How Much Do Hair Extensions Cost in the UK? Updated for 2025
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Time to read 9 min
Girls, if you have no idea what to expect when shopping for your dream hair, we've got you. So, if you're asking yourself, “How much do hair extensions cost?”, get ready to take notes. We've got a whole breakdown waiting for you below.
If you've already done a little bit of research, you've probably come across a wide range of prices, but how do you know which one will give you the best bang(s) for your buck?
No one wants to get caught out paying £££ for extensions that just aren't giving what they need to give.
How Much Do Hair Extensions Cost: A Short Breakdown
Here is the average cost of hair extensions in the UK . We've chosen the most popular types of hair extensions just to give you a general idea…
Type of Hair Extension |
Cost of Hair Extension |
£20 to £60 |
|
£140 to £220 |
|
£150 to £700+ |
|
£380 to £550 |
|
| Sewn-In (Weave) Extensions |
£350-£400 |
| Fusion Extensions |
£400-£700+ |
The cost of hair extensions is influenced by multiple factors, including the type of extensions, how they're installed, the salon you use (if they require professional installation)— the list goes on and on.
It's like shopping for a new fit. You can find similar styles at many different prices, depending on the brand and materials used.
Cost of Synthetic Hair Extensions – £25+
Synthetic extensions are the cheaper option between the two because they're made from – yep, you guessed it – a synthetic material, as opposed to actual, real hair. You should look for synthetics that cost around the £25 mark and up (at full price).
The price of synthetics ranges from a couple of pounds to a hefty amount, depending on how many extensions you're buying, what brand you're buying them from, and what type of synthetic material they're made out of.
Of course, anything suspiciously cheap is probably pretty poor quality and just not worth it.
Shop some of our most popular synthetic extensions below:
Cost of Human Hair Extensions – £100+
At the other end of the spectrum, human hair extensions are more pricey because they use real, human hair.
Overall, you can expect to pay anywhere between £100 to £300 for human hair extensions, whatever style they may be.
Prices for these can vary greatly depending on the grade of hair used. For example, Remy hair is of higher quality than regular human hair, which costs more.
We've even seen people pay way beyond that, upwards of £1000 , which is just wild. As we said, many factors come into play here, so it just depends on your budge.
Bag yourself some of our most-loved real hair extensions right here:
How Much Do Clip-in Hair Extensions Cost?
Type of Clip-In Extensions |
Average Price |
Synthetic hair |
£20 to £60 |
Human hair |
£70 to £220+ |
Temporary hair extensions cost significantly less than permanent hair extensions. If you're on a budget or you’re not a fan of regular maintenance, these will be for you.
They have the easiest and most convenient installation method , so they will cost less than, say, a set of sew-ins.
You can find both synthetic and human hair clip-ins, so the exact price depends on which type you opt for.
Below is a simple breakdown of prices for temporary hair extensions.
Synthetic Clip-in Hair Extensions – £20 to £60
Generally, you should expect to pay around £20 to £60 for single-weft synthetic clip-ins , with the more expensive variants being of better quality than the cheaper variants.
Let's give you some real-life examples...
At the lower end of the price scale, our Classic 16" Curly Synthetic Hair Extensions are currently priced at a very reasonable £28.99 , which is a bargain for these high-quality wefts.
At the other end, we have our 26" Beach Wave Half-Head Wig (our half-head wigs are extremely popular, btw), which is currently £50 ! Adding natural waves and volume to create gorgeous hairstyles has never been easier.
We’re constantly running sales, too , so you can grab these clips-ins for much less, which is an absolute steal.
Human Hair Clip-In Hair Extensions – £70 to £220+
Human hair clip-in extensions can cost from £70 to £220 and beyond , depending on length, thickness, number of wefts, and, of course, quality.
If you're looking for that more premium feel and look to your extensions, RiRi have got you covered there too...
Our 20″ Clip-In Human Hair Ponytail Extensions are priced at £140 , which is a fantastic value for such a beautiful, versatile hair piece. These human hair extensions are made from Remy hair, so you know you're getting a high-quality product for the price.
At the top end of the price scale, we've got the 8-piece 20" Human Hair Clip-in Hair Extensions, coming in at £220 . This set includes 8 separate wefts in different sizes and lengths to help you create the luscious locks of your dreams, even with thin hair.
How Much Do Permanent Hair Extensions Cost?
Type of Permanent Extensions |
Average Price |
Tape-in |
£170 to £700 |
Sew-in |
£350 to £400 |
Fusion |
£400 to £700+ |
Permanent hair extensions prices are quite a bit more than simple clip-ins because they’re, well, permanent.
Installation is much more time-consuming, and you'll need to go to a salon for a professional to fit them, which will obviously cost you.
However, you'll be able to enjoy your locks for months on end before you need maintenance, so there are positives.
The important thing to remember is that you'll be paying for two things here: the installation time and the actual hair.
Below is a simple breakdown of prices for these permanent hair extensions.
