Love hair extensions? 4 major trends you need to know about
Extensions are a brilliant way to enhance your hair.
And that doesn’t just mean adding length. At Paul Edmonds, we’re all about a bespoke approach to extensions, using careful placement and high-quality hair to ensure a seamless finish every time.
“Our signature style is very natural,” says senior director Siobhan Baynes. “We use extensions to make the hair fuller and healthier as opposed to creating a drastic change. We don't put anything in that wouldn't blend.”
We offer three types of extensions at the salon: bonds, wefts and tapes (you can read about each type in this blog post). Most of our styling team focus on bonds and wefts (also known as weaves) because the application process means they’re virtually undetectable in the hair.
“We’re always very mindful to make sure you can't see the extensions,” Siobhan says. “Over the last few months most of us have been using weft extensions sewn in with microbeads because that’s one of the best methods of keeping everything small, natural and discrete.”
Discretion is key, she adds: “Because we have a lot of clients who don't tell their husbands they have hair extensions!”
That’s not a problem with the kind of premium extensions we offer at the salon. In fact, they’re getting better all the time, with news products and application techniques emerging all the time.
What’s new for 2025? Here, Siobhan talks through four important trends every hair extensions enthusiast needs to know about…
1. REUSABLE HAIR EXTENSIONS
With traditional bonded extensions, the hair pieces are applied by melting a keratin capsule and ‘gluing’ it to the natural hair close to the root. To remove them, you need a solution to ‘crack’ the bond, meaning the extensions can’t be reused (unless you cut off a significant chunk of the extension).
However, with micro ring weft extensions that are sewn into your hair your stylist can simply push them up after six weeks of hair hair growth, then remove and reinstall the extensions every three months.
“I think people are very mindful about their finances now, which is why reusing extensions has become popular,” Siobhan explains. “Also clients want something that’s safe for their hair and causes less breakage.”
With the premium quality extensions we use from brands including Remi Cachet and Great Lengths, you can expect to get up to a year’s worth of wear out of your extensions (as long as you look after them), or longer if you leave them out at times.
“I leave my extensions out for about three months and then I put them back in,” Siobhan says, and she encourages clients to do the same if they want to keep costs down. “It's a little bit more sustainable that way, because they're not having to buy new hair every three months.”
To ensure your extensions stay in good condition, be sure to use hydrating shampoo and conditioner plus a moisture mask once a week.
2. WEFTS FOR EVERYONE
Thanks to hairdressers sharing their work on social media, weft hair extensions (also known as weaves) are becoming more popular with clients who previously might only have considered bonded or tape extensions.
“On Instagram, I see a lot more people are having weaves now, when they weren't really talked about as much before,” Siobhan says. “I think people associated them with Afro hair, but now it's become a bit more of a thing across the board.”
The reusability factor is a big part of the appeal, she adds: “It's a bit more cost effective and clients want to make sure their extensions are ethical as well.”
The hair extensions we use in salon are always ethically sourced. To find out more, see the Great Lengths ethical charter and the Remi Cachet ethical sourcing policy.
3. EXTENSIONS TO BOOST YOUR BOB
Bobs have been a huge hair trend over the last year, but if you thought your hair was too fine to rock a shorter crop, think again. With extra-small hair extensions, your hair stylist can add volume exactly where it’s needed.
“The finest part of the hair is normally the hairline, thats the bit you want to fill out,” Siobhan says. “You have the option to add, for example, 10 little bond extensions as a filling essentially, to just fill in gaps.”
She recommends bonds over wefts in this case because weaves can sometimes appear bulky on shorter hair.
“It also depends whether the person wants to put their hair up,” she adds. “Because if they were to pull their hair back you would see the extensions. But in terms of thickness for a bob, extensions are great.”
4. EXTENSIONS TO SUIT EVERY TEXTURE
At the moment, extensions are straight as standard and can be tonged or blow-dried to create waves or curls, but recently we’re seeing more brands offering curly or wavy extensions.
“I think previously people who had curly hair thought, ‘What's the point of having hair extensions because I'm going to have to curl them? So there was a bit of a gap in the market,” Siobhan says.
“Paul and I were researching this recently. Brands are starting to do curly hair extensions now, there were some on show at Salon International hair show in October.”
Currently in the salon we offer wavy hair extensions, available as volume weft and keratin tip, and our stylists can advise on the best type of hair to suit you.
Extensions are sourced from different areas of the world, with European extensions generally recommended for finer and straighter hair types, while Mongolian or Indian subcontinent extensions are better for thicker hair types as they have a slight wave and thicker texture.
Your hair but better
Whether bonds or wefts, hair extensions are a beautiful and versatile way to elevate your hair and try new trends.
With the latest innovations, you can subtly add volume, length or both, while reusable extensions offer a more economical way to update your look.
Wondering if hair extensions are right for you? Book a consultation at Paul Edmonds London.
