Can You Straighten Clip-In Hair Extensions?

One of the best things about having hair extensions is styling your longer locks. Extensions open the door for so many more creative, voluminous looks you may not have been able to achieve with your natural hair.

But it’s important to take the proper haircare precautions to keep your extensions healthy and shiny.

We’ve covered how to style extensions for curly hair in our helpful guide, and now we’re tackling another FAQ – how to straighten clip-in hair extensions. 

First things first, before you start styling – take the extensions out of your hair. 

It’s much easier to style your clip-in hair extensions this way, as you won’t need to worry about tugging on the clips. Plus, it spares you the awkwardness of trying to reach and style the back of your head!

Hair Extensions out? Let’s talk about how to straighten them.

Should You Straighten Your Extensions?

The first question to be asked is: should you straighten your extensions? 

And the answer depends on the type of hair extensions you own. If you’re using high-quality 100% Remy human hair extensions – like those from Milk & Blush – then yes, you can style these just like natural hair.

If you have synthetic hair extensions, using heat isn’t recommended as these are made with artificial fibres and can easily melt or become damaged.

So, if you’re looking to straighten human hair extensions, follow these tips…

Step One – Use a Heat Protectant

Just like with your own hair, it’s important to spray your hair extensions with a high- quality heat protector before styling. 

Using a loop brush, gently brush through your extensions to evenly distribute the product and make sure all the hair is protected. 

Make sure not to use too much product, as it may make the extensions damp, which can cause a sizzle when you add heat! You can always top up with more spray later.

Step Two – Section Your Wefts

To get sleek and straight hair extensions, you’ll need to separate the larger wefts into sections. This will allow you to make sure each piece is fully straightened. 

You won’t need to do this for any smaller wefts!

Step Three – Use Low Heat

Another important tip for straightening your hair extensions is to keep the heat settings as low as possible. We would recommend using a maximum temperature of 185°C on your extensions.

You should also avoid touching the clips with your extensions, as these can melt under these high temperatures. 

Run your irons through the extensions slowly and firmly to get the most impact from the lower temperature. You might need to go over them a few times, but it’s much better for your clip-ins than going in straight away with a high heat.