Normally, when you buy hair extensions, you should either go to a salon or have your stylist use their best judgment and measurement techniques to get the right size extensions. In a salon setting, the stylist doesn’t have to be 100% precise because they can always cut and trim the extensions as needed so they blend in with your natural hair.
Another popular method of purchasing the correct size hair extensions is to go to a beauty supply store and a sales representative can help you choose the correct size extensions. They can often take the extensions out of the packaging and hold them next to your hair to further aid in measurement adjustments.
When you order your hairpieces online, you don’t get the same face-to-face customer service. Instead, you will need to properly measure your hair to know what size hair extensions to order.
First we will measure the two middle layers. To get started, you first need to section your hair by creating a section that starts at ear level. Ear level should be about 1/2 inch below the tip (highest point) of the ear and secure the top of the hair with a clip at the top of the head. Now take a clothing tape measure (one that is foldable). and bends easily) and measure the nape section of the head which would be from the back of one ear to the back of the other ear. The measurement should be 5 to 7 inches wide. You will need 2 extension pieces that are 5″ or 7″ wide; that is, the section of the track that is attached to your natural hair and not the actual length of the hair strand.
Second, we will measure the top layer. Keeping your hair sectioned, slide the tape measure about 1 inch above the highest point of your ear. Now make sure you measure this area so that your tape measure is still raised 1 inch above the tip of the ear, but that you want the measurements to extend just past the ear as if you were wrapping around the point where the hairline and meet face to face. This measurement should be between 8″ and 11″.
Then we will measure the bottom layer. Take your tape measure and place it about 1 1/2″ from the bottom of your hairline (where the top of your neck and bottom of your hair meet) at the back of your neck. Your tape should start at about 1″ behind the back from one ear to the other. This measurement could be something like 3″-5″ wide.
Now we measure the smaller side pieces. Part your hair so that you have stacked the top part of your hair, which would be the bangs, and a small portion of hair that is at the crown of your head. Now measure the width straight from where the hairline meets the temple (about 1 inch above the eyebrow) and ends at the beginning of the ear area. This is usually a 1/2″-1 1/2″ measurement.
Your measurements might look something like this:
1 – 3″-5″ piece
2 – 5″-7″ Pieces
1 – 8″-11″ piece
2 – small side pieces measuring 1″- 1 1/2″