27 Sew-In Hairstyles to Show Your Stylist ASAP

Ella Mai with a sew-in hairstyle. — @iloveindique

One of the best things about sew-in extensions and sew-in wigs is the versatility. Have short hair and want it down to your waist? You can do that. Or if you have long hair and are here for a chic bob, that's possible too. Below, we've rounded up 27, expert-approved sew-in hair styles that you can bring to your stylist (or add to your Pinterest for future inspo).

Meet the Expert

Erinn Courtney is a Los Angeles-based StyleSeat hairstylist and natural hair expert.
Geneva Fowler is a natural hair expert and the lead braid stylist at BEAUTYBEEZ.
Kamara Brown is a StyleSeat hairstylist and natural hair expert. She is based in West Hollywood, CA.

What is a sew-in?

Simply put, "A sew-in is a type of weave," says natural hair expert, Geneva Fowler. You braid your natural hair into cornrows and see extensions into the cornrow braids. Usually, you leave a small amount of your natural hair out on top and in the very front to cover the tracks. (Tracks are the weft of hair extension)."

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Ombré Waves

Ombre bounce blowout sew-in — @iloveindique / Instagram

Ombré color gives these waves a little something extra. And if you're on the hunt for a natural look with your own hairline, StyleSeat hairstylist and natural hair expert Kamara Brown says this is it. "This style looks so natural and frames the face well," she comments. However, there's a catch: "This can be high maintenance because your natural hair needs to be styled to keep the look intact," adds Brown.

Byrdie Tip

To get these loose waves, you'll first need to use a curling wand. And to make them last, Brown recommends pinning them at night. Sleeping with a silk pillowcase will also help this style last longer and keep the shine, she adds.

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Sleek-Straight Bob

Regina Hall wearing a short, blunt bob — Amy Sussman/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

One major perk of a sew-in is that you can experiment with length even if your hair is longer than the style you're interested in trying. So why not take inspiration from Regina Hall and give this super-sleek blunt bob a go? To prevent heat styling your hair daily, wrap your hair each night and secure it with a Grace Eleyae All Silk Turban ($77).

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Voluminous Curls

This bombshell curl style on Jordyn Woods is a showstopper. "The volume is beautiful and the curls create a nice shape and height," comments Brown. She attributes its natural appeal to Woods's hairline and part showing. "To keep the curls tight you will have to re-wand the curls a volume sharp spray can be used to keep the curls from falling and hold them in place," she instructs.

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Red Bob With a Side-Part

K Michelle wearing a red-colored curly lob — Jason LaVeris/Getty Images

K. Michelle's universally flattering lob gets an upgrade with bright, burgundy color and a side voluminous curls. If you're looking for an opportunity to experiment with color, ask your colorist for a custom shade to go alongside your cut and style.

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Blown-Out Curls

Mary J. Blige long blonde curly hair — @nealfarinah / Instagram

Neal Farinah is a haircare giant and the mastermind behind Mary J. Blige's look here. When it comes to sew-ins, his recommendation isn't to purchase the most expensive bundles. Instead, he says it's all about the foundation (aka the braid down). If you find your scalp itchy post-braid down, products like Canviiy's Scalp Bliss Organic Serum ($20) and Luxe Therapy's Scalp Soother ($10) can help take the itch out.

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Contemporary Curly Updo

Curly sew-in updo — @heatfreehair / Instagram

There are two things this beautiful style encompasses: a blow-out hair texture and an installation that allows for hair to be pulled up. For hair extensions that mimic the texture of your natural hair, try brands like Heat Free Hair, Big Chop Hair, and Hair for the Girls.

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Curly Wand Curls

Curls on curls on curls. "What’s flattering about this look is that the bang is super easy to wear and always looks chic," comments StyleSeat hairstylist and natural hair expert, Erinn Courtney. It can complement a larger forehead and/or a long neck too, she adds. And the best part? "It doesn’t require any special maintenance because all of the natural hair is braided in, so the sew-in should stand the test of time."

