Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (2024)

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (1)

Long, voluminous locks will always be in style, but some of us need hair extensions to help us get that added length and volume we want. There are lots of questions we had about extensions about application tips, extensions for different hair types, synthetic vs natural extensions, and more, so we turned to Priscilla Valles, celebrity hairstylist (her clientele includes red carpet regulars such as Christina Aguilera, Chrissy Teigen, and Kylie Jenner, to name a few) who has her own salon at The Palms in Las Vegas, to answer our most pressing questions and tell us what to look for when hair shopping.

What are the best types of hair extensions?

First, you'll have to make sure you're getting natural hair extensions. "Most hair extensions are made out of human hair. There are synthetic ones too, but not too many since you can’t apply heat to them, and therefore you can't style your hair," explains Valles.

Clip-ins are the the fastest and most affordable type of hair extension. You can apply them yourself in 10 to 15 minutes by using toupee-like clips to secure the band of hair to your scalp. "Imagine a hula skirt of hair with clips on it," says Valles. The cost of clip-in hair extensions can cost anywhere from $100 to $200.

Sew-ins are one of the older types of hair extensions. They are secured to the scalp by braiding the natural hair horizontally from ear to ear then sewing the weft of hair into the braid. On average, sew-in extensions cost a minimum of $275 plus $60 for every track sewn in.

Tape-ins are Valles favorite type of hair extension. "Tape-ins are thicker and give you picture perfect hair," says Valles. They are segments of hair attached to two-inch thick double sided keratin tape. The extensions are secured by sandwiching the tape between strands of your natural hair and cost as low as $200 for partial extensions or more if you have very thin hair.

Glue-ins are a bit more expensive because of the work involved in application. The average cost is around $300-$500. They are applied by melting a plastic keratin bond the size of a grain of rice around your natural strands. Valles describes the process as basically building a wig on the head, which can take up to three hours.

Halo extensions are the least invasive to your hair roots. A transparent wire sits around the crown of the head like a halo. The bottom half contains the hair, while the top half remains bare so it can be easily hidden under your own hair. Since it isn't secured to any stands, there's less to weight pulling on your natural locks, and it's super easy to do yourself.

How long do hair extensions last?

While halo extensions can last up to one year if treated appropriately and not worn too often, other types of hair extensions have an earlier expiration date. Clip-ins, sew-ins, glue-ins, and tape-ins last for about two months, according to Valles. "If you go longer, that's when you start to see some possible damage."

Do extensions damage your real hair?

No, not if you wear and maintain them correctly. "I have clients who have had extensions for 15 years [and] every 6 weeks, we remove them and put them back in," says Valles. If someone leaves their extensions on for too long, that could cause hair fallout.

Why? We shed up to 100 hairs per day, so the amount of natural hair inside of an individual extension naturally thins over time. If the natural hair becomes too thin, "that bond becomes heavy. It can easily be plucked out which is how women end up having bald spots," says Valles. Don't risk it: you're better off getting your extensions changed every 2-8 weeks, says Valles.

You should always ask your hairstylist about their experience applying extensions, but Valles also recommends asking if they have been certified by an extension company. Extensions are safe for your hair if applied correctly so you'll want to make sure you are in good hands.

How do I maintain my extensions at home?

Extensions should be cared for the same way you care for your own hair. Wash gently and be sure to avoid any tugging at the root where the extensions are attached to the head. "It’s good to use a really good detangling brush and a hydrating hair mask," says Valles, like Davines Nounou Conditioner or Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense for Fine Hair. She also recommends keeping treatments away from the bonding method of the extensions and more toward the shaft of the hair to keep the bond strong. At night, Valles suggests braiding your hair into two loose braids to keep it from tangling.

See below for some of our favorite hair extensions brands, categorized to tailor everyone's needs and concerns:

1

Best Clip-In Hair Extensions

The Hair Shop Naked 6 Clip-In Set

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (2)

1

Best Clip-In Hair Extensions

The Hair Shop Naked 6 Clip-In Set

More hair doesn't always mean more volume. In fact, adding too much hair to your headcan actually make your hair lay flat against your scalp. The Hair Shop found the sweet spot between too much and not enough to help you get the most natural looking hair possible. Plus each strand is individually knotted into the silicone band to provide a bump-free finish.

