Hair-Extension Tape Technique
Hair extensions are a fun, easy way to give new life to your hair. Extensions can add length, volume and color to your tresses. There are a few different types of hair extensions, but one of the easiest types to apply yourself is tape extensions. Using a double-sided tape, you can apply these extensions with minimal damage to your hair.
Tape hair is very easy to apply and can be instantly applied to parted areas of the head. It is simple , completely invisible and giving all natural appearance. It looks like the hair is growing from your own scalp The hair is hand sewn into a a clear skin base and then, is attached to a durable double sided invisible adhesive tape.
Instructions
Pretaped Extensions
These extensions typically come in precut wefts with the tape already attached to the bond. The tape has a protective covering that is peeled off when applied to the hair.
Regular Tape Extensions
Some extensions simply come in wefts and the tape needs to be purchased separately. Special hair-extension tape can be purchased at any beauty-supply store. The tape is double-sided, and is applied directly to the mounting base. After you have securely attached the tape to the base, you can cut any excess tape off the ends so that it fits properly on your hair extension. When you are ready to attach the extension, simply peel the backing off the tape and stick it to your hair.
Preparation
There are a few things you will need to prepare for the addition of your extensions. First of all, your hair needs to be clean, dry and absent of styling products. Greasy residue from dirty hair or product buildup will make it difficult for the tape to stick to the hair.
Use a rat-tail comb to create a horizontal straight part in your hair. A rat-tail comb is simply a comb with a long, tapered handle. The tapered end, or rat-tail, is what you use to make the part. If you are doing a full head of extensions, start from the nape of your neck and work your way up. If you are adding just a few extensions for color or highlights, make your part just below the crown of your head. When you slide the rat-tail under your hair to make the part, determine if the section is too
thin by seeing if the rat-tail is visible through your hair. If you can see the rat-tail of the comb, you will be able to see the bond of the weft.
A good way to prep the area is by dipping a cotton ball in alcohol and lightly sweeping it across your strands at the part. This will reduce the amount of oil near the root, making attachment easier. Don’t soak the cotton ball, since alcohol can severely dry out your hair.
Application
When applying pretaped extensions, you will notice that the ends of the tape extend past the bond of the weft to create tabs. This is because most pretaped extensions actually wrap all the way around your hair. Peel the backing off the tape and select a thin section of hair right below the part. Depending on the size of the precut wefts, the width of the section of hair you choose will vary. Stick the extension a couple of millimeters below the root; then lift the section of hair. You will be able
to see the two tabs of excess tape sticking out from the sides of the hair. Fold the tabs toward each other, sticking to the underside of the section of hair so they meet in the middle.
When applying regular tape extensions, attach the tape to the mounting base. You can either cut the tape to the size of the extension or leave tabs of tape and attach the weft to your hair in the same manner as a pretaped extension. Creating these tabs and folding them over the underside of the section of hair will result in a longer-lasting extension.