Weft Hair Extensions: Everything You Need to Know
Perfect, you’ve entered the buzzing world of weft hair extensions. Now what? Sifting through the assortment of weft seams, densities, and use cases can be an overwhelming process. Well, prepare to navigate wefts with ease—introducing your guide to weft hair extensions.
What Are Weft Extensions?
Let’s start with the basics. A weft hair extension is a collection of hair strands woven together by hand or a machine. One of the most popular methods, clients turn to wefts for striking fullness that discreetly incorporates with the natural hair. A common application technique involves creating a beaded foundation and then stitching the weft in place with a c-needle and thread.
Materials & Quality: Synthetic Hair vs Remy Hair
Wefts range in quality from synthetic strands to 100% Virgin Remy human hair, the premium standard in the hair extension industry. Most stylists avoid synthetic fibers as the threads stand out in the natural hair, cannot be heat styled, and tangle more easily.
On the other hand, hairtalk® Weft Extensions are crafted from 100% Virgin Remy human hair. From the collection stage to the final hair that reaches consumers, these strands retain a uniform direction and an intact, sealed cuticle. Undergoing this precise production process ensures the most durable hair possible. Even other Remy hair grades, such as Machine Remy, do not achieve complete direction uniformity like Virgin Remy cuticles.
A Brief History of Weft Extensions
The first recorded instance of extension wear occurred around 3400 BC in ancient Egypt. Considering long hair a symbol of high status, the Egyptian elite would weave sheep wool through their natural locks.
Not until 1951, however, did the modern hair weaving technique popularize. After working at a wig factory, Christina Jenkins sought a new method that could securely rest on a customer’s head without appearing bulky. Enter her revolutionary sew-in extensions.
What Are the Common Types of Weft Hair Extensions?
1. Hand Tied Weft
As you can imagine, the term “hand tied wefts” refers to the hair strands being individually sewn into the weft seam. With single density and double density options, this thin, hand-made weft provides the ultimate flexibility for melding colors. hairtalk® Hand Tied Weft Extensions have an 11” width and are available in 17”, 21”, and 25” lengths.
PROS
- Top of the weft is thin for comfortable wear
- Can stack multiple wefts for seamless color blending
- Lightweight for minimized stress on the scalp
CONS
- Cannot be cut without unraveling
- Less resilient, more likely to shed
- Most expensive option
2. Machine Weft
Alternatively, machine weft strands are attached by a machine into the weft seam. Stylists appreciate their ability to match the exact shape of a client’s head. hairtalk® Machine Weft Extensions have a 35” width and are available in 17”, 21”, and 25” lengths.
PROS
- Durable seam that can be cut without unraveling
- Resilient, not likely to shed
- Less expensive weft option
CONS
- Thicker seam makes it less comfortable
- Total weight of weft limits stacking
- Return hair at the attachment point can be itchy
3. Hybrid Weft
With no return hair, the ability to cut without unraveling, and a comfortable base, hybrid wefts are a perfect fusion of hand tied comfort and machine weft durability.
THE BEST OF HAND TIED & MACHINE WEFT
- Same thin, lightweight seam as a hand tied weft
- Can be cut without unraveling like a machine weft
- Premium price point with fast application
HAIRTALK® HYBRID WEFT FEATURES
- 50% thinner band compared to hairtalk® Machine Weft
- Top three highest grams per weft on the market
- Five exclusive shades, including three dimensional Piano Blends
- Available in 17”, 21”, and 25” lengths and 36" width
Weft Hair Extensions Methods of Application
Now that we’ve hit the weft basics, let’s discuss some of the different application techniques for this extension method.
Glue-In
The glue-in extension method makes use of glue to fasten the weft in place. Starting with clean, dry hair, stylists section the hair in a U-shape. They then apply a thin line of glue to the weft seam and attach the weft to about a half inch from the roots of the sectioned hair.
Although this application method requires less expertise to complete an installation, some find that low-quality glue contributes to extension slippage. Incorrect application and removals can also damage the scalp and pull at the hair.
Clip-In
Another weft installation method involves securing hair wefts in place with clips. After sectioning the hair into a U-shape and pinning the top section up, stylists open the weft clip. They then position it near the roots of the sectioned hair and press down on the clips to lock the weft in place. While this method may make for a faster installation, the weft often does not rest as securely as other methods.
Sew-In
One of the most popular application techniques, and the method used for hairtalk® Weft Extensions, requires licensed stylists to sew the weft in place along a beaded track.
Think of weft applications like a clothesline. If you want a sheet to remain crisp and straight while drying, you need to evenly space out your clothespins so that the linen does not buckle. Applying wefts follows a similar thread. Stylists must ensure that the beads are both spread out enough on the track while also using enough beads to build stability.
