Hand Tied Extension Move Ups: What They Are and How Often You Need Them
An extension move up is the maintenance visit where your stylist removes your hand tied weft, resets the beaded row close to your scalp, and reattaches the hair. You need one because your own hair grows and carries the row down with it. Many clients book every six to eight weeks, though your growth sets the real timing.
Key takeaways
- A move up resets your beaded row near the scalp as your hair grows.
- Many clients book every six to eight weeks.
- New extension clients start with a complimentary consultation.
- Waiting too long can cause tangles and strain at the root.
Why does my hand tied row drop over time?
Your row drops because it's attached to your own hair, and your hair keeps growing. The beads sit on small sections of natural hair, so as those sections grow, the row travels down with them.
That's normal. It's also why hand tied invisible bead extensions come with a regular maintenance plan. Related guide: how hand tied compares with K-Tip and tape in extensions.
How do I know I'm due for a move up?
You're usually due when you can feel the row sitting lower, see a bead when your hair moves, or notice more tangling near the root.
Other signs are a heavier feel at the nape, or a ponytail that shows the row when it didn't before. Many clients land on a six to eight week rhythm. Faster growth may mean sooner. Your stylist will help you find your own schedule and can book the next visit before you leave.
What happens during a move up appointment?
Your stylist takes the weft off, resets the beads higher on your regrown hair, and puts the weft back in place. Along the way, they detangle the root area and check the health of your natural hair.
It's also a chance to adjust. If the row felt heavy, or you want a little more fullness through the sides, tell us. The plan can change a bit at each visit.
Move up on time or wait it out
- Row position. On schedule: Close to the scalp and hidden. Left too long: Low and easier to see.
- Comfort. On schedule: Light and even. Left too long: Heavier, more pull at the root.
- Tangling. On schedule: Minimal at the base. Left too long: Matting risk at the base.
- Visit. On schedule: A routine reset. Left too long: More detangling and repair work.
Can the same hair be reused at every move up?
In many cases, yes. Good quality weft is often reused for several move ups when it's cared for well at home. Over time, though, it wears like any hair and may need replacing.
Your stylist will tell you when the weft is getting thin at the ends or losing its shine. Careful washing and drying makes a real difference here, so our guide to caring for hair extensions at home is worth a read.
What your move up looks like
- Check in. Tell your stylist how the row has felt since your last visit.
- Remove the weft. The weft comes off and the beads are opened.
- Detangle and assess. The root area is cleaned up and your natural hair is checked.
- Reset the row. New beads are placed close to your scalp on regrown hair.
- Reattach and blend. The weft goes back on and your stylist blends it into your hair.
What goes wrong if I skip a move up?
A row left too long can tangle at the root, pull on your natural hair, and start to show. As the beads slide down, the weft has less support, so it can feel heavy and uncomfortable.
Matting at the base is the biggest risk. It takes longer to fix than a regular move up and can stress your own hair. If life gets busy, book the next visit before you leave the salon.
A move up on time is a routine visit. A late one turns into repair work.
Dubé New York
Who can book a move up online?
Move ups are for clients who already wear hand tied extensions. If your extensions were installed with us, book online and pick the move up from the Service Menu.
If you're new to us, or your extensions were put in somewhere else, start with a complimentary Extension Consultation. We'll check your current install and your hair before planning anything. Here's what that consultation covers. Wearing K-Tips or tape ins instead? Those methods follow their own maintenance plan, and your stylist will explain it.
Your move up questions, answered
Can I stretch my move up to three months?
We don't recommend it. By then, most rows have grown far enough down to tangle and pull at the root. Many clients book every six to eight weeks. If you need to stretch a visit, keep brushing twice a day, dry your roots fully, and call us if the row starts to feel heavy.
Do I need to wash my hair before a move up?
Ask when you book how to arrive. Either way, skip oil and heavy product at the root that day. That gives your stylist a clear view of the beads and makes resetting the row easier. If your hair is tangled at the base, tell us when you book so we can plan for it.
Can I add more hair at a move up?
Often, yes. If you'd like more fullness or your weft is thinning, mention it before your appointment so the extra hair can be color matched and ready. Your stylist will check that your natural hair can support the added weight before placing it.
Can I get a haircut or gloss at my move up?
Ask when you book. A trim to blend your natural ends into the weft, or a gloss to refresh your shade, can pair well with a move up. Your stylist will tell you what fits into the same visit and what's better booked on its own.
What if my row feels itchy or tight after a move up?
A little snugness for a day or two can be normal while your scalp settles. If it still feels tight, sore or itchy after that, call us. We'd rather adjust a bead than have you put up with it, and you have one week to tell us for a complimentary correction.
Due for your move up?
Existing extension clients can book a move up online. New to extensions with us? Start with a complimentary Extension Consultation.