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, almost like luminous babylights, but without the lasting commitment. And the best part is it’s safe and looks great in straight, wavy, curly, or textured hair. You don’t have to pay a lot to get it done at the salon! It’s also been a go-to gift to give tween friends. Hair tinsel is great to add for summer fun and the mermaid look, at a parade, for a special holiday, silly hair day, for a pep rally and team spirit day, to support your favorite team or your own team’s playoff game!
This article covers how to install hair tinsel using different techniques simple enough for beginners to nail, including a hand-tied slip knot and microbeads. We’ll also share some tips on how to care for your newly sparkly strands, and clue you in on what to avoid when rocking your metallic extensions.
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. 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. You can blow-dry your hair, let it air dry, or curl it. 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!
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.
Read also: Applying Tinsel at Home
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 kits will come with a packet of microbeads that have a layer of silicone on the inside to keep them from slipping down your hair, a hook, and pliers-all of which you’ll need for this method. Choose a bead that’s closest to the color at the roots of your hair. Choose a spot on your head where there will be enough hair to cover the bead.
Extra 1000 Hair Beads (optional! I HIGHLY recommend letting your kids pick out the colors (I suggest a max of three) and do the prep PRIOR to the application time. The prep part can be tedious and having them watch over you as you create the beads can be a little stressful. Snip the top of the package and pull out your strands, keeping them folded in half. Stack the strands with one another. Thread a bead onto your crochet hook tool that was included in the kit. Open the mouth of the tool and put the folded part of your strands in. Stick your finger in between the folded part of the strands. Note: It will likely loosen a bit as you lay it down and work on the next one. The “knot” will only be tightened and more secured when you crimp it and at it to the hair in the application step. Brush the hair. Note: Hair can be wet or dry but wait until it dries to cut the strands as hair tends to shrink up as it dries. Look at your threaded bead. Make sure to align it so the strands are faced downward like the photo on the left vs upward like the photo on the right. Grab a small section of hair. Tip: I like to add the beads on top of their head under another piece of hair to hide the bead. Use a barrette to hold that top hair to the side, as seen above. Now, pull the wire holder with the hair so it threads the bead onto the hair. Push the loose bead toward the top of their head. Crimp the bead closed using the plyers, with the tinsel on the top. Release the hair from the barrette to help hide the bead.
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 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. 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.
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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.
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.
Similarly, you’ll want to be careful when brushing or combing your hair-an aggressive approach could tug on the tinsel and make it more likely to fall out. 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.
Generally speaking, it's best to avoid using heat on hair tinsel, when possible. 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. 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. If you absolutely can’t part ways with your blow dryer or flat iron, be sure to prep your strands (tinsel included) with a heat protectant. 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.
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.
Read also: Customizing Your Hair Oil Blend
Johnson says the most important thing with any type of extension is to be gentle and don't rip on it too much.
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