When I was getting married, I went in for a hair “trial” by the company that I ended up hiring to style my hair and the hair of my mom and bridesmaids. We tested a few different styles with mixed results, and then she suggested some clip-in hair extensions. I didn’t want the length, but she showed me how extensions weren’t just about length – they were also great for adding volume. I was hooked:
photo by Next Exit Photography
photo by Next Exit Photography
If you have a good set of extensions, you can style them with the rest of your hair. That means washing, heat-styling, etc. I wore my blond extensions several times post-wedding. To wear clip-in extensions, just section and lift a portion of your hair perpendicular to your shoulders, clip in at the part, then let your hair lay normally on top.
I apparently wore my red eye, too.
A few months ago I was a hair model for Secret Extensions. They go on like a headband, which is even easier than clips. It was fun to see what my hair would look like if I never cut it!

The color matches perfectly, that’s just a reflection of light from the window.
Annie was there and said I looked like Ariel. I took that as a major compliment.
These extensions obviously add length, but I really (again) love extensions for volume. I use them to bulk up braids:
You can even get clip-in bangs to change up your look without scissors:
Annie likes to get in on it, too!
If you have extensions, here are a few tips:
~Consider bringing them to your stylist, so she can trim them to better blend with your hair.
~Extensions can and should be washed and brushed regularly. Use a mild shampoo, air-dry, and never brush when wet.
~If you heat-style your extensions, make sure the temp doesn’t exceed 300 Degrees F/149 Degrees C. MAKE SURE YOUR EXTENSIONS CAN BE HEAT STYLED BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT IT. You don’t want to find out the hard way – trust me!
Extensions are fun, so enjoy them!
disclaimer: I got to keep the Secret Extensions I wore, but was under no obligation to write about them.
Jeanne P says:
Annie in bangs looks almost exactly like my Allie did when she was 5!
Paula R. (fka preTzel) says:
That first picture? The look of pure love on Mike’s face is breath taking.
Your bangs make you look like a 70s chick. Annie looks younger with bangs (as did you).
Diana says:
Love it! Need me some extensions! You are beautiful as a blonde! (like the red too!)
Glenda says:
Love your wedding pictures! and love the thick braid!
Annie is adorable!
Kat says:
Definitely been thinking about these more and more, my hair feels thinner as I get older and those looks amazing on you! I literally cannot tell which part is extension and which part is real hair. Beautiful!
ladyanna says:
Annie looks creepily like an American girl doll.
GingerB says:
I don’t know if it works on digital photos but I once saw a product called “pet eye remover” sold in the photo developing shop and laughed about it for days, thinking to threaten my photogenic but red eyed (and non compliant) dog into better behavior. Not sold on TV.
Way attractive extensions, Heather, makes me want some. Are they pricey?
Heather says:
Extensions CAN be, depending on what they are made out of. For example, human hair extensions are very pricey, for obvious reasons. The red Secret Extensions I have are $40, the bangs are about $20. Not too bad – about the cost of getting a blow-out!
Nellie says:
OMG, I’ve never had hair extensions but after this, I WANT THEM like right now! I love that Annabel got to enjoy it too – I would love to try the bangs on my daughter since she is bang-free and it’d be fun to see what she’d look like with bangs.
I need to purchase these extensions…pronto!
Alyson says:
Do you think this would work if I wanted it more for volume than length? Especially volume all over, not just at the bottom?
Heather says:
If you want all-over volume, I think clip-in extensions are best, since you can place them strategically around your entire head and not just at the bottom!