Many K-pop idols are known for their versatile styles, being able to change their entire look from soft and sweet, to bold and edgy. And, contributing a huge part to their never-boring styles are their gorgeous tresses.
Besides switching up their hair colour – striking blacks, soft ash browns, to angelic blondes – they’re also going from short, shoulder-length ‘dos to astoundingly long tresses, just like that.
Just look at Jennie from Blackpink who wears hip-length, jet-black tresses in the Jentle Garden campaign, a fast switch from her regular chest-length hair. Or, Lisa, who often transforms her hair drastically from a short bob to Ariana Grande-style ponytail.
Photo source: @jennierubyjane, @lalalalisa_m on Instagram
The secret? It’s no other than hair extensions. Hair extensions don’t just give gorgeous length to your ordinary tresses, they can also be used to add volume.
Somi said so herself, in a YouTube video with hairstylist Kiu. When the two were talking about hair extensions, Kiu explained, “Many girl group members use extensions. Almost all of them do”, to which Somi replied, “Right, because fuller hair looks nicer when you’re dancing.”
Kiu noted that people with long hair also use hair extensions, for both length and volume.
Photo source: Screengrab from kiu기우쌤’s YouTube video
Surprise! Somi even took off her clip-in hair extensions in front of the camera, showing us that they are indeed the secret behind K-pop idols’ full and lengthy mane.
So, if you’re hoping to refresh your style and have a go at a long, voluminous hairdo, then read on because we’ll share the different types of hair extensions you can wear, as well as the salons where you can get them done in Singapore!
Types of hair extensions in Singapore
Clip-ins
Clip-in hair extensions are just as their name suggests, they’re locks of either synthetic or real hair that are joined together with a fabric or silicone base. At the base of each hair extension piece are clips that allow you to snap them onto your natural locks.
Usually, clip-ins are applied by sectioning the hair and then clipping them as close to the roots as possible – the best thing about these extensions is that you can wear them on your own, without needing to head to the salon.
They’re also a temporary way to extend and fill in your tresses, so you can easily switch back to a shorter hairstyle or play around with colours too.
VARIO Clip-In Hair Extensions
To add instant volume to your tresses, use VARIO clip-in hair extensions that you can find on Amazon. They’re soft, thick, and come in so many varieties so you’ll be able to find the best match for your hair.
From natural black straight hair to arresting dark brown and ash pink balayage, VARIO’s hair extensions are of every kind!
DevaLook Clip-In Hair Extensions
DevaLook’s clip-in hair extensions are easy to use and come in an assortment of colours as well as styles. You can even find clip-in ponytail extensions to quickly switch it up and flaunt Lisa of Blackpink’s #girlboss vibes.
Goo Goo Clip-In Hair Extensions
Made from 100% human hair, Goo Goo’s extensions are also REMY hair – which means that it is collected when the cuticle is still intact. That also means that Goo Goo Clip-In Hair Extensions are silky, shiny, and easy to care for too.
Sew-ins
Photo source: @handtiedextensions/Instagram
Sew–in hair extensions stay on your hair longer than clip-ins, as they’re literally sewn into your natural locks. How it works is that certain sections of your hair will be first braided into cornrows, and then the hair extensions are attached to these parts of your hair using a needle and thread.
As the hair extensions are weaved in with the hair, this method can cause a strain on your scalp. Sew-ins are, thus, recommended to be worn for no more than two months at a time, to allow your scalp to rest and natural hair to grow healthily.
Tape-ins
Photo source: @alena_sd_hairextensions/Instagram
Tape-ins are small sections of synthetic or real hair that are secured at the ends with tape. The hairstylist will stick the hair extensions near the roots of the hair, in sections across the head.
Since they’re taped onto your natural hair, you would also have to have them removed at the salon after about two to three months – the hairstylist will use a remover to take away the sticky pieces.
Tape-ins are a semi-permanent hair extension method that must be properly taken care of to ensure that the tapes don’t slide off the hair (such as when using conditioners or hair oils).
Pinch braid extensions
Photo source: Screengrab from ErnaLimdaugh’s YouTube video
Pinch braid extensions are the ones that are most commonly applied at hair salons in Korea!
Each pinch braid extension is made up of two pieces of narrowly sectioned hair extensions that are connected on one end each by a thread. To attach these extensions, the hairstylist will separate your hair into small sections, and then braid the pinch braid extensions in with your natural strands.
