Genius Weft Extensions
When it comes to hair extensions, we've applied, and personally worn, just about every make and model out there. You may wonder, with options like Tape Ins and Keratin bonded - a few of our absolute faves - if there is room in our hearts for hand tied hair extensions! Hand sewn wefts certainly have their advantages.
For what it's worth, here's how we feel about them and why. Hope you find this helpful!
-The Siren Stylists
We love the lightweight volume and flexibility of today's weft extensions.
Weft extensions have evolved from hand tied wefts into what we today call the genius weft or envy weft. They are flexible and lightweight and because they don't have a strip return hair, they are much more comfortable to wear. And because they have a polymer top, we can cut them to size without them unraveling, making them very easy to customize.
Hand Tied Weft Extensions are the lightest hair extensions!
People use the term "hand tied" differently in the extensions industry, so let us clarify. The hand tied extensions I offer use hand-finished wefts, as well as machine finished wefts, and they attach to the hair using a one of our variations on the beaded row technique. It's the hand-finishing along with the sew in application make these extensions super lightweight! More about the application in a moment.
Siren Signature Extensions
We use our own line of hair, made with 100% human Remy hair and available in 16", 18", 20" and 24" inch wefts. These are great volumizing option for those with fine hair who are candidates for hand tied extensions. Because they are ultra light and slimmer than other hand tied wefts, Envy Wefts are even more discreet and comfortable. What's cool about the Envy Wefts is that they don't have a moustache - those short hairs at the top of the band. This makes them even more comfortable - no pokey hairs - and allows us to trim the band to split it into smaller wefts without any fraying or shedding of hairs. They lay flat against the head so you get volume without bulk. They are also longer lasting.
Coco Marie Weft Extensions
We love this hair extensions brand from Colorado called Coco Marie. They are made with 100% human Remy hair and come in lengths up to 28". The hair is European making it a perfect match for our clients with straight, finer hair. The quality is fantastic and they have a beautiful palette of pre-colored shades. With Coco Marie Wefts you'll get 8-9 months of total wear.
Wefts Installation
First we create a row of beads using string then we attach wefts of hair to the beads using a needle and thread.
Let's look closer at install time. After all, this is one of the main factors that influences the cost of the service. Installation time for hand tied weft extensions is pretty efficient, more so than you might think. It takes about 45 minutes per row for an accomplished extensions artist, that’s a whole head in 1.5 to 2 hours.
Compare the time it takes to install a full head of hair extensions.
| Type | Installation Time |
| Tape Ins | 1 to 2 hours |
| Fusions | 4 hours + |
| Hand Tied Wefts | 1.5 to 2 hours |
How can you spot the perfect weft installation?
Well, it should look like this picture.
- Thread should match the natural hair color
- Hair should match at the root where the attachments are - this helps conceal them
- Wefts should be flat, no folds or bunching
- Hair should look smooth, no snarls
- Neat and tidy!
Minimal points of contact, wefts close and flat to the scalp, these are key for a natural look.
They work for everyone.
Before deciding the best type of extensions for a client, I consider all factors. Hair thickness, lifestyle... even factors like dry vs oily. Hair that tends to be oily can make adhesives tacky over time which are painful to remove or cause bonds to slip. Excess scalp oil or even moisture is not an issue when wearing hand tied wefts. We can count on the hand tied method here because they’re attached with a strong nylon thread and a silicone bead that won’t slip or become tacky when exposed to moisture.
Hand tied extensions can work for most hair density, from thick to thin. Although tape ins are extremely delicate and gentle on fine hair, the weigh distribution and minimal points of contact make hand tied extensions a great option for thin hair. Extensions that are packed with hair like these make wefts a great option for clients with thick hair too! Clients don’t have to spend as much time in the chair as with other methods since you can add more hair at one time with wefts!
A good match for an active lifestyle.
