These Are The 11 Best Hair Extensions Brands Out There

Aug 16, 2023

Who: Yene Damtew, stylist (clients include Michelle Obama and Elaine Welteroth).

Why: "I love Indique because of the versatility they offer. They have wigs, bulk hair, wefted hair, and clips. All of their hair undergoes quality assurance and they stand by the reputation of their product. They also have a number of textures, as well as stores all across the country — this allows clients the ability to go in and touch the hair for [themselves]. The client's experience is unlike anything else, very VIP and premium."

Expert Tip: "[When caring for extensions] I wash them and let them dry so they are clean and ready to go for my next installation. Additionally, I either keep them in a Ziploc bag labeled with the texture and length or in the original bag it came in."

Who: Laura Rugetti, hairstylist (clients include Teddi Mellencamp, Tori Spelling, Delilah Belle Hamlin, Shannon Bedor, and Denise Richards).

Why: "Richy Hair is the best quality and hand-selected fine hair. In terms of the production process, they use 100 percent Russian Siberian hair that uses no harsh chemicals. Unlike other competitors, Richy Hair avoids using bleach and, as an alternative, lets the hair soak for four to six weeks in a gentle, cold bath solution with proteins and enzymes that facilitate release of melanin pigment to lighten the hair in preparation for the dying process. As a result, their extensions are uniquely able to maintain their cuticle for softer, more durable, undamaged hair. Honestly, they are the best extensions I have ever used. They're [some] of the most natural-looking on the market."

Who: Marc Mena, hairstylist and extension expert (clients include: Madelaine Petsch and Mindy Kaling).

Why: "Great Lengths is pretty transparent from where they source their hair, unlike other companies. For example, they use 100 percent Remy quality raw hair from India and each bundle comes from one head so you have the same texture throughout the hair. [In terms of care], I like to use sulfate- and silicone-free products, which are gentler and will help preserve the longevity of the hair."

Expert Tip: "If you are using clip-in extensions, I like to clip them at the root on pant hangers and hang them in my closet."

Who: Blake Newby, freelance beauty writer.

Why: "I've been wearing weaves since I was 15 years old, so I've tried my fair share of extensions. Frankly, the weave industry is now extremely over-saturated, and it can be hard to differentiate between what's quality and what's not. However, with DHair Boutique the bundles are made to last, not just look cute for a few days. You really do get what you pay for. The wefts are perfectly secured, the hair returns to its original pattern after a wash, and the ends don't come ratty like many other brands. Plus, Megan Thee Stallion wears their bundles."

Expert Tip: "Don't be so quick to purchase the hair that your favorite celeb or hairstylist posts and tags. I've made that mistake and have found that genuine word-of-mouth is the way to go. Additionally, talk to your hairstylist, the person you trust with your look. Ask them if the hair dyes well, what the shedding rate is like, etc."

Who: Brande Victorian, senior content director, MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful.

Why: "Kinkistry offers wigs, clip-ins, bundles, and ponytails in seven different curl patterns, from 2B to 4C, which is more than other brands on the market, so Kinkistry is really filling a void catering to a category of consumers which is often ignored in multiple ways. Plus, the brand is founded, owned, and operated by a Black woman so it feels great to be supporting a double minority-owned business when you purchase."

Expert Tip: "A lot of people think extensions are going to be drastically easier than dealing with your own hair. With some textures and styles that's true, but extensions require maintenance as well, especially if you want to be able to use the hair multiple times. Be diligent about keeping the hair moisturized during the day and twisted or tied down at night for longevity."

Who: Nelson Vercher, lead hairstylist at the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City (clients include Tamia, Kelly Rowland, and Carmen Ejogo).

Why: "There are so many good extension brands out there, so it's key to identify what you want (i.e. clip-in, tape-in, wefted, etc.). Then, you can figure out which brand works best from there. I love Extensionology for tape-in hair as they have a wide range of colors, as well as seamless tape."

Expert Tip: "Always brush your extensions out before bed or storing them. Even if you don't wear them for six months, you should take them out and brush every couple of months to keep that shine."

Who: Maisha Oliver, hairstylist (clients include Lauren London, Khloe Kardashian, Angela Simmons, Meagan Good, and Mariah Carey).

Why: "I actually work with a few different hair brands that help me achieve the desired look that my clients want. However Elgin Charles of Beverly Hills is consistent — I know what I’m getting when I buy from them. Hair that is tangle-free, shed-free, and easy to color."

Expert Tip: "If you are a consistent extension wearer, after you remove them, label them with the style you wore and/or take a picture. This way, if you want to go back to that look you have a reference. Wigs in particular should be shampooed, blow-dried, and placed on a mannequin head until [you're] ready to use again."

Who: Ama Kwarteng, beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan.

Why: "While I'm not married to one brand of extensions, I do love True Indian Hair. It's 100 percent virgin hair, so it can be styled and colored any way I want without sacrificing the quality of the extensions. They don't shed as much as other brands I've tried, the hair is super soft, and lasts for a long time." [Editor's Note: Vercher is also a fan of this line.]

Expert Tip: "I don't know who needs to hear this, but don't keep your extensions (specifically sew-in hair extensions) in for longer than eight weeks. You're doing damage to your natural hair and opening yourself up to issues (like breakage) by keeping it in longer than that."

Who: Tira A. Urquhart, digital style and beauty editor at BET.com

Why: "Density is everything. I’ve purchased bundles and they’ve been so thin. This hair has great density, doesn't get tangled very easily, and doesn't have a weird smell like some of the other brands I’ve purchased. By Wynter hair is affordable and it's great quality."

Expert Tip: "[For maintenance], I use The Mane Choice shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner — it's great for extensions. I also pre-wash them and let air-dry before they are installed. For everyday maintenance, I use Moroccanoil Treatment to give a little shine."

Who: Samantha Carlaftes, hairstylist and hair extension specialist (clients include Alicia Keys and Victory Boyd).

Why: "HotHeads Hair Extensions are my favorite tape-ins because they're so easy to apply on my clients. They last anywhere from eight to 10 weeks and are extremely easy to maintain as a consumer. Tape-in hair extensions are truly the future for longevity and natural-looking hair."

Expert Tip: "If you're looking to buy hair extensions online, I would pay attention to the grams of hair you are looking to purchase. The higher the grams, the thicker and heavier the hair will be. But be wary if you have fine hair and you buy 250 grams of hair — you have the chance [to create some] excess damage [if you put too much in]. Be realistic with what you think your hair can handle — a rule of thumb is to understand the density of your hair. Consider how long it takes you to blow-dry your hair. For example for thin, fine hair takes roughly two to four minutes to dry, while thick, dense hair can take up to 15 minutes or more. [I'd recommend] 100 grams for fine hair, up to 150 grams for medium hair, and no more than 220 grams for thick hair."

Who: Shan Arnold, LW Salon stylist. (Clients include NBC's Sheinelle Jones, K-Michelle, and Jessica White).

Why: "Yummy Hair Extensions are 100 percent raw human hair, it's absolutely tangle- and shed-free, and blends with all hair types. I also love that it holds a curl and style easily. Plus, it reverts back to its natural state after being washed. Most importantly, it's reusable."

Expert Tip: [When you buy extensions,] consider your lifestyle and what [kind] of extensions would be best for you. This will help when you are shopping online. For example, if you want volume or length for an event, clip-ins are worth the investment. On the other hand, if you go to the gym often or want more of a protective style, sew-in extensions are best."

Our favorite experts and editors have spoken.

Originally Appeared on Allure