24.02.2026

How to tell if hair extensions are high quality or not?

The hair extensions quality directly determines how they’ll look alongside natural hair. It also affects which procedures can be carried out with the new hair and what kind of aftercare it’ll need. It also affects how often hair extensions maintenance will be needed. The question of possible haircuts also remains open.

Are you planning one of the following procedures - micro hair extensions, nano hair extensions, mixed-colour hair extensions, or extensions for a short haircut? Then it’s important to understand how to identify and distinguish natural hair from artificial hair. Ideally, you need to know exactly what are the best quality hair extensions. And if the choice isn’t limited to just one option, the question becomes how to decide on the most suitable solution based on specific requirements and personal preferences.

What is the best quality hair extensions?

Understanding this question helps avoid being misled in beauty salons. It also makes it easier to determine when additional procedures are needed, such as keratin treatment. Otherwise, hair extensions maintenance or even complete removal of hair extensions may be required. And this always means extra time, stress, cost, and inconvenience.

It’s important to understand that premium hair extensions are made only from natural hair of high quality, also known as premium quality human hair extension. As a rule, this is Slavic hair. A clear example is ready-to-install hair that is pre-bonded with keratin.

It stands out due to a range of key features, including:
  • Natural appearance - the strands are almost indistinguishable from natural hair. They have a healthy, natural shine. It’s also worth noting the wide range of available shades.
  • Exceptional softness - unlike artificial hair, the strands have a smooth texture and feel pleasant to the touch.
  • Long wear and strong attachment - hair extensions made from natural hair of the highest quality, such as highest quality human hair extensions, last significantly longer. They are securely attached to natural strands, don’t tangle, and don’t pull out.
  • Versatility for hairdressing procedures - hair extensions made from natural hair of good quality, including good quality human hair extensions, can be repeatedly coloured, styled, curled, and cut. Multiple rounds of maintenance are also possible.
  • Practicality and comfort - high quality hair extensions can be treated with various cosmetic products. They don’t require excessive or delicate care, unlike synthetic hair.
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How to identify best quality hair extensions?

Let’s move on to the most important part. To understand what actually defines good quality hair extensions uk and how to recognise them in practice, it’s enough to follow the recommendations below:
  • Assess the visual condition of the strands. A healthy shine (but not overly glossy), an even texture, no hairs sticking out in different directions, and a natural shade all indicate that the hair was properly cared for before cutting.
    Premium are usually found only in specialized salons, such as Ivana Farisey in London.
  • Do a tactile test. Even without experience or in-depth knowledge, it’s quite easy to identify hair extensions good quality by touch. Natural cut hair will always feel soft, and the texture will be finer. It’s also important to understand the difference in hair origin. For example, Slavic hair is the softest, while European and Asian hair tends to feel coarser, even if it appears thinner.
  • Smell the strands. The characteristic scent of synthetic hair can’t be fully masked by products. It often has a plastic-like or artificial odour. In some cases, natural hair of different quality may be mixed with synthetic hair. If this isn’t visually obvious, the smell may still appear after light heating with a hairdryer.
  • Pay attention to the price and the salon’s reputation. High-quality hair extensions can’t be cheap. Unfortunately, some sellers pass off heavily processed hair as natural. That’s why checking a salon’s reputation and supplier transparency really matters. Asking about supplier certificates can also be helpful, where available.
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Final thoughts

  • Now you understand that the quality of hair extensions can be assessed directly in the salon during a consultation. You don’t even need to ask unnecessary questions - visual appearance and tactile sensations speak for themselves.
  • It’s strongly not recommended to follow incorrect advice such as “slightly burning the ends”, “treating the strands with alcohol”, or “doing a test colouring on the hair”. No reputable salon or hair extensions supplier would ever allow such “tests” before a purchase.
  • Reputation and the availability of certificates remain the most reliable indicators of quality.If the hair extensions in a particular salon seem good, but reviews raise doubts, it’s better to look for another option.
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