How To Choose Your Ideal Extension Length

by Hope Donaldson

What Length Hair Extension To Choose?

Whether you’re wanting to add length, volume or drama, hair extensions are the best way to revitalise your look in an instant! But how do you choose the ideal length for your natural hair?

We say this time and time again, and for good reason - picking extensions isn’t easy! Extension methods, hair extension weight, colours, style… the factors you need to consider before purchasing go on and on. But that’s why we write these blogs; to educate and provide clarity on everything you need to know about hair extensions.

At Stranded, we know that self-confidence is something deep within you, but shown through how you look and feel. Good hair days and that post-salon feeling can make you feel invincible, but what if you could feel like that at the drop of a hat? That’s where clip-in hair extensions come in - and we're the experts!

In this article, you will learn about all the popular lengths of clip-in hair extensions and how they could work with different natural hair lengths, alongside some Stranded top tips to help you choose and blend your length. By the end of this article, you will be able to confidently choose the ideal extension length for your hair!

Perhaps, clip-in extensions won’t be the extension method for you, but this easy guide is transferable across all methods, including temporary and semi-permanent options.

  • 14-inch hair extensions
  • 16-inch hair extensions
  • 18-inch hair extensions
  • 20-inch hair extensions
  • 22-inch hair extensions
  • 24 and 26-inch hair extensions
  • Top tips to choose your length
What is the best hair length extension?

14-inch hair extensions

14-inch hair extensions are perfect for ladies with shorter hair or for those looking to add additional volume to their natural length. They can add just the right amount of blendable length and fullness for women with short to mid-length hair, whilst still looking natural.

Stranded’s 14” Human Hair Seamless 5 Piece Clip-in Extensions, RRP £70, are a great way to add length and volume to shorter hair. Not only are they an ideal length, but being made of 100% human hair means they can be cut shorter to match your natural hair. The 5-piece clip-ins also help you distribute the extensions evenly around the head, for a more seamless blend.

Our 14” Human Hair Unclipped Weft, RRP £70, is one of our most versatile extensions. Made of human hair and unclipped, the extension can be made completely customisable to your hair goals, allowing you to cut up the extension for individual pieces and cut the length.

16-inch hair extensions

16-inch hair extensions are great for ladies with short to mid-length hair wanting more of a dramatic length, as well as adding additional volume to their natural hair. The extensions make the hair look thicker, whilst building a glamorous length for any occasion.

Our 16” Human Hair Luxury 4 Piece Clip-in Extensions, RRP £115, is perfect to add additional length and volume to many different hair lengths, including shorter hair. The extension’s 4-piece clips mean that the hair can be spread around the head for a more natural finish, and the extension’s human hair can be cut and customised to your natural length.

Stranded’s 16” One Piece Clip-in Extension range, RRP £29, is perfect to add length, volume and style in an instant! Pre-styled, heat resistant up to 180℃ and made of smart, synthetic fibres, these extensions allow you to clip-and-go a perfect look for any occasion. Shop our 16” Curly One Piece, 16” Flicky One Piece and 16” Straight One Piece clip-in extensions.

Wanting to lengthen your celeb-inspired pony? Add natural length and volume with our 16” Synthetic Medium Flicky Clip-in Ponytail - one of our most popular styles! This clip-in ponytail is perfect for elevating your up-do - made with pre-styled smart fibre hair that’s heat resistant up to 180℃.

18-inch hair extensions

18-inch hair extensions are the best way to add length and volume for women with mid to long-length hair. The extensions can create the illusion of natural growth and thickness, whilst adding considerable length for women with mid-length hair.

Stranded’s 18” Human Hair Seamless 5 Piece Clip-in Extensions, RRP £105, are a great way to add length and volume to medium-length hair. Not only are they ideal to add length, but being made of 100% human hair means they can be cut shorter to match your natural length. The 5-piece clip-ins also help you distribute the extensions evenly around the head for an easy and realistic blend.

Our 18” Human Hair Unclipped Weft, RRP £105, is the longer length of one of our most versatile extensions. Made of human hair and unclipped, the weft is completely customisable to your wants - cut up the extension for individual pieces and/or cut the hair to your desired length.

20-inch hair extensions

20-inch hair extensions are the ultimate addition to any mid to long-haired girl’s lengthy lock fantasy. Attach dramatic lengths and add glamorous volume in minutes, whilst still looking natural, blended and realistic.

