The world of natural hair extensions is limitless. There are so many different types to choose from to create your desired look while achieving the length and volume you have always wanted. In this blog post, we want to shine the spotlight on two of our favourite natural hair extensions: natural hair clip-ins and the drawstring ponytail. If you have been considering these two extensions but are unsure of which is best for you, you are in luck because we are going to break down the pros and cons of both. With this information under your belt, you should feel confident that you are making the right decision when you buy your next set of natural hair extensions.

What are natural hair clip-ins?

The simplest way to describe natural hair clip-ins is to think of them as removable extensions. They don’t require being glued or sewn into your hair and you attach them using small silicone tipped clips. These clips are found on individual wefts which can be slipped into and out of your hair.

What is a drawstring ponytail?

A drawstring ponytail is a hairpiece constructed around a lace stretch cap that fits comfortably over your bun in the style of a ponytail. It’s a great way to create a natural-looking ponytail that has more volume and length.

Pros of natural hair clip-ins

More styling options

What’s great about natural hair clip-ins is the versatility they offer. If they have been hairstyles you’ve been dying to try with your natural hair, but you feel you lack the length and volume this is where clip-in extensions shine. They can complement your natural hair to help you achieve a range of different hairstyles whether it’s for a wedding or a normal day at the office. If you are someone that loves switching up and experimenting with different hairstyles, then clip-ins are the extensions for you. 

Adding length and volume to your entire hair 

If you want to add more length and volume to your natural hair, then it’s clip-ins for the win. Because clip-ins can be installed throughout your hair you can create more length and fullness. As the clips are light weight you can get this without causing damage to your hair. If you are considering going natural for the first time, clip-ins can be a great way to boost your confidence while you embark on your exciting natural hair journey. 

Simple to install

Clip-in extensions are easy and simple to install. Depending on your hairstyle you can apply them in 10 minutes, and they are even quicker to remove. How you install your clip-ins will depend on the hairstyle you want to create and how much of your real hair you want to show. You can check out this video for tips on installing your natural hair clip-ins.

Cons of natural hair clip-ins

Can be harder to style

Natural hair clip-ins are easy to use but if you’re not used to styling your hair, there can be a learning curve as you get comfortable with styling them. Afro and curly hair clip-ins are still relatively new, so it’s not unusual to be unfamiliar with styling them. Getting used to using your clip-ins is rewarding as it opens up a wide range of hairstyles, however, consider whether you are willing to take the time to learn now to style your hair with them. 

Requires more maintenance

Natural hair clip-ins have been created to mimic natural hair textures; therefore, the care and maintenance of these extensions are like natural hair. We know that natural hair requires more care than straighter hair textures and natural hair extensions are no different. With that in mind, it’s important to understand how crucial it is to look after them if you want to get the longevity and benefits of your clip-ins. If you are at the beginning of your natural hair journey and still learning about natural hair care, you might not want to invest in afro and curly hair extensions at this stage of your journey. Luckily there are blown out textured hair extensions that can be ideal for newbies to the natural hair extension world.  

Pros of a drawstring ponytail

Easy and quick to install

If you are looking for a hairstyle that gives you speed and efficiency, then the drawstring ponytail is for you. You can have your hair done in a matter of minutes. It's that quick! No additional styling is needed other than prepping your hair by putting it into a bun. If you don’t like to spend too much time styling your hair, then a drawstring ponytail is the perfect solution.

Easier to maintain

Unlike natural hair clip-ins, a drawstring ponytail requires less maintenance because it is a structured unit that sits on top of your head, so it doesn't require as much styling or handling. This means you don’t have to wash or detangle it as often. Because they are low maintenance it makes them ideal for natural hair extension newbies. 

Allows you to create different ponytail styles

A common misconception is that you can only do one style with your ponytail when in fact you can create a range of styles by taking advantage of the extra length and volume that the ponytail provides. You can get your creative juices flowing and experiment with different ponytail hairstyles. Your only limit is your imagination.

Cons of a drawstring ponytail

Your hair must be long enough 

One disadvantage of a drawstring ponytail is that your hair must be long enough to use it, while with clip-ins you can still wear them if your hair is short (i.e., 3+ inches). We recommend that your hair is at least 4 to 6 inches long to comfortably put your hair into a bun without creating tension to your scalp.

Limited hair styling options

Although there are different ways to wear a drawstring ponytail it’s the only style you can create, whereas with natural hair clip-ins you have a wider range of hairstyles at your disposal. If you are someone that wants to have different hairstyles, then clip-ins will be the better choice. 

Now that we’ve gone through the pros and cons of each extension are you team natural hair clip-ins or team drawstring ponytail? 

We love them both but understand that different types of natural hair extensions are better suited for different lifestyles and hair goals. It’s great that there are more options for women who want to wear hair extensions in their texture. We hope this post has gotten you closer to finding your ideal natural hair extensions. 

Interested in our collection of natural hair extensions and accessories?

BROWSE EXTENSIONS AND ACCESSORIES

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:

How to decide should you wear natural hair clip-ins or weaves

How to use a Curly & Wild drawstring ponytail