If you're like us, you stay active and don't want to worry about hurting your extensions. If you frequently wet or wash your hair, hand tied extensions are up for the task. If you work out or prefer to wash your hair every morning, then hair tied extensions are a good match for you. With hand tied extensions, you don’t have to worry about any bonds. With tape ins, the adhesive can weaken with excessive washing, and with fusions, the keratin bonds can swell and break down with excessive moisture. So for active ladies, we recommend hand tied extensions.
They are invisible.
One concern our clients raise is about bond visibility. As a professional stylists, of course our goal with any method is to make the attachments as invisible as possible! But when it comes to invisibility, we have to give credit where credit is due. Hand tied wefts are never bulky and we can position them close to the scalp. And because they lay so flat against the head, they mimic your natural hair more than other types of extensions. Hand tied wefts literally look as if they were growing out of your own head! Our clients who wear hair extensions can wear their hair up in a pony tail, in a bun or even parted down the middle with two braids.
We can really customize your color.
We customize your hand tied extensions in one of two ways, or a combination of both. We can match your hair and desired color to palette of 23 pre-colored shades (which includes naturals, blondes, rooted shades and balayage) or we can color the extensions if necessary before we install them. After all, they are made of top quality 100% Remy human hair, so they can be dyed and highlighted just like your natural hair.
Extended total wear time.
You can get 6 months of wear out of them. They need to be removed and resewn into place every 6 weeks or so, but they are low maintenance and great for the active woman. Here's how they compare to other types of hair extensions.
| Type of Extensions | Typical Wear Time |
| Tape in Extensions | 6 months |
| Fusion Extensions | 3-4 months |
| Hand Tied Wefts | 6 months+ |
| Coco Marie Wefts | 8-9 months! |
They cost less than you think!
How much do hand tied hair extensions cost? The cost will depend on how much hair you require, if the extensions need to be custom colored before they are installed, and if your desired look requires overall color or highlights before installation. It's impossible to quote an amount as the cost truly varies from person to person. What we can say for certain is that hand tied hair extensions are a happy medium, a middle ground on the cost spectrum. Similar to the cost of tape in extensions, hand tied wefts fall between clip ins/halo extensions and fusion extensions.
This will give you an idea of where hand tied extensions fall on the cost spectrum.
| Type | Cost for Full Head |
| Clip Ins | $$ |
| Tape Ins | $$$ |
| Hand Tied Wefts | $$$ |
| Keratin Bonds | $$$$ |
After a very long and frustrating experience with my previous extensions, I finally found this salon—and I genuinely cannot say enough positive things about them. From the moment I walked in, both Emily and the owner were extremely warm, welcoming, and kind. After everything I had gone through, I wa...s honestly nervous and embarrassed about the condition of my hair and extensions. Instead of making me feel uncomfortable, they immediately reassured me and approached the situation with compassion and professionalism. They took the time to thoroughly assess what had been done to my hair and explain why I had been having so many issues. I appreciated their honesty and transparency. It was clear they truly cared about fixing the problem the right way rather than rushing through a service. When they began correcting my extensions, they were incredibly gentle and meticulous. They worked to properly color match and blend everything so it would look natural and cohesive—something I had been trying to achieve for months. The difference in quality was immediately noticeable, not just in the color but in the overall feel and health of the hair. What meant the most to me was how patient and understanding they were throughout the entire process. Emily and the owner both made sure I was comfortable, checked in frequently about how I was feeling, and made it clear that my satisfaction was their priority. I left the salon feeling like a completely different person. My extensions are now beautiful, perfectly matched, and exactly what I originally wanted—low maintenance, natural-looking, and healthy. I am extremely happy with the results and beyond grateful that I found a team that genuinely cares about their clients and the quality of their work. I highly recommend this salon to anyone looking for skilled, honest, and compassionate extension specialists. They truly turned a very upsetting experience into a positive one for me. read more
Very clean and cozy salon. Cheyanne did a color correction on my hair as well as a trim. She did a PHENOMENAL job! My hair was definitely not an easy fix. I had a lot of natural gray root grow out, brown box dye, lighter ends, band of darker brown and then natural brown. Even with all that I was ple...asantly surprised with the results. We both knew it is going to take a few visits to get where I want to be but my hair looks so much better after just the first visit. Was given a free consultation and strand test before deciding to move forward. She took her time and did an amazing job. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with her. 100000% recommend!! read more
Caitlin’s Salon is awesome! ! I fly from out of state to get my
Hair done with Great Lengths Fusions. I always feel welcome when I’m there all day. The place is clean & cozy. I look forward every 5 months going to visit & knowing I’m going to look amazing when I leave!:) 5 stars!!
