If you're looking to add a little sparkle to your hairstyle, try tying some tinsel in your hair! Hair tinsel is a type of glittery temporary hair extension that gives your tresses a shimmery look. And the best part is it’s safe and looks great in straight, wavy, curly, or textured hair. You may think that scoring the sparkly streaks requires a trip to the salon, but that’s not the case. If you learn how to put in hair tinsel yourself-which is far easier than you might expect-you’ll have the power to transform your mane whenever (and however) you want.
Adding hair tinsel extensions to your style might seem tricky initially, but don’t worry-it’s easy to learn, even for beginners. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be ready to enjoy this dazzling accessory without any stress. So don’t shy away from giving it a try! Hair tinsel is a fun, eye-catching way to add sparkle to your look.
This guide will walk you through easy tips to take the mystery out of hair tinsel. Whether you want to add a subtle shimmer or go for a bold sparkle, these tips will help you do it properly so you can confidently transform your look. Ready to shine?
Hair tinsel falls under the category of “extensions,” though they’re not designed to make your hair look longer and thicker. Instead, these thin, metallic streaks are meant to add dimension and shine to your mane (almost like luminous babylights, but without the lasting commitment). No matter which approach you opt for, you’ll enjoy a temporary boost of color and shine without the commitment of a permanent hair color or professional extensions.
Starting with clean hair makes it less likely for the tinsel to slide out as soon as you get it in. To get the best results with hair tinsel, ensure your hair is clean and dry before you start. If your hair is oily or damp, the tinsel is likelier to slip out, meaning it won’t stay in place as long. So, before adding tinsel, wash your hair and let it dry completely. You can blow-dry your hair, let it air dry, or curl it.
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Most tinsel is between 20 and 47 inches (51 and 119 cm) long. If you have short hair, choose the smaller size so you don't have to waste tinsel. Have fun picking a tinsel color! Experimenting with colors can be one of the most fun parts of using hair tinsel. Subtle shades resembling your natural hair color give you a soft shimmer. For a playful, eye-catching look, go for bold, contrasting colors that stand out.
When you’re just starting out with hair tinsel, it’s best to keep things simple. Begin with just a few strands-around 3 to 5 is a good number for beginners. This way, you can practice applying them without feeling overwhelmed. After you feel comfortable with the technique, you can slowly add more strands to build the sparkle. This gradual approach will help you get the hang of it and see how the tinsel looks in your hair.
With so many hair tinsel kits in the market, picking the right one can be tricky, especially if you’re new to this style. For beginners, it’s best to go with lightweight, fine, and flexible hair tinsel. For example, the polyester hair tinsel from Herbiar is designed just for this. It’s lightweight, meaning it won’t weigh down your hair, and it’s easy to work with, making it a great choice if you’re learning the ropes. Be sure to avoid thick or stiff hair tinsel, as it can feel uncomfortable and won’t stay in place well.
This article covers how to install hair tinsel with a hand-tied slip knot or microbeads.
If you’re looking to rock hair tinsel for a moment in time, the slipknot method is the perfect temporary fix. All you need is hair tinsel (and a little concentration) and the look can easily be yours.
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Start by brushing your hair to remove any tangles. This will make installing the hair tinsel an easy process. Then, grab an inch-wide section of hair on each side of your part and clip each up. You’ll be installing your tinsel to the topmost section of hair, just beneath your part. Once your hair is down, the tinsel will be visible-but the area where you tied the strands in won’t be.
Next, take the strand of hair tinsel you plan to work with and fold it in half. At the top of the fold, pinch the two halves together to create a loop. Then, wrap the lengths of the tinsel around your finger and pull the lengths through the loop to create a loose slipknot. To form a slip knot, pinch the folded end of the tinsel with 1 hand to form a loop. Slide the thumb and index finger of your other hand through the loop. If you're unsure whether or not you've successfully made a slip knot, remove your fingers and pull the loop away. Keep your thumb and index finger through the loop of the slip knot.
