The Kardashians seem to wake up every morning with flawless, princess-length hair. But let’s be real—they aren’t immune from bad hair days. What they do have is a glam team and a toolkit stacked with the best hair extensions on the planet. Swipe through Instagram and you’ll spot their luscious locks morphing from sleek bobs to mermaid manes, sometimes on the same day. Of course, part of the magic lies in the extensions: shades matched to perfection, lengths unattainably gorgeous, and texture that always looks natural up close—even under HD cameras and paparazzi flashes. You might be surprised that the brands and methods behind those famous styles are actually within reach for us non-celeb folks, too.
The Kardashian Extension Toolkit: Brands They Trust
When it comes to hair extensions, the Kardashians don’t gamble. They know millions will zoom in on every flaw, so they work with the most reliable brands out there. One of their top picks? Bellami Hair. Kim has publicly worn and promoted Bellami’s silk-seam wefts, which are pretty much invisible along the hairline. Khloé is also known to favor Bellami—especially during her icy blonde reinventions. These extensions are crafted from 100% Remy human hair, which basically means each strand lines up in the same direction for that naturally-blended, tangle-free look.
Another brand you’ll spot behind the scenes is Glam Seamless. Stylists like Justine Marjan, who works closely with the sisters, have talked about using Glam Seamless tape-ins for flawless volume and length. These tape-ins are light, can be positioned super close to the scalp, and move in tandem with your natural hair. That’s key for the Kardashians’ updos and those infamous high ponytails (think Kim’s snatched Met Gala look). The unique thing about Glam Seamless? They make custom-colored blends, meaning each set is tailored for roots, balayage, or anything Kardashians dream up next.
Luxury stores aren’t off limits, either. Kourtney and Kendall have hit Christophe Robin in Paris for custom hairpieces and pre-bonded extensions, especially for big events. Occasionally, you’ll spot Hidden Crown extensions in their arsenal. These are the “halo” kind: think a fine, invisible wire that sits gently over your crown, creating mega volume with zero stress on your roots—perfect for quick transformations without glue or tape.
Types of Extensions: Clip-Ins, Tape-Ins, and Beyond
Everyone in the Kardashian-Jenner clan has their go-to, but they switch it up depending on mood, event, and hair health. Clip-in extensions are popular for everyday looks. They snap in and out in minutes, so they’re gentle and don’t demand the time or skill you’d need for sew-ins or tape-ins. For quick red carpet moments or video shoots, stylists use Bellami and Hidden Crown clip-ins to add instant length and thickness without making a permanent commitment.
Tape-in extensions are another staple. Kim, for example, has rocked platinum, pink, or caramel hair—all thanks to cleverly layered tape-ins from Glam Seamless and Bellami. Tape-ins are sort of like thin wefts with medical-grade adhesive, sat flush against the scalp. They last for 4 to 8 weeks but need a pro’s touch for blending and removal. The Kardashians often opt for this type when committing to a certain style for weeks, like during “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” filming blocks. Tape-ins are comfy, light, and virtually undetectable when correctly applied.
Occasionally, the sisters go all-in with sew-in or weft extensions, particularly for big-volume looks. Their stylists will braid their natural hair close to the scalp and sew wefts (thicker than tape-ins) along the braids. It’s dramatic, but you can see why they bother—nothing gets fuller faster. Especially for Kim's long, snaky braids or Khloé's mile-long waves, sew-ins are unbeatable for durability. Keratin-bonded extensions (aka fusion extensions) are another trick for making highlights pop or adding density at the mid-lengths without bulking up the roots. The Kardashians rotate through all these methods depending on what the day—or the next shoot—calls for.
Shade Matching and Styling: The Real Glam Room Process
So, how does one extension look blend so perfectly into Kardashian hair that not even 4K quality can catch it out? The secret lies in pro-level color matching and the right cut. Celeb stylists start by requesting multiple shades from Bellami or Glam Seamless, often layering 2-3 colors for that sun-kissed “natural” vibe. For example, Khloé’s bronde (brown-blonde) waves are actually a tapestry of caramel, honey, and golden extensions sewn right alongside her roots.
Colorist Chris Appleton, Kim’s main guy, is obsessive about lowlights and highlights—even pre-balayaging extensions to match Kim’s shifting tones exactly. They’ll sometimes tone the extensions with custom dyes between shoots. And once everything’s clipped, taped, or sewn in, stylists texturize the ends to blend seamlessly. Pro-tip? Extensions are never blunt cut. Scissors glide along the hair vertically, not straight across, feathering the look so nothing sticks out as “fake.”