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Long and Straight

Kehlani wearing long, sleek red hair — Lester Cohen/Getty Images

Long, glossy hair will never go out of style. Meanwhile, a start middle part is super trendy. A silk pressed sew-in will get you Kehlani's sleek 'do but to keep flyaways at a minimum—without making hair too oily—grab a handy dryer sheet.

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Wavy Blonde Lob

OK. Let's talk about this glorious blonde hair. It is fire. That's it, that's the caption. Getting this shade will likely require a customized color, but we say go for it. That, and the glitter eye, too.

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Textured Bob With Full Fringe

Bob with fringe sew-in — @kenyaonhair / Instagram

Trying on short hair doesn't have to be permanent. A sew-in can be a great way to test a style before taking the plunge. "This hairstyle would be best for people who want to see themselves with big and voluminous hair. Also, this is great for people with 4c type hair because it matches well with their texture and doesn’t require extreme straightening," says Courtney.

Byrdie Tip

To keep this style looking its best, Courtney says it might require using rollers on hair while sleeping or in the shower.

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Long and Curly

Zendaya with extra long, curly hair — John Nacion/Getty Images

Opting for a sew-in doesn't mean you can't still rock your natural hair texture. If you want to try on length or give your own hair a break, finding hair extensions close to your own hair texture is a fun, low-maintenance solution. "Filling a spray bottle with water and conditioner is a great way to refresh this style," says Fowler.

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Silky Shoulder-Length

Wavy shoulder-length sew-in — @iloveindique / Instagram

Ella Mai's silky, shoulder-length style sew-in is a seamless everyday look. "It has the perfect amount of leave-out which gives it a flat and natural hairline, unlike a lace front wig," notes Courtney. If you can’t usually pull off full weaves or lace fronts because they look unnatural on you, she suggests trying this sew-in. "The styling objective is to make the leave outmatch the sew-in by flat ironing or hot combing the hair straight," says Courtney.

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Blonde Bob

Sleek-straight blonde sew-in — @londonlaidit / Instagram

Bobs are timeless and the golden color of this one really makes the look pop. "It’s classic, elegant, and very low maintenance," says Fowler. And although it's a quick weave, it can be duplicated with a sew-in with a little leave out. To keep it looking fresh, "Just remember to wrap your hair each night and lay your edges each morning," notes Fowler.

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Voluminous Blowout

To rock a luscious blowout and gorgeous curls, opt for a sew-in style that can do both. And don't forget to deep condition and use a heat protectant, because human hair extensions can get split ends, too.

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Side-Parted Deep Waves

Megan Thee Stallion wearing side-parted long wavy sew-in — Marleen Moise/Getty Images

Side parts and bountiful waves are a fan favorite, and we see why. Meg Thee Stallion's deep-hued hair is fun, voluminous, and perfectly frames her face. Fowler admits deep waves are one of her preferred sew-in styles. Why? "You typically don’t even have to re-curl [the] hair, it just stays in that beautiful pattern."

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Asymmetrical Bob

Ryan Destiny knows how to switch things up. Replicating her asymmetrical bob—A-line on one side and blunt on the other—is possible with a sew-in, no matter your hair length. It's dramatic, sophisticated, and classic, all at the same time.

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Voluminous Natural Curls

Serena Williams wearing voluminous curly hair — Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Imagine LA

A sew-in doesn't only mean straight hair. Here, Serena Williams shows us just that. To style, use a hair pick to lift hair up without damaging your curls. Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Hair Pick ($9) will get the job done.

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Billowing Curls

Shiny voluminous curls sew-in — @ninamoniquehair / Instagram

There really isn't much to say about this style other than wow. "I love a long curly sew-in. It’s beautiful and great for people who like big hair or just don’t want to straighten their leave out," says Fowler. If you have long hair but want to add volume while leaving out some of your own hair, ask your stylist about a partial sew-in. "Pin curling and setting your hair in a bonnet or silk wrap will keep your hair protected," adds Brown.

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Natural Mid-Length Curls

Kelly Rowland wearing natural curly weave — Allen Berezovsky/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Ready to give your natural hair a break with a protective style but still want to rock your natural curls? Find a hair option close to your curl pattern and go for it. Strategic layering, lots of volume, and deep conditioning weekly—with something like Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner, $38—will keep this sew-in looking as light as air.