Because the threads used to braid the extensions in are slim, and extensions are weaved in, pinch braid extensions feel lightweight, secure, and look totally natural too.
Unfortunately, we can’t find any salons in Singapore that do pinch braid extensions like the ones in Korea. There are, however, salons that also use braiding techniques to attach extensions piece by piece into one small section of hair at a time for a similar result.
Micro-link extensions
Photo source: @thehairshopinc/Instagram
An alternative to sew-in or pinch braid extensions is micro-link extensions that are attached to the hair with a microbead or microtube.
Each piece of micro-link extension is a small section of hair that’s pre-tipped at the end. The micro-link extension is attached to a small section of hair at a time: the hairstylist puts a microbead through the section and clamps down on it (the hair extension underneath) at the root.
Unlike the sew-in method, this one doesn’t require braiding the hair, and therefore, puts less pressure on the scalp.
Salons to visit for hair extensions in Singapore
Hairdreams Couture Salon
Hairdreams’ extensions are made from 100% real human hair and used all over the world including in Paris, Los Angeles, as well as New York.
The salon is an expert in styling both Asian and Caucasian tresses, making sure that each hairstyle suits your specific hair condition, volume, and length.
The salon offers two types of hair extensions, tape-ins, and nano extensions, which last longer compared to the other ones mentioned earlier.
Nano extensions are attached to your natural hair using Laserbeam Nano, a nano-bond technology that warms and seals the crystal polymer bondings, almost invisibly, onto natural hair.
Longer-lasting and more invisible, it’s no wonder that so many people opt for Hairdreams’ Nano Extensions for fuller and more voluminous tresses!
Location: 51 Cuppage Road, #01-09, Singapore 229469
Opening hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon to Sat) | Closed on Sun & PH
Contact: 6653 5500
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Colour Bar Hair Salon
Located at Holland Village Shopping Centre, Colour Bar Hair Salon offers hair services ranging from haircuts and European highlights to hair extensions. The salon uses tape-in extensions to create fuller, more voluminous manes for its customers.
For three pieces of 360-strand hair extensions, the salon charges S$250 (instead of S$500) on Salon Finder.
Location: 211 Holland Avenue, Holland Village Shopping Centre, #02-21, Singapore 278967
Opening hours: 10am – 7.30pm (Mon to Sat) | 10am – 6.30pm (Sun)
Contact: 6977 7988
Instagram
Ocean Korean Hair Salon
Another salon that uses laserbeam nano extensions to give more volume to your natural head of hair, Ocean Korean Hair Salon has been providing hair extension services in Singapore since 2003.
And, while hair extensions add to an already healthy head of hair, they can also be used to fill in balding spots – the Korean stylists at this salon are certainly experts in doing that.
Before hair extensions (left), and after (right)
As laserbeam nano extensions are very lightweight, they’re able to work for even thin hair, making these hair extensions ideal for those who struggle with hair loss!
Location: 3 Killiney Rd, #01-06, Singapore 239519
Opening hours: 10.30am – 8pm (Mon to Fri) | 10.30am – 7pm (Sat to Sun, & PH)
Contact: 6836 8419, or WhatsApp 9123 1204
Website | Instagram
D’Lash and Hair Extension
D’Lash and Hair Extension specialises in hair and eyelash extensions, and are rated a collective 4.9 out of five stars on Google by 94 reviewers.
Besides doing ones that match your natural locks, the salon also does hair extensions that flaunt a brand-new style, such as highlights. You’ll get to experience a bold new refresh that you’ve never dared to try before!
D’Lash and Hair Extension does what it refers to as “hand-tied extensions”, where the hair is sectioned into tiny locks, and then the hair extensions are braided in with the natural hair before being secured, or tied to the natural hair without braiding.
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The salon charges S$1 for one piece of hair extension, and if you get 100, you’ll get 100 free.
Location: 14 Scotts Road, Far East Plaza, #03-127A, Singapore 228213
Opening hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: 9072 3818
Facebook | Instagram
Number76
Japanese salon Number76 was first opened in Tokyo, then later reached our shores in 2016. With a spacious interior that’s decorated with comfortable wood elements, the salon feels almost like a café, the ideal place to kick back and relax whilst getting a hair makeover.
