The extensions you put in a client's hair carry your name, not your supplier's. If the hair sheds, tangles or doesn't match, it's your chair they come back to. That's why choosing a wholesale hair extension supplier is one of the biggest decisions an extension stylist makes.
Whether you're adding extensions to your salon for the first time or you're looking to switch, these are the things worth checking before you open a wholesale account.
1. The hair itself
Start with what's actually in the pack. Ask any supplier:
- Is it 100% human hair? Blends and synthetics won't wear or style like your client's own hair.
- Is the cuticle intact? Hair that's been stripped and coated with silicone feels beautiful in the pack, then turns dry and tangly after a few washes once the coating wears off.
- Is it double drawn? Double-drawn hair keeps its thickness from root to tip, so the ends don't look thin and wispy.
- How is it sourced? Clients increasingly ask. You should be able to answer.
At Mane Baby, our hybrid flat wefts are 100% human hair, ethically sourced, and processed in a way that preserves the cuticle — so the hair stays soft and silky for months, not weeks. You can read more about it on our hair page.
2. The weft type
Not all wefts suit all clients. Machine wefts, hand-tied wefts, genius wefts, tape wefts and hybrid flat wefts all behave differently on the head — especially on finer hair, where a bulky track shows.
If a lot of your clients have fine or thinning hair, look for a weft that sits flat and doesn't create a ridge. We've written a full comparison of weft types if you want to go deeper.
3. Shade range and how easy it is to match
A limited shade range means more custom colouring, more time and more risk. Check:
- How many pre-coloured shades are available
- Whether there are rooted or blended shades for a softer grow-out
- Whether you can get a colour ring to match clients in the chair
Mane Baby offers 26 pre-coloured shades, including shades with pre-coloured roots. You can browse every one on our range page.
4. Pack sizes and waste
This one gets overlooked. If a supplier only sells large packs, you'll often open a new pack for a partial head and end up with leftover hair in a shade you won't use again.
Smaller allotments make it easier to buy exactly what an install needs and to mix shades for a custom result. Our wefts come in 55g packs for exactly that reason — we explain why in this post.
5. Lengths
Make sure the lengths you need are consistently in stock. Mane Baby hybrid flat wefts come in 16", 20" and 22".
6. Training and education
A good supplier doesn't just ship hair — they make sure you can install it properly. Ask whether training is available, who runs it, how many people are in each session, and whether you leave certified.
Our full-day, hands-on training runs in Richmond, Melbourne, with a maximum of four hairdressers per session, led by Mane Baby founder Bianca. See how the day works.
7. Margins and pricing transparency
You're running a business. Before you commit, understand the wholesale price, the recommended retail price and what that leaves you after your time. Recurring maintenance appointments matter too — extensions are one of the few services where a single install turns into regular repeat bookings.
We break the numbers down in how much a salon can earn from extensions.
8. Support when something goes wrong
Every stylist eventually has a tricky colour match or a client with a question you can't answer. Find out who you'll actually be talking to. A supplier run by working hairdressers will understand the problem faster than a generic customer service inbox.
9. Dispatch times
Clients book around their lives. If stock takes a week to arrive, you'll be rescheduling. Check dispatch times and where the stock ships from.
10. Resources for your clients
The best result in the world won't last if your client doesn't look after it. Ask whether the supplier gives you aftercare material you can share. Mane Baby stockists get a full aftercare guide to hand to every client.
A quick checklist
- 100% human hair, cuticle intact, double drawn
- A weft type that suits your clientele
- A wide pre-coloured shade range and a colour ring
- Pack sizes that don't force waste
- Hands-on training with small class sizes
- Clear wholesale pricing and healthy margins
- Real support from people who know extensions
- Fast dispatch and client aftercare resources
Ready to talk?
Mane Baby was designed by hairdressers, for hairdressers. If you'd like wholesale pricing and to see whether we're the right fit for your salon, find out about becoming a stockist.