Our 20” Human Hair Luxury 4 Piece Clip-in Extensions, RRP £165, is perfect to add additional length and volume to both medium and long hair. The extension’s 4-piece clips mean that the hair can be installed around the head for a more realistic blend, whilst the extension’s human hair can be cut to your desired or natural length (if wanted).

Stranded’s 20” One Piece Clip-in Extension range, RRP £32, adds dramatic length, volume and style in an instant - just clip and go! Our one pieces are pre-styled, heat resistant up to 180℃ and made of smart, synthetic fibres, making them perfect for any occasion. Shop our 20” Curly One Piece, 20” Flicky One Piece and 20” Straight One Piece clip-in extensions.

Shop our new one-piece style, exclusively in 20 inches - the Stranded 20” Wand Wave One Piece, RRP £34, designed and inspired by salon-finish waves.

Looking for your next Instagram-able ponytail? Search no further than Stranded’s 20-inch clip-in ponytails. Our 20” Synthetic Long Straight Clip-in Ponytail, RRP £28, flawlessly adds dramatic length, ready in moments. Our 20” Synthetic Bounce Wrap Around Ponytail, RRP £28, with its stylish wrap feature, gives dramatic length, body and movement for the perfect up-do.

22-inch hair extensions

22-inch hair extensions are designed to push the boundaries of stylish length and volume, giving our longer-haired girlies the luscious locks of their dreams. Easily blendable with the correct natural length, these extensions can add glamour, drama and thickness in minutes.

Salon-worthy bouncy blow dry in minutes? Yes, please! Our 22” Synthetic Instant Bouncy Blow Dry Five Piece Clip-in Extensions, RRP £39, is ideal for luxurious length, style and movement. Pre-styled, heat resistant up to 180℃ and with 5 clip-ins to distribute and blend seamlessly, our Stranded smart fibres hold the perfect look, like you just stepped out of the salon.

24 and 26-inch hair extensions

Want to achieve unbelievable lengths? 24 and 26-inch ponytails are an incredible way to create the illusion of length and volume; easily blendable with natural hair of all lengths. Dramatic ponytails are sleek, stylish and are the ultimate celebrity special.

Check out our Stranded 24” Synthetic Wand Wave Clip-in Ponytail, RRP £30, inspired by salon-finish waves. This extension gives cascading body and movement, dedicated to that post-salon feeling. Easily attachable and installed in minutes.

Or maybe you want to push it to the limit? Look at our 26” Synthetic Body Wave Wrap Around Ponytail, RRP £30, with stylish wrap-around feature and soft cascading movement, to completely elevate your pony to Rapunzel standards.

Top tips to choose your length:

  • Measure your natural hair with a measuring tape from the tips of your ears down to your ends, to find out how long your hair is compared to extensions.
  • If you’re only looking to add volume, find an extension length the same length or slightly longer than the natural hair you measured (e.g. 12" natural hair = 14" extensions).
  • If you’re also looking to also add length, find hair extensions a length or two up from your natural length, to help it blend more naturally (e.g. 14" natural hair = 16" or 18" extensions).
  • Avoid adding too much length to your natural hair with extensions, as this can be difficult to blend together and can look incredibly artificial.
  • Your natural length needs to be 4-6 inches long for any type of hair extension. If your natural hair is shorter, you may face issues attaching and blending the extensions.
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Your next steps

Picking extensions is never easy, but reading articles like ours can make your decision-making process much smoother! Since reading this blog, you now know how to choose an extension length ideal for your natural hair, along with some helpful tips on how to make the perfect choice.

Here at Stranded, we believe that your confidence is paramount! Good hair days can make a world of difference to how you feel, and that’s something we can help you achieve daily with our clip-in extensions.

Clip-in extensions may not be the extension method for you, but this guide is easily transferable across all other temporary and semi-permanent options.

So, how can we help you achieve that stepped-out-the-salon self-confidence?

The first step on your extension journey, regardless of whether you choose clip-ins or Stranded, is to learn all you can. Check out our Stranded blog for extensive extension education, writing on important topics such as weight, cost and risk of hair damage.

Then, your next step is to get colour matched. At Stranded, we offer free expert colour-matching from our incredible team. Rather do it yourself? We also sell colour swatch samples on request, for just £1 per sample.

Once you have your colour... happy shopping! Check out our extensive range of styles on our Stranded Hair Group website!