The salon offers tape-in extensions, which the salon also refers to as seal extensions, charging S$9 per piece for medium-length hair and S$11 per piece for long hair.
Location: 277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway, #02-21/22/23, Singapore 238858
Opening hours: 11am – 6pm (Thu) | 11am – 8.30pm (Fri to Wed)
Contact: 6385 6776
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Hera Hair Beauty
With an international team of hairstylists and colourists, there’s plenty you can do at Hera Hair Beauty.
Aside from traditional hair extensions that blend in with the rest of your natural locks, the salon’s hairstylists can also create a gorgeous balayage style for you.
The hair extensions can be fitted to blend in with your hair’s darker roots yet fade into lighter shades at the end for an effortless splash of colour!
The salon’s hair extensions services are priced starting from S$280 for a half head, and S$520 for a full head of hair. The salon offers tape-in and fusion extensions at different prices (see their menu here).
Fusion extensions are pre-tipped hair extensions that are fused to your natural strands with an adhesive such as keratin glue.
Location: 163 Tanglin Road, Tanglin Mall, #03-125/126, Singapore 247933
Opening hours: 10am – 7pm (Mon to Sat) | 10am – 6pm (Sun & PH)
Contact: 6732 1206, or WhatsApp 9237 1254
Website | Instagram
Extreme Lengths Singapore
Extreme Lengths Singapore considers itself to be the first Afro and ethnic hair specialist on the island, providing services like dreadlocks, braiding, as well as cornrows – not what you usually can find at most hair salons here.
The salon also specialises in hair extensions. They can do a full head of sew-ins for S$280 to S$330, depending on your hair’s volume.
Location: 200 Jalan Sultan, Textile Centre, #01-09, Singapore 199018
Opening hours: 12pm – 5pm (Mon) | 10am – 5.30pm (Tue to Fri) | 10am – 7pm (Sat) | Closed on Sun
Contact: 9788 7944
Facebook | Instagram
Glamour Hair Extensions
Located at Far East Plaza, Glamour Hair Extensions specialises in hair extension, eyelash extension, and manicure services. Scroll through their Facebook page and you’ll notice that they create extensions for many different types of hair, from curly and wavy to straight.
If you’re hoping to get extensions the same way that so many Korean beauty bloggers do, you’re in luck. The salon offers “braiding” and feather extensions, both of which involve hand-tying the extensions to your natural locks in small sections (similar to Korean pinch braid extensions).
Stylists braid each piece of hair extension into small sections of your hair, giving a lightweight and natural result. It also offers feather extensions, which the stylist explained are attached using smaller knots and are more comfortable.
For braiding, one piece is priced at S$1, and with 100 pieces, you get 200 free. The feather hair extensions are priced at S$4 per piece.
Location: 14 Scotts Road, Far East Plaza, Singapore 228213
Opening hours: 10.30am – 8.30pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: 8183 1923
Facebook
Vain Beauty
Vain Beauty’s store is lined from floor to ceiling with a myriad of hair extensions for you to choose from. It doesn’t just offer natural brown or black colours, it also has striking pink, blue, and reds to style a creative ‘do that you desire.
The salon offers “braiding” – it braids the hair extensions in with your natural locks and secures them with rubber bands. Each piece is priced at S$3, and when you get 100, you’ll get 100 for free.
Location: 14 Scotts Road, Far East Plaza, #03-140, Singapore 228213
Opening hours: 10.30am – 10.30pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: 9850 6743
Facebook
The Parlour
The Parlour was opened in Singapore by American hairstylist Jessica Timm, and the salon is an expert in styling Caucasian tresses. Using quality hair extensions from brands such as Hairdreams and Bohyme, the salon makes sure that your extensions blend right in with your natural locks.
The Parlour notes that this before-and-after shows the same hair! What they did was lengthen two and a half packs of hand-tied extensions and did a little natural colour blending for a gorgeous look.
Pricing-wise, call the parlour for a consultation and they will give you a quote based on your hair and needs!
Location: 33 Lowland Road, Singapore 547429
Opening hours: 10am – 7pm (Mon to Sun)
Contact: 8106 8099, or email [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Featured image credit: kiu기우쌤, ErnaLimdaugh on YouTube
Related read: 10 Korean salons in Singapore to visit for curls, cuts, and colours like your favourite K-stars
