Pre-Bonded Hair in One Minute
Pre-bonded (keratin tipped) extensions come as individual strands with a keratin or glue bond at one end. The bond is the only difference that matters on the client: it decides how invisible the extension looks, how much it can be re-bonded, and how fast the install goes. Three shapes dominate the market - I-tip, U-tip and V-tip - plus the flat "nail tip" used on permanent straightening.
I-Tip: Small, Discreet, Flexible
An I-tip has a small cylindrical keratin bond, roughly the diameter of a grain of rice. It is the most flexible option and the easiest to fit inside layers of natural hair, which makes it the first choice for clients who want volume without length. It can be re-bonded with a hot iron as the natural hair grows.
See the I-tip pre-bonded human hair extension for strand weights and lengths we stock.
U-Tip: The Volume Workhorse
A U-tip carries a noticeably larger round bond, which gives a stronger anchor and slightly more volume per strand. The U-tip is the classic choice for full-head density work: fewer strands are needed for the same visual result, and the bond still sits flat enough to disappear under a well-cut natural layer.
Our blonde U-tip keratin hair extension and U-tip pre-bonded silky straight hair cover the most requested colourways.
V-Tip: The Nearly Invisible One
The V-tip has a small flat V-shaped bond. Flat means it lies flatter against the scalp than a round bond, so on very fine or short hair it is the least visible of the three - at the cost of a slightly smaller anchor. V-tip is often specified for clients with fine hair who still want a keratin bond rather than micro rings.
Nail Tip: For Permanent Straightening
Nail tip (flat tip) uses a wide, flat keratin base and is normally used for straightening and smoothing rather than for adding visible length. It is a specialist product and less common in retail extension programmes. The nail tip keratin hair extension line is available on request.
Side-by-Side Comparison
- Bond size: I-tip smallest, V-tip flat and low-profile, U-tip largest and rounder.
- Visibility: V-tip and I-tip hide best on fine hair; U-tip is the most noticeable of the three at the root.
- Hold: U-tip gives the strongest mechanical anchor; I-tip and V-tip rely more on section tension.
- Installation time: I-tip fastest to place, U-tip slowest because of the larger bond, V-tip in between.
- Ideal client: I-tip for fine hair and light volume; U-tip for full density on medium hair; V-tip for fine hair wanting a flat, hidden bond.
- Re-bonding: all three can be re-bonded as the natural hair grows, extending the life of the strand.
What to Stock in a Salon or Store
Most professional buyers run two of the three: an I-tip for clients who want discreet volume and a U-tip for density work. Keep both in the same colour range so re-orders are simple, and note that our tangle-free shedding-free U/I/V pre-bonded keratin hair is our best-selling mixed-tip pack for new accounts.
Ordering Pre-Bonded Hair in Bulk
For wholesale orders, specify grade, colour code, strand length (typically 16 to 24 inches for weaving work), tip weight per strand and set weight. Sample a few strands before you commit to a full colour run. Send us your requirements and we will return a quotation with MOQ, production time and packaging options.