Hair extensions are a staple for many women. When done right, extensions can look flawless. When done wrong, things go really, really bad. These women learned the hard way that hair extensions are not easily applied at home. This poor girl was caught on the escalator with her clips showing! Remember, girls, people will see your hair from all angles! It’s probably a good idea to grab a mirror and check all sides of your hair before hitting the mall, or get a friend to make sure those clips are properly hidden!
You know the saying: if you’re going to do something, do it right. This girl could have saved herself a little embarrassment by getting those tracks checked! At least she will remain anonymous to her hair extension fail, luckily. But take it as a lesson learned: you don’t want your hair clips to show while you’re out and about!
What in the world is going on here?! Her short hair paired with long extensions gives the impression of a mullet. A very trashy mullet. I mean, mullets haven’t even been in style in years! There’s no way she looked in the mirror and thought “yup, this looks hot!”
Ladies, don’t be like this girl when it comes to placing your own extensions! I’m assuming you’re trying to make your locks look better, not worse. I would recommend she repair her natural hair before risking more damage with extensions as well. In case you aren’t aware, hair extensions can cause damage to your natural hair, ladies!
The girl has enough problems without adding her hair to the list. So many tiny bands, so little hair! Glue-in extensions are a great way to add volume to your hair, but at what cost?! Obviously, when not applied correctly or cared for, the bands become visible and not at all attractive. You would think with all her money and fame, she could at least keep her hair on point!
But maybe her extensions are another casualty of her party girl ways. At least the color matches and blends in, right?! I don’t know about you, but I would much rather see Lindsay going natural. We miss her Disney days and want to see everyone’s favorite redhead getting her career back on track!
This lady added some long extensions that obviously didn’t blend in with her real hair, which is kind of important. Don’t you agree? I personally think her natural length is cute and stylish, and the extensions were not necessary. At all. It’s hard to imagine the look she was going for with these skimpy extensions, and it’s also hard to believe her family let her leave the house like that!
Talk about an ‘oops!’ A major oops that now has photo proof of occurring. Let’s hope she doesn’t make this hair extension fail again! And ladies, this is an easy fail to avoid if you seek the right advice when applying extensions. This hurts to look at, it’s so bad! She may need to just shave her head and try again.
It’s hard to tell where the extensions start and her real hair ends, but at this point I don’t think it matters. There are so many layers going on here that there’s no way she didn’t notice how crazy it looks! And it is totally crazy. She may want to visit her hair stylist and get a bob trim to even up those layers. I would also recommend skipping the hair extensions for now.
Take note of this one, girls. It’s an absolute what not to do when cutting your hair and adding extensions. Yikes! As if high school wasn’t tough already, this student decided to add one clip-in extension to her blonde hair. It’s like she didn’t even try to blend it in properly. Sigh.
I’m sure just one extension adds some volume and dimension when properly placed, but this one falls short. Very short. Maybe she was running late to class and hurriedly styled her hair? There has to be some explanation for this epic fail! Hopefully this girl realized her hair no-no before lunch period. Either way, this proves sometimes hair extensions are a job better left to the professionals.
You shouldn’t hate the wind just because you have extensions. Well, not if they’re done right. These ones clearly aren’t as the wind exposes the separation between real hair and the extensions. Not cute!
Of course, someone just happened to have their camera ready as this poor woman was subjected to a bad hair day. However, it means another photo op of what not to do when applying extensions. The colors don’t even match, and thanks to the wind, that fact becomes all too apparent. Seriously, don’t live in fear of the weather because of improper or shoddy hair extensions!
But then again, even the best applied extensions may not stand the test of Mother Nature! We all know Britney is Pop Princess, but she didn’t need to make a crown out of her extensions. And what a not-so-pretty crown it is. I’m thinking this photo was snapped during her ‘off season’ and not during her beautiful and fashionable come back. We can all forgive Brit for this little hair fail, after all, it’s not even close to her worst!
Perhaps she didn’t anticipate people getting a look at the top of her head, but we’ve already learned to check the extensions from all angles, right girls?! Hopefully Brit got some better styling tips after this photo fail went public. She does seem to be slaying these days!
I can see why this girl wanted extensions, but they don’t really work unless properly done. They only make her hair look worse, but it’s the effort that counts, right? Maybe her hairdresser can give her some professional pointers in her next attempt at adding some volume to her hair. I think it’s the least they could do to help a girl out!
