6 Different Ways to Install Your Weave for Beautiful Hair

Oh, yes, you read correctly, there are more than one or two ways of installing extensions! It’s not just your typical glue and sew-in methods that seem to be the most popular. There are tons of methods! Some are even so easy that you can do it yourself.

It seems as though with each passing year comes a new installation method for extensions and I’m all here for it. Talk about options! Below I’ll discuss six different hair extension methods that you can try.

1. Glue

In my opinion, the glue-in method is the easiest and fastest one! However, it may be the most damaging too. It all depends on the sew-in weave installation. You can apply this one of two ways.

The first way you can glue in hair extensions is by braiding or laying your natural hair down and placing a weave cap over your head. The cap is acting as a barrier between your hair and the glue. Once intact, measure the track needed per layer, glue, and apply pressure to the head. That’s it! Really easy! This style is normally called a “quick weave,” and we can see why!

The second method is the same but minus the cap. Some people don’t mind having the tracks glued directly to their hair. There’s also a special type of glue that’s made just for that option. It’s more like a molding gel that gets applied to your whole head, let dry, then apply tracks.

Glue in hair extensions can be a great option if they are done right. Make sure to follow our tips in order to achieve great results with glue in hair extensions.

2. Sewing

The sewing method offers a more secure style. Keeping the extensions in place until you’re ready to take them out. To prepare for this style, you will need a needle, thread and your hair will need to be braided. The two most common braid patterns for the sewing method are a circular style or straight back.

The desired braiding pattern often depends on how you want the extensions to lay or where your part will be located. You would want to consult with whoever is sewing your hair so they could best direct you.

Once you’re all braided up, you will need the needle and thread. Place thread through the needle and tie a knot to secure the thread in place first. Then, starting at either side of the nape of the hair, begin sewing the needle through braid then pull the thread all the way out, and repeat.

In this method, the thread is locking the tracks to the braid, so it’s super secured. Also, the takedown for this method is really easy too! All you do is simply cut the thread out! Just be careful not to cut your own here though! It’s always best to have someone do it for you.

3. Crochet

I’m not sure how long this method has been out, but out of nowhere, I started seeing many women rock this style! It’s a fun, quick method for almost anyone to do themselves! So for this method, you can save your salon money for the next trip!

When doing the crochet method to apply for extensions, you first need a crochet needle. Braid your hair straight back as well. If you want some big hair or big curly hair, I suggest this style, because the visible appearance of the loop won’t show compared to the possibility of straight hair.

All you do is slide the needle through the braid, open latch on the needle, add hair, close latch, and viola! All done! Unless you’re someone who truly doesn’t want to do their hair, this is the method for you! You can sit down and watch your favorite movie all while, looping and pulling, just looping and pulling!

4. Clip-ins

The infamous extension method, that’s been around since forever! Everyone from celebrities, high schoolers, and kids wear the cutest clip-ins!

They are exactly what their name is, clip-ins. It’s hair that is already threaded on a track and has a clip attached to it. The clip allows for easy weave installation.

Normally people wear these if they want to add some extra length, really fast. It looks great on straight hair. Clip-ins are the latest and greatest thing in the natural hair world, too.

To install, just part your hair where you want the extension to go and clip it onto your scalp like your combing your hair. For example, let’s say you were wearing a braid out style with your natural hair and you wanted a full look, clip-ins would be great to use. You wouldn’t even need to add a lot either, maybe just two or three clip-ins around certain parts of your head to give you a fuller look.

5. Micro-links

Mirco-links is a tedious installation method that may take up to three to four hours to complete. It requires a specially trained hairstylist to install.

For micro-linking, you must have a clamping tool to install the extensions. Micro links are a loop that gets applied to each of your hair strands. Your natural hair goes through the loop, and then the extensions go through next. Each time the hair goes through the loop, clamp it in to secure the section.

Once installed, you can pretty much treat it like your own. You will be able to wash, cut, style, and color the hair, of course, assuming the hair is 100% virgin.

You’re guaranteed to have long-lasting wear with this hair! This method will ensure a seamless, natural look that will leave spectators wondering if it’s all your hair!

6. Bonding

The bonding method is great if you want to leave your hair out while rocking the extensions at the same time. Some may argue that this method can be damaging to your hair. Others say it's only damaging depending on how you take the extensions out.

Bonding is done by parting your hair and gluing the tracks slightly underneath the scalp (so the scalp can breathe). It’s very similar to a quick weave installation, but the only difference is your natural hair is exposed. This method creates a really natural illusion because it allows the extensions to blend well with your hair.

There you have it! You now have six different hair extension methods, to choose from. Each method has its purpose for all different preferences. Options allow you to see which method will best suit your needs.

So the next time you are getting extensions, be sure to weigh all options out, and be sure to consult with your hairstylist.

Which hair extension method is your favorite? Which method have you already tried or are curious to try out? Let us know by leaving a comment below.