FYI, Hair Extensions Are The Easiest Way To Fake A Salon Visit On A Budget

When it comes to hair extensions, the options are vast. From clip-ins to tape-ins, wavy, straight, ponytail, ombre styles, and more, extensions mean that your hair dreams can easily become a reality without having to step foot in a salon. If you asked me a year ago, extensions seemed daunting, difficult, and unnecessary. But, when I started trying to save money on salon blowouts and decrease the amount of heat I use on my hair, I decided to give some extensions a shot. Now, I swear by them—I even own three different sets that I rotate depending on the look I'm going for.

The first thing to know is that if I can easily put in hair extensions, anyone can. I'm far from a professional, and it takes me less than five minutes to put in my clip-in extensions or ponytail. More than my hair health, they've saved me so much time and money that I've even convinced several of my friends and family members to get on board with them.

But, there are so many options out there when it comes to extensions that it's hard to know where to start. The three important factors to be mindful of are your budget, hair type, and hair goals. Ask yourself if you have fine or coarse hair, then get out a ruler and actually measure your strands. Are you just looking for volume, or do you want length, too? If length is what you're after, make sure to learn from my mistake and don't go too much longer than your natural hair. The goal is to ultimately let the extensions blend in to your hair seamlessly for a glam, salon-esque look nobody will believe took you less than 10 minutes.

See below for the 13 best hair extensions—you'll want at least a few in your new style rotation.