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What Are Tape-In Weft Hair Extensions?
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If you've seen "tape weft" mentioned and wondered what it actually means, here's the short version: tape weft hair extensions are one long, wide weft of hair with double-sided tape running along the top, which your stylist cuts down to size for each section as they fit it. We'd describe them as the tape weft hair extension method you already know, and apply it in fewer, bigger pieces rather than lots of small ones.
Cliphair's Remy Royale Tape Wefts are the most recent addition to our hair extension range. They come in 15 shades, and they're great if you want to cut down your salon time compared to classic tape-in extensions.
How they're made
Instead of dozens of separate pre-cut tabs, a tape weft begins as one continuous piece of hair, roughly 10 inches wide, with tape already applied along the top edge. Your stylist doesn't fit the whole thing in one go, they cut it down to the right size for each section of your head as they work, so one weft can cover a lot more than a handful of traditional tape-in pairs.
Why tape wefts are having a moment
The appeal comes down to a few practical things: fewer pieces, fewer joins, and a quicker fitting than standard tape-ins. Because the stylist is working with one wide piece rather than dozens of small tabs, there's less repetitive placing and pressing, which speeds things up at the salon. It's an efficient new alternative to a method plenty of people already love, rather than a completely new concept.
How Tape-In Wefts Are Fitted
Your consultation and colour match
Before anything's fitted, your stylist will check your natural hair type and density, talk through the look you're after, and make sure the shade is right. If you're not sure which of our 15 shades will blend best, our free colour matching service takes the guesswork out before you even sit in the chair.
What happens at the fitting
The tape is already applied to the weft before your appointment, so your stylist simply cuts the piece to the right size for each section and presses it into place against your natural hair. There's no heat involved, no sewing, and no braiding required. This is a professional fitting from start to finish, done by a qualified hair extension specialist, not something to attempt yourself at home. We say this because with 19 years of experience (Cliphair was founded in 2007), attempting to install permanent extensions yourself is a no-go.
How long it takes and how it feels
Because there are fewer pieces to cut and place, tape wefts are quicker to fit than classic tape-ins. We can't give you an exact number of minutes, since it depends on your hair and the look you're going for, but it's a noticeably faster appointment than fitting individual tape-in pairs one by one. It's completely normal for the tape to feel a little snug for the first day or two, this settles as you get used to wearing them.
Tape Wefts vs Tape-Ins vs Traditional Wefts
Tape wefts vs tape-in extensions
Traditional tape-in hair extensions are pre-cut tabs, fitted in matching pairs across the head, sandwiching a section of your natural hair between two tabs. A tape weft achieves a similar result but from one wide piece, cut to fit as it goes, so you end up with fewer pieces and fewer joins overall, and a quicker appointment.
Tape wefts vs sewn or ringed wefts
Classic wefts, like our Remy Royale weft and flat weft ranges, are fitted by sewing, gluing, or clamping with rings along a row of your natural hair, sometimes as part of an LA or Celebrity Weave. A tape weft gives you that same "one row" style of coverage, but tape does the job that stitching or rings would otherwise do.
Quick comparison
| Tape-Ins | Tape Wefts | Classic Wefts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it's attached | Pre-cut tabs, pressed in pairs | One wide weft, tape already applied, cut to size | Sewn, glued, or clamped with rings |
| Pieces / joins | More pieces, more joins | Fewer pieces, fewer joins | Depends on method, usually fitted in rows |
| Fitting speed | Standard | Quicker than tape-ins | Takes longer, more involved technique |
| Refitted | 6-8 weeks | 4-6 weeks | Varies by method |
If you want the full head-to-head between tape-ins and wefts more broadly, our Weft vs Tape-In Extensions guide covers that in more depth.
Are Tape-In Wefts Right for You?
Who they suit
Tape wefts work best on medium to thick hair, whether you're after extra length, more fullness, or both. They're also a great option if you already wear and love tape-ins, but like the idea of fewer pieces and a faster salon visit.
Thin hair: thickness yes, length no
We want to be upfront here, because it matters. On thin hair, a single pack of tape wefts can genuinely add thickness. What they're not suitable for on thin hair is adding length. If your hair is on the finer side and length is what you're after, tape-in extensions or nano rings are a better match for you.
How many packs you'll need
| Hair type | Thickness only | 2-4" extra length | 4"+ extra length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thin | 1 pack | Not suitable | Not suitable |
| Medium | 2 packs | 3 packs | 3 packs |
| Thick | 3 packs | 3 packs | 3 packs |
Your stylist will confirm exactly what you need at your consultation, but this gives you a solid starting point. For more detail, our guide on how many grams of tape hair extensions you need is worth a read too.
Styles to be aware of
Like standard tape-ins, tape in weft hair extensions sit best worn down or styled in loose, low updos. If a high ponytail or a scraped-back look is your go-to, nano rings or nano bonds will serve you better, since they're designed to handle that kind of tension and visibility.
Caring for Your Tape-In Wefts
Washing and brushing
Stick to products designed for extensions. Our Deep Moisture Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Mask keep the hair soft without compromising the tape bonds, and an extension-friendly brush avoids unnecessary strain. Keep conditioner away from the tape itself to protect the hold. For a full step-by-step, see our guide on how to wash tape-in hair extensions without loosening them.
Refits every 4-6 weeks
Most people return to their stylist every 4-6 weeks, a slightly shorter window than the 6-8 weeks that are standard with classic tape-ins. At your refit, your stylist removes the wefts using a professional solvent, cleans your natural hair, applies fresh tape, and repositions the same hair higher up. As the product page puts it: the tape is what gets replaced, the hair goes back in.
Styling, colour and sleeping
You're free to wash, brush, curl, and straighten tape in weft hair extensions as you would your natural hair, just remember heat protection before reaching for hot tools. At night, loosely braiding your hair helps keep things tangle-free. You can dye tape wefts to refresh your colour, but never bleach or lighten them, this risks the integrity of the hair. Chlorine and salt water can affect the tape over time too, so cover your hair or steer clear of swimming where you can.
Our Remy Royale Tape Wefts
What you get
Our Remy Royale Tape Wefts are made from 100% Remy human hair, AAAAA grade and double drawn, with every cuticle running in the same direction for a smooth, natural finish that resists tangling. They're available in 15 shades, and three length and weight options: 18" (45g), 20" (50g), and 22" (50g), with each weft measuring 10 inches wide. You can browse the full Remy Royale Tape Weft collection to see the shades and lengths for yourself.
Finding your shade
Not sure which of the 15 shades will disappear seamlessly into your own hair? Our free colour matching service takes a few details about your hair and gives you an honest recommendation, no guesswork, no pressure.
