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The 8 Best Tape-In Extensions That Won’t Damage Your Own Hair

 

The key to longer hair in a matter of minutes.

Whether you’re looking to add length, volume, or a little bit of both—the easiest (and fastest) way to do so is with hair extensions. And while extensions were once thought of as a super high-end service reserved solely for celebs on the red carpet, they’re now more accessible than ever with tape-in options you can use at home.

As the name suggests, the extensions are attached to a strong adhesive. When applying them, the natural hair is sandwiched in between two extension pieces, and the adhesive attached to the scalp, explains Leigh Hardges, stylist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon. Application is fairly quick and easy; it requires no tools or chemicals, and can take less than an hour to apply a full head’s worth with minimal damage when done correctly, adds stylist Gina Rivera, CEO of Phenix Salon Suites. (Though on that note, if you plan on sporting extensions for more than just one night out, it’s always best to leave it up the pros, since the placement of each piece is critical.)

We conducted hours of research on the best tape-in extensions, evaluating each model on type of hair, shades available, and number of wefts. We also considered how easy they were to apply, and made sure none of these options damaged your hair. After considering dozens of options and consulting with three hair stylists, we landed on these recommendations.

Best Overall
Glam Seamless Hand Tied Tape In Hair Extensions

What We Like

• Various lengths, colors, textures, and tape wefts
• Single pieces make for easy DIY application
• Blend in seamlessly with natural hair

What We Don’t Like

• Nothing

Hardges is a fan of these extensions both because of the “great quality” of the hair and the predictable results they deliver. There’s an incredibly wide range of color and length options, as well as wavy varieties for when you want a little texture. You can also pick from different types of tape wefts and visible or non-visible sew lines (the spot where the hair and the tape meet). They even have singular pieces meant for easy DIY application, ideal for anyone who doesn’t have time for a trip to the salon. Although these extensions are fairly expensive, we think the quality of 100 percent Remy hair and ease of installation justify the spend.

Price at time of publish: $160-$360

Type: 100 percent Remy human hair | Shades: 47 | Number of Wefts: 20

Best Overall, Runner-Up
Indique Tape Extensions

What We Like

• Can easily be styled
• Very lightweight
• Adds volume

What We Don’t Like

• Fewer shades than some others
• Only available in one length

Rivera suggests these for anyone looking for some of the best quality extensions out there. “These Remy virgin hair extensions are a terrific choice because the hair used has cuticle layers facing the same direction from root to end," she says. "This ensures that the extensions behave exactly like your own hair, and can be washed, blow-dried, curled, flat ironed, colored, and even permed." She also points out that they’re incredibly lightweight and soft, making for a full and voluminous effect. While the quality is excellent, it's worth noting that they only come in one length which can be especially challenging if you have super long hair.

Price at time of publish: $149

Type: 100 percent Remy human hair | Shades: 24 | Number of Wefts: 20

Best Length-Selection
VeSunny Tape In Hair Extensions

What We Like

• More affordable than many
• Various lengths
• Easy to style

What We Don’t Like

• Fewer shades than some others

Generally speaking, most extensions come in three or four different lengths. But these come in a whopping six options, ranging from 14 inches to 24 inches. The various lengths makes them fitting for creating a wide range of hair looks, as well as appealing to tons of different people with varying hair lengths. Made of Remy hair, they can also be treated and styled as you would your natural hair.

Price at time of publish: $98

Type: 100 percent Remy human hair | Shades: 10 | Number of Wefts: 10

Best for Longevity
Bellami Tape In Extensions

What We Like

• Long-lasting
• Various colors
• Ideal for fine hair
• Reusable

What We Don’t Like

• Nothing

The adhesive on these is a unique polyurethane tape that was developed and tested over three years—meant to deliver both secure applications, easy removal, and comfortable wear the entire time. The result? Six to nine weeks of wear for each application, but up to a year's lifespan for each piece—making them a great options if you want to use hair extensions consistently. Each one also has double-sided tape so that you can sandwich the natural hair in between each weft—there’s also a single-sided tape option for fine hair. Not to mention that there are varying lengths and plenty of colors to choose from, too.

Price at time of publish: $248-$363

Type: 100 percent Remy human hair | Shades: 46 | Number of Wefts: 10

Best Color Selection
Donna Bella Hair Tape-In Hair Extensions

What We Like

• Various colors
• Good value
• More pieces available than other options

What We Don’t Like

• Not a large variety of textures

Maybe you’re trying to match your hair color exactly, or maybe you’re looking for extensions in just a slightly different color to create faux highlights. Perhaps you even want try out a bold shade for a one-time event. Either way, you can find the color you need with this brand, a recommendation from Rivera who praises both the selection and quality.

There are, wait for it, 60 different shades of tape-in extensions to choose from, ranging from natural blonde and brunette to funky green and purple. Plus, they’re all made of Remy hair and come with more pieces per package than many other brands offer.