2

Best Tape-In Hair Extensions

Glam Seamless Bronzed Brown Remy Tape In

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (3)

2

Best Tape-In Hair Extensions

Glam Seamless Bronzed Brown Remy Tape In

Imagine hair extension so natural feeling, even you forget you're wearing them. Tape-in hair extensions are lighter on the scalp than their clip-in counterparts, and because the tape is so thin, they lay more naturally flush with your scalp. They are secured by sandwiching the double sided tape between layers of your hair for volume that will last up to eight weeks.

3

Best Halo Hair Extensions

Hidden Crown Hidden Crown in Lightest Beige Blonde

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (4)

3

Best Halo Hair Extensions

Hidden Crown Hidden Crown in Lightest Beige Blonde

Depending on the length, hair extensions can be a heavy strain on your existing strands. If you are worried extensions might damage your natural hair, try a halo crown, which secures the extensions to your head using a transparent wire that can be easily hidden under your own hair.

Because there is no bonding, gluing, taping, weaving or clipping, it's super easy to remove after a long night. The brand only uses 100% REMY humanhair (the gold standard for quality extensions), so you get the ease and the quality at a great price.Just find the wire and pull!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

4

Best Hair Extensions For Color Matching

Barefoot Blonde Hair Classic Seamless

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (5)

4

Best Hair Extensions For Color Matching

Barefoot Blonde Hair Classic Seamless

If you have trouble finding hair extensions that match your color, you're not alone. Barefoot Blonde Hair helps you find your perfect match by sending you three to five hair color samples — for free! Simply go onto the website, choose which tones you'd like to try, see how they match in person, and then order the clip-in hair extensions you already know will look great on you.

5

Best Hair Extensions for Dimension

Luxury Hair Seamless Chestnut Brown Balayage

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (6)

5

Best Hair Extensions for Dimension

Luxury Hair Seamless Chestnut Brown Balayage

If you are looking to add some dimension with your length, Luxury Hair offers both Balayage and Ombré extensions. Opt for these quality clip-inhighlighted strands during the summer for sun-kissed tresses without the damage of bleach or dyes.

6

Best Permanent Hair Extensions

Bellami I-Tip Hair Extensions

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (7)

6

Best Permanent Hair Extensions

Bellami I-Tip Hair Extensions

Looking for a more permanent solution to longer, thicker hair? Try i-Tip extensions. They are applied strand by strand to your head by looping your natural hair through a silicone lined bead that is then clamped shut for length that can last up to 9 weeks. This is a great solution for those with thinning strands who are looking for a full head of hair.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Best Hair Extensions for Kinky Curls

Mayvenn Virgin Brazilian Deep Wave Silk Closure

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (8)

7

Best Hair Extensions for Kinky Curls

Mayvenn Virgin Brazilian Deep Wave Silk Closure

Serena Williams invested in this brand for a reason: They offer bundles, closures, frontals, wigs, clip-in, and tape-in extensions in a variety of high qualitytextures and colors at a great price. Plus, if you purchase three different bundles, the brand will cover your install.

8

Best Bangs Hair Extensions

Hairdo Clip-In Bang

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (9)

8

Best Bangs Hair Extensions

Hairdo Clip-In Bang

Whether you want flirty fringe or sweet side-swept bangs, Hairuwear offers a variety of styles and colors so you can change up your look with committing to a terrifying chop.

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (10)

Pia Velasco

Pia is a beauty and fashion editor with a decade of experience at publications including Hello Giggles, InStyle, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, People en Español and HELLO!/HOLA! She has also written for People, Elite Daily and Bustle. She received a B.A. in creative writing from NYU and a Master of Science at Columbia’s journalism school. She is based in New York City.

Chrissy Teigen's Hairstylist on the Secret to Her Perfect Hair (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6458

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.