In seamstress speak, a needle and thread are all you need to tailor a garment for a better, more flattering fit. And much like the art of tailoring, sew-in hairstyles utilize a similar set of tools to enhance the look of your hair. Celebrity hairstylist David Lopez explains that, as the name suggests, sew-in hairstyles include "any type of additional hair that is sewn into your natural hair. As long as there's a needle and thread, it is a sew-in." This includes weft extensions attached to I-tips (hair extensions that latch onto natural hair at the root using flattened microbeads or metal cylinders) or weaves sewn onto braided hair.
Meet the Expert
David Lopez is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with A-listers from Ashley Graham to Hailey Baldwin.
The Benefits
Lopez tells us sew-in hairstyles are popular because you can completely overhaul your look with the help of sewn-in wefts or weaves. He says, "you can quickly add a lot of hair to a person's head, either for density—meaning a thicker look—or length." He also adds that maintenance appointments are faster than glued-in styles. When you have a weft of hair sewn into your natural hair, the existing thread can be shifted up closer to the scalp to accommodate excess grow-out without the need of removing and reapplying glue.
Who They Work For
"Nowadays, hair wefts come in so many different textures, which makes almost everyone a candidate for sew-in hairstyles," explains Lopez, "because you can really find a texture that matches your own." However, he recommends those with fine, delicate hair steer clear of sew-in styles. "It's a lot of hair that gets sewn in, which makes it harder to hide than tape-ins or keratin bonds."
How To Style Sew-In Hair
Sew-in hairstyles are simply an enhancement to your current strands, and the best part is they can be styled any way you would style your natural hair. "You can wear your hair in a ponytail, you can wear it down, you can wear it half-up—you can really wear your hair however you want," explains Lopez. "It's really just there to add density to your strands if you have thin hair or add length and density if you have a shorter cut." Here are a few styles to inspire your new addition.
1. Old-Hollywood Waves
A sewn-in weft gives you the thickness you most usually see on red carpets. With the help of hot rollers, you can create a classic wave that transcends generations of glamour.
2. The '90s Topknot
Pull your hair up into a high and tight topknot and secure with a handful of bobby pins. Remember to reach for a few extra as you have more hair to work with now. Two tendrils on either side of a center part, secured with snap clips will transport you to the '90s.
3. Half-Up Bun
Whether you're working with a weft or a weave, the half-up style will never not be cute. Pair a half-up bun with lots of texture and tousled waves down below for a look that you can wear anywhere from running errands to Sunday brunch. To get this mermaid wave, look no further than an electric waving tool.
4. Half-Up Space Buns
Because the only thing better than one bun is two. Keep a couple of pieces out to frame the face, and accessorize with clips and barrettes for a fun look.
5. Princess Jasmine Braid
Now that you have the length and thickness of a Disney princess, you can create the mile-long braid you've always dreamed of. Just be sure to keep a can of hairspray handy to tame all traces of flyaways.
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