I Tip vs Tape In Extensions: The Ultimate Choice for You

In this day and age, women are obsessed with beauty and continuously aspire to stay abreast of the latest fashion trends. The pursuit of a distinctive and current style often revolves around the vital role that hair beauty plays in their lives.

Unlike clothing, altering one’s hairstyle entails a substantial risk of damage. In light of this, utilizing hair extensions emerges as a great solution that covers immediateness and convenience. To enhance a hairstyle (lighter or darker) or add more volume, ‘’i tip vs tape in extensions’’ is a great option. However, the dilemma of selecting the most suitable option persists for many individuals. To facilitate this decision-making process, this blog aims to comprehensively outline the advantages and disadvantages associated with both types.

Shall we look into it? Let’s start exploring!

What Is I-Tip Hair Extensions?

Keratin i-tip hair extensions are a familiar item or another name for microbead or microlink extensions. They have different shapes (I, V, U, or flat), and ‘’I’’ is one of them. This type is a semi-permanent hair extension method that allows people to attach small bundles of human hair to natural ones with small beads. These beads are usually made of strong materials like aluminum or copper. The beads are clamped to secure the extension in place. Or there is another way to secure the tip by melting the tip with heat. Both of these methods also provide a natural look and versatility for users.

View more related post here: I-Tip Hair Extensions Pros And Cons

What Is Tape In Hair Extensions?

Tape-in hair extensions are another popular method of semi-permanent hair extensions. There are many types of tape in extensions (normal, invisible, mini, hole, or double tap tape, etc). However, normal and invisible are the most popular options. These extensions have small adhesive pieces to attach wefts of hair to natural hair. These adhesives are strong, do not easily fall off, and can stay firmly on the hair for a month. Tape-in extensions are suitable for people who desire to add length, volume, or color to their hair.

What Is Different Between I Tip Vs Tape In Extensions

Now let’s move on to the most expected part of this blog – What Is Different Between I Tip Vs Tape In Extensions? Let’s see what they are

Application Method

I tip hair extension is applied by the little beads that are discretely affixed to the scalp. These small beads provide a tight hold, but they also remain hidden beneath the layer of natural hair, making it difficult for others to notice the existence of extensions.

In terms of tape-in hair extensions, they are applied by the transparent glue used to let the wefts lie flat against the scalp, resulting in a smooth, nearly unnoticeable appearance.

Realistic Look

Both tape-in and i-tip give a realistic look. Due to the difference in application method, keratin tip with beads and tape in with adhesive. The result is a seamless integration of tape-tip extensions with your hair, resulting in an appearance that seems more natural than i-tip.

Time for Installation And Removal

The i-tip application process can be more time-consuming compared to tape-in. The i-tip application process requires more time and patience than when the applicant needs to do it one by one with beads or heat. On average, the application process for i-tip extensions takes between 2 and 3 hours and 1-2 hours to remove, depending on the desired length and volume as well as the stylist’s expertise.

Nevertheless, the tape application and removal process can take less time compared to i tip. The application of tape-ins is relatively quick, making them a highly convenient option for those with busy schedules or limited time for salon visits. The entire application procedure typically takes just 1-2 hours, allowing individuals to enjoy a transformative hair experience without a significant time commitment. As with the same trend, tape-in extensions can be taken out in only approximately 30 minutes.

Requiring Professional Application 

It could be said that it is a challenge for you if you are going to DIY with i-tip when they require specific techniques. In cases where you use heat, there is a potential risk of burning your hair or your skin. To get a comprehensive and safe result, precision is very important. As a result, proper application and removal of I-tip extensions require skill and should be done by a trained professional. This leads to wasting an hour in the salon, which is not ideal for people with hectic schedules.

While the application and removal of tape-in extensions may seem like a task one could tackle independently without requiring professionals,. When you have some basic technical knowledge, you can apply tape-in to your home. It will save you a lot of time and money in the long term.

Cost

The initial cost of I-tip hair extensions is around $150-$200 for a bundle of 100 grams (the price depends on the size and quality of the hair or brand). Besides these initial fees, consumers also need to pay an additional fee for installation and maintenance appointments with professionals. This fee is relatively high compared to other temporary hair extension options. Besides, when your hair grows, regular maintenance appointments are necessary to keep the extensions looking their best, and this can be an additional cost.

When considering other choices like keratin, clip-ins, or weft hair, the initial cost of tape-in extensions can be somewhat higher. It costs between $150 and $250 for every 100 grams. Several variables, including the quantity, quality, duration, and even brand, might affect the cost. Apart from the initial price, there could be extra charges for upkeep services and necessary goods like tape removers. However, with tape-in, you could DIY at home, so overall, the cost of I-tip is more expensive than tape-in, regardless of the higher initial cost of tape-in.

Potential for Damage

While I-tip extensions are generally considered less damaging, improper application or neglected maintenance can lead to damage to the natural hair. For instance, if you apply heat or beads, accidental situations can still damage your hair, like burning, breaking, or shedding.

Accidental occurrences, such as burning, breaking, or shedding, can still occur if not done correctly and carefully. If you believe that I-tip extensions are infallible and may result in a false sense of securit.

Reusability

After removal, both I-tip and tape-in extensions can be reused, making them more cost-effective in the long term. Instead of purchasing new extensions for each use, individuals can take advantage of the reusable functionality. It is not only cost-effective but also environmentally beneficial when it comes to hair extensions.

Recommended Customer

Tape-in extensions are ideal for all people, especially those with fine hair. Because they are lightweight and can nearly disappear against the scalp. The extensions mix in easily, providing volume and length while maintaining the natural appearance of the hair. This makes them an excellent choice for people looking for a subtle but effective solution to improve their hair. They will bring a sense of comfort to wearing them.

As with the opposite trend, I-tip hair extensions are not suitable for all types of hair, especially for those who own very thin or fragile hair. They are only suitable for people who have medium and thick hair. The weight of the extensions and the attachment method may cause stress on the natural hair. If the hair is too thin, it will face the challenge of covering the beads, which makes it easy to discover that you are using hair extensions.

Feelings While Wearing

Both two types of hair extensions bring a sense of comfort to wearing them. However, if you use too many I-tips, you may experience discomfort, particularly while sleeping. The weight and density of multiple extensions might create a sense of heaviness, potentially causing discomfort and restlessness while sleeping. When applying the I-tip, you should get a balance between the desired volume and the weight of the I-tip.

However, with several tape-in extensions, you could feel more comfortable. The glue used in tape-in hair extensions is extremely thin, lightweight, and virtually invisible to the human eye. This distinctive characteristic guarantees that the extensions rest flat against the scalp, resulting in a smooth and natural appearance that is extremely comfortable.

Both tip and tape-in extensions have unique advantages and limitations. To briefly give you a full picture and help you make an informed selection, we’ve highlighted the differences between the two in the table below. Let’s get into the comparison!

Which One Is Better For You?

After all, the goal is not just to enhance, but to do so in a way that seamlessly integrates with your unique hair texture and type. So the user needs to consider the pros and cons carefully before making the choice! There is no answer to the ‘’Which One Is Better For You?’’ question for everyone. It is better to base on the different of them and pick one which is suitable for your requirement at the most.  Hope that through this blog ‘’What Is Different Between I Tip Vs Tape In Extensions’’, you can gain valuable information for your beauty journey If you need any help, please feel free to contact Luxshine Hair to get assistance! We are proud to be one of the leading Vietnamese hair vendors in the field of hair extensions.