If you're looking to add length, volume, or a little bit of both to your natural hair, extensions can be an invaluable option. And when it comes to extensions, the world really is your oyster. Choose from everything from single pieces that you can clip in yourself just for a big night out to professional options that can be sewn in and last for months on end (and everything in between). That being said, if you'd like to go the temporary, DIY route, experts say halo hair extensions are one of the best choices out there. Here, Priscilla Valles, celebrity extension expert, and Shelly Aguirre, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, explain exactly why that is.
Meet the Expert
- Priscilla Valles is a celebrity hairstylist and extension expert.
- Shelly Aguirre is a stylist at Maxine Salon, a Chicago-based salon.
What Are Halo Extensions?
Halo extensions are exactly what they sound like: hair attached to a ring of clear fish wire, explains Valles. A piece sits a few inches behind your hairline on the crown of your head, adds Aguirre, and blends seamlessly into your natural hair.
How Do They Differ From Other Hair Extensions?
"Halo hair extensions are unique because they create instant length and volume without any hassle," says Valles. It only takes one step to apply, unlike clip-ins, which require teasing, sectioning sand careful placement. Not only is putting in halo hair extensions super easy to use, but they're also very easy to disguise and you can customize the fit as well, Aguirre notes. In short, they end up looking super natural.
Halo extensions are comparable to bonded extensions in how they blend seamlessly into your own hair. The major difference: halos can be removed instantly.
Who Should Get Halo Extensions?
According to the experts we spoke with, these are a great choice for pretty much anyone who wants additional length, body, or both. They're also choice for those who may not be super well-versed in DIY extension application.
Putting these on is as simple as putting on a headband, says Valles. All you have to do is take a small section of your hair—stretching from ear to ear—and pull it into a top knot. Place the halo extension so that the wire sits comfortably around the bun, about one to two inches away from your hair line. Then take down the bun so that the hair falls over the extensions, she says. Style as desired and you're good to go.
Pro tip: If you really want the extensions to blend in totally seamlessly with your natural hair, you can even bring them in to have your stylist trim them to fit with your particular cut and style, Aguirre advises. Note, color-matching can sometimes be hard to nail via online photos alone, so Aguirre suggests always trying to buy these at in-person at a brick-and-mortar retailer.
Who Should Avoid Halo Extensions?
Overall, these are a pretty universal option. However, Aguirre notes that because these extensions feature a good amount of hair (meant to cover the entire head). It may not necessarily be the right choice for those who already have a lot of hair to begin with, and simply want a little more length.
Valles also adds that those with more blunt cuts might find it more difficult to blend halo extensions in, as there's often a more noticeable line of demarcation. That's even more so the case if your hair is super thick, she adds.
The Final Takeaway
There are plenty of hair extensions on the market, but halo extensions are one of the easiest ways to quickly add lots of length and volume. Putting them in couldn't be easier, and they're a good choice for almost anyone.