Starting a hair extensions line is less about finding a supplier and more about deciding what you will not stock. A narrow, well-tested assortment beats a catalog of fifty shades that nobody reorders. Here is a practical launch sequence for salon owners, ecommerce founders and regional distributors.
1. Choose one channel first
Your channel decides the assortment. A salon installs and reorders a small set of methods with deep shade support. An ecommerce brand needs take-home formats, clear shade guidance and packaging that photographs well. A distributor needs consistent cartons and predictable lead times. Pick one, prove it, then expand.
2. Build a small first assortment
A workable starter range follows a simple rule:
- Two constructions — for example clip-in for retail and tape-in for salon installs. See the clip-in vs tape-in comparison.
- Four to six core shades — natural black, dark brown, two brunettes and two blondes, plus a color ring for custom orders.
- Three lengths — 16, 18 and 20 inches cover most first orders; add 22 inch only after demand appears.
- One premium line — balayage or root shadow to differentiate the brand. What salons reorder.
3. Vet the factory before branding anything
Order paid samples from the exact production line, run a wash test, weigh the packs, and check shade against a physical swatch. Ask whether the factory is a manufacturer or a trading company, and what happens when an independent test disagrees. Use our factory vetting guide, supplier questions and testing and documentation checklist before you commit.
4. Sort out private label basics
Packaging is where a wholesale product becomes your brand. Decide on box or pouch, hang tag, insert card, barcode and shade-code labels. Custom packaging, tags and barcodes are supported from 50 packs on our lines, and the approval sequence is covered in OEM and ODM explained and custom packaging. Print shade codes on the tag from day one — it makes reorders effortless for your salon clients.
5. Price from landed cost, not invoice price
Add freight, duty and tax to the factory price before setting retail. Then work backwards from a salon or retail margin. Our landed cost method, MOQ and pricing guide and salon margin guide cover the three calculations that most first-time founders skip.
6. An eight-week launch sequence
| Week | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Channel decision, shade list, request samples and color ring |
| 3 | Wash test, weight check, shade approval; freeze the spec sheet |
| 4 | Approve packaging artwork and hang tag shade codes |
| 5–6 | Production, pre-shipment photos, final invoice and freight booking |
| 7 | Incoming inspection against the retained sample; photograph the real product |
| 8 | Launch to a small list, collect feedback, then place the first reorder |
7. Plan the reorder before the first sale
Record the dye lot, approved swatch and pack weight for every SKU. Agree a reorder lead time with the factory and set a simple reorder point based on your first month's sell-through. Most new brands run out of one core shade long before they need a new one.
Frequently asked questions
How much stock do I need to launch?
Most first orders are built around a small number of SKUs with depth in the two fastest shades. Ask for MOQ by shade and length, not a single total.
Should I sell clip-in or tape-in first?
Clip-in if you sell online without installers; tape-in if you have salon partners. Do not launch both unless you can support the aftercare questions.
Can I start with a sample order?
Yes. Paid samples from the production line, credited against the first bulk order, are the standard way to de-risk a launch.
When should I add balayage shades?
After you have two months of reorder data on core shades. Multi-tonal colors need a detailed spec and a physical sample approval.
Ready to build your first assortment? Send us your channel, shade list and target quantities and we will reply with samples, MOQ and a landed-cost-friendly quote. Browse the full product catalog to shortlist constructions first.