But take note of what bleach and heat can do to your hair. I’d say this girl has seen better hair days, but extensions may not be the answer she needs. Lay off the heat styling for a bit and invest in some vitamins to get your hair looking its best, and not cheap extensions!
This is bad on so many levels. The color makes it obvious that it’s not her real hair… not to mention that awful clip line. The red is a fun color, but maybe as highlights and not just bangs. I like to think this photo was taken during the styling job and not as a finished look photo. I’m sure her hairdresser knew better than to let her leave looking like that! Maybe they were just trying the color on to see how it looks? We need an explanation here!
Please, tell me this isn’t really how this girl was walking around! This title could go to the girl in no. 5, but I think this one wins it with her effortless look. She must not have liked her short hairdo judging by the looks of this ‘extension’ attempt. It appears she used a binder ring to attach a pony tail to her head. Seriously, there’s nothing cute about this hair style. If you can even call it that. It’s awkward and actually kind of gross, like a dead animal hanging from her head. I wonder how she even came up with this design idea, and I hope she didn’t pay for it!
It may just have won an award for worst hairstyle ever. I think the Instagram caption says it all: “we guarantee you won’t see your extensions!” Unlike this lady who gave it a nice try, but that’s not how extensions work. Not at all. She gives literal meaning to the term ‘clip in,’ and in a bad way at that. Maybe she honestly thought she was properly placing her extensions and nobody dared to correct her? Who knows, she may be on to a new trend here!
I mean, this looks way easier than actually blending extensions in with your natural hair. It’s probably way faster and painless, too! What do you think, girls, is this a new go-to look? I can only imagine your scoffing at this idea, and you’re probably right. This is scary bad. Does she not even have any hair of her own to cover those extensions? And ugh, let’s not fail to mention those scraggly pieces falling over her ear. It’s like all her hair was ripped out during the process and all she is left with is her extensions glued to her scalp. The fact you can even see her scalp is mildly concerning.
Isn’t the whole point of hair extensions to add volume and length? In this case, they make her hair look thin and wispy. Not cute, Brit, not cute. We forgave her hair extension fail one time already, but can we overlook this second blunder? It doesn’t matter what the extension is made from if it doesn’t even blend naturally in the first place. This girl is obviously too excited about her new hair to admit how awful it looks. I personally don’t think she even needs the extensions to begin with- her hair already looks naturally full and voluminous!
I will give her and her stylist props for at least color matching her new locks to her own hair. That’s apparently something that’s hard to do according to the other photos in this list! What do you think, girls, are hair extensions worth it? We’ve seen a lot of fails, but yet extensions are still overly popular. If done correctly, extensions can change your whole look for the better!
After years of plain sailing with the same long, brown hair for most of my life, 2024 was the year that I decided to switch it up - and it has certainly been a journey since. There are millions of other things that are more important than how your hair looks, such as a healthy body, a home, amazing friends - all of which I am lucky enough to have. But I didn’t realise how much of my confidence and self-worth hinged on my hair, and how it would be completely cut with chopping more than half of it off into a bob.
My natural long locks before the chop Queue the world’s teeny, tiniest violin - I know, I know. It’s not me slating shorter hair either. So many of my friends have gone for the big chop and ended up looking trés, trés chic and set on the short-haired life. But for me, after the initial excitement had settled following the first fortnight of freshness, I was overcome by not only a sense of regret but a loss of personal identity. When I first got my hair cut to a bob (which you can read about here), my mum told me: ‘It’ll grow on you’. Though her attempt to reassure me was meant well, many of us know the turmoil of an emotionally difficult haircut, even if it is a few inches or so. And so, I began contemplating hair extensions. Up until this point, they hadn’t really appealed to me.
Probably because I had long, trailing hair that was often mistaken for being hair extensions (cry). I had many questions before taking the plunge and, luckily, extensions specialist and celebrity hair stylist Hadley Yates was on hand to answer all my mane concerns. Tapes and clip-ins? My first question was: ‘How am I going to restore my lost lengths?’ While there are several extension methods, the two I decided to consider were clip-ins or tapes. Clip-ins are DIY extensions that you can, as the name suggests, clip in temporarily. This takes me back to my youth, when I would often frequent Claire’s Accessories in pursuit of long Rapunzel hair. The reality? Plastic rat tails in a dark brown shade that heavily contrasted against my auburn hair. Undetectable… not! The new Curated clip-ins are worlds apart from this, being created by the Hadley Yates team themselves, using the same quality of hair used in their salon extensions. They make a fantastic at-home option for those who want a little extra thickness and zhuzh from time to time, without having to commit to the upkeep of leave-in extensions. There’s even a clip-in fringe available in the range, so you can avoid that oh-so-familiar, panic fringe chop regret. Our beauty director, Lynne Hyland, is sold on hers - read her full review here. Tape extensions are a longer-term choice, fitted in the salon. They’re strips of hair on tabs that are glued (using specialist, dissolvable adhesive) to the root of the hair, and last up to eight weeks before they’ll need shifting up again. You can reuse the hair, which makes them more sustainable. As I missed my long hair so much, tapes seemed the best option for me.
