20 Gorgeous Sew-In Hairstyles You'll Want to Try Right Away (2024)

Sew-in hairstyles — or "hair weaves" and "weaves" as they're often called — are used to protect naturally textured hair from excessive heat styling and color. The style has a variety of installation techniques, such as traditional, partial and braidless. To create a sew-in look, all of the hair needs to be braided down around the scalp. Wefts of hair or tracks are then sewn into the braids.

Over the years, sew-in hairstyles have made an impact on popular culture. From being associated with the jaw-dropping cover stars of Vibe Vixen to Hollywood starlets, the discussion of sew-ins has found a way to be both popular and uniquely taboo. Even though hair extensions are used by people of every ethnicity and race, the installation technique has been heavily associated with Black women. The curiosity surrounding sew-ins and Black hair culture inspired comedian Chris Rock to create the documentary Good Hair. The documentary shows where the bundles of hair are sourced from and how prevalent weaves are within the Black community, especially in Black Hollywood.

No matter what time of year, sew-ins are always a good idea. Check out these gorgeous sew-in hairstyles (plus some helpful stylist and expert secrets!) for the next time you're looking to try something new.

Angela Simmons is a huge fan of sew ins (so much so that she is a brand ambassador for hair extensions brand Yummy extensions). The socialite and fashion designer opened up about her preferred use of sew-ins in her Youtube haircare video with stylist Q Hardy. Angela uses sew-ins to protect her hair from constant heat styling and potential damage. This style is ideal for those who prefer to wear their natural hair in heat-trained styles.

Nicki Minaj has become known for her loud colored wigs and Rapunzel-worthy long bundles. For Nicki, sew-ins are not only a protective style but low maintenance in comparison to doing her own natural hair. According to Nicki's stylist Kim Kimble, she dyed the hair jet black and then straightened every inch. The celebrity stylist told Refinery 29,"It's a lot to flat iron," and that "she smooths on Argan oil for shine."

One of the benefits of wearing sew-ins? You can experiment with various colors without risking damage. This vibrant color is the perfect shade for fall (or any time, really).

According to StyleSeat colorist Brittaney Danyel, "Going gray is more damaging than going blonde for a couple of reasons. In order to achieve a gray color, you have to lighten (or bleach) your hair past the color of blonde." Yet another reason sew-ins can be a safer option.

Bubblegum pink hair is more than a spring hairstyle. Dyeing bundles pink requires virgin hair to be bleached blonde to create a base for the bubblegum pink pigment. Brittaney recommends coloring bundles if you're a fan of experimenting. The Style Seat expert adds, "[By] using coloring bundles, you are avoiding damaging your natural hair, you can have multiple color options if you are constantly changing your style, and they are great for adding volume and length to your natural hair."

Some sew-in lovers complain that the use of leave-out and straight bundles results in heat damage. In order to shield against excessive heat, a frontal or a closure allow for all of the hair to be tucked away and protected. Both are made from human hair and Swiss lace, similar to a lace front wig. That said, according to sew-in hairstyle website Mayvenn hair, the difference between the two hair pieces has to do with size. A frontal is installed to cover the scalp from ear to ear, while a closure only covers the middle section of the hair. Both are great options.

If your favorite emoji is fire, then this orange ombre color is perfect! The ombre color adds dimension to the hair and gives the illusion of more volume.

The skunk stripe has definitely made a comeback in recent years. This gorgeous look experiments with depth, warmth and incorporates the classic look.

The bob will never go out of style. Usually when people think of getting a sew-in they use it to add length. That said, if you don't like getting your haircut or aren't sure about risking the results, then a sew-in is a great way to experiment with shorter lengths, as well.

Bright red is known to be a tricky color. According to Brittaney Danyel, "The molecules in red pigment are much larger than the molecules in most other colors. Because of this, the red color isn’t able to fully penetrate." Thanks to sew-ins though, you can wow in red without all of the extra maintenance involved.

If you want to go blonde but are too afraid of the potential damage, a full blonde sew-in with a lace closure might be a good way to get the best of both worlds. What's more, this hue is gorgeous for all seasons.

This gray scale look combines black hair and gray highlights to create a youthful salt-and-pepper style.

If you're looking for your next Pride-inspired hairstyle (it's never too early to celebrate Pride!) or to add a major pop of color to your look, then this is the way to go. This multi-hue style is created through applying various highlights onto a frontal.

Have you ever heard the question "what lace?" If you're interested in achieving a closure, then an HD closure is the perfect option. The HD closure gives the illusion of the scalp being exposed, and the natural hair is completely braided down and protected with zero leave out.

This high ponytail uses a frontal and two bundles of hair to achieve a perfect updo full of volume and bounce.

Achieving texture is possible with bundles, even if the hair isn't curly. This burgundy style was created through the use of body wave bundles and a wand curler. According to hair expert and influencer DAISYDOESMYHAIR, the body wave may hold the curl better than a straighter bundle of hair.