Please tell me about hair extensions

[Floooopy]

My hair is just crap! Fact!
I've hit 35 and have recently been down about how awful I look in photos (And obviously in real life!). I've never looked great but have always got away with make-up/fake tan/ good camera angle to get a few photos a year that I'm happy with. I've come to the conclusion that it's mainly my hair. I'm a natural blonde and it's very thin. Never been able to grow it past shoulder length. It doesn't hold a style even with straighteners, curlers, products, nothing! It's just flat against my head and doesn't look good.(Mentioned natural blonde as it tends to be very fine hair- which mine is)

How much would good extensions cost me? What is the upkeep? How often, how much? I don't want long hair, I just want hair!

I have in the distant past had one-off extensions. Cost me about £150 for my wedding. They were put in with little bead things which could be seen through my natural hair. And the first day I went out, a woman on the street said "mind those extensions"!

I'm on mat leave at the mo, with not much earning potential in the near future but honestly feel that if I had a plan for cost, it might be one thing I keep up. (That and eyelash tint - hello fellow blondes!)

Please - any info, tips, costings?

As your hair is very thin, you do have to be very careful about any wefts showing through so this limits your options.

Clip ins are the cheapest choice, virtually no maintenance cost but you might want to book in to get them trimmed or matched to your natural colour. A high quality set of decent thickness will probably cost around £200 - you could find cheaper sets but they won’t be as thick/nice.

Tapes & micro rings seem to be the best extension options for fine hair. I haven’t had either but have looked into them, seems to be £200-£300 to install then maintenance appointments for around £50 every 6-8 weeks or so.