Extensions... not sure what to do!

Do you absolutely need extensions? Will they make that much of a difference? At that price, I'd go all natural if you can. I can't justify spending that money on hair if I wasn't going to us it often. Do you plan to use and wear them regularly?

I have rather short hair so extensions would be noticeable on me anyhow, but all in all that's a lot of dollars for one day.

Are you wearing your hair up or down?

If up, I would definitely forgo the extensions.

If down, I still would likely forgo the extensions. I'm sure your HMU is wonderful, but remember they make money off of selling you the extensions and charging you to cut and style them. And I would absolutely not do the 18" extensions - your HMU is going to want to cut your hair 6" or blend it and you won't like the aftermath.

That said, I purchase my clip ins from donna bella hair (I used to do keratin bonds from there and will before the wedding). I looked and they only have 20". These are the ones I buy and they are only $155. You can buy samples to make sure they match your hair for $2 (I purchased and kept three).

Good thing with clipins is that you can reuse them! (for about 6 months of total wear)

Good luck! Curious to hear what you do.

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Thanks for sending me your thoughts, FutureMrsKC! This would be my first time using extensions, so I am not sure if I would use them regularly or not (although I suspect the answer is no). Yes, it is definitely hard to justify the costs for one day if not!

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Thank you so much for checking a place that you have some experience buying from!!! I am sad that they only have 20" for the clip ins, but I did purchase a couple of color swatches to see what might match my hair just in case (since they were only $2). I am wondering if 20" might be long enough if they are clipped about half way down my head? Do people do this? Does it look stupid? I'm clueless about this!

I am planning on doing a side-swept or all-down style (my FH would prefer all-down). If I do side-swept, I definitely need a bit of length to get the look I am going for... and if all-down, I think I need some volume! I have been growing my hair out for the wedding, and I'm currently at only 19" from part to end of my hair.

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Ohhhhhhhhhhh, you typically wear them above the nape of your neck, one inch above that, one inch about that, another inch above that, then you add the small clips to the side. The idea is to make sure your natural hair covers the clips themselves. I have a small head and fine thin hair and I only do above the nape, one more above that, and then one on each side (and since that's half of what you get I have two sets!... one straight, one curled).

If you go to the site and scroll down to "installation tips" it has a diagram. Here's the screenshot:

clip in extensions

Given your hair is 19" ish you might ask a hair stylist or your HMU if they think 20" is okay. I'm GUESSING it is, but please don't take my word! If you're dead set on extensions you might also consider having your hair cut a littttttle to accommodate the extension. Not sure if this helps or not, but here's a good length diagram:

extension lengths

Here's a tip: I have my hair stylist cut and style my hair, THEN they put in the extensions and cut only the extensions to make them look good with my hair. That way I can wear the extensions or not and my hair still looks good. I love the clip-ins b/c they're less expensive than keratin bonds ($300-$1,000 every three months) and I can take them out to workout. You wash them every 3-14 wears (weird, I know) and they last six months.

Also, DonnaBella is real remy hair just like Bellisima. I've always been perplexed at the latters prices.

I'm sure you want to see pictures of me, haha, but first is without extensions, second is with. They're 16" (you lose a little when you curl, but same with normal hair). I mainly use them for volume.

without extensions

with extensions

I’d listen to my stylist and go with the right length. It sounds like dying your hair the day of to match them is doable. Not the most expensive either so I’d tell myself I’m saving money and make the purchase...the extra hair will definitely add to your style that day

View Quoted Comment Thank you SO much for sharing the diagrams and some pictures with me! I appreciate this a lot, because I have no clue what I’m doing. You’re so pretty with or without extensions, and sharing the pictures helps me know the difference they make on a real person rather than the models they use on the websites.

I think I’m going to try extensions - just hope the DonnaBella samples arrive in enough time for me to order the set before my wedding. In the meantime, I’m going to check with my stylist if 20” will be long enough!

Thanks again for your help and advice!!

PERFECT! Your stylist will definitely know better than I would. Good luck!!... I can’t wait to se pictures!