Alisa Pose
Journal
Types of hair extensions, and who each one is for
Five methods, and the useful question is never which is best. It is which one your hair can carry.
Written by Alisa Pose · Great Lengths certified · 20 years in extensions
Keratin fusion, or K-tip
Strand by strand, each joined with a gentle keratin bond. No bead, no tape, no track. The most customisable placement of the five and the longest time in the chair. A set lasts months with proper care.
Individual tape-in
Premium human hair on an ultra-thin adhesive tape, placed one piece at a time so weight can be balanced across the head. Lies flat, nothing to feel, reused at maintenance appointments.
Undetectable tape row
The same tape, installed as rows rather than individual pieces. Weight distributes evenly along the row, and it is by far the fastest: under an hour. The hair is reusable for up to a year.
Hand-tied wefts
Tied by hand, which makes the weft far thinner than a machine weft, then sewn onto a beaded foundation. Built for fine to medium hair. Thin enough that several tones blend into one row. Move-up every six to eight weeks.
Volume wefts
Machine-crafted and thicker, carrying more hair per row. Built for medium to thick hair, where fewer rows reach full density. Reused through multiple move-ups.
So which one
Fine to medium hair points to hand-tied. Medium to thick points to volume wefts. A deadline points to a tape row. Placement that has to work around a part or a thin patch points to K-tip. Everything else is decided in the chair, looking at your hair.
Common questions
What are the main types of hair extensions?
The five Alisa offers are keratin fusion K-tip, individual tape-in, undetectable tape row, hand-tied wefts and volume wefts.
Which type of hair extension is best?
There is no single best type. Hand-tied wefts suit fine to medium hair, volume wefts suit medium to thick, and a tape row is the fastest at under an hour.
What is the difference between hand-tied and machine wefts?
A hand-tied weft is tied by hand and is much thinner, which suits fine hair. A machine-crafted volume weft is thicker and carries more hair per row, which suits thick hair.