How Many Bundles Do I Need For a Sew In?

Women have 99 problems, and hair shouldn't be one of them. If you ladies are anything like me, you don't play when it comes to your hair! So today, we're here to answer your most common questions regarding sew-in from types of hair extensions to how many bundles to use, closures, frontals, and more.

Now first thing first! With a sew-in, you want to make sure you have enough bundles to achieve your desired look. The right amount of bundles can make or break your sew in. 

Fortunately, here at Private Label Extensions, we know how important your hair is to you, and we will make sure that by the time you finish reading this article, you know exactly how many bundles you'll need for your next sew-in!.

At the salon, clients often ask how many bundles to purchase for a full sew-in. The answer to this question varies based on the client's desired hairstyle, amount of leave-out, cut, length, and the size and shape of your head. Usually, three bundles are the magic number for your average sew in , but depending on other factors, like desired hairstyle and length of bundles, that number can change.

Typically, the rule of thumb is that lengths 12" - 20 " only need three bundles for a full sew-in, while lengths 22" and longer need closer to four bundles to achieve a full, flowy, and glamorous look. A few things to factor are the size of your head (seriously), the texture of bundles (for example, deep wave textures are fuller/thicker), if you're using a closure/frontal, and the desired finished style.

The basic sew-in usually involves braiding a client's natural hair into cornrows and later sewing bundles onto those braids to achieve the desired look. The beehive is the most common braiding pattern for sew-ins, with minimal hair left out. There are other, more versatile, braid patterns for sew-ins, but your stylist will choose the correct braiding pattern based on the type of sew-in and style you want.

All Bundles from Private Label Extensions weigh about 3.5 oz or 100 grams. You may be wondering how a 10-inch bundle weighs the same as a 20-inch bundle, but the answer is simple, a 10-inch bundle has a longer weft than a 20-inch bundle. The 20-inch bundle gets its weight from the length of the hair, while the weight of a 10-inch bundle comes from the length of the weft. When purchasing bundles in the 28"-32" range, you may need 4-5 bundles because the weight of the hair is from the length. To clarify, you must purchase additional bundles when using longer lengths if you want your sew-in to appear full.

Let's get into these frontals and closures! Closures and frontals have similarities but are different based on size and coverage. When using either of these options, you may not use all of the hair in the bundles you purchase, but you can always save your bundles for future installs!

A frontal is a hairpiece that goes from one ear to the other while covering the front of your entire hairline. A frontal is typically 13 inches long (ear to ear) and 4 inches wide (front to back) and made of silk or lace. While other frontal sizes are available, 13x4 is the most commonly used.

At Private Label Extensions, frontals are available in various styles, textures, and colors.

Closures are also hairpieces, and while very similar to frontals, they cover much less of the hairline. Closures are usually 4 x 4 inches but come in different sizes; your stylist can help you
choose the proper closure for your desired style. In addition, closures can be installed for clients to wear a middle or side part!

Lace frontals allow clients versatility without damaging their natural hair. Many women opt to wear frontals when they want to try an entirely different texture or color from their natural hair.
In addition, some women who suffer from hair loss may find that closures/frontals are an excellent option to mask hair loss. Frontals and closures do not require any leave-out, so they are

also a great option for clients who want to protect their natural hair that is usually left out in a traditional sew-in.

Because frontals cover a large portion of your head, you typically need between two and three bundles for a frontal install. Of course, you can add more or less hair based on desired style and fullness. But remember, the longer the hair, the shorter the weft, so if you are trying to achieve any look other than a bob, we will always advise you to purchase a minimum of three bundles. Always keep the length in mind!

If you're not interested in a full sew-in with a closure or frontal, a partial sew-in may be an option! Hair extensions can sometimes be a bit pricey, especially when purchasing a closure or frontal. Partial sew-ins leave sections of your natural hair out, usually the entire crown of your head, and sometimes the back is also left out. The perks of partial sew-ins are they give a very natural look, and unlike other extensions, the styling is more flexible for more natural looks. (Think Vixen sew-in).

Partial sew-in styles require less hair than a full sew-in hairstyle and will take a maximum of two bundles for standard lengths and three bundles if using longer lengths over 24".

Some benefits to a partial sew-ins are that they offer a more natural look, are slightly less expensive than a full sew-in, and use less hair. However, we suggest you purchase at least two
bundles to leave your hairstylist room for error.

Say bye-bye to the days when you only had three options:

1. Leave out part of your hair to blend with your weave.
2.  The terrible invisible part that generally broke your hair off from glue.
3. Perming parts of your hair and keeping the rest natural.

We have over twenty different hair textures at Private Label Extensions. When getting a sew-in, be sure to think carefully and consult with your stylist. The kind of hair you get will affect how many bundles you need to achieve your desired hairstyle. You will always use between two and four bundles when getting a sew-in, but that number can vary depending on the length and whether you prefer a fuller or more natural look. For example, if you want a more voluminous sew-in, you may need three to four bundles, but if you want a thinner and more natural look, you will most likely only need two to three bundles.

You will always use between 2-4 bundles when getting a sew-in.

Luckily, hair bundles can last many years if cared for properly, so even if they seem expensive, they are an investment and can be reused for multiple installs!

Take a look at our variety of hair extensions; we provide top quality and assure you won't regret your purchase.

Let us know if you have any other questions, concerns, or comments below. We got you here at Private Label Extensions.