Hair Extensions - Donna Bella Hair
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Microbead Hair Extensions: 101

Microbead hair extensions, otherwise known as beaded, i-tip, or at Donna Bella, I-Link, are a popular alternative for extension lovers that want (or need) to avoid adhesive tapes, fusion methods, or hot glues.

Further, they’re a great way to add length and fullness to hair with a low risk of damage (if installed correctly by a great stylist). We break down all there is to know about this increasingly popular method right here in our blog!

Want to see our collection of Donna Bella I-Link Extensions? Click here!

What Are Microbead Hair Extensions?

What makes these extensions unique are the beads. The beads used for microbead extensions are very small, but perfectly sized to hold both the natural hair and the tip of the hair extension.

There are a few different kinds of beads, but they are all tiny and soft enough to be crimped down to hold the hair and the hair extension in place during installation.

silicone Beads for i-link hair extensions

Small bundles of hair, called strands, are attached to hair near the roots with a small bead, rather than wefts that are more typical of the tape-in method.

Why Beads?

While a professional stylist should still be recruited to install, move-up, and remove these extensions (more on that shortly), the advantage of beads is that you don’t need chemical removers or excessive heat to work on them, so those with particularly sensitive hair and skin can benefit from a beaded method, rather than tape or fusion hair extensions.

How Long Do Microbead Extensions Last?

Microbead hair extensions can last for a long time, but as with any other method, it depends on the quality of hair and care routine. Donna Bella’s I-Link Extensions last for three to six months, which is a good benchmark for most good quality beaded extensions.

As you wear the extensions for a few weeks, your hair will grow as it normally does, and that growth causes the bead and hair extension to move further and further away from the scalp. That’s why it’s important to go in and have them moved up every few weeks.

How to Install Beaded Hair Extensions

The bead is threaded onto a small section of hair near the scalp. The tip of the hair extension strand is placed into the bead, and a special hair extension tool is used to crimp and flatten the bead so it stays in place.

After installation, the stylist blends and trims the hair so the hair and the extensions blend together and look natural. The attachment points are hidden by the top layers of hair, so no one can tell the beads are there.

When it’s time to take out all the extensions, the stylist use the hair extension tool to uncrimp the beads and slide the strands out of the beads.

How Many Beaded Extensions For a Full Head?

As with how long they last, how much hair you need depends on quality and simple packaging differences from company to company. Donna Bella’s I-Link extensions, however, are a good benchmark once again.

brunette model with long hair and strands of different colored microbead extensions

Each pack of Donna Bella I-Link hair contains 20 strands. The end of each strand resembles the end of a shoestring which holds all the individual hairs together. A strand is made of 1 gram of hair, and a full head of I-Link hair is about five to nine packs. This means you could have 100-180 strands of I-Link hair or more for a full head installation.

Caring for I-Tip Beaded Extensions

You should always consult a stylist for hair care specific to your hair and extensions, but basic care routines should always incorporate the following basic tips:

  • Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners will help your hair last longer.
  • If you rock ponytails, messy buns, or up-dos, wear them loosely.
  • Use heat protectant if you can’t go without straightening or curling your hair.
  • Use a basic bottom-up brushing technique with the proper extension brush.

Check Out Donna Bella’s I-Link Extensions!

To see the colors, lengths, and styles of our microbead extensions, and experience the Donna Bella difference, head over to our product page! For a tape, heat, and glue-free extension experience, talk to your stylist about i-tip extensions at your next appointment!

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Tips
Pull your hair to the front and avoid tucking it behind your ears
Natural lighting is best, ideally in front of a window
Tilt your head slightly forward
Ensure your clothing contrasts with your hair color
Wear your hair straight for best results
No filters or edited photos
Avoid harsh sunlight on your hair and face

We're about to color you happy! Take or upload your photo and instantly get 3 color matches. It's basically magic!

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Tips
Pull your hair to the front and avoid tucking it behind your ears
Natural lighting is best, ideally in front of a window
Tilt your head slightly forward
Ensure your clothing contrasts with your hair color
Wear your hair straight for best results
No filters or edited photos
Avoid harsh sunlight on your hair and face
Results may vary depending on the quality of photo.
*Seasonal colors and collections may not show up in your color match and may not be available in all lengths and application methods.

We're about to color you happy! Take or upload your photo and instantly get 3 color matches. It's basically magic!

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YOUR COLOR OPTIONS

*Seasonal colors and collections may not show up in your color match and may not be available in all lengths and application methods.
Still not sure? You can contact our customer service team for help with your color match. Contact Now.
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COMPARE METHODS

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APPLICATION
QUALITY
METHOD
LENGTHS
PER PACK
AVERAGE WEIGHT
MAINTENANCE
MAIN BENIFITS
PRICE RANGE
Tape In

Tape-IN

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Adhesive
LENGTHS
12”, 14”, 16”, 18”, 22”, 26”, 30”
PER PACK
10 Single Wefts
AVERAGE WEIGHT
15g - 40g
MAINTENANCE
Every 4-8 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Fastest install
  • Stylist preferred
  • No tools needed
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $55 per pack
Hybrid Weft

Hybrid Weft

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Sew-In
LENGTHS
18”, 22”
PER PACK
1 Single Weft
AVERAGE WEIGHT
60g - 120g
MAINTENANCE
Every 6-10 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Most innovative
  • Machine + Hand
  • Tied Weft design
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $160 per pack
Kera Link

Kera-Link

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Keratin Bond
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 22”
PER PACK
20 Single Strands
AVERAGE WEIGHT
14g - 20g
MAINTENANCE
Every 12-16 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Longest-lasting
  • Customizable
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $50 per pack
I-link

I-Link

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Beaded
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 22”
PER PACK
20 Single Strands
AVERAGE WEIGHT
14g - 20g
MAINTENANCE
Every 6-10 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Heat resistant
  • 360 movement
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $50 per pack
Flat-Tip

Flat-Tip

APPLICATION
via Certified Stylist
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Beaded
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 22”
PER PACK
20 Single Strands
AVERAGE WEIGHT
14g - 20g
MAINTENANCE
Every 6-10 Weeks
MAIN BENEFITS
  • Heat resistant
  • 360 movement
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $50 per pack
Clip-in

Clip-in

APPLICATION
Do it yourself
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Clips
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 20”
PER PACK
10 Single Wefts
AVERAGE WEIGHT
  • Deluxe 140g - 160g
  • Regular 120g
MAINTENANCE
None required
MAIN BENEFITS
  • At-home application
  • Instant length & volume in a snap
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $129 per full set
Halo™

Halo™

APPLICATION
Do it yourself
QUALITY
100% Remy Human Hair
METHOD
Halo™
LENGTHS
16”, 18”, 20”
PER PACK
1 Single Wefts
AVERAGE WEIGHT
  • Deluxe 145g - 165g
  • Regular 105g
MAINTENANCE
None required
MAIN BENEFITS
  • At home application
  • Instant length & volume in a seconds
PRICE RANGE
Starting from $154 per full set