- Using a marker, stylists begin the application by marking the row sections to determine the exact placement of beads based on the diameter of the client’s head.
- Next, a bead looping tool slides the beads in place in the natural hair; needle nose pliers clamp down on these beads for a secure hold.
- Finally, with both a lock stitch and hitch stitches, the weft is sewn across until reaching the anchor bead.
- For maximum density or color blending, stylists can layer multiple weft extensions per row.
Want to see a transformation in action? Check out @lauren_fen’s Hand Tied Weft application below:
What Are the Benefits of Weft Extensions?
- Sewn close to the scalp to seamlessly blend with the natural hair.
- Create dramatic, all-over length and volume.
- Less maintenance and longer-lasting than tape-in extensions.
- Shorter installation time than keratin extensions.
- Requires no heat treatment to install.
Do Weft Extensions Damage Your Hair?
While weft extensions sometimes have an undeserved reputation for causing hair damage, any stress placed on the scalp is almost always due to an improper weft selection or application (AKA a non-professional styling). Because achieving a comfortable hold in the hair requires the precision of a practiced, licensed stylist, wefts should never be installed at home. Moreover, only licensed stylists have the expertise to determine which weft type is compatible with a client’s natural hair.
Compared to other methods, wefts are one of the gentlest extension options for those looking to eliminate stress on delicate strands. Since weft extensions can be installed with thread and beads alone, anyone looking to avoid hot tools, adhesives, or glue can enjoy their delicate installation and removal process.
hairtalk® Weft Extensions in particular have also evolved to prioritize hair quality. Both the Hand Tied and Machine Wefts feature Advanced Lightening Technology, an upgraded method of lifting the pigment in hair during production. Although some companies damage the hairs’ disulfide bonds with chemical treatments, hairtalk®’s low-and-slow lightening method maximizes disulfide-bond stability, holding the hair proteins together. Groundbreaking for the hair extension industry, this innovative technology reinforces the elasticity of each extension and reduces the risk of split ends.
Additionally, since the entire Weft Collection features 100% Virgin Remy human hair, all hair runs in the same direction to expand the life of each strand.
Which Hair Type Works Best for Wefts?
Choosing the correct weft type is crucial for ensuring the extension both rests gently on the scalp and provides discreet length and volume.
Hand tied wefts best suit those with fine hair density; their thin, lightweight design does not place stress on the natural hair. Machine wefts work well for those with medium to thick hair needing maximum volume. The ultimate mash-up, hybrid wefts are perfect for every hair density and anyone needing boosted volume and length.
Wearing weft extensions requires at least 6-8 inches of initial length, so stylists can conceal the attachment point and blend with the natural hair.
How Do You Maintain Weft Extensions?
Proper weft hair extension care can make the difference between dry, brittle strands and long-lasting locks that retain a post-salon shine. As with all extensions, reduce hair-washing days to preserve the scalp’s natural oils. Never sleep with wet hair and tie it back in a loose ponytail or braid before bed. Consider a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and hair snagging on cotton fibers.
Use heat protectant when heat styling and avoid temperature settings above 300°F. To reduce discoloration from chlorine, salt, sunscreen, and tanning products, mix a small amount of water with a deep conditioning mask in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the hair from mid-lengths through the ends.
For those with active lifestyles, giving wefts all the love they deserve is even more essential. From hot yoga to running, sitting in saunas to playing tennis, any activity that causes sweating on the scalp can dry out extensions. Make sure to always tie the hair in a soft ponytail or braid to prevent tangling while exercising. After sweating, wash the hair to remove mineral build-up and gently brush the extensions, avoiding the application beads.
How Long Do Weft Extensions Last?
With proper care, weft extensions can yield up to 10 months of total wear. Each application lasts 8 to 10 weeks and allows for up to 3 re-applications. A Quick Move Up (gently sliding up the beads) can be done only once and at four weeks post-application (up to 0.5” of growth).
For anyone who prefers to come to the salon less often, weft extensions may be a better option than extensions with shorter re-application windows—say tape-ins. When squeezing salon appointments into busy schedules is more difficult than ever, many appreciate the longer wait period between weft touch-ups.
What Do Stylists Say About Weft Extensions?
Salon owner and professional hairstylist, Jessica Scott Santo specializes in crafting lived-in color and bold extension transformations. When discussing our Hand Tied Weft Extension, she described how she values its versatility: "They're customizable to every head shape [and] are thin, lightweight with a flexible weft seam."
Speaking of our Advanced Lightening Technology, she added that the formula "protects each hair fiber and reinforces the structure and elasticity of the extensions."
For a volume booster that incorporates seamlessly with the natural hair, check out hairtalk® Weft Extensions, including our newest launch, the Hybrid Weft Extension.
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