How to Apply DIY Tape In Hair Extensions: A Step by Step Guide for Beginners
The first time most of our customers apply tape in extensions at home they're terrified they'll mess it up. Then 10 minutes later they're standing in front of the mirror amazed at the result they are able to achieve at home.
This is a complete walkthrough of how to apply DIY tape in extensions properly using the reverse tape method we developed at Muse. Different to the old sandwich method most salons still use. Designed specifically for at home application by someone with no extension experience.
What you need before you start
Lay everything out before you begin. Trying to find a comb halfway through with sticky tape exposed is how installs go sideways.
From your Muse kit:
- 7 tape wefts in your matched shade
- The application clip and section comb (in the box)
From your bathroom:
- Wide tooth comb or detangling brush
- Two large hair clips for sectioning
- Mirror you can angle (handheld plus wall mirror works best)
Time: First install 20 to 30 minutes. By the third install you'll be down to 10.
Prep your hair first. This matters more than the application
The single biggest reason tape in extensions slip out early is residue on the hair before application. Conditioner, leave in spray, oils, dry shampoo. Anything coating the hair shaft stops the adhesive from gripping.
The day you apply your extensions:
1. Wash with a clarifying shampoo only. No conditioner. No mask. No leave in. The Muk Hair Extension Shampoo is what we recommend if you don't have a clarifier on hand.
2. Towel dry then blow dry completely. Damp hair will not bond properly. The hair needs to be 100% dry, not just air dried.
3. Do not apply ANY product between washing and applying. No oil, no serum, no spray, no straightening cream.
If your hair feels squeaky clean and dry, you're ready.
The reverse tape method, explained
Most salons use the sandwich method. Two wefts pressed together with your own hair sealed between them. It works but it's heavy, doubles the visible bond, and makes retape day a nightmare.
Muse uses the reverse tape method. One weft per placement. Your own hair acts as the sandwich, not another weft. The result: lighter, more comfortable, faster to install, and easier to remove cleanly.
The other key difference: place the weft 0.5 to 1cm BELOW your section line, not at the roots. New stylists put extensions right at the scalp because that's how every other method works. With the reverse tape method, dropping the weft a centimetre below the section makes it invisible and lets the bond move with your hair instead of pulling at the root.
Step by step. Section by section
Section 1: The bottom row
Use the section comb to draw a horizontal line across the back of your head, from ear to ear, about 2cm above the nape of your neck. Clip the hair above the line up out of the way.
You should see a clean horizontal section of hair below the clip. This is where your first weft goes.
Take a Muse weft. Peel the backing off ONE side only. Position the weft 0.5 to 1cm below your section line, sticky side facing up against the underside of the hair sitting against your scalp. Press it firmly upward into your own hair so the adhesive grips the underside of the hair shaft.
Now drop the clipped section back down so it falls over the top of the weft. The weft is now sandwiched between your scalp side hair and your falling top section. Press firmly with the heel of your hand for 5 seconds.
Section 2 to 6: Working up
Drop down a new section about 2cm above your previous one. Apply the next weft the same way. Repeat 5 more times, working up the back of your head.
Section 7: The sides
The 7th weft goes on either side of your head, around the temple. Same technique: section, place 0.5 to 1cm below the line, press.
Aftercare in the first 24 hours
The bond reaches full strength after 24 to 48 hours. During that window:
- Don't wash your hair
- Don't get the bonds wet at all (wear a shower cap)
- Don't sleep with wet hair
- Brush gently with a wide tooth comb holding the roots in your hand to take pressure off the wefts
After 48 hours you can shower as normal. Use the Muk Hair Extension Shampoo and Muk 1 Minute Leave In Mask. We don't recommend K18 or Color Wow with our extensions, the protein content can break down the adhesive over time.
The 5 most common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
1. Applying to dirty or damp hair. Skipping the clarifying wash is the number one cause of slippage in the first week. Wash, dry properly, no products.
2. Placing wefts at the roots. That's the sandwich method. Reverse tape lives 0.5 to 1cm BELOW the section line.
3. Not pressing long enough. 5 full seconds with firm pressure per weft. Counting helps.
4. Using product before applying. Even your normal styling spray can leave residue. Day of application: nothing on the hair.
5. Sectioning lines that are too small. Each section should hold enough hair to fully cover the weft. Thin sections leave the bond visible.
How long the application lasts and what happens next
A correctly applied set lasts 6 to 9 weeks before needing a retape. The hair itself is reusable for up to 9 months across multiple retape cycles.
When it's retape time, you'll either:
- Order our retape kit (extra adhesive tabs, no new hair)
- Or use our removal solution to take them out and apply fresh
We have a separate guide for removal: see How to Remove DIY Tape In Extensions Without Damage. For everything else (shade matching, length choice, aftercare) the full reference is the DIY Hair Extensions Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to apply DIY tape in extensions?
First install: 20 to 30 minutes. After 2 to 3 sets of practice, most customers are down to 10 minutes. The reverse tape method is faster than salon sandwich applications because there's only one weft per placement.
Can I apply tape in extensions on wet hair?
No. Hair needs to be 100% dry, not just air dried but blow dried completely. Damp hair stops the adhesive from bonding properly and the wefts will slip within days.
Do I need to be a hairdresser to apply DIY tape ins?
No. The reverse tape method we use was designed specifically for at home application by people with no extension experience. The kit includes a section comb and clip, and our shade matching service makes sure you get the right colour first time.
How long until I can shower after applying?
Wait 24 to 48 hours before any contact with water (including shower steam and sweaty workouts). The bond reaches full strength after 48 hours.
What if my extensions slip out in the first week?
Almost always means there was product residue on the hair before applying, or the hair wasn't fully dry. Email support@museforhair.com with a photo and we can talk you through fixing it.
Can I apply them on the same day I dye my hair?
No. Wait at least 48 hours after colouring before applying tape ins. Freshly coloured hair often has residue from the colour formula that affects the bond.
Do I need to use specific products after applying?
Avoid silicone heavy shampoos and leave ins. Avoid K18 and Color Wow (protein heavy, can break down the adhesive). We recommend Muk Hair Extension Shampoo and Muk 1 Minute Leave In Mask.
How many wefts come in a Muse kit?
7 wefts. Enough for a full head application using the reverse tape method, which uses one weft per placement instead of two like the sandwich method.