Those viral Kardashian waves? They’re no accident. Stylists curl both natural hair and extensions together, often with a 1.25-inch wand, and brush through them for soft glamour with a modern finish. For high ponytails, the team will sometimes double up ponytail extensions and wrap a strand around the base with invisible pins for that signature “snatched” finish. Here’s a peek at their glam room routine versus a regular beauty fan at home:
| Glam Room (Pro) | At Home |
|---|---|
| Custom-matched, multi-tone extensions | Extensions in the closest shade available |
| Pre-toned and styled extensions | Store-bought extensions, restyled at home |
| Professional blending haircuts | Minimal or no layering |
| Custom seamless application | Clip in or tape-in, less strategic placement |
How to Achieve the Kardashian Look at Home
Here’s the deal: you don’t need a $1,000 glam squad to score Kardashian hair. What you do need are quality extensions and a little patience. Start by deciding which type fits your lifestyle. Clip-ins are perfect if you’re not ready for something permanent. Want your hair to last through gym, rain, and endless selfies? Tape-ins are the answer, but definitely book a trusted stylist for the application and removal to protect your real hair.
When shopping, always pick 100% Remy human hair. Synthetics may be cheap, but they never blend quite right, don’t hold curl, and can’t be colored. Pick two shades: one close to your roots and another for your ends. Layer them for depth—this mimics the Kardashians’ lived-in, dimensional look. And never skip the cut. Take your extensions to a stylist to have them trimmed and shaped to blend instead of screaming “add-on.”
Caring for extensions means using sulfate-free products, brushing only with a wide-tooth comb, and sleeping in a loose braid or ponytail to stop tangling. Stylists swear by silk pillowcases, too—they cut down on frizz by half and help hair feel smoother for days. Remember, heat styling should be on a low setting. Extensions can dry out faster than your real hair, so don’t skip moisturizing sprays or a once-weekly deep conditioning treatment.
- Invest in extensions from trusted sources: Bellami, Glam Seamless, or Hidden Crown for best results.
- Get more natural-looking volume by stacking two wefts together for each section—yes, just like the pros.
- Ask a stylist to “point cut” your hair once your extensions are in for that airy Kardashian finish.
- Always brush from the ends up and avoid tugging at the root bonds or tapes.
- Wrap a strand around your ponytail base for an instant “celebrity” look (no visible bands).
Trends, Brands, and Do’s & Don’ts: Kardashian Extension Wisdom
Even as trends shift from pin-straight to body waves to bouncy layers, one thing about the Kardashians never changes—they’re always ahead of the curve, sometimes setting it. Bellami’s recent releases, like the Piccolina clip-ins and K-tips, became instant hits largely because Kim and Khloé showcased them first. And yes, Kylie Jenner—queen of dramatic color changes—relies on wigs made from custom-dyed Bellami and, occasionally, The Hair Shop, to switch shades without frying her real hair.
What should you avoid if you're chasing a Kardashian-worthy mane? For starters, steer clear of synthetic extensions unless you only want a one-night change and low maintenance. Never bleach extensions at home; this always spells disaster and brittle, haywire ends. If a brand’s hair feels plastic, smells odd, or tangles straight out the box, send it back. High-quality hair always passes the double-check: does it stay soft after a few washes, and can you heat style it without losing shine? That’s the mark of real Remy hair.
Of all their secrets, perhaps the most relatable tip is how they care for their natural hair underneath. Marajan, their go-to stylist, says she always preps their scalp and real roots with nourishing treatments before and after wearing extensions. Healthy hair underneath keeps the look consistent (and means fewer extensions over time). So, don’t forget the masks and scalp oils—because even the Kardashian crown needs a little love.
Kardashian hair isn’t impossible. They just know the right brands, follow the rules, and aren’t afraid to call in a pro for the tricky stuff. And while most of us don’t have a full-time glam squad camped in the bathroom, we can still channel a bit of that magic with the right tools, a few pro tricks, and self-care. Next time you see an iconic Kardashian hair transformation overnight, you’ll know it probably started with a thoughtful selection of seamless extensions, blended like nobody’s business—and a belief that anyone can have a little superstar moment, too.