Once your tinsel is prepped, section out a thin-think an eighth of an inch-of hair. This is the first strand you’ll secure your tinsel to. Try to avoid grabbing a larger section of hair-it seems like it’d be easier to work with, but the more hair per section, the more likely your tinsel is to fall out. Use your other hand to separate 2-3 strands of hair near your part and hold the slip knot up to them. Grab the hairs with your fingers and pull them through the loop.
Pull the section of hair through the opening of the slip knot and tighten the loop as you reach the scalp. With the tinsel in one hand and the small section of hair in the other, double knot the two at the roots to secure the hair tinsel. To keep the tinsel secure in your hair, make an overhand knot by overlapping both ends and bringing 1 end through the loop you made. Repeat the process until you reach your desired look and finish by carefully trimming the tinsel to match the length of your hair.
Learning how to tie hair tinsel securely is essential to keeping it in place. Beginners will find the slipknot method easy to know. One common mistake is not tightening the knot enough, making the tinsel slip out. Take some time to practice making a slipknot or even a double knot. This way, you’ll know the tinsel is secure and won’t damage your hair.
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Are you worried about your hair tinsel slipping out? Try using a double knot to keep it securely in place. After tying the first knot, make a second one right on top. This extra step helps your tinsel stay put, so you don’t have to adjust it throughout the day.
Installing your hair tinsel with microbeads is another, much easier way to get the look that lasts much longer than the slip knot method. Similar to the way beaded extensions function, a microbead is placed near the roots to secure the tinsel to your hair. Most hair tinsel will come with a pack of microbeads, a hook, and pliers-all of which you’ll need for this method. Many hair tinsel kits come with a packet of microbeads that have a layer of silicone on the inside to keep them from slipping down your hair. Choose a bead that’s closest to the color at the roots of your hair.
Starting with clean, dry hair, brush your hair to remove any knots or tangles. Then, section off the topmost section of your hair and clip it up-this is necessary to hide the microbeads. If you install the hair tinsel on the top section of your hair, the microbeads are going to be very noticeable. Choose a spot on your head where there will be enough hair to cover the bead.
After you have separated the top section of hair, take the hair tinsel and use a flat clip to secure it right below where you clipped your hair up. Put the hook through the bead with the tinsel on it.
Next, grab a thin section of hair, roughly an eighth of an inch thick, from beneath the tinsel. Gather a few strands of hair that are roughly the same thickness of the strands of tinsel and catch hold of them with the hook.
Once your hair and hair tinsel is fished through in the bead, pull the bead up to your scalp and use the pliers to clamp it and secure the hair tinsel. Holding the hair taut, slide the bead up to about ½ inch (1.25 cm) from your scalp. Clamp the bead firmly in the middle and on each end with hair extension pliers. Johnson says to be patient when you’re installing microbeads. Repeat the process until you have enough tinsel for your liking and finish by carefully trimming the tinsel to match the length of your hair.
Choose up to 20 pieces of tinsel and fold them in half so each side is the same length. Place a second piece of single-sided tape with the sticky side toward the tinsel to firmly secure it to the first tape. Secure it by sandwiching the tinsel and your hair between the original 2 pieces of tape and a new piece of tape. Make sure the tape isn’t too close to your hairline or it may be visible. Tape-in tinsel hair needs to be removed with a special tape-in extension remover. Just apply the remover to the tape at the top of the tinsel. Allow it to sit for up to 2 minutes and then gently peel the tapes apart.
When you’re just getting started with hair tinsel, try applying it in hidden areas or under layers of hair. Starting with these tucked-away sections helps you practice and build confidence. Plus, it adds a cool, peek-a-boo sparkle to your look! Once you feel more comfortable, you can move on to more visible areas.
To make your hair tinsel look its best, take a moment to section your hair properly. Use a fine-tooth comb to separate just a couple of strands for each piece of tinsel. Use a few hair strands to tie the tinsel closer to your scalp, helping it stay in place longer.
