The 10 Best Tape-In Hair Extensions & Why They Work for Everyone (2024)

Hair extensions have gotten a reputation for being high-maintenance, damaging, and an extravagance best left to people who frequent the red carpet. But that's not actually the case, especially when we're talking about tape-in hair extensions. When it comes to getting great length, volume, and keeping your real hair healthy, they're the best! Tape-in hair extensions are something I've been using for years and I recommend them 100 percent. Allow me to make my case and point you to ten leading brands, plus a healthy dose of Instagram inspiration.

1. Tape-In Hair Extensions Don’t Look Fake

Tape-in extensions really do look like your natural head of hair. I've been wearing extensions for years, and I have friends and colleagues who don't believe me when I tell them. The bonds lie completely flat against the head and are so comfortable, I often forget about them completely — that is, until I catch a glimpse of my long, thick ponytail in the mirror (yup, you can even wear a ponytail). But keep in mind that not all hair is created equal. Matching hair density, texture, thickness, and color is critical to pulling off a seamless look. When shopping for a new head of hair, look for 100 percent human hair, either European virgin or Remy strands. In technical terms, this means that the hair cuticle is in tact and facing in the same direction. What that means to you is that you can style, dry, and iron the extensions just as you would your natural hair without fear of excessive tangles and matting. My ultimate favorite is Invisi-tab Virgin European Hair Extensions.

2. Putting Them in and Taking Them Out Isn't Too Time-Consuming

Seriously. It takes an hour and a half tops, no longer than a head of highlights. And that's for a whole head. The extension hair is bonded to inch-long super sticky strips. The stylist peels off the cover (just like a sticker), revealing the adhesive, and sandwiches small sections of natural hair between two of these strips. It sounds easy enough for DIY, but the placement is critical to the overall look, so leave it to a trained stylist.

As for the removal, that's even faster. The stylist drenches the tape bonds in a solute that loosens the adhesive, then gently wiggles the extensions off. Then, all you need is a couple of shampoos to remove all of the solution. Beware of extensions that require a remover containing acetone or alcohol, which can be harsh and drying if left on the hair for too long. (Again, my favorite, Invisi-tab Virgin European Hair Extensions, has its own organic remover formulated with citrus oil, a much gentler option for hair and skin.) I stick to a schedule of removal and/or reapplication every eight to ten weeks. As your hair grows out, the bond inches farther away from the root, and the further the bond is from the root, the more likely it is twist and tangle — and possibly reveal your well-kept secret.

3. They're Easy to Care For

I wash, blow-dry, flatiron, curl, scrunch, and braid my extensions. Basically, I treat them just as I would my own natural hair. Which is to say, as gently as possible. Like natural hair, extensions (specifically the adhesive bonds) are most fragile when wet. I like to blast my roots and bonds with a blow-dryer before gently combing through to detangle. This helps prevent any tugging on the wet bonds. I also always sleep with my hair in a loose braid. It not only helps prevent any tangling during the night but also results in the world's easiest waves. My extension hair actually holds hairstyles better than my natural hair.

4. They Don’t Cause Damage

Are tape-in hair extensions safe? YES. Do tape-in hair extensions damage hair? NO. Really — it’s true! We've all heard the traumatic stories of celebrities who ended up with giant bald patches or tons of breakage because of extensions. In my experience, however, if they are applied correctly and treated with care, tape-in extensions pose no threat to the overall health of your natural hair. I actually turned to hair extensions after experiencing post-coloring damage. I had been trying to grow my hair out for almost two years when I decided to speed up the process a bit and apply tape-in hair extensions myself. Now, my natural hair looks and feels as healthy as it did pre-color damage.

These Are the Top 10 Brands of Hair Extensions

Now that you're convinced tape-in extensions are awesome, you're probably wondering what brands hair extension pros recommend. Here's a short list:

Instagram Looks We Love That Use Tape-In Hair Extensions

As if you needed any more convincing, here are 10 ladies rocking tape-in extensions (on short hair and long hair) on Instagram.

1. Beach Blonde Bombshell