We’ve all experienced it: The brief pang of regret after cutting our hair; mourning for all of the hairstyles intended for long hair that we were "just about to try" and will miss out on until it grows back.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution out there for anyone who feels like their hair just doesn’t have the length or volume they crave (and that growing it out takes too long): extensions.
With so many options out there, it’s so hard to know which to choose. So TODAY spoke to a hairstylist to give us the low-down on what to look for in hair extensions. We also asked other celebrity hairstylists for their favorite clip-in hair extensions, including the brands they recommend to their own clients.
What kind of hair extensions are best?
“As a colorist, I like clip-ins the best,” Stephanie Brown, colorist at IGK Hair in New York City, previously told TODAY Style. “It’s easier for me to color hair, and also because you can put them in and take them out whenever you want. They are a (commitment-free) way to add length and fullness or body to your hair.”
Brown's most important tip is to pick a set with color and texture that is most similar to your own hair. “It isn’t easy dyeing extensions, and it isn’t cheap...I charge the same amount as I do when I color someone’s hair," she said.
Best clip-in hair extensions, according to stylists
Expert favorite: Hair Shop Clip-In Hair Extensions
- Easy to use
- Look natural
- Don't tangle
- Clips may wear out quickly
Lengths: 14 - 26 inches | Colors: 35 | Material: Remy human hair
Brown is a fan of The Hair Shop's vast selection of colors, lengths, textures and styles. "They have everything, and I mean everything,” she raved. With almost three dozen colors to choose from, feel confident knowing you are choosing one that best matches your preferred look.
Comfortable and secure: Cashmere Hair Clip-In Extensions
- Super soft
- Easy to style
- Provides volume
- Best for thicker hair
Lengths: 12 - 24 inches | Colors: 21 | Material: Remy human hair
“Cashmere hair extensions are my No. 1 choice," says Arthur Shamalov, senior stylist and co-owner of Eddie Arthur Salon. "Not only are they real human hair, but they also have a good variety of colors to choose from. The clips are very secure and they don’t feel tight on the scalp."
"Perfect" for a quick change: Bellami Clip-In Extensions
- Great quality hair
- Colors match real hair nicely
- Takes time to find your shade
Lengths: 18 - 24 inches | Colors: 30 | Material: Remy human hair
Extension expert and celebrity hair colorist Kacey Welch swears by Bellami clip-ins. “They...are perfect for a quick style change, event or to see if extensions are for you,” she says. “They have such a wide assortment of colors, they virtually match everyone — and they also have fun colors so you can experiment, too. They instantly add volume and length and are easy enough to do at home or to take to your stylist.”
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Top-rated clip-in hair extensions
Budget pick: Reecho Full Head Clip-In Synthetic Hair Extensions
- Look realistic
- Soft and comfortable
- Easy to use
- May seem heavy
Lengths: 12 - 24 inches | Colors: 39 | Material: Synthetic
Reviewers are impressed with how natural these synthetic extensions look, including one former Shop TODAY staff member who tried them on and said they clipped in easily and matched her hair really well.
"I think people are usually a little nervous about curling synthetic hair, but I curled mine and they held up really well," shares former project coordinator Sunah Bhasin.
Affordable and easy to use: Fliace Highlight Balayage Hairpieces
- Easy to use
- Holds curls great
- Very thick
- May tangle
Lengths: 16 - 20 inches | Colors: 12 | Material: Synthetic
It's no wonder these Amazon bestselling hairpieces are a hit with 1,000+ verified five-star reviews. These clip-in balayage extensions come in 13 colors to best match your natural hair and can be washed with shampoo in water.
"These are amazing!!! I absolutely love them. I was a little skeptical at first but they did not disappoint. I will never pay to have hair extensions put in again!!" raved one verified shopper on Amazon.
Silky feel: Zala Human Hair Extensions
- Good texture
- Great length
- Provides volume
- Clips could be thinner
Lengths: 12 - 30 inches | Colors: 16 | Material: Remy human hair
These extensions from Zala have the longest length available out of this bunch. It comes in several solid shades but also has a few dual-tones that would match highlights perfectly. Reviewers love how easy they are to install and their silky-smooth feel.
Adds volume: Wennalife Clip-In Human Hair Extensions
- Look natural
- Clips are seamless
- May be heavy
Lengths: 14 - 24 inches | Colors: 90 | Material: Remy human hair
These clip-in extensions have garnered over 5,900 five-star ratings from verified shoppers. "The quality, accuracy of color as pictured and lightweight feel is what sets these extensions apart from others," raved one reviewer. "They are seamless and pretty thick — and not super expensive. If you’re on the fence, try it. I’ve wasted too much money at beauty stores and am not going back!"
Blends well: Sunny Hair Clip-In Extensions
- Hair looks expensive
- Blend well with real hair
- Pricey
Lengths: 12 - 24 inches | Colors: 23 | Material: Human hair
Since each pack of these extensions comes with seven pieces, you won't need to buy too many to achieve the look you want. One verified five-star reviewer who'd never used clip-ins before wrote, "The installation process turned out to be surprisingly straightforward, which, as someone who had never used extensions before, was a pleasant surprise. I couldn’t wait to put them on and unleash my inner Rapunzel."
Nice quality: Luvme Straight Clip-In Hair Extensions
- Soft and silky
- Blends well with real hair
- Great quality
- May not need all the pieces
Lengths: 16 - 24 inches | Colors: One | Material: Human hair
Reviewers love how easy these extensions are to install and how well they blend with their natural hair. Sets that are 16 to 18 inches come with nine pieces and sets that are 20 to 24 inches come with seven pieces.
Best for textured hair: Go Sleek Clip-In Extensions
- Comes in a variety of textures
- Can be straightened and dyed
- Have to know your hair type
Lengths: 14 - 22 inches | Colors: One | Material: Human hair
Shop TODAY holiday editor Nina Bradley swears by Go Sleek clip-in extensions for adding length and volume on special occasions. "I’ve used clip-ins for years, and Go Sleek offers the best quality hair,” she says. “They’re perfect for women with naturally curly, coily or kinky hair, offering options that blend seamlessly with all textures.”
Made from 100% virgin human hair, these extensions can be worn in their natural state, straightened or dyed just like your own hair. The best part is that the brand offers both seamless and Follicle Fusion clips-ins which means they are also virtually undetectable.
Editor favorite: Halo Couture 16'' Large Blend Clip Ins
- Customizable
- Multiple shades
- Log in to see pricing
Lengths: 16 - 20 inches | Colors: 23 | Material: Human hair
Shop TODAY editorial assistant, Madison San Miguel uses these extensions 3-4 times a week, noting how she finds them, "extremely comfortable and easy to clip-in, especially as a beginner. I was worried you'd be able to see them in, but once I got the hang of it, I've been told multiple times by family and friends that they're undetectable."
How we chose the best hair extensions
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best hair extensions using a few methods: enlisting the recommendations hairstylists and an extensionist, filtering our searches for top-rated products and combing through lots of shopper reviews.
Meet the experts
- Stephanie Brown is a New York City-based hair colorist at IGK Salons.
- Gregg Giannillo is a celebrity hairstylist, owner of Giannillo Salon in New York City and founder of Boudoir Hair.
- Kacey Welch is a celebrity extensionist based in Beverly Hills.
- Arthur Shamalov is a senior stylist and co-owner of Eddie Arthur salon in New York.