Do they look fake? A big worry for me was whether they would look false. But Hadley was quick to reassure me when we met for a consultation at his eponymous London salon. ‘Curated tapes look and feel like real hair, because they are,’ he said. This may set the alarm bells ringing, but don’t let this put you off, as the hair used within the range is ethically sourced Remy hair. The result is hair that looks and feels as if it could be your own. ‘The cuticles are aligned, and the texture blends so naturally. Plus, their tape tabs are super-thin and lie totally flat against your scalp, so you don’t get that bulky or raised look you sometimes see with lower-quality extensions,’ Hadley told me. ‘They add length, but they’re also great for adding thickness and volume to thinning hair, too.’
Do hair extensions damage your natural hair? I think my most pressing question had to be around potential harm to natural hair. A lot of us will have seen some off-putting stories on how extensions can leave natural hair broken and damaged. As Hadley explained to me, these issues is down to poor-quality extensions, bad fitting and removal, and improper aftercare. (It’s also down to you, as the extensions wearer to look after and replace your tapes as advised.) ‘What makes Curated different is how lightweight and flexible the tapes are. They don’t tug or pull, and they grow out naturally with your hair. They’re applied in a way that distributes the weight evenly, so there’s no strain on the root,’ Hadley said. ‘As long as you follow the aftercare and have them fitted properly, they’re genuinely one of the least damaging extension methods out there.’
Are hair extensions suitable for all hair types? ‘Extensions can work for most hair types, whether you have fine hair and want fullness, or thick hair and want extra length,’ Hadley told me. ‘That said, if someone has very fragile or medically compromised hair, such as from active hair loss or scalp conditions, a reputable stylist will always flag that and may recommend holding off until it’s healthier,’ he advised. ‘It’s also really important to have a proper consultation before getting them fitted so they can tailor the hair and placement to your hair type,’ he added. The length of your natural hair will also have an impact on how much you can add. Hadley always recommends having at least five to six inches of natural hair to work with before going really long, which worked for me, so I opted for the full 22-inches. ‘Of course, we also have clients with short bobs who just want to add extra thickness. But if you’re aiming for dramatic length, you need those five inches to blend seamlessly,’ he advises.
What’s it like having tapes? I felt like I was in safe hands for both my consultation and fitting, and having that bespoke service made all the difference. As expected for something so bespoke and elaborate, the initial fitting appointment took a good few hours. I also got a colour refresh, which added on some extra time. So it’s likely you’ll have to dedicate a morning or afternoon to appointment time. But this of course depends on your goals, so exact timings will be made clear in your consultation. The fitting process is completely pain-free and comfortable as they install each strip of hair using a specialised adhesive. In fact, time flew by as I was chatting away with my fabulous hair stylist, Luke, and all of a sudden I had gorgeous, flowing locks once more. At the end of my appointment, I felt like I could cry with joy. I felt like me again. Luke hardly flinched, of course (as I’m sure he’s well accustomed to such a response).
Unlike the bob buzz, the thrill of having long hair again hasn’t faded one bit. For me, not only have my tapes physically added hair, they’ve also given me back my confidence and a serious sense of self again. My friends and I can't believe how much they look and feel like my own hair. I’ve already reused the tapes once, and I plan to carry on using them until my natural hair feels like me again. I was seriously impressed with the condition of my natural hair at the refit, too, so I feel extra relaxed about continuing to use them. Magic
What do tapes feel like? Comfort-wise, it’s been pretty much as Hadley promised. Initially, I was slightly concerned because the tapes were tight for the first couple of days while they set, but I honestly barely even noticed they were there after that. What’s the maintenance? As expected, extensions come with a degree of maintenance, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the level. I’ve just needed to make a few adjustments to my regime, and commit to products that make the best of my new hair. Sulphate-free shampoo is a must!
