Hand-tied, Genius, volume, micro, skin wefts: the names can be confusing, and many of them describe nearly the same thing. I'm Noelle Spinosa, and I've done hair extensions for 35 years at Noelle Salon in Melrose, just north of Boston. Here's what each type of weft is, which ones I use, and how I choose.
Quick Answer
- A weft is a row of hair sewn or bonded along a thin edge. It's attached to your own hair in rows.
- Genius Wefts are what I use most. They're very thin at the top and can be cut to size without unraveling.
- Volume wefts (our own Veila and Bellami) pack in extra hair, so a few rows add a lot of fullness.
- Micro wefts are simply tiny Genius Wefts, for fine hair or small areas.
- Wefts are moved up every 6 to 8 weeks, and good-quality hair can be reused for up to a year.
The Types of Wefts
Genius Wefts
Genius Wefts are my go-to. The top edge is very fine, so they lie flat and hide easily, and they can be cut into shorter pieces without unraveling. That means I can size each row to your head instead of forcing a fixed length to fit.
Genius Weft sew-in on blonde hair.
Hand-tied wefts
Hand-tied wefts are made by hand, with a very thin top. "Hand-tied" became the popular name for this whole style of extension. They're beautiful, but they shouldn't be cut, so they're less flexible to fit than Genius Wefts.
Micro wefts
Micro wefts are tiny Genius Wefts. I use them on fine hair, around the face, or anywhere a full-width row would be too much.
Volume wefts
Volume wefts hold more hair in each row, so only a few rows add a lot of fullness. We carry Bellami volume wefts and our own Veila volume wefts. In my opinion, our Veila quality is superior. They're best for medium to thick hair that can support the extra hair.
Machine wefts
Machine wefts are sewn by machine. They're the most durable and can be cut and stacked, but the top edge is thicker, so they suit thicker hair best.
Skin wefts
Skin wefts have a thin, flat, skin-like edge. They can be sewn in or taped in.
How Wefts Are Attached
Most of my weft clients get a beaded sew-in: the wefts are sewn to a row of small beads in your own hair. If your hair is too fragile for sewing, I can attach the weft with beads alone. See Sew-In Hair Extensions: What to Know Before You Choose and our beaded row extensions.
Which Weft Is Right for You?
- Fine hair: Genius or micro wefts, in fewer, lighter rows.
- Medium to thick hair: Genius or volume wefts.
- Small thin areas: micro wefts, or strands like V-Light.
Whatever the weft, I only add as much hair as your own hair can support.
Caring for Weft Extensions
- Come in for a move-up every 6 to 8 weeks as your hair grows.
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo and keep conditioner off the rows.
- Brush gently from the ends up, and dry the rows fully.
Book a Free Consultation
For current prices, see our pricing guide.
Book a free hair extension consultation, or see all of our hair extensions in Boston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Genius Wefts the same as hand-tied?
They're similar in feel, but Genius Wefts have a finer top and can be cut without unraveling. Hand-tied wefts shouldn't be cut.
Are micro wefts different from Genius Wefts?
Micro wefts are tiny Genius Wefts.
How long do weft extensions last?
You'll come in for a move-up every 6 to 8 weeks, and good-quality hair can be reused for up to a year.