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Natural Wavy Blowout

Sza wearing long, wavy sew-in weave — Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images

With a sew-in that mimics a natural hair blowout, braid the hair down the night before and unbraid the next morning—or a couple of days later—to get this beautiful texture. "And a pro tip is don’t forget to detangle, it’s still curly hair so if you neglect to detangle and moisturize you might end up with dread locs (true story!)," comments Fowler.

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Textured Updo

Textured sew-in updo — @iloveindique / Instagram

If you've been wondering whether you can wear your hair up with a sew-in, the answer is "yes," on one condition: Talk with your stylist before installation to ensure they give you a braid down that makes variety easy. This will also prevent any track marks from showing.

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Curly Afro

This curly sew-in is statement-making and low-maintenance—although wash-and-gos and moisturizing products are needed to maintain the style, notes Brown. Brown encourages those with 4a to 4c texture to have fun with this look; it's not meant to be perfect. "Some days the curls won’t be defined and that's okay!"

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Platinum Bob

We already mentioned the blonde quick weave above, but Kelly Rowland's platinum style has a bit more body, thanks to the curled ends. And the bob is more versatile than you think—depending on what type of sew-in you have, you can go for a side part for a French bob look.

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Middle-Part Waves

Serena Williams with a middle-part wavy style — Steve Granitz/Getty Images

There's nothing like a wavy, middle-part, blonde sew-in, and Serena Williams proves our point. To highlight your face, opt for almost-platinum, face-framing pieces near the front of your face.

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Caramel Body Waves

Keke Palmer wearing caramel-colored highlights — Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

One of the best things about a sew-in style is that you can experiment with different color hair without damaging your own. If you're inspired by Keke Palmer's caramel-colored body waves, ask your stylist for a closure sew-in. Closures help mimic the natural parting in your hair while maintaining a realistic-looking hairline. As a bonus, since you don't have any leave-out, you don't have to worry about color- or heat-damage.

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Tousled Updo

If you have a 360 sew-in or a frontal sew-in, you'll have the option of styling your hair in a chic updo, just like Megan Thee Stallion's Oscar party look. Curl your hair first, then bundle it into a loose ponytail, leaving out a face-framing side piece. Then to finish the look, pin the loose curls into an updo style (but not too tight—it'll give prom instead).

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Long and Wavy

Ciara wearing long, crimped hair — Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit

Ciara's waist-length waves are another versatile closure style that looks super natural without sacrificing the health of your natural hair. If you're looking to buy hair to recreate yourself, look for either Brazilian or Peruvian water wave bundles for that boho chic style.

FAQ

How do you sew in hair extensions?

"A sew-in is when your natural hair is braided down into a braid pattern of choice so that the extension of your sew-in will have a base to attach itself. You will then use a thread and needle to sew down the hair extensions on your braid," Brown tells us. This process can be quite long, sometimes upwards of four to six hours.
How do you wash your hair under a sew-in weave?

It's recommended that you go back to see your stylist every two weeks to get a proper wash. If you work out or have an active lifestyle, washing your hair once a week is best to prevent buildup, and it's also possible to do at home. Just be sure to use a gentle shampoo and conditioner and carefully comb the product throughout your extensions.

Learn More How to Take Care of Your Hair Under the Weave
How much do sew-in hair extensions cost?

The cost of a sew-in can vary depending on your location and your stylist. Some may see prices around $100 for the install, while others may be looking at $500 or more. You also have to consider the cost of the actual hair extensions, which can tack on another few hundred dollars.
How long do sew-in hair extensions last?

Sew-in hair extensions can typically last you around six to eight weeks. Be sure to avoid going past that time frame to prevent damage to your natural hair.
What's the best hair for a sew in?

The best type of hair for a sew-in weave is virgin, human hair—aka human hair that hasn't been colored or chemically manipulated in any way. With virgin hair, you'll have greater control over styling, have less shedding and tangling than synthetic hair, and have better longevity with your style.