Khristen is extremely knowledgable and efficient. She can meet you for the first time and know exactly what to do to make your hair look its best and correct anything that you thought your previous stylist was doing right. Thank you, Kristen!
The Girls are very sweet. I went in and got keratin bonds. I’m happy with the hair. I will soon return for a re-apply. I contacted them a few days ago. So waiting to hear back on when I can return.
I had an absolutely amazing experience getting my first human hair topper at the salon. I was a little nervous because I suffer with hair thinning, yet the salon was a welcoming and hospitable place! I am so pleased with the results. Worth the drive from Richmond!
After a very long and frustrating experience with my previous extensions, I finally found this salon—and I genuinely cannot say enough positive things about them. From the moment I walked in, both Emily and the owner were extremely warm, welcoming, and kind. After everything I had gone through, I wa...s honestly nervous and embarrassed about the condition of my hair and extensions. Instead of making me feel uncomfortable, they immediately reassured me and approached the situation with compassion and professionalism. They took the time to thoroughly assess what had been done to my hair and explain why I had been having so many issues. I appreciated their honesty and transparency. It was clear they truly cared about fixing the problem the right way rather than rushing through a service. When they began correcting my extensions, they were incredibly gentle and meticulous. They worked to properly color match and blend everything so it would look natural and cohesive—something I had been trying to achieve for months. The difference in quality was immediately noticeable, not just in the color but in the overall feel and health of the hair. What meant the most to me was how patient and understanding they were throughout the entire process. Emily and the owner both made sure I was comfortable, checked in frequently about how I was feeling, and made it clear that my satisfaction was their priority. I left the salon feeling like a completely different person. My extensions are now beautiful, perfectly matched, and exactly what I originally wanted—low maintenance, natural-looking, and healthy. I am extremely happy with the results and beyond grateful that I found a team that genuinely cares about their clients and the quality of their work. I highly recommend this salon to anyone looking for skilled, honest, and compassionate extension specialists. They truly turned a very upsetting experience into a positive one for me. read more
Very clean and cozy salon. Cheyanne did a color correction on my hair as well as a trim. She did a PHENOMENAL job! My hair was definitely not an easy fix. I had a lot of natural gray root grow out, brown box dye, lighter ends, band of darker brown and then natural brown. Even with all that I was ple...asantly surprised with the results. We both knew it is going to take a few visits to get where I want to be but my hair looks so much better after just the first visit. Was given a free consultation and strand test before deciding to move forward. She took her time and did an amazing job. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with her. 100000% recommend!! read more
Caitlin’s Salon is awesome! ! I fly from out of state to get my
Hair done with Great Lengths Fusions. I always feel welcome when I’m there all day. The place is clean & cozy. I look forward every 5 months going to visit & knowing I’m going to look amazing when I leave!:) 5 stars!!
Khristen is extremely knowledgable and efficient. She can meet you for the first time and know exactly what to do to make your hair look its best and correct anything that you thought your previous stylist was doing right. Thank you, Kristen!
The Girls are very sweet. I went in and got keratin bonds. I’m happy with the hair. I will soon return for a re-apply. I contacted them a few days ago. So waiting to hear back on when I can return.
I had an absolutely amazing experience getting my first human hair topper at the salon. I was a little nervous because I suffer with hair thinning, yet the salon was a welcoming and hospitable place! I am so pleased with the results. Worth the drive from Richmond!
While I didn't get extensions during my visit, I did get highlights, haircut and styled by Emily. She listened to what I wanted, did a fabulous job with my color and was so friendly.
They are amazing! I highly recommend them. My hair was thinning but it looks amazing now! The color match was perfect and I love my hair again!
