How to put in a Clip-in Set
With clip-in extensions, you can create longer and fuller hair whenever you want. You attach the tracks with small clips in your own hair and easily remove them at the end of the day.
The clips have a silicone grip, which keeps them securely in place. However, proper distribution is important for a comfortable and natural result.
In this guide, we show you step by step how to put in a complete 7-Track Clip-in Set. Do you have a fuller 8-Track Set? Further on, we explain where to place the extra Volumizer.
Preparation: brush and part your hair
Gently brush through your own hair and the extensions before you start. Make sure there are no tangles left.
Next, create a straight, horizontal part at the base of your neck. Temporarily secure the hair above the part with a clip.
Do you have very straight or fine hair? Gently tease the roots and use a small amount of hairspray if necessary. This gives the clips more grip. This is not necessary for every hair type.
Putting in a 7-Track Clip-in Set
A complete 7-track set consists of tracks of different widths. Start at the bottom with a narrower track and work your way up from the neck step by step.
Step 1: start with a track with 3 clips
First, place a track with 3 clips at the base of the neck. Open the clips beforehand and lay the track along the part you made.
First secure the middle clip, and then the clips on the sides. This makes it easier to place the track straight and evenly.
Place the clips close to the roots, but not directly against your scalp. The track should be secure without feeling tight or uncomfortable.
Step 2: work upwards with the wide tracks
Release a new layer of your own hair and create another horizontal part a few centimeters above the first track.
Place the next wide track here. Continue working your way up this way and use the widest track on the widest part of the back of your head.
Make sure there is always enough of your own hair between the tracks. This ensures that the clips are well covered and the distribution remains comfortable.
Always place the highest wide track well below the crown. There must be enough of your own hair left above this track to completely hide the clips.
Step 3: place the narrow tracks on the sides
Use the narrow tracks with one or two clips to add extra volume to the sides. Place them slightly above your ears and not too close to your hairline.
Always leave enough of your own hair free around your face and above the clips. This keeps the roots and clips invisible when you move or wear your hair behind your ears.
After placing, check the back and both sides with a second mirror. Does a clip feel tight or can you see a track? Then move it slightly lower or further back.
The exact distribution varies from person to person
You do not need to put the tracks in exactly the same place every time. The best distribution depends on the shape of your head, the thickness of your own hair, and the hairstyle you want to create.
Do you have little of your own hair on the sides? Then place fewer tracks there and distribute more hair over the back. The most important thing is that all clips are well covered and the set fits comfortably.
Putting in an 8-Track Clip-in Set
An 8-Track Clip-in Set consists of a complete 7-track set with an extra Volumizer. This is a wide track that adds extra hair and volume.
An 8-track set is especially suitable for thicker hair, short hair, full ends, or hair that is straight and cut quite bluntly. The extra hair helps to blend the transition between your own hair and the extensions more beautifully.
Where do you place the extra Volumizer?
Start again at the base of the neck with the regular tracks of the set. Work your way up as with the 7-track distribution.
Place the Volumizer on the wide part of the back of your head. This is usually above the bottom tracks and below the highest wide track of the complete set.
Create a straight part, open all the clips of the Volumizer, and hold the track along your head. First secure the middle clips and then work outwards.
Make sure the Volumizer is not placed too high on the crown. There must be enough of your own hair left to completely cover the wide track and all the clips.
Example of a possible distribution
A nice basic distribution for an 8-track set is:
1. A track with 3 clips: place this at the base of the neck.
2. The next wide track: place this a few centimeters higher.
3. The extra Volumizer: place this on the widest part of the back of your head.
4. The remaining wide track: place this above the Volumizer, well below the crown.
5. The narrow tracks: place these on the sides for a beautiful transition.
This order is a guideline. For a smaller head or thinner hair, you can place the tracks closer together or omit a few narrow tracks.
Tip for short or full hair
Do you have a short haircut or a clear, full lower line? Then distribute the Volumizer and the widest tracks mainly over the back. This is usually where the most hair is needed to let your own ends blend into the extensions.
You can carefully style your own ends and extensions together after putting them in. This helps to make the transition softer.
Watch how Ineke puts in the 8-Track Clip-in Set:
Watch the 8-track tutorialBlend your own hair and extensions
Check the transition
After placing, let all your own hair down and gently brush the top layers over the extensions. Do not brush hard over the clips.
Check if your own ends blend beautifully into the extensions. Especially with short, thick, or straight-cut hair, it can help to curl or style your own hair and the extensions together.
Are the clips visible? Then place the track in question slightly lower. Do you still see a clear transition on the sides? Move a narrow track or add extra hair locally.
This is how a set should fit
A well-placed Clip-in Set:
- feels secure, but does not pull on your scalp;
- has enough space between the tracks;
- remains invisible under your own hair;
- distributes the weight evenly over your head;
- blends beautifully with your own length and haircut.
Watch the full Clip-in tutorial
In the video below you can see step by step how a complete Clip-in Set is distributed and placed.
Want to practice a bit more?
The first time it can take a while to find the best distribution for your hair. After putting it in a few times, you will know exactly where the tracks sit best and you will usually place the set within a few minutes.
Are you unsure whether you need a 7- or 8-track set, or are you unable to get the transition to look beautiful? Send us clear photos of the back and sides of your loose hair. We are happy to take a look with you.
