a professional stylist to install them for you to avoid any damage in the application process.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a DIY or temporary hair extension to blend with your short hair, the preferred type would be a clip-in extension. This type of hair extension is so easy to apply and remove, so you are free to enjoy longer hair without worrying about any commitments at the end of the day. Most women who have naturally short hair consider clip-ins as their go-to hair extensions to achieve length and volume in just a matter of minutes.

What you need to know when blending clip-in hair extensions

Thanks to clip-in extensions, you can achieve longer, fuller hair right from the comfort of your home. But, you need to realize that not all clip-in extensions are created equally. The difference lies in the material they were made, their length, and their color.

Blend your hair seamlessly by making sure to use hair extensions that are made with Remy human hair. Remy hair has the cuticle of the hair still intact, which means that hair looks more natural and shiny. This makes it the highest quality of extensions out there for blending with your short hair.

With that said, buying a cheap clip-in extension made from synthetic hair will not be the best for blending. Instead, opt for the finest quality extensions to reach your ultimate goal of a natural blend.

Achieve a seamless blend using Perfect Locks’ clip-in hair extensions made from 100% Remy human hair!

How to blend hair extensions with short hair

Here are 6 steps you can use as a guide to blending hair extensions with short hair: 

Step #1: Choose extensions that are thick enough or purchase a second set

This goes for all hair types—thin or thick. When your hair is short, the more you need coverage. And, the more extensions you have for blending, the better you’ll be able to cover your short hair. 

A 7-piece set is a good start for that added volume and thickness. Or, if you’re getting two sets of clip-in hair extensions, you can buy the second set at a shorter length for better layering (we’ll get into layering soon). Choosing a thicker set of extensions can help give a more bouncy, natural look to your hair.

Think of the length you want to add as well. If your hair lies at, let’s say, the middle of your neck, get one set of 14-inch extensions and one set of 18-inch or 20-inch. It will depend on what length you’re aiming for, but either way, the more extensions you have to work with, the better.

close up of hair extensions

Step #2: Style your natural hair and hair extensions

There are two ways to do this according to your preference: you can either style them separately or you can style them together. 

If you want to style them separately, feel free to curl or straighten your natural hair so that they mimic your hair extensions. Or you can let your stylist cut and customize your extensions to suit your style. It’s a good thing that Remy hair extensions can withstand high heat, but still make sure that you use a heat protectant spray for that added protection.

Following this method, you can curl your hair or your extensions before clipping them in. Sometimes it’s easy to do this especially when the extensions are already pre-styled and you don’t feel a need to restyle them again. While this can work, at times it may not be the best thing to do if you want to blend hair extensions better with your natural hair.

how to blend extensions with serum

Styling with Your Hair

Styling with Your Hair

The second way is to style your extensions and your natural hair together. This allows for even more blending. The best way to do so is by sectioning your hair from the bottom then working your way up. Every time you section off hair, clip in a row of extensions, then straighten or curl with the mix of both your hair and the extensions. This helps make the shorter pieces of your hair blend well with the rest of it. Just be careful not to pull on your hair too much when straightening or curling them to avoid applying too much pressure from the clip-in to the roots.

Step #3: Layer your hair extensions

This can be done a few different ways. Start by making sure you are evenly distributing the clip-ins. Too often we’ve seen the mistake of extensions surrounding just the back of the hair or too low on the bottom and not enough around the sides or higher up towards the crown. 

Make sure you tease near the parting of your hair and add clip-ins toward that top. It will hide the straight cut of your natural hair. 

before and after hair extensions model

Benefits of Layering

Benefits of Layering

You can also go to a stylist to get your hair extensions layered for a more natural look. Layers are great for framing your face and making your extensions look genuine. If your extensions scream when you bring scissors near them, the best option is to buy a second pair at a shorter length like stated in Rule #1. Now mix it up throughout your hair and it will naturally blend to give the illusion of layered, real hair.

Step #4: Section your hair and clip in your extensions

You’d want to learn how to section your hair properly when installing your extensions. For clip-in extension, it’s always good to start sectioning from the bottom and work your way to the top layer. This will make it easier for you to install the extensions.

Start by getting a two-clip weft and placing it at the bottom of your head. Then, get a bigger, thicker weft and clip them in the middle section of your head, which is also the longest part (from ear to ear). Next, attach smaller wefts on each side of your head and work your way towards the top until you achieve your desired volume and length. 

Step #5: Prepare to blend your hair extensions

Other than styling your hair extensions by curling or straightening them together, part of blending is also to mix and match colors. You can add dimension and depth to the hair by using two different colors of hair extensions. The trick is to alternate the two for a great blend. The texturizing helps to blend your hair and extensions.  Also, once you’re done sectioning and clipping in your extensions, you’ll want to gently brush all your hair to completely blend them together.

Step #6: Add a serum or argan oil to smoothen out your hair

The reason for this is because if you have short hair, your ends may tend to stick out. Even more so if you have split ends. Adding a hair serum or Argan oil will help to straighten and manage those stubborn strands into the long locks. However, stay away from adding product too close to your roots, as this may cause your hair to look greasy. Instead, start from the middle and gently brush your fingers down to your roots.

There you have it! Even if you’re not a hair expert, following these 6 steps will surely help you become the ultimate Blending Queen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hairstyles can I achieve when I blend hair extensions with short hair?

The short answer is… a lot! The amazing thing about hair extensions for short hair is that they give you styling versatility when you just know how to blend them naturally.

Here are some hairstyles you can accomplish using Perfect Locks’ hair extensions.

Do you like what you see?

Shop the look with Perfect Locks’ clip-in hair extensions! 

How short can my hair be to use hair extensions?

Generally, you need at least 3 inches or more of your real hair to conceal and hold the hair extensions comfortably. 

What if I have very short hair?

Remember that the shorter your hair, the more difficult it is to conceal your extensions. If you have very short hair, don’t worry because there are still plenty of options for you. You can opt for semi-permanent or permanent extensions (such as bonded hair wefts, and fusion extensions).

It is not recommended to use clip-in extensions if your hair is shorter than 3 inches because the clips are attached too close to the roots which may cause too much pressure on your hair.

How do you blend extensions with a blunt cut?

It is harder to blend extensions when you have a blunt cut (meaning your hair is cut the same length all around). But, it’s not impossible. The key to blending them is by creating a layered look. 

You can make your short hair look like layers, then blend them using longer hair extensions. Continue the layering process until they look natural. Your stylist can also chip the ends of your extensions for a smoother finish. 

Takeaway

Congratulations! Now you know how to perfectly blend your hair extensions with your short hair. You’ve learned the amount of extensions you need, the importance of styling your hair and extensions, sectioning and layering hacks, and the finishing touch of a gloss. If you follow these 6 golden rules, you are sure to enjoy your long natural-looking hair without worrying about blending issues. No lighting or movement will give out the secret that you’re wearing extensions!

Do you have any rules that you swear by? Or are you already rocking your blended long weaves? Share them in the comments below or tag us your before and after looks on Instagram @perfectlocks to help your fellow Lockettes!

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