Total transformation after losing my hair to chemo from breast cancer at 35 years old! I had lost so much and just wanted at least my hair back so I could feel like myself and these girls did it! What a boost to my confidence and happiness. Thank you!
Love love love Kristen!!! She always makes sure I have the most beautiful hair and is so so personable and positive. Best place to go!
She’s not only “a professional”, she’s THE professional. By far, the best K-tip extensions and color match I’ve ever had. Caitlin, thank you so much for helping me feel like myself again! I will definitely be returning ♥️.
I love this place. Caitlin is the best, warm, welcoming and professional. Everything she does is amazing! I love my extensions and the hair color!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do hair extensions cost?
«We get a lot of private messages asking how much do hair extensions cost? As you can see in our extensions guide, there are several different types and brands of hair extensions to choose from. Although we can't guess at a cost without seeing and talking to you first, this much we can tell you. The cost will depend on which type and brand of extensions we use, how much hair we use, if we need to custom color them before we install, and if we need to adjust or highlight your base color before we install. It's impossible to ballpark an amount but hopefully this will give you an idea of how much hair extensions cost relative to each other.
| Type of Hair Extensions | Cost for Full Head |
| Clip Ins | $$ |
| Tape Ins | $$$ |
| Hand Tied Wefts/Invisible Beaded Row Method | $$$ |
| Keratin Tips/Fusions | $$$$ |
How much will my hair extensions cost?
For an exact quote, book a free hair extensions consultation.
Do hair extensions require a lot of upkeep?
«When you leave the salon, I'll give you instructions on how to care for your hair extensions in between appointments. The specific care and maintenance will vary depending on the type of hair extensions, but regardless of what type of bonds you have, you'll need to spend a little extra time each day to keep your extensions looking beautiful. I wear hair extensions all the time and if you ask me, the few minutes a day for a little extra care is well worth it.
Read my guide on at home care for hair extensions.
Summer and vacation care for your hair extensions.
In salon maintenance for your hair extensions.
Read my reviews here: https://www.sirenstylist.com/reviews/
View my work here: https://www.sirenstylist.com/gallery/
Will hair extensions work on short, fine hair?
«Hair extensions are great for "growing out" a short cut, adding length to hair that's hard to grow past a certain point, or adding back volume to the top of the head or around the face. As long as your own hair is at least 3-4 inches long and in good condition, you can get hair extensions.
Check out my Client Photo Gallery. You'll definitely see some short hair and thin hair transformations, especially with tape in extensions and Great Lengths.
Learn more about the different types in my Guide to Hair Extensions, which also includes top of head extensions, which are single piece hair toppers. More and more women are coming in for these easy in, easy out clip in pieces.
Can you color my hair with my extensions in?
«Just to be clear, quality human hair extensions can be colored, but there are limitations. Synthetic extensions can't be dyed or lightened. Even with human hair extensions, we want to be as gentle as possible with your attachments. With your extensions in, we can do a root touch up or refresh your highlights as new growth comes in. We would be very careful to only color your natural hair, not the extensions. We can even do an all-over color as long as that color is within a few shades. It's not advisable to do heavy lightening or drastic color changes with your extensions in.
Do you cut hair extensions?
«Yes, it is absolutely necessary to cut the hair extensions once they are installed in your hair. This is what we call a "blended cut" and it is essential to trim the ends of the extensions, shape the perimeter of the style and add any necessary layers. It's included with the cost of my service. Without a blended haircut, your extensions won't look natural.
How long will it take to install my hair extensions?
«Well, it depends on what method we are using and if we're performing a hair color service along with the installation. Without any hair color, we can apply tape in hair extensions in an hour and a half. Installing the hair takes about 20 minutes, the rest of the time is for washing, drying, cutting and styling! Fusion hair extensions, because they are a highly customized strand-by-strand application, are an all day job! We take our time on every bond ensuring it’s not too tight or large for the hair it’s being attached to, providing you with the most comfortable and damage free extension experience for months to come! The results are well worth the time spent in that chair! ⠀