Applying tape in hair extensions at home is absolutely achievable, and thousands of women do it successfully without professional help. While a salon visit is always an option, understanding the correct application technique allows you to achieve excellent results independently and save a significant amount of money in the process. Here is a clear, step by step guide to doing it right.
What You Will Need Before You Start
Before you begin applying your tape in hair extensions, make sure you have all the necessary tools ready. You will need:
- Your GOO GOO tape in hair extensions pack
- A fine tooth tail comb for sectioning
- A flat iron or hair straightener
- Hair clips for holding sections out of the way
- A mirror positioned so you can see the back of your head clearly
Having everything laid out before you start prevents interruptions mid application, which can lead to uneven sections and poorly placed bonds.
Preparing Your Hair for Application
Your hair must be completely clean, dry, and completely free from any conditioner or styling product residue before applying tape in hair extensions. Any oil, conditioner, or product on your natural hair will prevent the adhesive from bonding correctly, which leads to the wefts slipping or falling out prematurely.
Wash your hair with a sulphate free shampoo and allow it to dry fully. Do not apply any leave in conditioner, serum, or oil before application. Your hair should feel clean and slightly textured rather than silky smooth at the roots, which actually helps the adhesive grip more effectively.
How to Section Your Hair Correctly
Correct sectioning is the foundation of a natural looking application. Start at the nape of the neck and use your tail comb to create a clean horizontal section approximately one inch above the hairline. Clip everything above this section out of the way.
The section of natural hair you isolate for each weft should be no wider than the weft itself and contain enough density to support the weight of the extension without placing strain on individual strands.
The Sandwiching Application Method
GOO GOO tape in hair extensions use the sandwiching method, where one weft is placed beneath your natural hair section with the adhesive facing upward, and a second weft is placed on top with the adhesive facing downward. The two adhesive sides press together with your natural hair sandwiched between them.
- Peel the backing from one weft and place it beneath your hair section, adhesive up
- Peel the backing from a second weft and press it firmly on top, adhesive down
- Press the two adhesive strips together firmly with your fingers
- Run a flat iron over the bond area briefly to activate and strengthen the adhesive
- Move to the next section and repeat across the row
Work upward from the nape, completing each row before creating the next section above it.
After Application: The Critical First 48 Hours
Once you have finished applying your tape in hair extensions, the bonds need time to fully cure and set. During the first 48 hours after application, avoid washing your hair, tying it up tightly, or exposing the bonds to steam or excessive moisture. This settling period is what determines how securely the bonds hold throughout the following weeks.
After 48 hours, you can wash and style your extensions as normal, following the recommended care guidelines from GOO GOO, including using sulphate free products, combing from bottom to top, and sleeping with a silk pillowcase or cap to protect the hair overnight.
Conclusion
Applying tape in hair extensions at home is a genuinely achievable skill that improves with practice. The key is clean, product free natural hair, correctly sized sections, and allowing the bonds adequate time to set after application. Follow these steps carefully the first time and you will be pleasantly surprised at how professional the result looks.
