It’s one of life’s great unanswered questions. After years of pondering the relationship between hair colour and happiness, BHBD’s new clip-in extensions might be the ultimate commitment-phobe’s ticket to a taste of the blonde life.

Eight months ago, I found myself in what could only be described as a quarter-life crisis with a side of pop-culture obsession. It was a bitterly cold February in London, and, during the long, dark hours spent in my flat, I fell headfirst into the world of the late Carolyn Bessette, courtesy of Ryan Murphy’s Love Story. Taking us back to the early days of Carolyn and John F. Kennedy Jr.’s relationship, the series serves up a heady cocktail of Americanisms, power dynamics, tragic romances and… the sort of blonde hair that could make you reconsider your entire identity.

To step into Carolyn’s impossibly chic shoes, actor Sarah Pidgeon underwent a rather dramatic transformation, trading her brunette locks for a glorious, multi-dimensional blonde. The result is a colourist’s fever dream: perfectly creamy, beautifully lived-in. I was sold. Suddenly, I was scouring Vinted for vintage Calvin Klein, wearing an alarming number of roll-necks and binge-watching the series alongside my full-time job. 

All that was missing was the hair. I fantasised about taking the plunge, sacrificing my healthy brunette locks at the altar of a very specific early-’90s aesthetic. But, alas, the sensible voice in my head, the one that knows a thing or two about bleach damage, refused to shut up. 

It’s frustrating. Why should becoming the most fun, fabulous and impossibly chic version of yourself come at the expense of your hair’s wellbeing? Must we really choose between a healthy head of hair and a healthy dose of delusion? As it turns out, no. When I visited Copenhagen for Fashion Week later that summer, I was introduced to BHBD’s latest innovation: a new generation of clip-in extensions so discreet, they’re practically undercover. Cue a much-needed rethink of everything I thought I knew about hair extensions. Forget the old-school associations with waist-length mermaid hair and questionable textures; these clever little additions offer a whole new playground for hair experimentation.

Of course, they’ll still give you the extra length or volume you’re after, but why stop there? Think of them as a temporary personality transplant for your hair: one minute you’re a brunette, the next you’re channeling your inner muse, minus the commitment, the salon bill and the emotional fallout. 

As I discover the joys of being an occasional blonde, Wonderland sits down with Louise Sköld, founder of BHBD, to get the inside scoop on the innovation making hair experimentation easier than ever – and now available on UK shores. Because sometimes, a little blonde ambition is all it takes. Keep reading…

Why did you decide to launch clip-ins?
We saw a huge opportunity to improve the clip-in extensions that were already on the market. A lot of our customers were asking for clip-ins that felt truly invisible, with the same level of hair quality, colour work and attention to detail that they expect from BHBD.

One of the biggest things for us was versatility. We wanted to create clip-ins that you could actually style freely – whether that’s wearing your hair down, creating a bridal updo or doing a really sleek ponytail – without having to constantly think about hiding the extensions.

Our clip-ins are not bulky at all. They’re incredibly slim and discreet, almost like our Invisible strands, and the hair goes all the way up to the top. That makes such a difference because even when the hair moves or the wind catches it, you don’t suddenly expose a bulky seam.

We also put a lot of work into the colours, especially our balayage shades. Extensions should blend into your own hair, not look like an extra piece that has been added.

What are the main differences between clip-ins and tape-ins, besides one being more permanent?
For me, the biggest difference is how you use them in your everyday life. Tape-ins become part of your hair – you wake up with them, wash them, style them and live in them. They’re amazing if you want that consistent transformation every day.

Clip-ins give you much more freedom. You can completely change your hair in a few minutes and then take them out again at the end of the day. They’re perfect if you want extra volume or length for certain occasions, but don’t necessarily want to commit to wearing extensions all the time.

They’re also such a great styling tool. You don’t always need a dramatic transformation – sometimes adding a few pieces in the right places gives you the volume you need for a ponytail, an updo or just that really full, expensive-looking hair.

What are your best recommendations for people who have never worn clip-ins before?
Don’t overcomplicate it! I think people sometimes assume extensions are difficult because they see these incredible transformations online, but clip-ins can actually be incredibly easy.

Start with what you want to achieve. If your goal is volume rather than lots of extra length, you may not even need to use every piece. Place them where your own hair naturally falls over them, and always make sure you have enough of your own hair around the hairline to keep everything seamless.

And colour matching is everything. The right colour – especially when you have dimension, highlights or balayage in your own hair – is what makes extensions disappear into your natural hair.

Then play with them! Try a ponytail, waves, a bun or an updo. They should feel like another styling tool in your wardrobe rather than something intimidating.

What would you tell people who have never tried extensions and want to explore them?
I would say: extensions don’t have to mean becoming a completely different person or suddenly having extremely long hair. That’s probably the biggest misconception.

Some of the best extension work is the work you would never know was there. It can simply be about adding fullness, filling out thinner ends, adding a little extra length or giving you more hair to work with when styling.

If you’re curious but nervous about committing, clip-ins are probably the perfect introduction because you can experiment completely on your own terms. Put them in when you want them, take them out when you don’t – and discover what you actually love about having more hair.