How to Put In Clip-in Hair Extensions Yourself: Step by Step

Clip-in hair extensions are the easiest way to go from short to long, or from flat to full, without a salon. The first time can feel fiddly, but once you know the method, a full set takes about ten minutes and looks completely natural.

This step by step guide shows you how to put hair extensions in yourself, where each piece goes, how to hide the clips and how to style everything so it blends. If you have not chosen a set yet, browse our clip-in hair extensions first, or read about the other types of hair extensions.

What You Need Before You Start

• Your clip-in set, laid out from widest to narrowest piece.
• A tail comb for clean, straight partings.
• Two or three sectioning clips to hold your hair out of the way.
• A loop brush or soft paddle brush that will not snag the wefts.
• Dry shampoo or a light hairspray to give fine hair more grip.
• A mirror, ideally with a second hand mirror to check the back.

Start with clean, completely dry hair. Very slippery, freshly washed hair is harder to grip, so many women prefer second day hair or a little dry shampoo at the roots.

Understanding the Pieces in Your Set

Most full head sets contain 7 to 10 wefts of different widths. Each width has a job:

• The widest weft (usually with 4 or 5 clips) goes across the back of your head where you need the most volume.
• Medium wefts (3 clips) go in the middle layers at the back.
• Narrow wefts (1 or 2 clips) go at the sides, above and behind your ears.

Lay them out in order before you start, so you always pick the right piece for each section.

How to Put In Clip-in Hair Extensions: Step by Step

Step 1: Brush and Section at the Nape

Brush your hair smooth. Using your tail comb, make a horizontal parting about two fingers above the hairline at the nape of your neck. Twist the hair above the parting and clip it out of the way.

Step 2: Prepare the Root

Lightly tease the hair along the parting with your comb, or spray a little dry shampoo. This creates a soft base that stops the clips from sliding, especially in fine or silky hair.

Step 3: Clip In the First Weft

Open all the clips on a medium weft. Hold it with the clips facing your head and place it just below the parting. Snap the middle clip first, then the clips on each side. The weft should sit flat and straight along the parting.

Step 4: Work Upwards

Let down a new section about two fingers higher, make a new parting and repeat. Place your widest weft across the back of the head, roughly level with the tops of your ears. Keep each row slightly curved to follow the shape of your head rather than in a dead straight line.

Step 5: Add the Side Pieces

Make a parting above each ear and clip in the narrow wefts. Keep them at least an inch below your natural parting so they stay covered, and keep them back from your face so they do not show when you tuck your hair behind your ear.

Step 6: Leave Hair on Top

Stop adding wefts about an inch below your parting. This top layer of your own hair is what hides everything, so do not clip anything into it.

Step 7: Blend and Style

Let all your hair down and brush it together from the ends upwards. Then style your own hair and the extensions as one: a few loose waves with a large curling iron, or a smooth blow dry for a sleek look. Styling them together is the secret to a seamless blend.

How to Hide the Clips

• Never clip too close to the parting. Leave a full inch of your own hair on top.
• Use enough hair under each clip. A section about as thick as a pencil holds better and hides better.
• Follow the curve of your head. Wefts placed in a straight line can show at the sides.
• Choose seamless wefts for fine hair. Seamless PU clip-ins lie flat and are almost invisible.
• Add movement. Waves and curls hide the edges of each weft much better than poker straight hair.

How Many Pieces Should You Use?

You do not always need the full set. Choose based on your goal and your hair:

• Just a little volume: 2 or 3 wefts at the back.
• Volume and some length: 4 or 5 wefts, the widest at the back plus the sides.
• Full length change: the complete set, especially if your hair is medium or thick.

If your hair is fine, a lighter set of around 100 to 120 grams or a one piece clip-in usually looks more natural than a heavy full set. Our guide to the best hair extensions for thin hair explains more.

Clip-in Styles You Can Try

• Loose waves: curl in alternating directions and brush out lightly.
• Half up, half down: clip the wefts slightly lower so they stay hidden when you tie the top section back.
• High ponytail: place the wefts higher and closer to the centre of the head, then gather everything into the ponytail.
• Low bun under a hijab: two or three wefts at the nape add shape and volume. See wearing hair extensions with a hijab.

Tips for Different Hair Types

The basic method is the same for everyone, but a few small changes make a big difference depending on your hair.

Fine or Thin Hair

Fine hair has less hair to grip each clip and less hair to cover each weft. Tease the root a little more, use slightly wider sections under each clip and choose lighter, seamless wefts. Fewer pieces placed well always look better than a heavy full set. If clips still show, a halo may suit you better; compare both in halo vs clip-in hair extensions.

Thick Hair

Thick hair hides clips easily but can make a single set look thin at the ends. Use every piece in your set, place the wefts a little closer together, and consider two sets in the same shade if you want a dramatic length change.

Curly and Coily Hair

Choose clip-ins with a curl pattern that matches yours, and put them in after you have styled your curls. Scrunch a little curl cream through your hair and the extensions together so the patterns mix. Our curly hair extensions guide explains how to match curl types.

Layered or Short Hair

If your hair has a lot of short layers, place the wefts lower at the back and avoid the sides, where short layers can expose the clips. Choosing a length only a few inches longer than your own hair gives the most natural result.

Caring for Your Clips

The clips are what keep your set secure, so look after them. Always close the clips before storing the wefts, as leaving them open weakens the spring. If a clip loosens over time, gently press the two sides closer together with your fingers so it grips firmly again. Keep the clips away from heat tools while styling, and check them every few weeks for any loose stitching.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Clipping into wet hair. Always start with completely dry hair.
2. Using tiny sections. The clip slips and pulls on a few strands.
3. Brushing from the roots down. Start at the ends and hold the hair near the root as you brush.
4. Sleeping in clip-ins. Always take them out at night.
5. Choosing the wrong shade. Match to your ends in daylight. Our guide on matching hair extensions to your hair colour helps.

How to Take Clip-ins Out

Start at the top and work down. Gently feel for each clip, press it open and slide the weft out without pulling. Brush each weft from the ends upwards, close the clips so they keep their spring, and store the set flat in its box or on a hanger. For washing and storage, see our full hair extension aftercare guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to put in clip-in extensions?

The first time can take 20 to 30 minutes. After a few tries, most women put in a full set in 5 to 10 minutes.

Do clip-in extensions hurt?

They should not. If a clip pinches or pulls, it is on too small a section or too close to the scalp. Move it slightly lower and use more hair under it.

Can I put clip-ins in short hair?

Yes, if your hair is at least chin length so it covers the wefts. Choose a shorter length and fewer pieces for the best blend. See hair extensions for short hair.

Can I curl or straighten clip-ins while wearing them?

Human hair clip-ins can be styled with heat, ideally with a heat protection spray. Synthetic clip-ins should only be styled if they are labelled heat resistant, on a low setting.

Can I wear clip-ins every day?

Yes, as long as you remove them at night and give your hair a rest day now and then.

Find Your Set

Ready to try it yourself? Browse our clip-in hair extensions in straight, wavy and curly textures, or send us a daylight photo on WhatsApp for help choosing your shade. Pay with Cash on Delivery, with free UAE delivery on orders over AED 200.