Adding Hair Extensions To Your Service Menu

Are you looking to spice up the service menu in your salon to grow your business? Becoming an extension specialist is one of the best ways to take your salon and skills to the next level. Adding a new service to your salon may sound daunting and difficult, but we are going to break down the best ways to add extension clients to your bookings.

Get Certified and Practice

The first and most important step is getting certified with a reliable brand. Learning from a brand that is reputable will ensure the health and safety of your client's hair and deliver the best results. Find a course that best suits you, whether that is online or in-person. Sierra & Sage is proud to offer both in-person courses around the country and also online courses for learning from the comfort of your own home. 

Once you get certified, you must practice what you have learned. Obviously, practicing on a mannequin head is great, but also having real clients helps you receive feedback and know what tweaks to make. One thing we encourage anyone to do when starting their extension specialist journey is to find people to be models for you. Usually, a friend or family member is a great option, because they will give you the most honest feedback, without feeling like their service was “wrong” if a fix is needed! Additionally, a client with whom you have a strong relationship is a great opportunity as well. When taking models, be sure to inform them that you are just starting out extensions and even offer a discount.

 For example: I would want about 2-3 models to get my practice in. With these models, I would offer that they pay the price of the hair, and the install will be free. Until I am comfortable with my install times and methods, I would offer their move-ups for a free/discounted rate. I should also communicate with my clients that their pricing will eventually change once I no longer need models to practice on. We recommend not taking a “real” client until you have had no fixes or complaints from your models for 6-8 weeks!

Once you have your timing consistent and efficient and your method is tuned to have a healthy grow-out with little to no issues, you can then start figuring out your pricing. Lastly, as always, make sure you are documenting your progress! Taking before and after photos, taking notes on any issues a client may have, and any fine-tunes you make will help you find your groove in being an extension specialist. This process can be a slow one; however, it is crucial to ensure you are confident in your skills and that your client receives the best results.

Market Research

Now that you have your skills and models done, it’s time to do market research on pricing and timing. Most market research in the hair industry is going to come from your experience as a stylist and the area you are working in. As a beginner, it’s okay to start with lower prices and raise them as your skills and confidence grow, just like with any other service. 

Be sure to check what other stylists in your area are charging for extensions, and use basic ‘supply and demand’ principles. Use social media, Google, and salon websites to get a feel for the local market. Your pricing should also reflect your time, skill level, and product costs, not just what others are doing. Remember, adding extensions to your menu is an investment. It might be a slow start, but the more you practice and promote, the more it will pay off, especially with how fast the extension industry is growing.

Promoting & Building Clientele

Lastly, promoting yourself is the home stretch to building your clientele and making all that hard work worth it. You’ve taken the time to get certified, practice your craft, and create beautiful transformations—now it’s time to show them off. As mentioned before, capturing high-quality photos and videos of your extension installs is key. These visuals are your portfolio in motion, and they help build trust, showcase your skills, and give future clients a glimpse of what’s possible with you as their stylist.

Make it a habit to book out an extra 10 minutes at the end of each extension service—whether it’s a full install or a move-up—to get content. This intentional time allows you to capture before-and-afters, styling shots, or even a quick video of the transformation. These small efforts make a huge impact.

Remember, people don’t always know what’s available to them until they see it. By consistently sharing your work on your hair page, educating your audience about the benefits of extensions, and engaging with your followers, you position yourself as the go-to expert. It’s not just about getting likes—it’s about building credibility, driving bookings, and ultimately converting your current or future clients into loyal extension clients.