According to Hadley, sulfate-free shampoos are much gentler as they don’t strip away natural oils or weaken the adhesion, and therefore your lovely long hair will last longer. Avoid putting conditioner close to the roots though, as this can impact the durability of the glue. The one currently in my bathroom is JVN’s Hair Reviving Shampoo and Conditioner set. Not only do they leave my hair feeling ultra soft and looking shiny, but they come in refillable aluminium bottles, too. The Good Housekeeping Institute also tried and tested a range of other options for different hair types: best sulfate-free shampoos. Heat protection is essential, such as K18 Heatbounce Conditioning and Protectant. As the Curated tapes are real hair, you can use your usual heat styling tools on them but it’s vital to protect your extensions with a spray - every single time!
Soft bristle brush, extension-friendly tools help avoid pulling or tangling. Two summers ago, I chopped my hair into a lob and panicked when I realized I couldn’t braid it. Enter extensions-but not the ones your cousin used for prom. Let’s cut through the fluff and find the best extensions for short hair.
Hair Extensions for Short Hair: What Actually Works
Let’s first understand the difference between short hair extensions and extensions for short hair. Former is the one that have already short or trimmed hair, aka ready to wear pre-styled hair extension. While the later one is specially designed for those who have very short hair and want to extend their hair length. If you’re the one who cut your hair very short and not happy with the short hairstyle so the following are the hair extensions for short hair to choose from.
- Clip-Ins Hair Extension: The “I Want It Now” Fix. Clip-ins are DIY extensions that you can, as the name suggests, clip in temporarily. Need mermaid waves for a rooftop party? Clip ’em in. But on super short hair, those bulky clips can slip faster than a gossip secret. Pro tip: Trim the lengths to match your layers, and never use them at the beach.
- Tape-Ins Extension: The Undercover Agents. Tape-ins are the CIA of extensions-subtle, stealthy, and semi-permanent. They’re adhesive strips that sandwich your natural hair, adding length without screaming “I bought this online.” Celeb stylist Justine Marjan used them on a client with a chin-length bob last year, and even her hairstylist missed the blend. But: Skip if you’re a gym rat. Sweat + tape = slippery disaster.
- Length Matters (But Not How You Think). Choosing extension length isn’t like picking a Netflix show-it’s strategic. If your hair’s above your chin, 12-inch extensions are your sweet spot. Shoulder-grazing? Go 16 inches. Anything longer and you’ll look like you’re wearing a cape. Longer isn’t always better; you’ll want to blend with your natural length.
- Volume Without the Velveeta Cheese Vibes. Want Kardashian-level thickness without the crunch? Tape-ins or clip-ins are your MVPs. Avoid synthetic fibers and silicone-coated strands that can behave poorly in humidity or repel natural oils.
- Can You Even Use Extensions on a Buzz Cut? Yes, but it’s a vibe check. If your hair’s shorter than 2 inches, halo extensions or toppers are safer bets. Permanent options like pre-bonded extensions? Only if your stylist’s a wizard.
- How to Hide Extensions in a Pixie Cut: CIA-Level Secrets. Distract, don’t attract: tease your crown for texture. Placement is everything: focus on the crown and sides, avoid the hairline where tape-ins scream “I’m hiding something.”
The Worst Offenders: Extensions That Flop on Short Hair. Sew-ins are risky on short hair; start with clip-ins for weekends, graduate to tape-ins if you’re feeling brave. And for the love of all things holy, avoid DIY glue hacks. In the end, if you are wondering How Long Do Hair Extensions Last?
How To Install I Tip Hair Extensions
These tips help you achieve a natural blend and minimize visible tracks, even on a busy day or windy weather. If you choose extensions, prioritize reputable products and professional fittings, especially for short hair where balance and proportion matter more than length alone.
Practical Tips for Short-Hair Extensions
- Start with clip-ins for weekends to test ease of use and blending.
- Prefer tape-ins for longer-term enhancement with proper fitting and aftercare.
- Consult a professional to tailor hair type, color, and placement to your natural hair.
- Follow aftercare guidance and use gentle, sulfate-free shampoos to protect adhesive bonds.
- Avoid excessive heat near the bonds and use heat protection every time you style.
In the end, extensions can transform your look when chosen and applied correctly. They can add length, volume, and confidence when the process is approached with care and professional guidance.
tags: #bad #extensions #on #short #hair