Why Hidden Crown® - Let's Compare

My Story

A year and a half ago, I had a nightmare experience with permanent hair extensions, which lead me to trying out a halo extension as my hair grew back. I had previously never tried a halo and didn't even really know what it was! Aside from the permanent extensions, I also tried clip ins from a different brand when I first started my blog. I wasn't impressed at all with the quality so I stayed away from extensions from a long, long time until I found Hidden Crown hair extensions.

I posted my initial thoughts in this post along with some really fun hairstyles! At the time, I had the Daydream and the original Hidden Crown extensions. Today, I wanted to share an updated review of my experience along with the differences between three halo styles - the daydream, the hidden crown and the hidden crown layers along with the clip ins.

I highly recommend asking someone at Hidden Crown to color match you. The process is super simple and it will save a lot of time in the long run. Make sure you send a good photo of your hair in natural light so they can match it efficiently. Initially I was super overwhelmed with the amount of colors available and I didn't know which one would fit. Luckily, with the help of the staff, I got my perfect match in the first try!

The hair is SOOOO smooth and high quality! After my experience with the other company, the difference in quality is like night and day. The thickness depends on the extension you choose but they are all very natural looking, which was the most important factor to me.

I have had my extensions for over a year and a half and on average, I wore them 3 times a week. The Hidden Crown website states that they last anywhere from 3-4 months to up to a year or more. I've had my original extensions for 20 months and they're still going strong.

The wire is super strong! It looks similar to aa fishing line as it's clear and not detectable. It does feel a bit strange when you put them on and they may leave a small "dent" the first few times. The "dent" is temporary and goes away after removing. If you fit the wire correctly, it does not dig into your head at all and to be honest, you can't tell that you're wearing them!

It depends on the one that you get. The Hidden Crown is heavier than the Daydream because it has more hair but once you get used to it, you don't feel the "heaviness." The Daydream is super lightweight and I forget I'm wearing it most of the time!

Not at all! You do have to fit the wire to your head yourself but this isn't hard. They give you all the tools you need and even have video tutorials on their website to help. Putting it on after it's been fitted does have a slight learning curve but after you do it a few times, it's a piece of cake. I can put mine on in less than 30 seconds!

This is exactly what I was afraid of! If you fit the wire correctly, it will not fall off or slide around. I've worn these pretty much everywhere including NYFW in February when I was running around from show to show and it was super windy outside. Although it's super secure, I don't recommend doing flips or head banging or anything like that lol! I also did also wear one to Disneyland... but I wouldn't wear it to Magic Mountain.

I find that my hair curls much better when I have these in! My natural hair is really fine and doesn't hold a curl but the extensions hold for dayssss. I do not use any hair products on my extensions.

Taking care of your extensions is extremely important, especially if you want them to last. The process of washing them was a bit foreign to me at first because I didn't want to ruin them but they have a great tutorial on their website that I followed. They recommend washing only when necessary - about every 2-4 months on average. I usually wash every 5-6 months since I don't wear them everyday and I have multiple extensions but it really just depends on the circumstances.

When you get your extensions, they give you a storage bag and hanger along with a few other things. I always have mine on the hanger hanging by the weft (not hanging by the wire!) and when I travel, I use the storage bag although you could definitely use both at home if you prefer.

The halo extensions are great for low ponytails and buns and they do have a tutorial on how you can create a high ponytail with it but I haven't tied it personally. For any high hairstyles like a ponytail or a bun, I recommend using the clip-ins or their bunjee pony. To see hairstyles with my extensions, go here and here!

I've traveled so many places with my extensions! I've gone to NYFW in the heat and the cold, Puerta Vallarta in the summer, and Disneyland. I use the storage bag when I travel so they don't get matted. If it's windy, I recommend having a hair tie to use so they don't get tangled. If it's rainy, I recommend having an umbrella handy or wearing a hooded jacket. If it's humid, I recommend getting creative with your styling by doing braids or something else where you can pull the hair back. Out of all the places I've traveled, I noticed the biggest change in Puerto Vallarta. Where I live, it gets really hot but it's not humid. On the first day of my trip, I was sweating like crazy and my hair wouldn't hold a curl. For the rest of the trip, I put my in braids or styled it in a way that pulled back and off my skin and it was fine.

• 18 inch
• color #613 (lightest blonde)
• 110 grams
• very natural looking
• great for "everyday"
• natural ends
• 35% less hair than the Hidden Crown

• 20 inch
• color #613 (lightest blonde)
• 140 grams
• thicker but still natural
• thick, blunt ends (double drawn)
• even thickness throughout
• great for more "glam" looks

• 22 inch
• color #613 (lightest blonde)
• 170 grams
• 4 built in layers
• thicker than daydream but still natural with layers
• tapered and layered

• 20 inch
• color #613 (lightest blonde)
• One 7.5" Volumizer with 3 clips (double drawn - 80 grams)
• Two 5" side pieces with 3 clips (50 grams)
• Extremely versatile

Customer service is amazing!! I had a lot of questions initially and they were so helpful and quick in answering. I've always gotten a reply the same day. Shipping was lightening fast! I think it may have taken 3 days at the most?

Pros

• No damage to my real hair - this was super important to me after I was trying to grow my hair back after my hair extension nightmare.
• A lot of different options - aside from the halos and clip ins, they also have toppers and a pony tail option.
• Hair is high-quality!!
• Customer service is helpful with matching and answering questions
• Tutorials available for pretty much anything - instructions on how to fit it to your head, how to put it on, how to do different hairstyles, etc.
• Includes everything you need - comb, clip, storage bag, pliers, extra wire and beads, additional samples to color match
• All extensions are 100% Remy hair

Cons (but is it really?)

• Price point is an investment but compared to bonds or tape in extensions, they are definitely more affordable and not damaging. Plus having used a cheaper alternative years ago, I definitely think you get what you pay for with extensions and if you take care of them, then they will last a long time!

** Also, just a little update. They were kind enough to create a code for you all. I you'd like to try these out, use LIZZIEINLACE for $25 off your order **

For a more in depth review and a comparison of the Daydream, Hidden Crown, Layers and Clip Ins, watch the video below!