Tape-ins vs keratin bonds vs nano rings: which hair extensions are right for me?
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There are four main ways to wear hair extensions, and the right one depends on your hair, your budget and how much upkeep you want. Here's a plain-English comparison to help you and your stylist choose.
At a glance
| Keratin bonds | Nano rings | Tape-ins | Clip-ins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it's fitted | Strands bonded to your hair with heat and keratin | Strands fixed with a tiny metal bead, no heat or glue | Thin wefts sandwiched onto your hair with tape | Wefts you clip in and out yourself |
| Fitted by | A trained stylist | A trained stylist | A trained stylist | You, at home |
| Typical fitting time | Longest: often 2–4 hours | Often 2–3 hours | Quickest salon method: often around 1 hour | Minutes |
| Upkeep | Check-up every 6–8 weeks; usually worn for around 3–4 months | Move-up every 6–8 weeks | Re-tape every 6–8 weeks | None: take out before bed |
| Hair re-used? | No, new strands each time | Yes, at each move-up | Yes, at each re-tape | Yes |
| Best for | A natural, strand-by-strand blend | No heat or glue near your own hair | Fine hair and a flat, smooth finish | Occasions, or trying extensions first |
Times vary with how much hair is being fitted and your stylist's own method, so always check with them when you book.
Keratin bonds
Each strand has a flat keratin tip that your stylist melts onto a small section of your own hair. Because they're fitted strand by strand, bonds move and blend very naturally, and you can wear your hair up. They take the longest to fit and aren't re-used: when they're removed, you start with new strands. Keep oils, conditioner and hot tools away from the bonds.
Nano rings
Each strand has a fine loop that your stylist threads through a tiny bead with a small section of your hair, then closes with pliers. There's no heat and no glue, and the beads are small enough to sit discreetly. Your stylist moves them up every 6–8 weeks as your hair grows, re-using the same hair, which makes them good value over time.
Tape-ins
Thin, flat wefts are pressed together on either side of a section of your hair, like a sandwich. They're the quickest salon method to fit, lie very flat to the scalp and spread their weight well, which suits fine hair. Every 6–8 weeks your stylist removes them, re-tapes the same wefts and fits them back higher up. Avoid oil-based products near the tapes.
We also sell invisible tape-ins with thinner tabs for close partings, and a tape weft your stylist cuts to size.
Clip-ins
A set of wefts with small clips that you put in and take out yourself in a few minutes. There's no salon visit and no commitment, so they're ideal for nights out, weddings and debs, or for trying extensions before committing to a fitted method. Take them out before sleeping or swimming.
Which should I choose?
- Want extensions you can forget about for weeks? Keratin bonds or nano rings.
- Want no heat or glue on your hair? Nano rings.
- Have fine hair, or want the quickest salon fitting? Tape-ins.
- Want them only for special occasions? Clip-ins.
Whichever you choose, all our extensions are Remy human hair in 12 shades and 20, 22 or 24 inches. For how much to order, see our guide How many grams of hair extensions do I need?
Questions? Email info@aurahair.ie and we're happy to help.