Hair Extensions or Weaves: What's the Superior Choice?

Do you need assistance deciding what option to choose between hair extensions and weave? This should help.

Hair extensions and weaves are great styling methods that can help enhance hair length, volume, and style. However, these two methods are distinct, though they are popular choices for achieving thickness and length.

If you've just realized that and you’re disturbed about where to start or which choice best suits your needs, we'll be happy to help right here.

Let's make it simpler by offering you a guide in this post.

You'll get to know:

Are you ready for the match? Let it begin!

What Are Hair Extensions?

Hair extensions are bundles attached to your hair to achieve volume and length. These hair extensions come in different sizes with separate wefts that are either glued, taped, clipped, or fastened using other means depending on the type of hair extension.

A few hair extension types are clip-in hair extensions, microbeads, tape-in hair extensions, and fusion hair extensions.

These hair extensions are installed differently and have different lasting periods, influenced by the installation method and type. They also have their benefits and disadvantages. So, consider your hair, lifestyle, and other factors before deciding.

Characteristics of Hair Extensions

1. Durability

Hair extensions can be considered a durable styling method. However, this can depend on the type used. Clip-ins hair extensions, for instance, can't last as long as other types. They are more of a temporary option.

2. Attachment Method

As we've mentioned earlier, hair extensions come in types, with different ways of attaching them to the hair.

3. Protection

If done correctly, hair extensions can protect your strands while adding volume. However, you must be careful of the installment, maintenance, and removal process.

4. Maintenance

Hair extensions are a low-maintenance styling option. While they still need care, it's less demanding than its counterpart.

5. Versatility

With hair extensions, you can style and make temporary to permanent changes.

What Are Hair Weaves?

Hair weaves are hair wefts sewn to the hair using a needle and thread. Similar to hair extensions, they are designed to add volume and length to one's hair.

These products are available in both synthetic and human hair in varying colors. You can easily rock a color you love and enjoy wearing it for a long period without damaging your hair. Weaves are also easy to style and can offer you great versatility. This means you can find different lengths and textures and wear them in multiple ways.

The popular types of weaves include Indian, Peruvian, Brazilian, Malaysian, and Eurasian weaves. Check Best Human Hair For Sew In Weave Here.

Related Read: Brazilian VS Peruvian Hair, Which Is Right For You

Characteristics of Weaves

1. Durability

Unlike hair extensions, weaves are more durable. They can last for a longer period if properly taken care of.

Expect yours to stay between a few weeks to months.

2. Attachment Method

Weaves involve braiding the natural hair and sewing or gluing the wefts to your hair. This is different from hair extensions.

3. Protection

Weaves are one of the best ways to protect your natural hair and promote growth. It's more like a wig but is sewn into your hair.

Related Read: Wigs VS Weaves, What's the difference

4. Maintenance

Caring for your weaves requires a lot to keep them shining and gorgeous. If you opt for synthetic hair, you might also need to keep an extra eye on it to avoid matting and tangling.

5. Versatility

There are different ways to style weaves. You can wear them straight, curly or wavy. Also, you can opt for any hair length.

Pros and Cons of Weave and Hair Extensions

Here are a few pros and cons of weaves and hair extensions.

Pros

• Hair extensions and weaves offer you versatility. This means you can change your hairstyle without altering your natural hair. That's a great benefit if you ask us.
• They give you a secure option to look beautiful, as weaves are sewn to the hair, and hair extensions are clipped or attached firmly to your strands.
• Weaves and hair extensions also offer you a natural and realistic look although this depends on the nature of the hair. Human hair tends to last longer than synthetic ones.

Cons

• Hair extensions can cause hair loss if not properly attached or removed. Likewise the hair weave.
• Your wefts will tangle or mat if you use low-quality hair.
• Installing weaves or hair extensions might be very costly, especially if you’ve not made any extension purchases.

Difference Between Hair Extensions and Hair Weave

Weaves and hair extensions are similar to some extent. In the last section, we considered their pros and cons which shows how they are in functionality.

That's because all weaves are a form of hair extensions but not all hair extensions are weaves.

Since that's the case, let's see some key differences between them.

1. Styling Method

While hair extensions are attached to the hair using clips, beads, or tapes, weaves are sewn meticulously to your braids using a needle. This installation method shows it's distinct from hair extensions.

2. More Benefits

Hair extensions help in diverse ways in terms of length, and volume. But it surpasses that, as they can be colored and used to cover thinning areas of your hair. This is not the case for weaves.

3. Cost

We’ll consider weaves more budget-friendly than hair extensions since they do not take the same time to install and techniques used in installing some hair extension types. This means weaves are fast, resulting in a lower price than hair extensions.

Related Read: How Much Are Sew In Extensions

4. Hair Damage

Both these styling methods cause damage to the hair in one way or another if not installed properly. However, hair extension methods pose more challenges than weaves. This is due to the methods used, and the weight the extensions might cause to your hair.

How to Maintain Hair Extensions?

Caring for hair extensions differs from caring for weaves. Hair extensions generally require less maintenance, so you don't have to do much to keep them looking fresh.

Here are a few helpful maintenance tips.

1. If you plan on wearing your hair extensions for long, wash your hair properly beforehand. This is because you want to avoid building products on your scalp. There will be but not much.
2. Schedule your wash days. Once a week is fine.
3. Never go to bed while your extensions are still wet. Make sure you dry it properly and appropriately.
4. Also, keep it protected whenever you sleep. You can use a satin bonnet or a silk one.
5. Whenever you brush your hair, do it gently. Avoid pulling your strands so the wefts don't come off.
6. Your washing products should hydrate and not strip your hair of moisture.
7. After washing, use oil for more moisture.

Caring for Your Weaves

Weaves are a fantastic styling option. But they require more maintenance than hair extensions. Check out a few maintenance tips below.

1. Always wrap up your hair before going to bed. Use a satin bonnet or a silk scarf for this.
2. Regular heat is bad for your weave. So, avoid using heat-styling tools daily.
3. Leave-in conditioner can help your weave look gorgeous at all times. Use a good quantity on your hair for a fresh style.
4. If your weave is long, put them in braided sections before going to bed. This will help you avoid tangling while you are asleep.
5. Don't skip wash days. They can help cleanse your weave and your hair too.

Hair Extensions Vs Weave

So far, we've listed the differences between hair extensions and weaves. Are you still unsure of the difference between hair extensions and weaves, let's take it further here.

In terms of durability, maintenance, and protection, you must take note of some things.

- Durability

Hair extensions offer you a more comfortable option. Meaning, you can opt for clip-ins that can be installed and removed anytime you please. But hair weaves don't give you that luxury. It's more of a permanent styling option.

- Maintenance

There's a huge difference in how you care for each of them. With hair extensions, you don't have to do a lot. However, weaves need more care and attention.

- Protection

Finally, if your goal is to grow your hair, the weave might be a better choice, as it covers all your hair.

Which is the Best Choice?

Weaves and hair extensions give you undeniable benefits, and their outcome may be similar in providing volume, length, and a realistic look. This means your choice has to be based on other factors such as your preferences, lifestyle, and goals.

Should your goal be to grow your hair, consider what option best supports that. Similarly, if you want to color your hair, consider which method suits that need. Once you've weighed both methods, you can go ahead to choose.

Weaves are generally better for promoting hair growth, while extensions are preferable if you want to dye your hair.

Do you have any other burning hair questions? Drop them in the comment section below.