What is hair tinsel and how do you apply it? In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about tinsel extensions.
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What Is Hair Tinsel?
Hair tinsel is a thin, glittery thread that can be tied in to your hair. It’s a non-permanent way to add a subtle sparkle effect to your hair.
Hair tinsel is typically made out of a polyester fiber that is waterproof, heat-resistant, and lightweight.
You may also see this hair trend referred to as fairy hair, tinsel extensions, or glitter strands. If you want to give this trend a try, there are clamp-ins, tie-ins, and even clip-on tinsel extensions.
Is Hair Tinsel In Style In 2024?
Hair trends come and go pretty quickly, so you’re probably wondering if tinsel is still in style this year.
Yes, hair tinsel is in style in 2024. In fact, it’s been seen everywhere lately from TikTok stars to big celebrities.
People are referring to this trend as “fairy hair” on TikTok. There are tons of tutorials, inspiration videos, and styling tricks for hair tinsel on social media. The hashtag #hairtinsel on TikTok already has over 150 million videos!
How To Put In Hair Tinsel
You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to put hair tinsel in yourself! There are two different methods that you can use to add these glittery strands to your hair, and we’ll go over both of them:
Tie Method
Applying hair tinsel looks difficult but anyone can do it! It may take you a few times to get it right, but practice makes perfect. Here’s the process for using the tie method to put in fairy hair.
- Take a single strand of tinsel and fold it in half.
- Pinch the folded end of the tinsel with one hand to make a loop.
- Slide the thumb and index finger of your other hand through the loop.
- Then, use your thumb and index finger to reach down and pull one of the loose strands of tinsel through the loop to make a slip knot.
- Put your thumb and index finger into the loop of the slip knot.
- Take two to three strands of hair and pull them through the loop of the slip knot. Make sure that the loop is close to the roots of your hair.
- Pull on both sides of the tinsel until you hear a little click.
- Tug on the strands to make sure they’re secure in your hair. You may want to tie another regular knot with the strands of the tinsel to keep the tinsel more secure.
- Cut the ends of the tinsel to match the length of your hair.
If you need a visual explanation, this video shows you the exact process you need to follow for the tie-in method.
@alyssarayelee How to do hair tinsel!! Inspired by @Kait #hairtinsel #hairtutorial #cutehairstyles #summerhairstyles ♬ About Damn Time – Lizzo
Clamp Bead Method
Another way to put in fairy hair is by using the clamp bead method. This method uses small beads to clamp around your strands of hair and keep the tinsel in place.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Grab 5-10 strands of tinsel and fold them in half.
- Tie a regular knot at the halfway point in your strands of tinsel.
- Grab one of the clamp beads and put it at the bottom end of your hair tinseling tool.
- Grab a few strands of hair at the root with the hook part of your tool.
- Pull your bead to the top of the tool and pull your hair through the bead, trying to keep it as close to the root as possible.
- Use pliers to clamp the bead down around your hair and the strands of tinsel.
- Carefully cut the top loop of your tinsel strands with a sharp pair of scissors, being careful not to cut any hair.
- Cut the bottom of the glitter strands to match the length of your hair.
This video shows you the exact process of how to add tinsel with the clamp bead method:
@missbedhead How to put Tinsel in your hair. Obsessed with the results – save this video for later! #tinsel #tinselhair #tinselhairextension ♬ original sound – Michelle Brown
How To Remove Hair Tinsel
When it comes time to remove your hair tinsel, you’ll want to do so carefully to avoid damage. Your removal method will depend on the application method you chose.
If you used the tie-in method, you can usually slide them off of your hair pretty easily. Just grab the knot at the top and pull down on it gently until it’s out of your hair. If you’re having trouble, you can try using a needle to loosen the knot.
For the clamp bead method, all you need to do is open the bead to release the extensions from your hair.
To do this, you’ll take your pliers and press down on the ends of your clamped down bead. Doing this will cause the bead to bend the opposite way and open it back up.
Here is a good video to explain how to remove tinsel using the clamp bead method:
@missbedhead How to remove tinsel #tinsel #hairtinsel ♬ original sound – Michelle Brown
Our Top Picks For Tinsel Extensions
Shimmery Silver Tinsel Extensions
How gorgeous is this glittery silver color of hair tinsel? This pack comes with 1000 strands of tinsel, so you’ll have enough for several applications.
Multicolored Hair Tinsel Pack
This pack comes with a 12 different colors of tinsel – perfect for a hair tinsel-ing party! It also includes tools that will help you apply the tinsel more easily to your hair.
Hair Tinsel With Bead Clamps
Another way of applying hair tinsel is with clamped beads. The beads help keep the tinsel in place for longer. This set contains everything you need for beaded hair tinsel.
Clip In Tinsel
If you want a super easy way to add some glitter to your hair, you can try out these clip-in tinsel strands.
Each one is 200 strands, so it’ll give you a different look than the single strands of fairy hair. This is the perfect tinsel for making a big statement.
Best Hair Tinsel By Hair Color
Certain colors of hair tinsel really pop against different hair colors. Here are the best tinsel extensions for blondes, brunettes, and redheads.
Hair Tinsel For Blonde Hair
Subtle Silver
If you’re going for a subtle look, stick with a shimmery silver color for blonde hair. It will add a nice sparkle without being too over the top.
Pink Shimmer
Pink is another color of hair tinsel that looks great on blondes. It adds a nice pop of color without being too over-the-top.
Tinsel Extensions For Brunette Hair
Purple And Gold
Purple and gold will add a great pop of color to brunette hair. I love how fun and glamorous these two colors look against a darker hair background.
Plain Gold
How stunning does this gold tinsel look in this brown hair? I love how it adds a little bit of shine while still looking fairly natural.
Multicolored Tinsel
I think this is proof that brunettes can pull off pretty much any colors of tinsel! These multicolored strands look gorgeous on this brown hair backdrop.
Hair Tinsel For Red Hair
Silver Strands
Silver hair tinsel looks absolutely amazing on redheads. I love the contrast between the fiery red and the shimmery silver strands.
Dainty Gold Strands
How gorgeous do these dainty gold strands look against this red hair?
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Tinsel
Do Tinsel Hair Extensions Damage Hair?
If your hair tinsel is applied properly, it will not damage your hair at all. It is totally safe to use on all hair types.
Can You Curl Tinsel Extensions?
Tinsel hair extensions can be curled, but you should avoid prolonged exposure to extremely hot flat irons, curling irons, or hair dryers.
If you are not careful, hair tinsel can melt under extreme temperatures. Hair tinsel has a melting point of about 490° F, so be sure to keep your hot tools at lower temperatures if you have these extensions in.
Can Hair Tinsel Be Straightened?
Yes, it is totally fine to straighten your tinsel extensions. These polyester strands are made to withstand heat, so they will not melt unless they are exposed for long periods of time.
Make sure you are passing over your hair quickly with your straight iron so you do not melt your glittery extensions.
How Long Do Tinsel Extensions Last?
If your hair tinsel is properly applied, it can last 2-4 weeks or longer. Hair tinsel is very durable and can withstand regular washing and styling.
Just be sure to use care when brushing and washing your hair so you don’t tug on the tinsel.
If you notice your hair tinsel falling out, it may be due to natural shedding. Human beings shed around 50-100 strands per day, so you may just have shed out the strands that your hair tinsel was attached to.
This post contained everything you need to know about hair tinsel.
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