Journal · Buying
How many packs of hair extensions do I need?
· 3 min read
The question we are asked most before an online order. What a pack holds, and what changes how many you need.
In this article
The honest answer is that it depends on your hair. But it depends on a small number of things, and once you know what they are, you can estimate it closely.
What's in a pack
A pack holds a different amount of hair for each method, so the number of packs only means something next to the method.
| Method | One pack |
|---|---|
| Tape-in | 20 pieces, 50 g |
| Keratin bond | 25 strands, 25 g |
| Hand-tied weft | 1 weft, 50 g |
| Invisible weft | 1 weft, 50 g |
| Clip-in set | 7 pieces, 140 g |
| Wrap ponytail | 1 piece, 120 g |
Compare grams, not pieces. Twenty tape-ins and twenty-five bonds sound similar, but the tape-in pack holds twice the hair. Weight is what decides how full the result looks.
The clip-in set and the ponytail are complete on their own. One is usually enough, which is why they're sold as a set and a single piece.
Three things that change the number
Your own hair
This matters most. Extensions have to blend into your own hair at every length, and the amount it takes depends on how much hair you already have.
- Fine hair needs less extension hair to look fuller, but needs enough of it, spread evenly, that the ends don't look thin next to the roots.
- Medium hair is the usual starting point for the figure below.
- Thick hair needs more to avoid a visible line where your hair ends and the extensions take over.
The length you want
The further past your own length you go, the more hair it takes. Extensions that add a little length to hair that's already long blend easily. A lot of length on short hair needs more hair, and more of it placed lower down, so the ends don't look sparse.
Volume, length, or both
If you only want volume, at the length you already have, you need the least. If you want length as well, you need more. If you want both, a lot of length and a lot of fullness, you need the most.
A starting point
Our usual guide: Most full heads use 2–3 packs. Your stylist confirms at consultation.
Treat that as the middle of the range, not a rule. Fine hair that wants volume only can need less. Thick hair that wants a lot of length can need more.
Too few, or too many
Ordering too few is the more visible mistake. Your own hair shows through at the lengths, and the ends look thinner than the top.
Ordering too many is less obvious but just as real. The result looks heavy rather than natural, and more weight sits on your own hair.
Hair is a hygiene product, so once a pack is opened we can't take it back. That's covered on our delivery and returns page, and it's why we'd rather you ask than guess.
When to ask first
If you're between two numbers, or ordering for the first time, it's worth checking with us before you order.
- Book a consultation. We look at your hair, match your shade and tell you exactly how many packs your method and length need. It takes about thirty minutes in our New Farm salon, and the fee is redeemable against your fitting. See what happens at a consultation.
- Send us a message with a photo of your hair, down and in natural light, and the length you're after. Contact us.
If you're still choosing a method, start with which method suits you.