How to Cut Hair Extensions

Last Updated: January 29, 2021

Extensions are a fun way to switch up your look, but it can be hard to make them look natural. Whether you like human hair or synthetic extensions, you can make them look more like your own hair. By trimming and blending your extensions, you can create the illusion of beautiful long locks that look real.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Evaluating Your Hair

1
Brush your hair to remove any knots. After putting in your extensions, use a hairbrush to comb through your hair gently, avoiding the places where the extensions are attached to your scalp. Stop brushing when you’ve worked through any tangles and the brush slides through your hair easily.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Madeleine Johnson
Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist
Expert Interview. 18 December 2019.}
- The extensions and your regular hair should be incorporated more thoroughly by the brushing.
2
Smooth out your extensions and look at the overall length. Run your palms over your hair and use a mirror to look at the back of your head. You’ll notice that at the bottom edge, the extension layers start to thin and separate. Look at the edge and note where the ends of some extensions hang lower than the rest.^{[2]
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3
Pick a trim length. For your hair to look natural, you’ll need to cut the ends of any extensions that hang below your natural hair. If your hair is layered, some extensions will need to be shorter than others. If your hair is one length, all the extensions should be cut to the same length as your natural hair.
- You can also simply trim the ends of the extensions so they don’t look so blunt without removing much length.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trimming Your Extensions

1
Cut off the longer section with a razor tool. Comb the section of hair to be trimmed, and hold it firmly between the index and middle finger of your nondominant hand. Use the razor tool in your dominant hand to gently trim away the excess hair in short strokes.^{[3]
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- Using a razor tool instead of shears will help keep your ends from looking too blunt. The effect should be feathered and soft to help your true hair blend with the extensions.^{[4]
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2
Leave some length and step back to evaluate how it looks. It’s best to trim conservatively at first. You can pause and inspect your first attempt in the mirror. Go back and trim again as necessary until it looks right to you.^{[5]
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3
Comb through the hair you just trimmed. Then, take the brushed hair in your nondominant hand and grip firmly between your index and middle fingers. You should be holding the hair about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the ends. Notice any extra long pieces that are out of line with the overall shape of the new ends.^{[6]
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4
Use your shears to point cut the ends. Angle your shears so the tips are just barely pointed into the line of hair between your fingers. Trim any extra long stragglers with the scissors perpendicular to the line of hair to even out the edge. The goal should be to create a soft, polished line.^{[7]
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5
Use your razor tool to blend in face-framing pieces. Clip the rest of your hair out of the way so you can focus on these pieces. Use a gentle trimming motion to slide down the length of the hair that frames the face on both sides. You can hold the ends to provide a little resistance if necessary. The goal is to connect and blend the sides of the extensions with your polished line in the back.^{[8]
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- Doing this should create soft, face-framing layers.
6
Seek out a stylist for complex cuts. A blunt or trendy hairstyle with harsh lines or that removes lots of length can be difficult to achieve on yourself at home, especially with extensions. Make an appointment with your stylist for the best result, and plan to only trim your extensions yourself.
- Your stylist can also help install your extensions for you, if you’d prefer professional help.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Blending Your Extensions into Your Hair

1
Wash your extensions before you wear them. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner as directed to wash your extensions. This removes a little of that new, extra-glossy sheen extensions have. Let them air dry overnight before using.^{[9]
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- While silky new extensions are very pretty, they can contrast too strongly with your natural hair to blend well.
2
Curl the extensions if they’re made of human hair. Use a curling iron to curl your hair in sections of 2 inches (5.1 cm). Hold the curl for 10 seconds to set it, and spray with hairspray. This technique helps your extensions and hair intertwine naturally.^{[10]
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- If the extensions are made from human hair, spray them with a heat-protectant spray before curling to help them last longer.
- If the extensions are synthetic, avoid using any heat-styling tools or hair products on them.
3
Match the amount of extensions you use to the thickness of your hair. To keep your extensions looking natural, avoid putting in a full set of wefts (usually 10) unless you have very thick hair. Clipping too many extensions into thin hair can make your scalp look lumpy and reveal your extensions.^{[11]
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4
Avoid extra-long locks. Choose extensions shorter than 22 inches (56 cm) for the most natural look. While extra-long hair might seem appealing, it looks unnatural since few people actually have hair so long.^{[12]
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5
Take human hair extensions to a stylist for any coloring. Help your extensions blend seamlessly by having them colored to match your hair. While you can select extensions close to your color, your stylist can help you create a perfect match that helps your extensions blend their best.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Madeleine Johnson
Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist
Expert Interview. 18 December 2019.}
- If the extensions are synthetic, you won’t be able to color them.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you dye human hair extensions?

Madeleine Johnson
Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist
Madeleine Johnson is a Hair Stylist and Hair Extensions Specialist based in Beverly Hills, California. She is affiliated with Hair by Violet Salon in Beverly Hills. Madeleine has over six years of hairstyling experience as a licensed cosmetologist. She specializes in microbead extensions and tape-in extensions. She trained under celebrity extension artist Violet Teriti (Chaviv Hair) and earned her cosmetology license from Santa Monica College.

Madeleine Johnson

Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, you can dye your extensions. However, it's best to take them to a professional stylist so you get a good match between your hair color and the extensions. They'll be able to mix up the perfect color.
Question

Is it okay to cut clip-on hair extensions in half?

Community Answer

Yes. Clip it in your hair first so you know how it will look, and cut it so it will be level with your hair.