Tape-In Hair Extensions – £140 to £700
Tape-in hair extensions are likely to cost between £140 and £700 , and for some places, this may or may not include your installation fees.
If you think tape-in extensions are calling your name, we actually have some options for you here at RiRi. See, we're a Jack of all trades, really.
Our 22" Human Hair Tape Extensions in a 50g Pot is available in over 25 shades and costs £150 (not including installation). For the hair and installation with 50g of hair, it'll cost you £285.
This price increases as the weight of the hair installed increases. The maximum weight of hair we install at our RiRi salon is 250g for £685 , which is enough to create a full head of luscious, voluminous hair.
Overall, you should expect to pay between £285 and £700 for your set of tape-in extensions.
Again, this depends on the type of hair used and the weight of the extensions—so if you want super thick and long inches, expect to pay a bit more!
Micro-Ring Hair Extensions – £255 to £360
Micro-ring extensions are another form of installation where no heat or glue is required, just tiny metal rings.
You can expect to pay between £255-£360 for these, so their starting price is slightly higher than our tape-ins option.
Micro-ring extensions are still a great option if you require that permanence, but this is just a reminder that prices will vary depending on how much hair you need for a full head.
Sewn-In (Weave) Hair Extensions – £350 to £400
Sewn-in extensions are a really popular method of installing extra hair, and they'll run you about £350-£400 here in the UK.
They have a pretty long lifespan with little maintenance required, but if they're sewn too tight, they can cause pain, headaches, and hair loss.
So be mindful of where you choose to have your sewn-ins fitted. Make sure you do your research.
This might mean you're paying a little more for the service, so again, you should take the time to decide what's best for your hair needs.
Fusion Hair Extensions – £400 to £700+
Fusion extensions are another popular method of permanent installation, and they have a slightly higher price tag. In general, you should expect to pay around £400-£700+.
Again, this depends on the length, thickness and quality of hair used, and the instalment process, which is done with keratin bonding either hot or cold.
You should expect to pay a bit more for these bad boys in any case.
How to Tell if You've Paid Too Much for Your Hair Extensions
As with most things, if something is suspiciously cheap, it's best to stay away because they're likely to be of poor quality.
However, don't just assume that the more expensive they are, the better . If you're paying an outrageous price, make sure you get the quality of hair and installation to match.
Here are some tips that'll help you understand what hair extensions should feel like…
Low-quality synthetics will have a plastic-y feel and aren't soft or silky at all. The same goes for human hair extensions, with low-quality products being super dry and brittle.
You might also notice a fake sheen to cheaper quality hair rather than a natural-looking shine. The colour might be a bit off, too —so watch out for that.
Shedding is another sign of poor-quality extensions. You're likely to lose a very small amount of hair when brushing or washing the extensions, but if it's excessive, you can tell something isn't quite right.
Key Takeaways: How Much Do Hair Extensions Cost?
If you feel like we've just dumped a whole load of info on you, that's because we have.
There isn't one simple answer to how much hair extensions cost (unfortunately), so you'll have to take the time to go over all the facts and make up your own mind about how much you want to spend on your new luscious locks.
At RiRi Hair Extensions, you can be sure to find quality and affordable clip-ins . Prices start from just £28.99 for synthetics and £140 for Remy human hair. What a steal (but not suspiciously so).
Shop quality hair extensions online at RiRi Hair Extensions today and make use of our free colour-match service!
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Article updated: 07/02/2025
FAQs
Why Are Human Hair Extensions So Expensive?
Human hair extensions are costly because they are made from real, high-quality human hair, which is in limited supply and high demand globally. The process of collecting, treating, and preparing the hair is labour-intensive and time-consuming, further adding to the cost.
Also, human hair extensions provide a more natural look and feel and can be treated just like your natural hair – styled, dyed, and washed – which isn't possible with synthetic extensions.
How Much Does It Cost to Put in Hair Extensions?
Is Expensive Always Better With Hair Extensions?
Not necessarily. Price can be an indicator of quality in hair extensions, but it isn't a guaranteed measure.
Instead, factors like the type of hair (synthetic or human), grade of human hair, hair texture, and installation method should be considered when determining if extensions are priced properly.
Are Hair Extensions Worth It?
Yes, hair extensions are worth it if you want to add volume, length, and versatility to your hair. They can boost confidence, enhance your hairstyle options, and are especially beneficial for those with thin or slow-growing hair.
How Much Does a Full Head of Extensions Cost?
The price of a full head of extensions depends on how much hair you need for a full head. You will be looking at anywhere between £150 to around £700 for human hair extensions.
Nancy Pinder
Nancy is our resident hair and beauty specialist at RiRi Hair Extensions. She advises customers daily in our Lakeside and Bluewater stores, helping them find the perfect look, length, and shade of hair extensions.
Nancy also presents our TikTok live to thousands of viewers across the world. You can catch her on our TikTok every week!
