Hair Extensions - Donna Bella Hair
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Fusion Hair Extensions: 101

The fusion hair extension method (called Kera-Link here at Donna Bella) is one of the oldest, tried-and-true techniques in the world of hair. It’s gained and kept popularity for its natural appearance, long-lasting durability, and simple removal process. What are fusion hair extensions? What’s the method all about, and what do the application, removal, and care processes look like? We break all that and more down right here.

Want to see our collection of Donna Bella Kera-Link extensions? Click here!

What are Fusion Hair Extensions?

You may have heard fusion extensions go by a few different names, like keratin bond or glue-in extensions (even though many fusion extensions, like Donna Bella’s Kera-Links, don’t actually use glue at all).

donna bella blue kera-link fusion extensions

In any case, fusion extensions can be identified by the keratin protein bond tip and heat application method that makes them unique.

Fusion Hair Extensions Come in Strands, Not Wefts

Unlike tape-in hair extensions, for example, fusion hair extensions come in strands of hair. With the tape-in method, wefts make the job easier and more effective, but with fusion extensions, individual strands of hair help to ensure that once the application is complete, the hair blends well and looks natural.

How Many Fusion Extensions Do You Need for a Full Head?

Truthfully, that depends on the extensions you buy, and your goals for your hair. Donna Bella’s Kera-Link extensions come in packs of 20 strands each. Each of these strands has a small, flat, square-shaped tip that holds all the individual hairs together.

A strand is made of one gram of hair. A full head of Kera-Link hair is about five to nine packs of hair. This means you could have 100-180 hair extension strands or more for a full head installation. While this may vary with other extensions, this is a generally good benchmark standard for hair amounts.

How Long Do Fusion Extensions Last?

Again, different brands of fusion extensions come in different sizes and levels of quality, but our Kera-Link hair can last for three to six months. As you wear Kera-Link extensions, your hair will grow as it normally does, and that growth causes the bond and hair extension to move further and further away from the scalp.

That’s why it’s important to go in for move up appointments every few weeks so your stylist can adjust the bonds by removing them and re-applying them closer to the scalp.

How To Install Fusion Extensions

Methods vary depending on the type of glue-in or fusion extensions you buy, but it generally works like this: The hair extension tip is a small keratin protein bond. This tip is solid until melted with a hair extension tool. The stylist takes a small section of hair that is equal to the hair extension strand and places the bond over the section.

brunette woman having kera-link fusion extensions installed

The small plates at the end of the melting connector melt and soften the bonds. The stylist uses their fingers to mold and shape the melted keratin around the hair. When it cools, the keratin hardens again, creating a sealed, durable bond. These small bonds are attached strand by strand, row by row, starting at the base of the head and working up the sides and back of the head.

Once finished, the bonds lie completely flat against the head and are covered by the upper layers of hair. After all the wefts have been installed, the stylist then blends and styles the hair so the extensions look completely natural.

Removing the Extensions

Fusion extensions are quite easy to remove with the right product, generally a keratin bond remover like this one. This alcohol-based solution helps break down the adhesive so the bonds loosen. After the solution has been applied for a few seconds, the stylist uses the hair extension tool to break the keratin bond. Once it’s loose, the hair extension slides off!

Removal and application is possible if you know what you’re doing, but even if you do, we always recommend having a professional stylist do it for you. If you’re not a licensed cosmetologist, it’s very easy to damage your hair or extensions, and even if you are, the application process is significantly harder to do by yourself.

donna bella products and hair used for installing keratin fusion extensions

Caring for Fusion Hair Extensions

The rules for fusion care are similar to other basic hair care and extension care rules. These include:

  • Use sulfate-free products to wash & condition the hair.
  • Avoid slippage by applying shampoos and treatments from the middle of the hair down.
  • Air dry when possible, and avoid heat. If you need to straighten or curl, use a heat protectant.
  • Brush hair only when dry, from the bottom up, and use leave-in conditioners.
  • For up-dos, braids, and buns, keep them loose to avoid tugging too hard on the extension.

 

Get Started!

Fusion hair extensions are a time-tested method that looks great, especially for lush, full, and thick hair. To see the colors, lengths, and styles of our Kera-Link extensions, and experience the Donna Bella difference, head over to our fusion extension page!

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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