The fastest way to spot extensions is colour. Natural hair is never one shade: it is lighter at the ends, darker at the root and full of different tones. Extensions in one flat colour sit on top of your hair instead of blending into it.
This guide explains how we colour match hair extensions at our Walton Street salon in Chelsea, how to find your clip-in shade at home, and how to keep the colour looking right for longer.
Why one flat colour never blends
Look closely at your own hair in daylight and you will see several colours at once. There may be warmth through the lengths, lighter pieces around your face, and ends that have faded in the sun. A single flat shade can't sit naturally next to all of that, however close it looks on a shade card.
Multi-tonal shades
We developed our own multi-tonal shades in our salon, so each piece already has the depth and movement of real hair. That is why our extensions blend with your hair, rather than just sitting next to it.
- Clip-ins come in 9 shades: Hyde, Knightsbridge, Dover, Soho, Marylebone, Eaton, Belgravia, Notting Hill and Portobello.
- Tape-in hair comes in 16 shades, in 18 and 22 inch lengths.
Find your clip-in shade at home
Most people buying clip-ins online worry about getting the shade wrong. These are the rules we use at our clip-in bar every day.
- Match your mid-lengths and ends, not your roots. That is where the clip-ins sit, and where they need to blend.
- Check your hair in daylight, by a window. Bathroom and evening light make most hair look warmer or darker than it is.
- If you are between two shades, consider mixing them. Many of our clients wear two or three shades together.
Free photo shade match
Still not sure? Send us a photo of your hair in daylight on WhatsApp, or by text, to 07752 143 822. One of our stylists will tell you your shade or the blend we would recommend. It's free, and it is the easiest way to buy clip-ins online with confidence.
For the best result, take the photo next to a window with no filter, showing the back and sides of your hair as well as the front. If you are wearing your hair in a different colour from usual, or it has been freshly toned, tell us.
If you would rather be matched in person, come to the clip-in bar at 164 Walton Street. In-salon clip-in shade matching is free too.
Mixing shades
Natural hair is never one flat colour, so mixing two or three shades gives a blend that looks like it grew from your own head. These are pairings we use in the salon:
- Belgravia + Dover + Portobello for bright, lived-in blonde.
- Portobello + Notting Hill + Dover for soft beige blonde.
- Notting Hill + Dover for a cooler sandy blonde.
- Marylebone for a soft mocha brunette.
- Eaton + Dover for honey brunette with lightness through it (currently limited, check availability).
- Soho + Marylebone for rich brunette with movement (currently limited, check availability).
- Knightsbridge + Marylebone + Soho for deep, glossy brunette (currently limited, check availability).
Dover works with almost everything, and is a good place to start if you are building a blonde or light brown blend.
Which clip-in set to choose
- The Volume Edit (£110) is 18 inch, 5 pieces and 50g, made for fine hair, side fillers and everyday fullness. For the best colour result, we suggest mixing two Volume Edit shades.
- The Full Edit (£290) is our 22 inch full head set, 7 pieces and 110g, for length and a full transformation. It can be cut to your length.
Both are 100% human, double drawn hair you can curl, straighten and style. If you would like your clip-ins cut and blended into your own hair, our clip-in cut and style is £130 at the salon.
Colour matching for fitted extensions
For tape-ins and keratin bonds, we always match in person or on a video call in daylight. At your free consultation we hold shades against your hair, and often mix two in one head of extensions for a more natural result.
Sometimes the best match means changing your own hair a little too. Our colourists work side by side with our extension specialists at Walton Street, so a balayage, toner or root smudge can be done in the same visit as your fitting. Your own hair and your extensions are matched to each other, not to a shade card. You can see colour costs on our prices page.
Keeping the colour right
Hot tools, sun and the wrong products can all change the tone of extensions over time. Extension hair can't repair itself the way your own hair does, so protecting the colour from the start makes a real difference.
- Wash with products made for extensions. Our Extensions Shampoo and Extensions Conditioner are free from sulphates, silicones, alcohols and essential oils, and safe for clip-ins, tapes, bonds and wefts.
- Protect from heat and UV. Our Extensions Extender protects from heat, styling and UV, which helps protect the tone of the hair.
- Brush gently. Our Universal Hair Brush detangles without roughing up the hair, which keeps it glossy.
Shop clip-ins and the routine
- Clip-in extensions: The Volume Edit £110 and The Full Edit £290, in 9 multi-tonal shades.
- The Complete Kit: Extensions Shampoo, Conditioner and Extender, £90 (£100 bought separately).
- Universal Hair Brush, £42.
Your questions
How do I choose the right clip-in shade?
Match your mid-lengths and ends, not your roots, and check your hair in daylight by a window. If you are still not sure, send us a photo on WhatsApp or by text to 07752 143 822 for a free shade match.
How many clip-in shades are there?
Nine: Hyde, Knightsbridge, Dover, Soho, Marylebone, Eaton, Belgravia, Notting Hill and Portobello. Each one is multi-tonal.
Should I mix two shades?
Often, yes. Natural hair is never one flat colour, so most of our clients wear two or three shades mixed together.
Can you colour match fitted extensions too?
Yes. We match tape-ins and keratin bonds at your free consultation, in salon or by video call, and our colourists can adjust your own hair in the same visit.
Will my extensions change colour over time?
Heat, sun and harsh products can change the tone. Washing with our extensions haircare and using the Extensions Extender for heat and UV protection helps the colour stay true for longer.
Find your shade
Shop our clip-ins and extensions haircare online, with free UK delivery over £50. Shop clip-ins, or send us a photo for a free shade match first.
For fitted extensions, book a free consultation at our Walton Street salon in Chelsea and we will match you in person. Book a free consultation.