Most hair tinsel strands are long to fit different hair lengths. After tying it in, trim any extra tinsel to match your hair length. A quick trim can make all the difference, giving your hair a seamless sparkle that looks like it’s meant to be there.
Figuring out how to put tinsel in your hair is the hardest part (and as you’ve seen from above, it’s really not that tricky). Once it’s in, maintaining the look is relatively straightforward.
The tinsel should stay in your hair for at least 3 days to a week. When cared for properly, hair tinsel can last up to a month. The exact amount of time depends, of course, on how well it’s applied, how you care for your hair, and which method you use. As a general rule, microbeads last a bit longer than slipknots, which may loosen and slip out on their own after a few days or weeks.
If you’re wondering if you can wash your hair with tinsel in, the answer is yes, though we suggest being as gentle as possible when lathering up to avoid loosening the knot or microbeads. Washing your hair can cause your tinsel to come out sooner, especially if you rub your scalp vigorously. The good news is you probably don’t need to wash your hair daily. Evan says, “Generally, most people do not need to wash every day.
Limiting how often you wash your hair may help your hair tinsel last longer, as less washing means less manipulation. On wash days, use lukewarm water and gentle massaging to prevent unnecessary tugging on the knots securing the tinsel. For conditioner, apply it to your ends and avoid the roots where the tinsel is tied to your strands. For an extra-shiny finish, use the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Glossing Shampoo for Intensifying Shine and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Glossing Conditioner for Intensifying Shine. Together, the pH-balanced duo gently cleanses and leaves hair looking healthy and intensely glossy-the perfect complement to your metallic streaks.
To make your hair tinsel last, be gentle when styling, brushing, or washing your hair, especially near the roots where the tinsel is tied. Take your time when combing or styling around those sparkly strands, and avoid rough brushing. With hair tinsel on, you can brush your hair as you’d normally do. But if you're a particularly aggressive brusher, we’d recommend brushing gently. Use a soft-bristle brush or a wide-tooth comb, and gently detangle from the ends up.
If you plan to style your hair with heat tools like straighteners or curling irons, it’s essential to be careful with your hair tinsel. First, check the packaging to make sure you have heat-resistant hair tinsel. Generally speaking, it's best to avoid using heat on hair tinsel, when possible. Though some types of hair tinsel are designed to withstand high temperatures, not all are-and unless you’re certain your tinsel is heat resistant, you should lay off the hot tools for the time being. When you’re ready to style, use a lower heat setting to be safe. Applying a heat protectant spray can also help protect your hair and the tinsel strands. Johnson says the most important thing with any type of extension is to be gentle and don't rip on it too much. Most hair tinsel is designed to withstand some level of heat. However, it’s important to protect it-and your real hair-with a heat protectant before using a blow dryer or other heat tool. And make sure to adjust the settings to your heat tools. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Leave-In, both of which help protect against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Another tip: Use your hot tools on the lowest temperature setting to achieve the results you want.
When you're ready to take the tinsel out, find the tinsel knot in the hair near your part. Use your thumb and ring finger to pinch the tinsel and strands of hair. Keep your thumb and ring finger on the hair and tinsel at the scalp. Then, stretch the index and middle finger of your same hand up by 2 inches (5.1 cm). Open the latch of the hook for hair extensions and place it onto the hair and tinsel so the hook catches. Draw the tool down towards your thumb and slide it through your thumb and ring finger. Turn the tool so the open side of the hook faces up. Slide it back towards the strand of hair and tinsel. Use your free hand to pull the end of the tinsel and hair. When you're ready to take the tinsel out of your hair, feel for the knot of tinsel near your scalp.
When it’s time to take out your hair tinsel, be gentle to avoid pulling or damaging your hair. If you use microbeads, you’ll need pliers to loosen and remove the beads without pulling on your hair. Taking time during removal keeps your hair healthy and ready for your next tinsel style.
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