How to Put in Clip-In Hair Extensions: A Step-by-Step Guide

February 21, 2025

Clip-in hair extensions are the easiest way to add instant volume and length to your head, but only if you apply them correctly.

A poor application can leave them feeling uncomfortable, looking unnatural, or eventually slipping throughout the day.

At Maiden Hair Extensions, we’ve helped countless clients achieve gorgeous, seamless hair with our clip-in extensions and are trusted provided to over 400+ salons Australia wide.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about clip-in extensions, how to apply them, how to blend them with your natural hair and some common mistakes to avoid.

What you need before you start

Before applying your clip-ins, make sure you have these items to make the process as simple as possible.

A rat-tail comb for precise sectioning
Hair clips to hold up section of your hair
A mirror for visibility
A brush to detangle hair before and after application

MHE Tip: Start with clean, dry hair. Oily hair can make clips slip, and wet hair can tangle more easily when attached to the clip in wefts.

Step-by-step guide to applying clip in hair extensions

Step 1: Section your hair properly

Use a rat-tail comb to create a clean horizontal part in your hair, at the base of your neck.
Clip the top section of your hair to keep it out of the way, leaving only the lower section exposed.
This exposed section is where your first extensions are going to go.

Step 2: Tease the roots for a stronger hold

If you have fine or silky hair, lightly backcomb the roots where the clips will sit in. This process creates a bit of texture on your hair to give the clip-ins a better grip and prevent slipping.

Step 3: Clip in the wefts from bottom to top

Start with the largest clip in weft and position it along the section area of your head.
Snap the clips open, press them against your scalp, and snap them closed to secure, ensuring they are nicely fixed to your natural hair.
Move up your head in layers, adding smaller wefts as you go to ensure even distribution.

MHE Tip: Leave at least 1 inch of space between the clips and your natural part for a seamless blend.

Step 4: Blending and Styling for a seamless look

Once you’ve attached all your clip ins, brush through your natural hair and extensions together.
Use a low-heat curling iron or straightener to help blend the textures, avoiding the clips themselves.
If needed, trim the extensions to better match your hair's natural shape.

Step 5: Final adjustments & secure the clips

Do a mirror check to ensure there are no visible clips, wefts or gaps.
Adjust any clips that feel loose or uncomfortable.
Give your hair a final light brush or style as needed.

How to blend clip-in extensions with your natural hair

The worry with clip ins can be that they may not blend naturally with your natural hair. This is rarely the case as clip when applied correctly.

To ensure a natural look:

For fine hair: Use thinner wefts and tease the roots slightly for a better hold.
For thick hair: layer wefts strategically on your head to avoid bulkiness in certain areas.
For curly/wavy hair: Use a curling wand to match the natural flow of your hair once you’ve attached the clip in extensions.
For short hair: Try layering natural hair between wefts for a smooth transition.

Best practices for applying clip-in hair extensions

There’s a few best practices that we like to follow at MHE when applying clip-in extensions.

Match the extensions to your natural hair colour and texture.
You’d be surprised how many people get this wrong. If you’re unsure about what colour to choose, try our virtual colour matcher and we will recommend the best colour based on what you’re trying to achieve.

Avoid placing clips too close to your hairline.
Clip-ins should look natural. By placing them too close to your hairline, you risk showing an unnatural look.

Use minimal products.
Too much hairspray or serum can loosen the clips throughout their wear.

Gently brush & detangle.
After styling, gently brush your hair to detangle it and keep a fresh look with your extensions.

Common mistakes to avoid when putting in clip in extensions

Avoid placing clips too high on your hair.
This can make the weft visible and ruin the natural look.

Section your hair properly.
If you don’t section your hair properly, this can cause an uneven blend and some discomfort with the extensions.

Don’t use too many wefts.
This causes a bulky & unnatural feel.

Forgetting to check the back
If you’re applying these clip-ins yourself, always do a mirror check on the back of your head before you finish. The last thing you want is a rogue clip that isn’t flush!

Brush & style your hair after application.
Without brushing or styling your hair, the extensions can look stiff and there can be a clear distinction between your extensions and natural hair.