Price at time of publish: $60-$180

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 60 | Number of Wefts: 20

Best Color Selection, Runner-Up
The Hair Shop Smart Tabs Tape-In Extensions

What We Like

• Various lengths and colors
• Reusable
• Can be styled up to 375 F

What We Don’t Like

• Not a large variety of textures
• Require applicator tool

These extensions also come in a litany of different hues, as well as three different lengths. The unique tape-in method used means these can be worn and reused, though, FYI, you do need a special applicator tool to help fully seal them. (If that feels intimidating, celebrity extension specialist, Priscilla Valles is also a fan of the clip-in extensions this brand makes.)

Price at time of publish: $35-$70

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 56 | Number of Wefts: 6

Best on Amazon
AmazingBeauty Tape In Hair Extensions

What We Like

• Various lengths and colors
• More affordable than many
• Thick, shiny hair

What We Don’t Like

• Fewer shades than some others

Made of 100 percent human Remy hair, these are an Amazon fan favorite. They consistently pull in positive reviews, with shoppers raving about the quality and affordable price. They come in five lengths ranging from 14 to 22 inches and 17 shades, though if none of those are doing it for you, you can also color them. However, keep in mind that you can’t lift (lighten) the color.

Price at time of publish: $50-$70

Type: 100 percent Remy human hair | Shades: 17 | Number of Wefts: 20

Best for Versatility
Satin Strands Premium 18-Inch Human Hair Extensions

What We Like

• Uniform density
• Good value
• Thicker, more voluminous than other options

What We Don’t Like

• Fewer shades than some others
• Only comes in one length

This option offers plenty of versatility; it can be used with any hair extension application, including tape, weaving, or clip-ins, making it a great pick for anyone who likes to change up how they use their extensions. Available in a few shades, each one is multi-dimensional to blend well with a variety of natural hair colors. And with a higher percentage of strands than many other 18-inch extension options, you also get uniform thickness and volume from top to bottom.

Price at time of publish: $109

Type: 100 percent Remy human hair | Shades: 7 | Number of Wefts: 20

Hardges notes that in order to keep the look as natural as possible, stick with no more than 12 to 15 extension pieces throughout your hair; using more than that can make them look very obvious.

Final Verdict

Tape-in hair extensions offer a nice way to add both length and volume to your hair. The Glam Seamless Hair Extensions are the best option on the market, offering great options for varied length, texture, and shades, and available in easy to DIY single pieces. We also love Indique Tape-In Hair Extensions, because they're lightweight yet supple, and are super easy to apply.

 

MEET THE EXPERT

Leigh Hardges is a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. A self-proclaimed product enthusiast, she has over 15 years of professional experience and has worked with many brands as an educator and stylist. She’s also a Black hair expert.

Gina Rivera is a hair artist and the CEO of Phenix Salon Suites, one of the fastest-growing salon companies in the beauty industry. She’s also the creator of her line of styling products and infrared styling tools.

Priscilla Valles is a celebrity extension specialist and the creator of Glam Seamless extensions.

What to Look for in Tape-In Hair Extensions

Hang-Tied

According to Valles, these extensions, which are knotted onto a thin, mono-mesh weft base, will blend seamlessly with your scalp and offer natural-looking movement.

Rooted Skin Wefts

This is another feature that Valles says will help ensure the extensions blend in seamlessly with your natural hair.

Remy Hair

Consider using tape-ins that are made of 100 percent Remy hair, meaning human hair that has not been stripped and the cuticle remains intact. This will help ensure your hair extensions stay shiny even after being washed, dried, and styled numerous times.

FAQ

How do you apply tape-in hair extensions?

Ideally, Valles recommends getting them professionally applied since it can be hard to do the back of your head. If you do want to DIY, she recommends starting by sectioning your hair into three big pieces—two on each side and one in the back. Take small pieces within the section and sandwich them in between the two parts of the extension, then flat iron over it for two seconds to get them to stay in place, she says. 

How long do tape-in hair extensions last?

Valles says about four to eight weeks, though some can then be reused for up to a year.

Are tape-in hair extensions safe for all hair types?

“For the most part, yes. They are one of the safer types of extensions,” says Valles.

How do you remove tape-in hair extensions?

To remove tape-in hair extensions at home, first separate your hair into sections. You will need a special tape-in remover to dissolve the glue that holds the tape-in in place. Once you dissolve the glue and remove them, you can wash the hair extensions and reuse them with new tape when you want to re-install them. Good tape-ins can last up to one year of multiple-wear use.

Do tape-in extensions damage your natural hair?

Tape-ins are less damaging than other forms of extensions because they tend to not tug at the roots of your natural hair like sew in hair extensions do. The lack of tugging helps to prevent hair loss and damage. However, it's important to properly dissolve the glue on tape-ins when removing them in order to prevent pulling and breakage.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Since she doesn’t wear extensions, she relied on expert intel and tons of reviews and consumer input when researching this article.