Keratin Hair Extensions Application Guide
Keratin Hair Extensions Application Guide
Step-by-step, with the her flow & GL Hair Group tools that make each stage faster and cleaner.
The result you're working toward: natural movement, invisible bonds.
What You'll Need
Tool Set for Weft & Keratin Extensions
Alongside the heat connector below, this matte-black, zip-up kit covers the rest of the process:
- Keratin & weft pliers
- Claw pliers
- C-shaped needles — 3 pcs
- Looping tool
- Rat-tail comb, for sectioning and parting
- Scissors, for trimming keratin bonds
- Sectioning ring
- Hair grippers — 2 pcs
- Sectioning clips — 10 mini + 5 larger
The heat connector that fuses the bond isn't included in the kit — it's sold separately, see step 3 below. Every tool in the case is also sold on its own if you'd rather build your own set.
Prepare & Section the Hair
- Wash and dry completely. Hair must be 100% dry before bonding — any moisture left in the hair will weaken the bond.
- Section from the bottom up. Work in horizontal rows about 1–1.5 cm apart, starting roughly 1.5 cm above the natural hairline at the nape and clipping the rest of the hair out of the way.
- Take clean, even sections. Each section should be no wider than the strand you're attaching, so the bond sits on a defined subsection of natural hair rather than a loose chunk.
New to sectioning? Practicing on a training head first — as most professional stylists do — is a low-pressure way to get your row spacing and section thickness consistent before working on a client.
View training head →Fuse the Bond
Keratin Heat Connector
Gently heats and molds the keratin bond around the natural hair section. Position the bond about 1 cm from the scalp, close the connector around it, and press firmly 3–4 times until the keratin softens and fully wraps the strand.
View product →
Professional Pliers for Weft & Keratin Extensions
Once the connector has done the main shaping, use these pliers to fine-tune the freshly fused bond by hand — smoothing any rough edges and rounding the shape further so nothing catches on a comb later. Included in the her flow tool set above, or sold on their own here.
View product →Working Direction & Spacing
- Always work in one direction — left to right, or right to left, across each row. Never start from the middle and work outward, as it makes it harder to keep spacing even.
- Leave at least 1 mm between bonds within a row, so neighbouring bonds don't fuse together or pull on each other as the head moves.
- Move up a row at a time, finishing each row completely before starting the next one higher up.
Even spacing and a consistent working direction are what create this kind of seamless, natural movement once the extensions are in and styled.
How Long Does It Take?
| Goal | Typical application time |
|---|---|
| Thickening (2–4 packages) | 30 minutes – 1.5 hours |
| Full extension (4–6 packages) | 3–6 hours |
Times vary with stylist experience and how much hair is being applied — these are typical ranges, not guarantees.
Ready for the next stage — removal, reapplication, and everyday care?
Removal & care guide → Back to selection guide →