How Much Do Hair Extensions Cost? What You Can Expect to Pay in the UK
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Time to read 8 min
Want to know how much hair extensions actually cost? We’ve broken down the prices of each type of extension so you can have a better understanding of what to expect when shopping for your dream hair.
In your search for hair extensions, you've probably come across a whole range of prices – we've experienced some costing upwards of £200 and others being as low as £20. But how do you know which is going to give you the best bang(s) for your buck?
The cost of hair extensions is influenced by multiple factors, including the type of extensions, how they're installed, and the salon you use if they require professional installation.
It’s a bit like when you go shopping for a new shirt – you can find similar styles at drastically different prices depending on the brand and materials used. The same goes for hair extensions.
To give you a general idea, here’s a breakdown of the average cost for hair extensions in the UK…
Type of Hair Extension |
Cost of Hair Extension |
Synthetic Clip-ins |
£20 to £60 |
Human Hair Clip-ins |
£140 to £220 |
Human Hair Tape-ins |
£150 to £700+ |
Fusion Hair Extensions |
£380 to £550 |
Synthetic Hair Vs Human Hair Extensions Cost UK
One of the biggest factors affecting the cost of hair extensions is whether they're made from human or synthetic hair. Even then, the type of synthetic material being used and the grade of human hair can affect the cost – but we'll keep it simple!
Cost of Synthetic Hair Extensions
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.
The price of synthetics ranges from a couple of pounds to around £100 (at non-sale prices).
Of course, anything suspiciously cheap is probably pretty poor quality and just not worth it! You should look for synthetics that cost around the £30 mark and up (at full price, not necessarily on sale).
Cost of Human Hair Extensions
At the other end of the spectrum, human hair extensions are more pricey because they use real, human hair.
Prices for these can vary greatly depending on the grade of hair used – for example, Remy hair is higher quality than regular human hair and, as a result, costs more.
Overall, you can expect to pay anywhere between £100 to £300, and even way beyond that up to £1,000.
As we said, a lot of factors come into play here, so it just depends on your budget.
Remy hair is considered to be the cream of the crop of hair extensions because it's made from hair from a single source, and the cuticles have been aligned to reduce tangling and matting.
How Much Do Clip-in Hair Extensions Cost?
At RiRi, we believe everyone should have access to quality and affordable extensions to achieve their dream hair goals – quality and affordable extensions to achieve their dream hair goals, so that's exactly what we offer!
Clip-in extensions are the easiest and most convenient method of installation, so you can expect them to cost you less than, say, a set of sew-ins.
You can find both synthetic and human hair clip-ins, so the exact price will depend on which type you opt for.
Below is a simple breakdown of prices for these temporary hair extensions.
Synthetic Clip-in Hair Extensions: £20 - £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.
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 top end of the range, we have The Jess Collection and The Eve Collection, priced at £79.99 each. These two sets include a 24" or 26" weft and a 24" or 26" wrap-around ponytail, giving you excellent value for money.
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: £140 - £220
For human hair clip-in extensions, the price range can be anywhere from £100 to upwards of £250, depending on length, thickness, number of wefts, and, of course, the quality.
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?
Permanent hair extensions will cost you much more than your simple clip-ins because they're, well, permanent. They're a lot more time-consuming when it comes to installation, and you'll have to go to a salon for a professional to fit them for you.
So, bear in mind you'll be paying for two things here – the installation time and the actual hair.
Tape-In Hair Extensions: £285 - £700 +
Our 22" Human Hair Tape Extensions in 50g Pot is available in over 24 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.
In all, you should expect to pay anywhere from £285 to upwards of £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're after super thick and long inches, expect to pay a bit more!
You should also consider maintenance costs since you'll need regular salon appointments to refit them as your hair grows. However, if you're looking for a long-term solution to fine hair, it's definitely worth the investment.
Fusion Hair Extensions: £500 +
Fusion extensions are another popular method of permanent installation, and you can expect a slightly larger price tag than tape-ins. In general, you should expect to pay somewhere around the £500 mark.
Again, this depends on the length, thickness and quality of hair used, but generally, it should cost around and upwards of this.
How to Tell if You've Paid Too Much for Your Hair Extensions
When it comes to hair extensions, you usually get what you pay for – so stay away from suspiciously cheap extensions that are likely to be of sub-par quality.
However, don't just assume the more expensive they are, the better they are either. If you're paying an outrageous price, make sure you're actually getting the quality of hair and installation to match. You can tell if your hair extensions are low quality simply by the feel of the hair.
Here are some more tips to help you know what your 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 an excessive amount, you can tell something isn't quite right.
Key Takeaways: How Much Do Hair Extensions Cost?
There isn't one answer to how much hair extensions cost. The main factors are the type of hair and the installation method, which both greatly affect the price. Non-permanent methods, like clip-ins, are the cheapest and most convenient, costing between £20 to £250.
Permanent methods, such as tape-ins and fusion, range from £285 to £700 and can go up to a few thousand, depending on the salon.
At RiRi Hair Extensions, you can be sure to find quality and affordable clip-ins with prices starting from just £28.99 for synthetics and £140 for Remy human hair.
Shop quality hair extensions online at RiRi Hair Extensions today & make use of our free colour-match service!
Article updated: Jul 26, 2024
FAQs
How Long Do Hair Extensions Last?
Hair extensions can last anywhere from 3 months to a year, depending on the type of extensions, quality, and how well they are maintained. Synthetic extensions typically last 2-3 months, while quality human hair extensions can last up to 12 months with proper care.
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?
The cost of a professional salon installation ranges from £285 to £700+, depending on the type and weight of the hair extensions.
Clip-ins can be self-installed at no additional cost, while permanent methods like fusion and tape-ins require professional expertise, adding to the overall expense.
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 will depend on how much hair you need for a full head. You will be looking at anywhere between £150 to around £600 or £700 for human hair extensions, which includes the installation service.
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!
