MENU
SEARCHYour client has made it past the consultation and is ready for an extension service! But with so many extension options on the market, how do you choose which is right for your clientele, salon and needs?
When finding a line and attachment method that is right for you, most importantly, educate yourself. Ask coworkers or clients if there is a line that they have previously worked with and liked. Photo via HairUWear Pro.
Your client has made it past the consultation and is ready for an extension service! But with so many extension options on the market, how do you choose which is right for your clientele, salon and needs?
Saretta Bowerman, Owner and Extension Specialist at Blue Water Salon in Naples, Florida, orders from four brands and uses two different attachment methods. Her work consists of long, boho styles, bridal work, and balayage effects. Because of this, the extensions she uses must fit the bill for those trending looks. For others, she says the extensions you work with should fit your styling personality—do you like tedious, detailed work, or do you do something that takes less time and dexterity?
Bowerman says there are many factors to consider when choosing which lines to carry in your salon. These can be summed up with cost, colors, customer service, convenience and care.
“Do they have a good variety of ombre/rooted colors—if not, I don't even bother because that is what my clients need and want right now,” she says. “How easy is it to talk to someone? Are you on hold forever? Can you only order online? What kind of shipping do they offer—either overnight or two-day shipping is the max you want. How do the extensions dry naturally? Whenever I am testing a new brand, I wash and air dry a sample. What is the quality of the bond? Do your own personal research or look up forums online. The bond is SO key to a successful extension client relationship. You don't want slipping or stickiness or for the work for yourself to be really hard.”
Additionally, look into which attachment method best fits your needs and those of your clientele. Being able to offer different types of methods to your clientele is huge—that way you can always offer the healthiest most effective method for whatever type of hair comes your way.
Amanda Diedrich, known by her Instagram handle @blohaute, works with tape-ins, beaded weft and hand-tied extensions. She says these picks all depends on her clients’ lifestyle—the maintenance they’re willing to keep up with, their budget, and what they want to achieve with their extensions are all key factors when deciding.
For clients with thinning hair specifically, Bowerman says a single sided tape would likely be the best method because it is very lightweight and the weight is evenly distributed. Dietrich agrees, and adds it also depends on where the client is thinning and how thin their hair is.
“Most of the time I would say either beaded weft or tape in, but if it is really thinning, sometimes suggesting clip-ins is best,” she says. “Clip-in extensions are always a great alternative. I mean, they are still extensions, however they are DIY and easily removed rather than being a more permanent method.”
Chicago-based celebrity hairstylist Alex Brown says if clients have extremely fine hair, she may only recommend a few tape-ins as opposed to a whole head. And, rather than using two
“If clients do have extremely fine hair, I may only recommend 2-5 tape in extensions for them instead of a whole head,” Brown says. I also love doing “one sided” tape in extensions on clients with very fine, thin hair. One sided tape in extensions only use one piece of hair and a piece of one sided tape as opposed to 2 wefts of hair taped to each other. This creates less weight and stress on the client’s hair and tends to blend into their fine hair much more naturally. The second I see any type of damage to the hair and/or scalp, I inform the client right away and find a solution to why this is happening (brushing too hard, not taking proper care at home). If it is not improving, I will suggest removing them and not reapplying as the client’s hair condition is what’s most important.”
View this post on Instagram
When finding a line and attachment method that is right for you, most importantly, educate yourself. Ask coworkers or clients if there is a line that they have previously worked with and liked. Try it, take a class and see if you are happy with the results. If you aren’t, there are nearly limitless other options.
The extension business is buzzing—how can you be a resource to your hair loss clients looking for a solution.The annual HAIR+ Summit is September 30-October 2 in Atlanta. Read more about your HAIR+ business here.
The extension business is buzzing—how can you be a resource to your hair loss clients looking for a solution. Read more about your HAIR+ business here.
Originally posted on Modern Salon
After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.
The company's Concealed Bead Method is raising the bar for what professional extension education can deliver.
Scott maximized her micro-salon by transitioning from stylist to strategic owner, focusing on recruiting and station-sharing. By prioritizing her ownership role over behind-the-chair work, she grew her team to six stylists within the two-chair, 150-square-foot space before eventually moving to a larger facility.
The former CFO of Perdue Farms and owner of Hardy Seafood, Terry Owens delivers a wealth of wisdom and strategies for entrepreneurs in his new book, "Business is Simple."
After scaling her single-location salon business, SALON TODAY 200 Honoree Amy Pal recently sold her six-location Whip Salon for seven figures. Using the six Ps for maximizing a business's value, she's ready to help her peers do the same.
Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are federal solar tax credit changes that deserve your attention now. Two of the credits that matter most to commercial property owners, the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit, are still available, but only if you move fast. A third, the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Deduction, has a hard termination date that is closer than most people realize.
Up to 40% of hair stylists ghost the salon interview stage, leaving owners trapped playing endless phone tag with uncommitted applicants. This data-driven report breaks down why traditional job boards create recruitment friction and reveals the modern messaging strategies high-growth salons use to get pre-qualified talent to actually show up. Learn how to transition from cold calling to high-conversion conversations that protect your time and fill your chairs.
Sponsored by Beautista
Spit fests, hostile threats, and even an overachieving matchmaker--SALON TODAY readers share their craziest client tales and how their team handled these tough situations with professionalism and grace.
Keeping your appointment book full when clients are in vacation mode takes more than a good Instagram post. It takes a plan. The 2026 Summer Marketing Calendar from Meevo gives salon, spa & med spa owners a month-by-month roadmap with sharp themes, key opportunity dates, and campaign ideas specifically designed for the beauty & wellness industry. Here’s to your summer season working as hard as you do!
Sponsored by Millennium Systems International
AI is transforming the beauty and wellness industry, and the future is about empowering people, not replacing them. Discover how Phorest AI helps salons, spas, and med spas across North America respond faster, personalize every visit, and keep human connection at the heart of the client experience.
Sponsored by Phorest
Owner Michaella Blissett-Williams credits her General Manager Gloria Hortua with [salon] 718's year-over-year, double-digit growth and says she's been able to scale the company to eight locations because she can rely on Hortua to manage daily operations.
Shine Time: Aluram’s High Shine Line Delivers Moisture and Shine with Clean Ingredients
Sponsored by Aluram
Elyse Rogers is an uplifting presence at The Headroom who makes the team feel heard even in stressful situations. Owner Danielle Cherewyk sings her praises in this installment of Meet the Manager.
Despite a slight and predictable decline in client traffic for Q1, resilient pricing power is driving year-over-year revenue growth in salons. The KIM Report's Alain Audet reviews the data and what it's telling us about the state of professional beauty.
Same-store revenue grew just 2% for the second straight year—and new guest visits declined across every segment of the industry. The 2026 Benchmark Report reveals where growth is actually happening, which verticals are pulling ahead, and what the data says about where your business stands right now.
Sponsored by Zenoti
Hair restoration is entering a new era driven by regenerative science. This paper explores how Exosome technology is transforming treatment outcomes by targeting hair loss at a cellular level. Discover why EXOGROW is leading this shift.
Sponsored by Dermapenworld
A salon brand is much more than a logo. In this thought-provoking blog, Leon Alexander, Ph.D., walks you through the difference. SALON TODAY suggests sharing this article with your team and leading a discussion at your next huddle, asking the team to define your business's brand.
