“Which hair extensions are best?” It’s the first question every client asks in the consultation chair — right after “how long will this take?” and “can I still put my hair in a ponytail?” Good news: there’s a real answer. It’s just not the same answer for everyone.

Keratin bonds: the perfectionist’s pick

Want extensions that vanish into your hair rather than sit on top of it? Keratin bonds are your answer. Stylists rank this method as the most advanced on the market — and once you’ve worn a set, you’ll understand why.

Each strand gets its own bond, which means your hair moves the way hair actually moves. Throw it into a slick ponytail, a messy bun, or a half-up style you invented at 7am — nobody will spot an attachment point. If you love switching up your hairstyle, keratin bonds keep up with you.

Colour is where bonds really flex. Multi-tonal hair, balayage, a few sneaky greys you’re not ready to talk about — your stylist can blend individual strands to match it all. Tapes and wefts can’t do this, because they come as panels, not single strands.

And for anyone who’d rather not live at the salon: bonds last four to six months before a move-up. Yes, the install takes longer than tape or wefts. Think of it as the difference between fast food and a proper sit-down meal — one’s quicker, the other’s worth the wait.

Tape extensions: the efficient multitasker

If keratin bonds are the sit-down meal, tape extensions are the express lane — quick to apply, quick to love. Expect a top-up every six to eight weeks, which suits anyone who likes structure (and a standing excuse for a regular salon date).

Tape works best if you wear your hair down more often than not. The flat, reusable panels sit close to the scalp and disappear under a layer of hair, so nobody’s the wiser.

Budget-wise, tape wins on upfront cost. Just don’t forget to pencil in those six-to-eight-week visits — over a year, they add up faster than most people expect.

Wefts: the reliable starter kit

New to extensions and not ready to commit to a full personality overhaul? Wefts are your gateway. One application, instant volume and length — it’s the extensions equivalent of a great beginner recipe.

Wefts install in a single row, so wash day stays simple: section, shampoo, done. If you like a set routine and don’t mind returning to the salon on schedule, wefts fit right in.

The trade-off? Less colour customisation, since wefts come as panels rather than individual strands, and they read a little more “extension” than “undetectable.” But for straightforward volume without the learning curve, wefts do the job well.

Quick comparison: which method wins?

Plot twist: the method isn’t even the main character

Here’s the bit nobody mentions in the consultation: the method matters less than the hair itself. You can have the most advanced application in the salon and still end up with tangled, dull extensions if the hair underneath is poor quality.

The best hair extensions keep the cuticle intact and running in one direction — the single feature that keeps hair from turning into a bird’s nest three weeks in.

Premium hair, like Great Lengths, skips the disguise altogether. It keeps the hair’s natural integrity from root to tip, so what you install in week one still looks great in month four. Applied and cared for properly, good-quality extensions shouldn’t damage your natural hair either. That’s not a nice-to-have — treat it as the baseline.

How to spot the real deal

Skip the sales pitch and go straight to the receipts. Real salon reviews. Before-and-afters. How long other clients’ extensions actually lasted before they needed replacing.

Then, in your consultation, ask two blunt questions: how long do these extensions usually last, and how do they hold up over time? A stylist’s answer tells you more than any brochure will.

A good stylist won’t hand you a one-size-fits-all script. They’ll look at your hair, your routine and your goals, then recommend the method that actually fits — not just the one they’re pushing hardest that month.

So, which hair extensions are best?

Depends what you’re after:

• Craving maximum movement, flexibility and a custom colour blend? Keratin bonds are your match.
• Want speed, reusability and a friendlier price tag? Tape’s got you.
• Testing the waters or just want easy volume? Wefts make a great first date with extensions.

Pick the method that suits your budget, your patience for salon visits, and the result you actually want — not whatever’s trending this month.