How Long Does It Take to Install Hair Extensions? A Complete Guide (Belle Société Clean Beauty Edition)
Wondering how long your install will take? Here’s the clean beauty breakdown for sew-ins, quick weaves, ponytails, clip-ins, tape-ins, and more.
One of the biggest questions women ask BEFORE booking a stylist is:
“How long does it take to install hair extensions?”
But the real answer depends on:
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the installation method
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hair type
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stylist experience
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your natural hair
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desired length
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prepping the extensions
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whether your extensions are clean beauty processed
Belle Société hair installs easier and faster because:
✔ the cuticle is preserved
✔ the hair detangles less
✔ the hair is softer
✔ the wefts are cleaner
✔ the hair has natural slip without silicone
Today, I’m giving you the complete time breakdown for every installation type so you can plan your glam stress-free — especially in the winter and holiday seasons.
Sew-In Installation Time (With & Without Leave-Out)
1. Leave-Out Sew-In
⏱ 2–3 hours
This includes:
✔ braid-down
✔ weft installation
✔ blending leave-out
✔ styling
Belle hair blends extremely well with minimal heat, which saves time.
2. Closure Sew-In
⏱ 2.5–3.5 hours
Time is slightly longer because:
✔ the closure must be placed precisely
✔ melting and styling take detail
✔ stylists must secure the perimeter
Clean processed Belle closures lay flatter and blend easier — reducing styling time.
3. Frontal Sew-In
⏱ 3.5–4.5 hours
Frontals require:
✔ customizing
✔ plucking
✔ tinting
✔ molding
✔ blending
✔ bonding or sewing
Belle lace melts quicker because the hairline is natural and soft.
Quick Weave Installation Time
⏱ 1–2 hours
The fastest full glam install.
This includes:
✔ braid-down or mold
✔ cap application (optional)
✔ weft bonding
✔ styling
Belle wefts are thick, clean, and easy to lay — reducing install time.
Clip-In Installation Time
⏱ 10–20 minutes (Self Install)
⏱ 30–45 minutes (Stylist Install)
Clip-ins are the quickest and most beginner-friendly option.
Belle clip-ins blend easily with:
✔ natural hair
✔ silk press
✔ blowouts
✔ wand curls
Because the hair is clean processed, it curls and straightens faster.
Ponytail Installation Time (Belle Ponytail Collection)
⏱ 5–15 minutes
This is the shortest glam transformation.
Includes:
✔ slicking hair
✔ securing ponytail
✔ wrapping the base
✔ styling
Belle ponytails look extremely natural because the texture is soft and the ends stay silky.
Tape-In Installation Time
⏱ 1.5–3 hours
Tape-ins require:
✔ sectioning
✔ precise placement
✔ smoothing hair
✔ layering tape rows
Belle tape-ins hold well because the hair retains moisture and doesn’t slip from dryness.
Micro-Link / I-Tip Installation Time
⏱ 3–6 hours
These are detail-heavy installs:
✔ strand-by-strand
✔ bead tightening
✔ precision rows
✔ blending
Belle hair is light, soft, and consistent — making strand-by-strand placements faster.
Wig Installation Time
⏱ 1–3 hours
Depends on:
✔ plucking
✔ bleaching knots
✔ tinting
✔ melting lace
✔ styling
Belle wigs arrive soft, clean processed, and easy to pluck — saving significant stylist time.
Wash + Prep Time Before Install
Regardless of the install method, you should ALWAYS prep your extensions:
Belle Clean Beauty Prep Routine:
⏱ 20–30 minutes total
✔ detangle
✔ wash with sulfate-free shampoo
✔ condition
✔ cool-water rinse
✔ air dry
✔ light serum on ends
Belle’s clean processing makes prep faster because the hair doesn’t require harsh “resetting.”
Which Install Method Is Best (Time vs. Longevity)?
The quickest installs:
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Ponytails (5–15 min)
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Clip-Ins (10–20 min)
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Quick Weaves (1–2 hrs)
Longest-lasting installs:
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Sew-Ins (6–10 weeks)
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Tape-Ins (6–8 weeks)
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Micro-Links (2–3 months)
Most beginner-friendly:
✔ clip-ins
✔ ponytails
✔ quick weaves
Belle’s clean beauty hair works beautifully for ALL of these options.
FAQs
How long does a sew-in take?
2–4.5 hours depending on leave-out, closure, or frontal.
How long does a quick weave take?
1–2 hours.
Are tape-ins faster than sew-ins?
Yes — 1.5–3 hours depending on density.
How long does a Belle ponytail take to install?
5–15 minutes.
Does clean beauty processing make installs faster?
Yes — less tangling, more slip, easier blending.
Related Reading
Final Thoughts: Your Install Time Depends on Your Method — But Belle Makes Every Install Easier
Because Belle Société uses:
✨ clean beauty science
✨ no silicone
✨ no acid baths
✨ preserved cuticles
✨ U.S.-made wash solution
…your installs go smoother, faster, and last longer.
Soft hair = easy installs.
Clean hair = flawless blending.
Belle hair = effortless glam.
Shop Belle Société Install-Friendly Textures
👉 Silky Straight
👉 Body Wave
👉 Deep Wave
👉 Tape-Ins
👉 Clip-Ins
👉 Ponytails